Skip to main content
SupplementScience

CBD Side Effects & Safety

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Safe with Caution

Potential Side Effects

  • Fatigue and drowsiness (dose-dependent, common)
  • Diarrhea (more common at higher doses)
  • Changes in appetite and weight
  • Dry mouth
  • Liver enzyme elevation at very high doses (Epidiolex studies at 10-20mg/kg/day)
  • Drug-drug interactions via CYP450 enzyme inhibition (see interactions)

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 substrates — CBD significantly inhibits these enzymes, affecting metabolism of many medications (statins, calcium channel blockers, etc.)
  • Blood thinners (warfarin) — CBD can increase warfarin levels; INR monitoring needed
  • Clobazam and other anti-epileptics — CBD increases clobazam levels; relevant for epilepsy patients
  • Sedative medications — additive sedation effects
  • SSRIs — CBD modulates serotonin; theoretical interaction but generally considered safe at standard doses
  • Grapefruit warning drugs — CBD inhibits similar CYP enzymes as grapefruit juice

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 600mg/day has been used in clinical research without serious adverse effects (higher doses used in epilepsy under medical supervision)

Full CBD Guide

References

  1. (). Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series. Permanente Journal. DOI
  2. (). Cannabidiol presents an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve in a simulated public speaking test. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry. DOI
  3. (). Effects of ipsapirone and cannabidiol on human experimental anxiety. Journal of Psychopharmacology. DOI
  4. (). Cannabidiol as a potential treatment for anxiety disorders. Neurotherapeutics. DOI