Here at Hempura, we know that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation about CBD oil, which is why we have created our Knowledge Centre where we address many of the questions and concerns that are raised by our customers and website visitors who are new to the world of CBD.
We are regularly asked questions like ‘Can CBD oil keep you awake?’, ‘Can CBD oil cause depression?’, ‘Can CBD oil cause palpitations?’, so today we’ll be addressing some of the safety concerns surrounding CBD oil.
How CBD oil works
In order to understand what CBD does and the impact it has on our bodies, we need to first take a look at the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) and the relationship it has with our wellbeing.
The endocannabinoid system was first identified in the late 1980s by Allyn Howlett and William Devane[i]. It “play(s) a very important role in the secretion of hormones related to reproductive functions and response to stress”’[ii], and a properly functioning endocannabinoid system is essential for human wellbeing as it helps our cells to perform at their optimum level.
Endocannabinoids are molecules produced naturally by the body to support the endocannabinoid system, and these molecules have a number of striking similarities with phytocannabinoids – the chemicals found in Cannabis Sativa. As a result, phytocannabinoids (like CBD) can bind to certain cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system[iii] and help to promote improved wellbeing.
Is CBD oil safe?
In a preliminary background paper into the potential adverse effects of CBD products (collated by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment[iv]), a number of short-term human studies of CBD consumption are mentioned which report no significant side effects from sensible one-off CBD dosages. The paper also states that CBD appears to be well tolerated as a dietary supplement. In addition to this, the report also highlights several studies that involved repeated sensible doses of CBD oil in human participants, and none of these studies describes issues with CBD toxicity or negative side effects.
However, there are a few potential side effects that have been reported by some individuals to be associated with CBD, including dry mouth, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, and drowsiness[v], and if you are experiencing any of these it is recommended that you stop taking your CBD oil product immediately. If you do want to start using CBD again after experiencing side effects, it’s important to start with a small dose and work your way up to a point where you are feeling the wellbeing benefits of the product without experiencing the side effects.
As with many other dietary supplements and food and drink products, consuming large, inappropriate amounts of CBD oil products isn’t recommended, and it’s not just because of the cannabidiol content. Take Terpenes, another important component of full-spectrum CBD oil; Terpenes have a wide range of positive biological characteristics (they’ve been found to be antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic and have anti-inflammatory properties[vi]), but they are also used in eco-friendly pesticides due to their toxicity against insect pests[vii], a factor which highlights the importance of ingesting these products at a safe and appropriate level to experience the benefits of these compounds rather than risk potential adverse effects.
Can you take CBD oil with medication?
There is evidence that CBD does have an impact on certain medications (for example, CYP inhibitors or inducers[viii]), so if you are taking medication at the moment, it is worth speaking to your GP or pharmacist about whether CBD oil products are a safe and appropriate wellbeing supplement for you.
Why CBD oil potency matters – and quality is so important!
Hempura’s range of CBD products are manufactured from a high-quality Industrial hemp extract. This extract undergoes strict manufacturing processes and THC removal to ensure legality and safety for all our customers. All the Industrial Hemp we use is always organically grown and is herbicide, pesticide, fungicide & GMO-free, with no harmful contaminants.
Hempura CBD oil and other products all have less than 0.01% THC and Cannabinol (or CBN, a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid found in Cannabis Sativa), making these particular cannabinoids virtually undetectable and ensuring that our products are safe and legal for sale in the UK and in many other European countries.
CBD oil concentration varies from product to product. The more concentrated the CBD oil, the more potent the product – take our range of original full-spectrum oils (which come in a 10ml bottle), for example. Our lowest concentration CBD oil contains 1.25mg of CBD per single drop, whereas our most concentrated full-spectrum oil has 5mg of CBD per single drop. Each bottle has around 200 drops per bottle, with the lowest concentration being a great starting point for people new to CBD or for individuals who, from experience, don’t require a huge amount of CBD oil in order to experience its wellbeing benefits. The most concentrated oils are often more popular with individuals who have been taking CBD as a supplement for a long time and have found that they need a slightly higher dosage to feel the positive effects of the product.
When you are purchasing CBD oil, it’s important to find a reputable and trusted manufacturer and retailer so that you can be sure about the potency and quality of the CBD products you have purchased and intend to use. This helps to reduce the potential for experiencing unwanted side effects from ingesting low-quality CBD products from unscrupulous sellers.
Finding the perfect dosage of CBD oil for you
CBD oil dosage isn’t a one-size-fits-all standard – it’s really important to find the appropriate dosage for you. Consuming the right amount comes down to establishing what works best for your body’s unique endocannabinoid system. In terms of optimal dose, only you can say for certain what level is most suited to you, based on a careful evaluation of how you feel and your thought processes over time, as you gradually increase the amount of CBD oil products you are taking.
If you are just starting taking CBD, we recommended that you start with a low dose of around 10-15mg, taken in a couple of doses, evenly spaced throughout the day. Once you get more familiar with CBD (and the effect that it has on your balance and wellbeing) you can increase the dose slowly, perhaps every 5-7 days, until you reach a point where you feel that you are benefiting from the wellbeing properties of this supplement.
If you’d like more information, you can also take a look at our CBD Dosage Calculator.
It all comes down to you…
It’s important to consider the CBD oil pros and cons for your unique situation before starting your CBD journey. Are you on any medication that could be affected by CBD oil? Is the CBD oil that you plan to take from a reputable, trusted manufacturer and retailer? What kind of CBD oil product (for example, CBD capsules, CBD vape liquid, etc.) will make it easiest for you to incorporate CBD into your day to day life? When high-quality CBD products are introduced appropriately as a supplement to your daily life after careful thought and research, the wellbeing results can be incredibly positive.
The Hempura range of CBD products are free from GMOs, pesticides, herbicides and heavy metals, are derived from organic hemp, are suitable for vegans and are gluten-free. If you’d like to find out more you can view the full range here.
References
[i] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2848184
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17369778
[iii] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1043661816311392
[iv] https://cot.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/tox2019-32.pdf – see page 26 for information about Human Studies
[v] https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1439/cannabidiol-cbd
[vi] Paduch, R., Kandefer-Szerszeń, M., Trytek, M. and Fiedurek, J., 2007. Terpenes: substances useful in human healthcare. Archivum immunologiae et therapiae experimentalis, 55(5), p.315.
[vii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6218333/
[viii] https://www.sps.nhs.uk/articles/cannabis-based-medicinal-products-potential-drug-interactions/
Last Updated on 06/06/2023