Many people love to tout the positive benefits of CBD. It can help treat anything from chronic pain to anxiety to sleep issues. But there are some negative side effects of using CBD as well. But as you’ll see, they are relatively minor.
1. Dry Mouth
Taking CBD can lead to dry mouth in humans. CBD does suppress the receptor in the body that produces saliva, so you will create less spit after taking it. This is also why many people experience “cottonmouth” when they use marijuana as well. Drinking lots os fluids usually helps if this is a side effect you experience.
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2. Drowsiness
Fatigue and drowsiness are two side effects people often experience after taking CBD. Some may see this as a positive, as CBD is a common treatment for people who have trouble sleeping. And as with most symptoms on this list, drowsiness is not necessarily a universal symptom. Some people will feel more energetic and awake after CBD. It’s different for everyone.
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3. Lightheadedness
Lightheadedness or dizziness can be a side effect after taking CBD. This is usually a very temporary symptom and can usually be fixed by drinking anything with electrolytes and steering clear of anything with caffeine. The best bet is to also make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day.
4. Slight Drop in Blood Pressure
Connected with the lightheadedness, some people may experience a slight drop in blood pressure immediately after taking CBD. As with dizziness, staying hydrated or taking a caffeinated beverage will help. And this is a temporary symptom that should return to normal quickly.
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5. Appetite Changes
Some people may experience appetite changes after taking CBD as well. Some people will experience an increased appetite, while others will experience a decreased appetite. In very rare cases, people may also suffer from diarrhea.
6. Effects on Movement Disorders
CBD does have an unusual effect on people with movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s Disease. While some studies have noted that at very high doses (such as over 300 milligrams of CBD per day), some patients experienced increased tremors or movements. Other recent and higher-quality studies have shown that Parkinson’s patients consuming 300mgs of CBD had shown improved motor skill movement. However, these same studies state that overall, CBD improves a patient’s quality of life. So, it seems the positives outweigh the benefits.
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7. Interactions with Other Medicines
This isn’t necessarily a negative side effect as much as just a regular side effect. Taking CBD can alter how certain medications interact with a person’s body. In some cases, CBD can help those drugs and increase their effects on the body. In others, it can reduce their effects. Specifically, there is some evidence that CBD can affect a certain enzyme in the liver. But these effects are usually minor and temporary. According to our doctor, the only negative well-known drug interaction with CBD is around the blood thinner Warfarin (coumadin.) If you take Warfarin, consult your doctor before taking any CBD products.
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While these side effects should be considered, don’t let it scare you too much. The World Health Organization wrote, “There is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”
And those are the main side effects of CBD. Doesn’t sound quite as bad as most medicines, right?
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Joseph has been writing and editing for a wide variety of publications over the last decade. His most notable roles were at Playboy, where he helped relaunch the iconic brand’s digital arm and Civilized — where he has written extensively about all aspects of CBD.
