by: Robert Regler
Within recent years, CBD has been viewed as the end all be all in terms of pain relief, anxiety relief, and has been even shown to help with seizures. With something on the market that is viewed in such high regard, it is only natural that the demand and purchase will increase in the upcoming years. CBD is typically well received when people take it, but like many things people take there are going to be side effects. While not all of them are completely negative, it is important to know the effects something has on your body before you take it.
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working on rules and regulations for CBD, there currently are none in place. This means for the people purchasing CBD within the near future, they are buying a product that has no rules and limitations on what goes in it. On certain CBD products (such as CBD gummies) there sometimes is a warning label advising that some will contain more or less CBD due to the variability involved in creating CBD products. Until this is regulated, CBD companies will not be required to follow an industry standard while producing their product. In addition, CBD is a relatively new product so there are limited longitudinal studies conducted on its effectiveness.
When someone decides to try CBD for the first time, they should see how it interacts with any current medications or supplements they may take. CBD can potentially occupy enzymes within the body that are used to break down prescription drugs. This can pose a significant risk to one’s health by decreasing the number of medications in one’s bloodstream. In addition, CBD has been found in some cases to cause drowsiness within its users. This can cause problems in one’s everyday lives, especially when operating motor vehicles.
While this next factor is on a case to case basis, it is something that does in fact happen. Because of its perception as an end all be all product, some people replace their current medication with CBD. While it can be helpful for a number of things, CBD should not replace any prescriptions that you currently have in place. Unfortunately, due to the ever-growing positive stigma surrounding CBD, some have halted the use of their everyday medications.
While CBD has been associated with numerous benefits, it does have its side effects that are worth noting. Before taking it, one should look into the pro’s and con’s beforehand. The Southwest Council, Inc. provides free presentations on various topics, for both parents, community members and for schools. If you are interested in having a presentation, please feel free to reach out at (856) 794-1011 or visit us online at www.southwestcouncil.org.
Resources:
https://www.fool.com/investing/2019/12/16/4-things-to-know-about-the-fdas-cbd-guidance.aspx
https://www.foriawellness.com/blogs/learn/cbd-oil-risks-side-effects-safety-contraindications
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-oil-benefits#is-it-legal
