CBD may cause side effects including drowsiness and sedation when taken with alcohol or medications that alter brain activity such as anxiety, stress or sleep disorder medications. Male reproductive toxicity has also been documented through animal studies.
Aspirin can interfere with how other medicines, like blood thinners and antiepileptic drugs, work by competing for liver enzymes that are produced naturally in your body. Furthermore, it may interact with dietary supplements.
1. Liver Injury
A recent randomized clinical trial on CBD oil extract, widely available across capsules, gummies, edibles and oils in the United States, suggests that higher doses may cause liver injury. This can inhibit its ability to metabolize medications efficiently leading to drug interactions or side effects as well as potential drug-drug interactions or interactions among medications themselves.
The research involved seven participants. Out of these seven individuals, two met criteria for drug-induced liver injury while five others reached lower limits of normal.
CBD enters the liver through bloodstream delivery and interacts with its CB2 receptors to decrease inflammation, oxidative stress and fat storage in liver cells. Furthermore, CBD inhibits the CYP450 enzyme system responsible for drug metabolism in liver. A delayed onset of liver enzyme level elevations among CBD-treated volunteers indicates they could be vulnerable for hepatitis without realizing it; thus clinical evaluation should include routine screening of users of this substance.
2. Drug Interactions
CBD is an inhibitor of cytochrome P450 enzymes, which break down most clinically prescribed medications and increase risk of side effects when taken together with them. When taken alongside these medications, CBD can prevent them from being broken down and absorbed by the body, leading to an increased concentration of medication in bloodstream and potentially more side effects than anticipated.
CBD may interact with various medications, including antiepilepsy drugs (AEDs), tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Furthermore, research indicates that it may reduce the potency of certain anti-psychotic medicines.
CBD interacts with monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as tranylcypromine, phenelzine and isocarboxazid to create antidepressant-like effects.41 CBD can act as an G-protein coupled receptor 12 antagonist and 5-HT1A agonist simultaneously while allosterically modulating transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) receptors to produce anxiolytic, antipsychotic and anticonvulsant effects.41 It has also been demonstrated to enhance adult neurogenesis resulting in antidepressant-like effects41
3. Misleading Claims
Many consumers are turning to CBD in an attempt to alleviate pain, anxiety and other symptoms. However, consumers must remember that CBD is not a magic cure and may interact with other medications or cause interactions among itself and other forms of medication. Furthermore, due to lack of regulation for this industry not all CBD products are the same and some may contain pesticides and herbicides or more CBD than advertised on their labels.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking swift action against illegal CBD marketing claims. In one case against CBD Meds and G2 Hemp, both companies agreed to stop making scientifically unsupported health claims, along with paying monetary judgments to the FTC.
When shopping for CBD, choose a company that conducts rigorous gas chromatography-mass spectrometry tests on every batch and publishes results online. You could also ask them for a certificate from an independent laboratory using validated standard testing methods (e.g. those endorsed by American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, U.S. Pharmacopeia or NSF International).
4. Lack of Regulation
The CBD industry’s patchwork of state laws is creating consumer confusion and permitting untrustworthy players to enter the market, dislodging established brands from their place. A federal regulatory framework would establish clear standards to safeguard both innovation and market expansion while protecting consumers simultaneously.
Due to CBD’s lack of a standard dosage, safety concerns arise for both long-term and short-term usage. Studies on animals have demonstrated its male reproductive toxicity; this can result in testicular shrinkage and inhibited sperm production – something which affects men of all ages but especially young children and pregnant women.
States can take steps to increase product safety by mandating labeling of specific CBD quantities per serving and restricting which extracts are permitted in products, as well as mandating traceability for all. This will aid future research efforts while setting parameters for safe dosage. It may also mitigate any risk of overexposure.
