The use of cannabidiol-based products is on the rise, with users utilizing the products to treat a wide range of conditions. However, while there is a wide array of benefits, is CBD oil bad for your liver?
This is a very common question, and when adding any new supplements to your diet, you should consider the health implications that might arise. Is CBD oil bad for your liver? On their own, the products are perfectly safe to use and very rarely have any form of side effects. However, one recent study on mice found that excessive use could lead to liver damage – although whether that correlates to humans is not yet known.
What is CBD?
Before looking at whether CBD oil is bad for your liver, it is important to understand what it is. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical compound from the cannabis plant. This naturally occurring, non-psychoactive chemical is taken as a supplement to help support your body for a healthy lifestyle.
Although often confused with marijuana, CBD does not produce any of the same effects on the human body. Instead, it is a wellness product famed for its anti-inflammation and pain relief. It can be administered in a range of methods, from edibles and vapes to gels and lotions. However, CBD oil is one of the most effective and popular.
Is CBD oil bad for the liver?
Although the study on mice found that CBD oil could potentially be damaging to the liver, the quantities used far exceeded the normal amount a human would take. When these mice were given lower doses, the equivalent to the amount a human would take, the mice showed no signs of damage.
However, while excessive amounts of CBD oil showed signs of damage to the liver in these mice, excessive use of a wide range of herbal supplements caused the same conditions. The recommended daily usage of CBD for a human is between 0.5 milligrams per kilogram and 20 milligrams. The study that caused liver damage in mice saw the equivalent of 200 milligrams per kilogram.
So does CBD oil have any side effects?
Initial findings have shown that the side effects of CBD oil are minimal, and only in large quantities that far exceed the recommended amount can cause liver damage. That is not to say that there are no side effects to using CBD.
While the substance is well tolerated by the human body, there are minor issues that some people might experience. These include:
- Mild diarrhea
- Change in appetite
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Nausea
- Mood changes
- Anxiety
- Vomiting
However, it is important to remember that these side effects are very rare and often only mild when they do appear.
Final thoughts
Is CBD oil bad for your liver? In vast doses that far exceed the recommended daily amount for a human, then yes, it can be very damaging. However, it is no more damaging than any herbal product that is taken in vast quantities.
Like all health supplements, when it comes to taking CBD oil, you should ensure that you are taking the very best quality products possible and only in the recommended doses. As the popularity of CBD oil increases, more companies are entering the market with low-quality, mass-produced products. That is why it has never been more important to opt for products from suppliers that you trust.
