What Are The Side Effects of CBD?

A quick Google search for “CBD,” and millions of results pop up – most of which report on the compound’s therapeutic potential. CBD has dozens of different wellness properties; there are products to help relieve stress and anxiety, as well as products to reduce pain and even to help with insomnia.

That said, there are a few risks and side effects associated with using CBD. The truth is, everything from the food we eat to the water we drink can have potential side effects. People react in different ways to different substances, and subsequently, the way CBD interacts with your body may be different compared to how it interacts with someone else.

In this simple guide, we look at several potential side effects that may be experienced when using even the market’s highest quality CBD products.

Potential Side Effects of CBD Products

The majority of potential adverse reactions caused by CBD are mild. In other words, although they may cause you to feel uncomfortable, they’re usually short term and happen right as the CBD starts to take effect. They typically last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours, and should start to subside as the CBD wears off.

Below are a few of the most common side effects of CBD.

Drowsiness/Tiredness

While CBD is often touted for its ability to help with insomnia, this could be an unwanted side effect for some people – particularly people looking to use CBD during the day for its calming effects. As the CBD market has progressed and evolved, so too have the range of products available to customers. In fact, using advanced formulations and supplementary ingredients like caffeine and B-vitamins, several brands (including us here at PureKana) have developed a range of energy-promoting CBD products that work excellent for morning or daytime use.

Dry Mouth

Also known as cottonmouth, CBD sometimes causes the mouth or even the eyes to become dry and parched. This appears to happen due to the way CBD reacts with submandibular glands in the mouth. Certain types of CBD products (particularly gummies) can reduce saliva production, so be sure to consume water before (and after) using CBD in order to minimize this side effect.

Reduces appetite

Some CBD advocates claim the cannabinoid can help with weight loss by reducing appetite. Although a beneficial effect for some, this could be a problem for others since it may leave them undernourished for extended periods of time – especially if CBD is used regularly. This could result in nutritional deficiencies, irritability, weakness, and unwanted weight loss.

Nausea and Diarrhea

Although rare, some users have reported feeling sick to their stomachs after using CBD oil. While the cause of this is unknown, it likely relates to a person’s gut microbiome and how various enzymes break down CBD and other lipid-based components in the oil. Again, however, nausea and diarrhea are very rare side effects after taking CBD oil.

Side Effects from Low-Quality or Contaminated CBD Products

Due to an ongoing lack of regulation in the industry, choosing a quality CBD product is crucially important. CBD can become contaminated during the cultivation and manufacturing process, resulting in low-quality and potentially harmful CBD products. In fact, unreliable products could contain the following toxins:

• Pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides
• Heavy metals from the soil
• PEG thinning agents
• Synthetic cannabinoids
• Alcohol-based solvents (i.e. hexane and butane)

Contaminated CBD products can indeed lead to side effects, some of which can be severe. Therefore, it’s so important to order products from established, trustworthy, U.S. brands. Here at PureKana, we have all of our products tested by a third-party laboratory to ensure they are pure and high-quality, containing zero contaminants. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) are available for everyone to view on each product page, so be sure to check the lab reports out for yourself while you’re browsing our collection online.

Final Thoughts on Potential CBD Side Effects

All in all, many people may benefit from CBD. However, since everyone is unique, CBD tolerance levels may differ from person to person. If you experience side effects like drowsiness, diarrhea, or dry mouth, perhaps it’s a sign that CBD isn’t for you. Or, maybe you just consumed too much of the cannabinoid and need to reduce your dosage.

Like any other compound, the effects of CBD are not entirely linear; as the compound is processed, your body may react and produce unexpected results. Therefore, it is always important to start with a low dose of CBD and carefully gauge how you’re feeling before upping the dosage.