Is CBD Safe and Effective?

CBD has an excellent safety profile and is generally regarded as non-toxic.  Even when taken at high doses for many weeks, CBD is well tolerated and is not associated with significant side effects.^[1] There has never been a report of a fatal overdose with CBD because it doesn’t affect the brain stem, where vital functions like breathing are controlled.^[2]

But is CBD addictive? No! CBD is not considered to have addictive potential. Unlike THC, the cannabinoid found in marijuana, CBD will not make you feel intoxicated. The World Health Organization (WHO), in its extensive report on CBD, found that CBD is not associated with abuse potential and there are “no case reports of abuse or dependence relating to the use of pure CBD.” ^[3]

We know that THC works like our body’s endocannabinoids; it turns on the cannabinoid receptors and leads to cellular activities that restore physiological balance.

One would assume that CBD works in the same manner, but this is, in fact, a misconception. CBD does not directly stimulate the CB1 or CB2 receptors. Instead, when CBD comes into contact with these receptors, it actually turns down their activity level, causing a mild to moderate decrease in the effects of THC and endocannabinoid signaling at the CB1 receptor. ^[5]

Despite its ability to directly decrease cannabinoid signaling, CBD also has the ability to indirectly increase cannabinoid signaling. It does this by inhibiting the breakdown and transport of our most abundant endocannabinoid, anandamide.^[6]  

Sources:

^[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22129319

^[2] https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/cam/hp/cannabis-pdq#link/_11

^[3] https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf

^[4] https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/separating-cbd-facts-from-myths#_edn5

^[5] https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/separating-cbd-facts-from-myths#_edn5

^[6] https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/separating-cbd-facts-from-myths#_edn5

^[7] https://www.leafly.com/news/cannabis-101/separating-cbd-facts-from-myths#_edn5