Prior to using CBD, please consult your physician to ensure that CBD will not interfere with your current medications.
“Can I take CBD with my prescription medications?”
There’s not always a straight “yes” or “no” answer to this question.
Studies have shown that humans can tolerate about 1,500 mg of CBD per day. In fact, “Research to date shows that CBD is generally safe and has few, if any, minor side effects.” reports Healthline. However, CBD may interact with medications. This is mainly due to the way the body metabolizes particular substances.
According to Scott Douglas, author of The Athlete’s Guide to CBD, our liver metabolizes CBD. However,”[i]t’s possible that CBD’s interactions with enzymes in the liver could affect how the liver metabolizes a second substance, such as a prescription medication,” writes Douglas. This means that your current medication(s) may become further metabolized or less metabolized when CBD is present in the body.
CBD may impact the absorption of the following:
- blood thinners
- antidepressants
- painkillers
- statins
- insulin
As reported by Laura Lagano, author of The CBD Oil Miracle, you can also follow the “grapefruit rule” when it comes to using CBD with medications: “As a general rule, if grapefruit interferes with your meds, CBD probably will, too.”
With that, please speak to your doctor about interactions with your medications before you begin taking CBD. For more information about CBD and cannabis, you’re welcome to contact our educators. Click here for our contact information.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-and-drug-interactions-what-you-need-to-know#CBD-can-change-the-way-your-body-processes-certain-medications
Healing with Hemp CBD Oil by Earl Mindell, RPH, MH, PhD, Square One Publishers 2018.
The CBD Oil Miracle by Laura Lagano, MS, RDN, CDN, Castle Point Books, 2019.
The Athlete’s Guide to CBD by Scott Douglas, Rodale Books, 2019.