Exceeding CBD Intake: Potential Health Risks to Consider
Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the compounds found in the cannabis plant, has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. People take CBD for various reasons, including treating epilepsy, chronic pain, arthritis, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, migraine, cluster headaches, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
When it comes to dosage, the recommended starting point is 2.5 mg per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) twice a day, with a maximum dose of 10 mg/kg each day. However, it's essential to note that the recommended maximum dose of CBD is not firmly established, and general guidance suggests starting with a low dose (around 20-40 mg per dose) and gradually increasing as needed.
While CBD is generally considered safe, potential side effects can occur, particularly at high doses or when taken alongside other medications or underlying health conditions. Side effects may include fatigue and drowsiness, dry mouth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, elevated liver enzymes (ALT and AST), mild sedation, and in some cases, behaving bizarrely, slurring speech, and vomiting.
It's important to follow dosage guidelines on products, purchase from reputable sellers to avoid contaminated products, and consult with a doctor to ensure suitable dosages and that CBD will not interact with any current medications. The FDA has only approved one CBD product for medical use, Epidiolex, which contains CBD and is used to treat seizures in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex.
The concurrent use of CBD alongside alcohol or other drugs can increase the risk of sedation and drowsiness, leading to injuries. Animal studies suggest that CBD can cause infertility in males, but more research is necessary to determine if this will affect humans.
In summary, start with a low dose, monitor your response, and increase gradually. If considering doses above 300 mg daily or if you have liver conditions or are taking other medications, consult with a healthcare professional. Monitoring liver enzymes may be advisable during long-term or high-dose CBD use due to potential liver effects.
If a person takes CBD and experiences psychosis, hallucinations, delusions, or loss of consciousness, they should seek medical help immediately. It's also crucial to remember that while CBD shows promise, more research is needed to fully understand its long-term effects and potential interactions with various health conditions and medications.
If a person decides to use CBD products, they may want to consider purchasing these products from a reputable source and discussing taking CBD with their healthcare professional.
CBD, a compound from the cannabis plant, is often used in health-and-wellness and mental-health domains due to its potential benefits, such as treating anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders. When considering CBD products, it's essential to follow dosage guidelines, purchase from reliable sources, and consult with a doctor to ensure the dosage is suitable and avoid interactions with current medications.
