Potential Side Effects of Taking CBD Oils: What You Should Know

Everyone talks about the benefits of CBD oil. This makes sense because there are so many physical, emotional, and mental health benefits of CBD. For many people, the revelation that CBD oils may have health qualities is a huge relief. CBD may be effective for a wide range of conditions for which people have been seeking help for years.

But few people talk about the side effects of CBD oils. For the discussion about CBD to be completely objective, both the benefits and the side effects need to be considered. The potential side effects of taking CBD oils should always be understood before using CBD oils in any form. Following is a rundown of the potential side effects that you should be aware of.

Fatigue

CBD oils are known to have a relaxing effect on the body and the mind. This effect isn’t something that would make you feel “woozy” or “out of it.” Remember, CBD oils have only trace amounts of THC, so they can’t get you “high.” But because CBD oils do relax you, it’s possible that you may experience a feeling of fatigue or mild tiredness. This is especially the case if you’ve been under a lot of stress lately and this is the reason that you’re taking CBD to begin with. When your body’s in stress mode, it releases adrenaline, which makes your heart beat faster and energizes you. When the feelings of stress vanish—as would be the case after use CBD oils—the adrenaline dissipates.

In contrast to the heightened state of anxiety, the sudden drop in energy can make you feel fatigued or even sleepy. This is your body’s way of telling you that the perceived danger is gone and you can relax. If CBD oils do make you feel fatigue, it’s best to confine their use to times when you’re free to relax or even lie down.

Prescription Medication Interactions

If you take any kind of prescription medication, you need to inform your doctor if you plan to use CBD products. There is always a possibility of a contraindication between CBD and whatever medication you take. The chances are slim, but it’s not worth taking a chance that the desired effects of your prescription medication may be compromised by the use of CBD products.

Possible Pregnancy Effects

If you are nursing or with child, you should avoid using CBD in any form. The legalization of CBD products is fairly new and we simply do not know enough yet about the potential for pregnancy or lactation. Research is still ongoing on this topic. In the meantime, rather than take any risks, don’t take CBD at all during these times.

Dry Mouth

There have been anecdotal reports that using certain CBD products causes dry mouth as a side effect. This makes sense, because CBD interacts with the body’s salivary glands. While dry mouth is not pleasant, this side effect is mild and doesn’t last long. The mere habit of sipping more water or sucking on sugar-free candy may alleviate this side effect. You should also know that if dry mouth is a problem for you, there’s an alternative. CBD-infused salves, which permeate the skin barrier and provide potent effects, typically don’t produce dry mouth. It’s rare for anyone to report dry mouth as a side effect with the exclusive use of salves. At Vitality CBD, we offer a nice range of CBD-infused salves that are just as powerful a delivery method as some other CBD products.

Long Term Use Side Effects and Other Causes of Side Effects

Because CBD is ultimately broken down inside the liver, there is some speculation that long-term use may have the potential for additional side effects. However, at this time there simply isn’t enough scientific data to make a definitive determination on that point. As with all products, you should exercise caution and pay attention to the signals your body is sending you.

It’s worth it to note that many people who experience CBD's possible side effects are using them in large quantities. Dry mouth is one example where, in small doses, this side effect is nearly non-existent. In higher doses, any side effect may be more likely to present itself.

How to Minimize Side Effects

As stated, the best way to minimize or eliminate side effects is to start with a small amount and work your way up in dosage instead of down. That way, you can more readily regulate your intake and stop increasing dosage levels when you begin to experience any side effect. Do this gradual increase over a period of weeks, not days. Remember that recommended dosage levels are just that-recommended. You don’t have to take a certain dosage. You should only take what you’re comfortable with and what your body responds to positively. Finally, another way to minimize or eliminate potential side effects is to switch to CBD-infused salves. Salves offer the same benefits, with far fewer potential side effects. They are gentle, easy to use and easy to regulate dosage.

Should You Alert Your Doctor if You Have Side Effects?

For many people, any side effects experienced because of using CBD oils are mild and go away after lowering dose levels. However, if you have any concerns, by all means let your doctor know what’s going on with your body. Most physicians these days are well aware of the phenomenal positive effects of CBD and are well-read on the issues. You should have no trouble communicating with your physician in a respectful conversation about your CBD use. Your doctor will always be a vital resource for your health concerns and may even offer ways to lessen those side effects that are concerning to you.

Everyone’s physiology is different. There is no way of predicting how your body will react to using CBD products. That’s another reason why it’s so important to start with low doses and work your way up, rather than the other way around. What is known is that the human body has specific receptors for CBD. Your body metabolizes CBD through those receptors. In other words, your body has the means to accept CBD and process it. So you never have to worry that you’re giving your body something it’s not prepared for.

At VitalityCBD, we pride ourselves on our commitment to provide high quality CBD oils and salves to our valued customers. We are just as committed to informing our customers about all aspects of using CBD, including the potential for side effects. If you have any questions or comments, we look forward to hearing from you.

About Vitality CBD™

Vitality CBD exists to provide a healthy and natural alternative to the pharmaceutical industry. We embrace charity, sustainability, quality, trustworthiness, and domestic sourcing as our core operational values. All our CBD products are grown, harvested, extracted, and bottled all in American owned and operated facilities. Vitality CBD products are certified Non-GMO, Organic, Vegan, and Gluten-Free. Take 20% off your first online order with code FT20 today!