What are the Side Effects of CBD Oil? Everything You Should Know Before To Buy

Many know of the potential benefits of CBD, from treating anxiety to improving appetite. But what about its side effects? Here is a list of all the symptoms that taking CBD may cause in your body. 

The 8 Side Effects You Should Know About Before Taking CBD Oil  

1. CBD Can Cause Changes in Appetite  

CBD helps improve appetite by helping regulate the endocannabinoid system. 

Causes 

The two receptors CB1 and CB2 play a key role in promoting appetite. Using CBD oil helps improve appetite by specifically interacting with these receptors. But as with most treatments, it can only work at the right dose.  

Any dosage beyond your requirements may cause a loss of appetite. Stress and anxiety are two important side effects of the wrong CBD dosage, and these factors affect your appetite too. 

Solution 

Seek a consultation with your doctors to reduce the dose of your CBD. Doing this should help bring your appetite back. 

2. CBD Can Cause Changes in Mood 

Extreme doses of CBD oil may trigger mood swings and cause irritability. 

Causes 

CBD is often used to treat anxiety and other mood disorders. It curbs changes in mood by boosting the hormone anandamide, which activates the receptors controlling anxiety. 

This effect is possible only when you administer an adequate dose of CBD. When you exceed this amount, the CBD starts triggering anxiety and mood swings instead of curbing them. 

Solution 

If your CBD oil is worsening your anxiety instead of calming it, it's time to seek a consultation with your doctor. Dosage is key when treating anxiety; only the correct amount will help curb these mood swings. 

3. CBD Can Cause Diarrhea or Constipation  

CBD is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, but in excess, it can cause problems with your digestion. 

Causes 

The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD help soothe the stomach from inflammation by regulating the production of proteins. 

The cannabidiol in CBD oil reacts with the cannabinoids in the body to help control inflammation. However, the same substance that aids healthy bowel movement can cause problems like diarrhea and constipation when taken in excess. 

If your dosage is more than the requirement, you'll start experiencing cramps and have an upset stomach. Rather than the CBD, it is usually a case of the carrier oil not agreeing with your body. 

Since CBD comes immersed in carrier oils like coconut and olive, an excess of these is likely to cause a digestive problem.  

Solution 

Diarrhea and constipation usually subside eventually. But if your symptoms worsen and you start seeing blood in your stool, you should immediately see a doctor. 

Furthermore, the chances of these things happening are higher if you have a weaker constitution. Fiber-rich food and exercise will help you keep these symptoms at bay. 

4. CBD Can Cause Dizziness 

Your dosage and body composition may be contributing to the dizziness. 

Causes 

It would help to start with small doses of CBD first to avoid dizziness. Every human body is different and reacts differently to CBD; the same dose may overwhelm one person while not affecting another. 

If your CBD oil is causing you dizziness, the fault lies in your dosage. Your body may be naturally sensitive to CBD and thus be reacting to it.  

Solution  

Fixing your dose goes a long way in helping avoid dizziness in future CBD use. You may have been taking the wrong dose all this time, leading you to have symptoms of dizziness. 

Finding the right dose and sticking with it should help avoid this side effect altogether. If you are unsure about the dosage or the problem persists, you can talk to your doctor.  

However, in some cases, this dizziness may also result from a sharp drop in blood pressure. Reports show that CBD may lower BP when administered in large doses.  

People with low blood pressure or those using BP medication must seek supervision from a medical professional before using CBD.  

5. CBD Can Cause Drowsiness  

In commercial CBD oil, the anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving properties of CBD get targeted to improve sleep. 

Causes 

CBD helps improve sleep duration by helping regulate the stress hormone cortisol. In insomnia, your body produces an excess amount of cortisol at night, making it impossible for you to be relaxed enough to sleep. 

By helping control the production of this hormone, CBD can make sleep possible for you. It also works to relieve tension in the muscles while soothing inflammation in your joints.  

These relaxing properties of CBD can be taken to the extreme by significantly increasing the dose. Large amounts of CBD may lead to limpness and extreme drowsiness. 

Solution 

You must have low CBD tolerance or access to a large quantity of CBD to see this side-effect in action. The usual dosage is very unlikely to produce this effect in people. 

People react differently to this drowsiness. For some, a little sleep does the trick. However, if the dose administered is on an extreme level, so are the symptoms, and in such cases, you should seek medical assistance immediately. 

6. CBD Can Cause Dry Mouth 

Dry mouth is a common and minor side effect of taking CBD oil. 

Causes 

 CBD oil is an extract of cannabis and is full of cannabinoids found in this plant. These compounds are present in all cannabis products and are responsible for causing “dry-mouth.” 

Cannabinoids reduce the mouth’s saliva production leading to this effect, also known as “cotton mouth.”  

Solution 

Dry mouth is a minor side effect of using all cannabis products, including CBD oil. The saliva production reverts to normal after the drug's effect has passed. 

In the meantime, hydration is essential when you have a dry mouth. Drinking water is the best solution to this problem.  

You can take fluids as you wish, but your CBD oil will work better if you give it some time before immediately consuming water. Ten to fifteen minutes for CBD oil tinctures and around 45 minutes for oil capsules is a suitable time window. It would help if you gave your products this time to be absorbed into the bloodstream before drinking fluids to get the most benefits. 

7. CBD Can Cause Nausea 

As with diarrhea, nausea when using CBD is typically a side effect of the oil's additional ingredients. 

Causes 

In low doses, CBD improves symptoms of nausea rather than causing it. Therefore when you feel nauseated when taking CBD oil, you are most likely reacting to the carrier oil, coloring, or other ingredients added to the oil. 

Another cause of nausea could be the quality of your CBD oil. If a supplier is not transparent about their ingredients, you should avoid their products altogether. 

Since the CBD market is still largely unregulated, contaminated products containing heavy metals, pesticides, and toxins may be present in some oils. These may be causing the symptoms of nausea. 

Solution 

If a mild reaction to the carrier oils is the reason behind the discomfort, it will pass with some rest and hydration. However, if contaminated products cause this nausea, you must seek medical assistance immediately. 

There is a possibility that your CBD oil may contain heavy metals like mercury that may poison your body. Medical intervention is vital in such cases. 

8. CBD Can Cause Vomiting 

As with nausea, contaminated or bad-quality CBD is the main culprit in causing vomiting. 

Causes 

Vomiting after using CBD oil is more likely to be caused by the additives in the oil than by the CBD itself. Such a deduction is possible because small doses of CBD treat nausea and vomiting. 

Therefore it is usually the sweeteners, coloring, dyes, and oils that cause vomiting in CBD users. 

Solution  

Hydration is key when facing problems like this. Make it a point to take fluids as this helps retain body strength. However, if symptoms persist, it may signify something more serious. In such cases, medical assistance is vital. 

Is it Safe to Take CBD Oil?  

Dosage and oil quality are of paramount importance when using CBD oil. Most of the side effects on this list occur when people do not follow these standards properly. 

To ensure that you do not face such complications, you must buy products that are Certified Organic, locally grown, and provide total transparency. 

Consulting with a practiced medical professional is also crucial, especially if you plan to use CBD to treat medical conditions.  

Sources 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2189767/ 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/ 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5470879/ 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1573017/ 

See also: Articles, CBD, Research & Studies

Enny Soyinka

PharmacologistExpertise : Research on cannabinoids, Brand Reviewer

Enny Soyinka stands at the forefront of hemp research, blending a deep-rooted passion for holistic health with a robust scientific background. As an accomplished pharmacologist, Enny's extensive research into hemp has made them a pivotal figure in demystifying its health benefits. Their expertise shines a light on the nuanced relationship between cannabinoids and wellness, offering well-informed insights in the dynamic world of cannabinoids.