CBD Side Effects and Unknowns
CBD, short for “cannabidiol” is derived from cannabis and may be used to treat pain, anxiety, insomnia, mental health disorders and other conditions. CBD may also be synthetic and produced in a lab. For products containing CBD, you may see cannabidiol, hemp extract or hemp-derived on the packaging or ingredients list. Unlike delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical compound found in hemp and marijuana, CBD does not have the effect of feeling “high.” CBD is sold in different forms, all of which Service members are prohibited from using including edibles, lotions, oils, pills, capsules and vaping products.
CBD Side Effects
Like other drugs and medications, CBD use can have side effects. Some of these include:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Reduced liver function
- Nausea
- Reduced appetite
- Sleepiness
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Weight changes
What Do We Still Need to Learn?
Many CBD products available in the US are not currently regulated. This can mean inconsistencies in the reported strength of CBD products, or products that contain other ingredients not reported on the label. Unreported ingredients are especially concerning because they may interact with other medications such as pain medications, antibiotics or herbal drugs in ways that are not known.
If you are interested in CBD products for their health claims, there is limited evidence that these products do what they claim to do. Some of these claims include severe pain relief and treating epilepsy, depression, addiction, cancer and AIDS. We still have a lot more to learn about CBD. More information is needed on the long-term effects of CBD use, the amount of CBD that will cause side effects, how different CBD products interact with each other, how CBD affects male and female fertility and how it could affect fetal health.
Protect Yourself
For any pill or medication not prescribed by your health care provider, make sure to check the label for prohibited ingredients like CBD. Ultimately, you are responsible for what goes into your body.