CBD gummies are a great way to take CBD without making much impact to your daily routine. These edible products are convenient, tasty, and discreet. You can enjoy the benefits of a CBD gummy from anywhere at any time. Whether you need to relax after a long day at work, or if you want to improve your quality of sleep each night, CBD gummies may be just what you need.
As a whole, CBD shows promise as a possible treatment for many common ailments. Research has shown that CBD may be effective in minimizing chronic pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and acne. The cannabinoid has also shown promising anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure properties, which means CBD may be a possible treatment for seizure disorders.
While there’s a lot of good that surrounds CBD gummies, there are risks that you should be aware of. Here are some of the most common CBD gummies side effects, as well as what you can do to minimize experiencing them.
Drowsiness
CBD is a very calming and relaxing compound. While it typically doesn’t cause feelings of tiredness or drowsiness, it is a possibility. As with any compound, how CBD affects you may differ from how it affects someone else. For instance, some people experience a wake-inducing effect after taking CBD, which makes them feel more alert and energetic. For others, the cannabinoid produces an opposite reaction, where users feel drowsy.
If you notice that you feel tired after taking CBD, avoid driving a vehicle or operating any heavy machinery. Because CBD gummies affects your energy, it is to protect your health and safety as well as the safety of those around you.
To minimize drowsiness, minimize the amount of CBD that you’re consuming.
Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a common side effect that is experienced when using any cannabinoid, including CBD. Dryness of the mouth can occur if cannabinoids are consumed, smoked, or vaped.
You may notice that your mouth is dry when using CBD because of how cannabinoids interact with the endocannabinoid system. This system has receptors in the salivary glands, and when activated, the secretion of saliva from the glands can be inhibited.
According to one study, the submandibular gland that produces more than 60% of saliva has cannabinoid receptors. Anandamide, which is an endocannabinoid in the body, is linked to dry mouth. This happens when the endocannabinoid interacts with the submandibular receptors, which then block the signals from the nervous system that tells the gland to produce saliva.
Dizziness & Lightheadedness
This is a very rare side effect, but it’s possible that you may feel dizzy or lightheaded after using CBD. This side effect is generally temporary and can be quickly relieved by drinking a caffeinated beverage such as coffee. This will allow your body to regain its balance.
If you feel dizzy after consuming CBD gummies, drink a cup of coffee, tea, or soda. It’s also important to drink plenty of water throughout the day when you take any kind of CBD product.
Drop in Blood Pressure
Many people who experience dizziness or lightheadedness experience this side effect because of a drop in blood pressure. CBD has been linked as being beneficial to helping those with heart disease and diabetes by lowering blood pressure.
This property of CBD is positive for the most part, but for people with normal blood pressure, it can cause a slight drop. This can lead to dizziness and lightheadedness.
If you suffer from low blood pressure or take medication to regulate your blood pressure, it’s best to refrain from taking CBD gummies. Always consult your doctor before adding CBD as part of your daily regimen.
Interaction with Prescription Drugs
Those taking any kind of prescription drug for a pre-existing health condition must consult with their doctor before taking CBD gummies. This is because CBD research has shown that the compound affects drug metabolism within the liver.
CBD impedes the activity of certain liver enzymes, namely cytochrome P450 enzyme system, which metabolizes pharmaceutical drugs. In the case of other prescription drugs, CBD may actually increase enzyme activity, which can also be dangerous.
This means that any drug that uses the CYP450 enzymes to metabolize may negatively interact with CBD. Some of the common drugs that CBD may interact with include:
- Antiarrhythmics
- Antihistamines
- Steroids
- Calcium channel blockers
- Antibiotics
- Antidepressants
- Beta blockers
- NSAIDs
- Anti-epileptics
To protect your health, always check with your doctor to get medical clearance to take CBD gummies or any other kind of CBD product. This way you’re aware of any interactions and can prevent them as needed.
How to Minimize Side Effects
The good news is that all of the common CBD side effects are minimal. For most, they’re more so a nuisance than a risk or danger. What’s even better is the fact that there are ways you can minimize the chance that you’ll experience any side effects at all.
One of the first things you can do when taking CBD gummies is to use the appropriate dosage. If you’ve never taken CBD before, you’ll want to start with the lowest dosage possible. You can find many different CBD gummies available in low doses such as 5mg and 10mg.
Over time you can gradually increase your CBD dosage until you find your sweet spot. It’s best to start low and slow so that you avoid consuming too much CBD too quickly.
Another way to prevent side effects is to only buy high quality CBD products. Avoid CBD products sold at gas stations or other local convenience stores. The best place to find superior CBD gummies is online.
The CBD gummies you purchase should be made with USA-grown hemp and should have a reliable certificate of analysis (COA). This documentation identifies what a product consists of, to include cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, as well as potential contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals.
Conclusion
While research has shown that CBD offers all sorts of benefits, there are some side effects to be aware of. If you experience any of the side effects on this, lower your dosage or contact your doctor.