Disclaimer: This post does not constitute medical advice, and you should consult your doctor if you are on medication and considering starting the use of CBD.
CBD is one of the most widely used health and wellness products in the country, but what happens when you use it alongside other medications?
One of the appealing things about CBD is that it provides people with a wealth of benefits from naturally occurring cannabinoids. We live in a time where people are becoming more aware that putting chemicals in their body isn’t always the best idea. More than ever, people are turning to natural alternatives such as CBD for relief.
Unfortunately, CBD isn’t a cure-all, and many people need additional medications to maintain their health. It’s incredibly important to be aware of how the drugs you take will interact with each other because some drugs cannot be mixed under any circumstances.
Certain combinations of drugs are potentially fatal, so if you ever have a doubt about what you’re taking, you should consult your primary physician.
CBD and prescription drugs are both remarkably effective, and many people enjoy their benefits daily. Let’s take a closer look at how these two interact and what drugs should not be taken with CBD.
Over-The-Counter Drugs
There’s a big difference in risk between prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Prescription drugs often contain powerful combinations of chemicals that are potentially dangerous and sometimes habit-forming. O.T.C. drugs tend to be more mild in terms of content and have a larger margin for safety.
CBD can be taken with just about any of the O.T.C. medications available but alcohol is a different story. Although alcohol is not a medication, it is a type of drug that is sold without prescription. Combining CBD with alcohol may increase the effects of both products and leave the user feeling drowsy and sedated.
Prescription Drugs
While it’s generally safe to take CBD with O.T.C drugs, if you’re taking prescription medication, you should definitely talk to your doctor. Some medications such as Warfarin and Valproate don’t mix well with CBD and can result in dangerous side effects.
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that’s dependent on the CYP2C9 enzyme to function properly. Cannabinoids have the potential to inhibit this specific enzyme which can result in increased risk of bleeding in people using Warfarin.
CBD has had remarkable results treating patients who suffer from epileptic seizures. The most famous of these cases is that of Charlotte Figi; a young girl who experienced 300 seizures a week before treatment. After her parents started her on a CBD regimen, her number of seizures was reduced to four per month.
The results seen in Charlotte have inspired countless people suffering from epilepsy to turn to CBD for help.
Valproate is one of the most commonly used drugs to treat epileptic seizures, but is not safe to take alongside CBD. Combining CBD and Valproate can cause liver injury due to increased levels of liver enzymes.
How Does CBD Interact With the Body
CBD provides people with a variety of benefits that are unique to the user. People use these products to help them sleep, combat chronic pain, and a myriad of other reasons. But how does it work?
In the human body exists a series of lipid-based neural transmitters known as the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid contains cannabinoid receptors that interact with the powerful phytocannabinoids found in hemp extracts.
Two primary cannabinoid receptors are responsible for this interaction. Each of these cannabinoid receptors impact different parts of the body. The CB1 receptor influences the central nervous system and the CB2 receptor primarily influences the peripheral nervous system.
CBD indirectly interfaces with both the CB1 and CB2 receptors to elicit the remarkable benefits it has become famous for.
This interaction is unique to CBD and unlike the types of mechanisms utilized by most prescription drugs. It’s also one of the reasons it is safe to take CBD with most medications.
Consult Your Physician
If you’re considering taking CBD alongside any form of medication, it’s important that you consult your doctor first. CBD is a natural compound that’s non-toxic, non-intoxicating, and has no risk of physical dependence. All of these attributes make CBD incredibly safe to use, but when you combine it with prescription drugs, the results could be dangerous.
Whether you’re interested in getting started with CBD, or you’re about to start using a new medication, talk to your doctor and make sure you’re not risking a dangerous interaction.
Get Started With CBD!
Once you consult your physician and you know your medication won’t be affected by CBD, it’s time to get started! CBD is a natural way to access a wealth of benefits. People use these products to help with a variety of ailments, and many of them experience remarkable results.
When you’re ready to get started, you can find the best deals on the most popular products, right here at CBD.co!
