Fact or Fiction: Is Cannabidiol (CBD) Safe to Take?

Frank Viola did not write this article. It’s a guest article.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a relatively new health supplement that has become more popular in recent years. It is extracted from cannabis plants and has been shown to have a variety of health benefits for issues like pain, inflammation, and more. It comes in a variety of forms, such as CBD capsules, oil droppers, and gummies. However, because it is so new, many people don’t know anything about it, which can make some wary if it’s safe or not. If you are worried about the safety of CBD, here’s what you need to know to sort the truth from the myths.

Fiction: CBD Makes You High

CBD has suffered from some negative stigma because of its association with the THC that is present in marijuana. Both CBD and THC are from the same family of chemical compounds found in cannabis, known as cannabinoids. THC is the compound that is psychoactive which is what makes you feel high when you consume marijuana. Most people think that because CBD also comes from cannabis, it’s synonymous with THC.

However, CBD by itself has no psychoactive elements and will not make you high when it is separated from THC. Most CBD products that you buy will be free of any THC, as a legal requirement to sell it without any restrictions.

Fact: CBD Is Safe to Take

When it comes to adverse side effects, CBD is very safe to take. That doesn’t mean there are no potential side effects, but they are very rare and when it does happen they are minor. Unlike the THC from marijuana, it does not cause anxiety or paranoia — in fact CBD has been found to reduce anxiety. Typical side effects of CBD can include:

Fatigue
Change in appetite
Diarrhea

These are the most severe side effects you may experience when taking CBD. You will not face anything worse than that as long as you are not taking an extremely high dose, well beyond what is normal

Fiction: CBD Is Always Safe

However, there are some circumstances where taking CBD can be more hazardous. As mentioned above, you can have more serious side effects if you are taking an extremely high dose. You should follow the recommended dose amount on whatever product you purchase, or you can use a dose calculator.

The other situation where CBD can be dangerous is if you take it at the same time as other medications. With some prescriptions, CBD can interact badly with it and cause more adverse side effects than usual. So if you want to try it and are already taking other medications, it is strongly advised to consult with your doctor first.

CBD as a supplement is safe to take, and as long as you use a normal dose and don’t mix it with other medications, it has very minor side effects on its own. You can also avoid any CBD that makes you high as long as you get it legally, so it contains no THC. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to start taking CBD at smaller doses and increase it as needed so you know how it affects you.

Frank Viola did not write this article. It’s a guest article.

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