CBD is being used more and more frequently. It may be able to offer help for conditions ranging from chronic pain to depression, PTSD, and even epilepsy. It’s an all-natural supplement, and it has no psychoactive effects, like its cousin THC. However, does that mean that there are no side effects to using CBD?

The Truth about CBD Side Effects

The truth is that every natural supplement can cause side effects. CBD is no different, although most of the side effects are both rare and mild. What side effects have been noticed? Some people have found that they experience:

• Drowsiness
• Sleepiness
• Diarrhea
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in weight

Digging Deeper

While most side effects of CBD are very mild and relatively few people will experience them, there are a couple of important notes to make here.

Medications and CBD

Many natural products have been shown to interact with a wide range of medications, including things as innocuous as grapefruit, which is why organ transplant patients cannot eat the fruit. There is some evidence that CBD may have negative interactions with some types of prescription medications. If you regularly take medications, speak with your doctor before beginning a CBD regimen.

Liver Toxicity

When fed large quantities of CBD oil, laboratory mice developed liver toxicity. A similar condition has been noticed in a small percentage of people taking CBD as a supplement. In these people, CBD caused an increase in liver enzymes, which can be a sign of liver damage. Roughly 3% of those patients saw enzyme increases large enough that they stopped taking CBD. If you are at risk for liver damage, speak with your doctor before beginning a CBD regimen. It may be necessary to monitor liver enzyme levels through blood testing.

Is CBD Safe?

Ultimately, CBD has been deemed mostly safe and it promises many important benefits, including reduced anxiety and freedom from pain. It has relatively few side effects, and those are mild. However, those at risk for liver damage and those taking prescription medications should work with their doctor to ensure that CBD is the right supplement for them.