What are the effects and side effects of CBD?
In France, some studies suggest that around 10% of the population has already consumed CBD, with approximately 5% of users taking it on a regular basis, at least once a week.
CBD’s reported action on stress and anxiety, which it is said to help regulate, is particularly valued by its users. That said, caution is warranted: in cases of excessive dosage, certain undesirable effects can emerge.
Between the promises of wellbeing, relaxation, and relief on one hand, and the reality of potential side effects on the other, what do you really need to know about how cannabidiol works?
What are the effects of CBD?
Today, CBD is consumed primarily for three reasons:
- It may help reduce anxiety by targeting the mechanisms associated with it, such as cortisol production (the stress hormone) and serotonin levels (the wellbeing hormone). By regulating these, it is said to promote a greater sense of wellbeing. Indeed, more than 63% of users report using CBD to relieve anxiety-related symptoms.
- It may help improve sleep. By acting on the mechanisms described above, CBD is thought to make it somewhat easier and quicker to fall asleep, putting an end to those long hours lying awake, turning things over in the mind.
- It may have an analgesic effect, particularly on neuropathic pain associated with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis, by acting on pain signals via the CB2 endocannabinoid receptors.
Are these uses supported by proven effects?
A number of pre-clinical and clinical studies have been conducted to determine the impact of cannabidiol on stress and anxiety. In 2019, a study carried out in Basel found that 300 mg of CBD was sufficient to attenuate the cortisol response during experimental stress compared to a placebo, and without any sedative effect.
With regard to sleep, a study published in The Permanente Journal in 2019 reported that 66.7% of participants noticed an improvement in their sleep quality after one month of CBD treatment. More specifically, researchers believe that CBD has no direct action on sleep itself. However, through the mechanisms described above, it helps individuals feel better as the evening approaches, and therefore fall asleep somewhat more easily.
With regard to pain, CBD alone appears to have only a limited impact. It is primarily its combined action with THC (the entourage effect) that produces a meaningful effect on muscular and neuropathic pain. The combined action of cannabinoids is thought to improve muscle spasticity, making each movement less painful. Coupled with improved sleep, users may find that their energy levels and appetite gradually return.
What are the side effects of CBD?
CBD consumption does not cause secondary effects in the traditional sense. However, it can give rise to certain undesirable effects.
Undesirable effects of CBD
Among the undesirable effects of CBD, the most commonly reported include drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, and digestive disorders, up to and including diarrhoea.
These effects are temporary and tend to appear, above all, in cases of excessive consumption. This is why it is generally recommended to start CBD at a low dose and gradually increase it in line with the results observed.
If you feel no effect, do not hesitate to increase the dose slightly. Dosage is highly individual and varies depending on sex, age, height, weight, and the effects being targeted. Take the time to find what works best for you, in order to get the most from your use.
CBD and drug interactions
The question of drug interactions is one to be taken seriously. Between 2017 and 2023, poison control centres recorded 58 cases of interactions between medications and CBD. But what exactly happened in these cases?
The details are difficult to unpick. What is certain is that CBD can slow the breakdown of a given medication, making it less effective. To achieve the desired effect, the user may consume more of it, thereby creating a risk of overdose. Conversely, CBD can also accelerate the elimination of a drug, rendering it partially or entirely ineffective.
The drug families concerned are numerous, including antidepressants, antiepileptics, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, and opioid substitution treatments such as methadone. If you are currently under medical treatment, do not hesitate to discuss this with your doctor to find out more.
Who should avoid CBD?
Beyond those currently undergoing medical treatment, other groups must absolutely avoid consuming CBD and hemp-derived products.
Pregnant womand are an at-risk population
Pregnant women are among them. A pre-clinical study conducted in 2024 at Aix-Marseille University suggests that prenatal exposure to CBD could alter the properties of neurons in a brain region directly involved in emotional regulation. This could ultimately lead to a risk of psychiatric disorders developing in infants, or as they grow older.
Child and underage teenarges are banned from using CBD
Children and minors must also not consume products based on CBD or THC, even where these are legal. The brain is far from fully developed at these ages, and cannabidiol could affect certain areas, potentially impacting specific functions, particularly cognitive ones. Please ensure that your products are kept well out of their reach.
We know everything about CBD, just ask us
Would you like to find out more about our CBD products, their concentrations, and the associated uses that could help you better serve your clients? Do not hesitate to get in touch. Our teams are entirely at your disposal and will be happy to get back to you as soon as possible with all the information you need.