December 1, 2024

NVT Health

Health Blog

What to Know About CBD Interactions 

CBD and related products such as CBD drops, supplements, and gummies, have been on the march in recent years. Most people are now aware of this substance, and a long-standing association with cannabis and drug culture is now being alleviated. The reason for this, of course, is that CBD is a first-rate health product offering myriad benefits, all of which can be enjoyed without getting high. CBD is primarily sold as a health product, and it is gaining serious traction. 

As it becomes increasingly popular though, a very natural concern has come up. If people are taking CBD for health reasons, shouldn’t we be concerned about the interactions between CBD and the other medications and health products they may be taking? CBD has been shown to help with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and even local injury relief. It’s no surprise then that many of the people taking CBD for these reasons are likely to be on other medications too. Does CBD interact well with these medications? 

In the vast majority of cases the answer is “no” or “yes, beneficially”. Yammy CBD, a company specializing in CBD health products, say that CBD would hardly be as popular as it is if there were a litany of potentially dangerous medication interactions warding people off the substance. That said, where health is concerned there is no place for complacency and it’s certainly wise to check with a medical professional before taking CBD.

Ask Your Doctor 

So, this is the most important point to get out of the way first. You should always seek medical advice, not only regarding what CBD could interact with, but also before taking it at all. In many places these days, CBD is very often advised to patients by doctors. If you have a CBD prescription, then you can be sure it is safe, but even if you don’t, the fact that CBD is commonly prescribed shows that the medical knowledge regarding its effects on health are widely known among medical professionals. A doctor can always give you the best advice. 

CBD Interactions 

It’s possible to outline a few of the most prominent interactions CBD has with other health products and medications. This is good advice to defer to but remember that nothing trumps the advice of a medical professional. 

So, here follows some advice regarding CBD interactions:

Consider Your Drug Metabolism 

CBD, like any other substance you ingest, must be metabolized by the body before it takes effect. How metabolism occurs is that which determines how CBD affects you. If you’re taking any medications with CYP450 enzymes, then you should be careful as these “speed” up your metabolism – meaning the effects of CBD (or anything else) will be stronger and sharper. This might not necessarily be a bad thing, but it’s an important consideration before taking CBD and deciding how much to take. 

Look Out for the Grapefruit Warning 

If you don’t know about the grapefruit warning, then you probably aren’t affected by it. Many medications come with this warning as interactions with the chemicals in grapefruit juice can lead to higher concentrations of the medication in the blood. This can cause stronger interactions with CBD. 

It’s All About Levels 

Ultimately, the main interaction that CBD has with medications is to alter the amount of those medications you metabolize. If consuming CBD means your body will absorb more of the other medications, then this is certainly something to look out for. 

In the vast majority of cases, CBD is harmless and will not interact badly with other substances. However, you cannot be sure of this without the advice of a professional.