CBD – what are the immediate effects?

As mentioned in our previous articles, CBD is a non-psychoactive substance. This means that it doesn’t have the effects most commonly attributed to the consumption of cannabis/THC, the ‘high’.

A person who has consumed CBD should have little to no noticeable effects on the way that they think or feel. Further, CBD should not have an appreciable effect on a person’s pulse or heart rate. If someone does feel very different after consuming CBD, this could be due to impurities, i.e., the presence of the psychoactive substance THC in the product or even potentially as a result of a placebo effect (due to CBD’s association with cannabis). Another key consideration if someone experiences significant changes after consuming CBD is the possibility that it may interact with other medications they are taking, potentially altering how quickly these drugs are cleared from the body.

When consumed alongside the cannabinoid THC, CBD does appear to affect the acute effects of THC. These are a dampening or lessening of the acute effects of THC, including the psychological effects and effects on brain functioning. This can mean that CBD consumption with THC reduces the severity of THC-induced changes. CBD may reduce feelings of anxiety or altered thinking and processing of information from THC consumption.

The effects following the consumption of CBD can differ from person to person. These can be positive effects and the reason somebody may wish to take CBD products. These could be:

-?????? A calming or anti-anxiety-like effect

-?????? A feeling of being more alert

-?????? A sedative effect (particularly at higher doses)

-?????? Anti-psychotic effects reduce psychotic-like behaviours, potentially supporting more rational thinking

-?????? Anti-convulsion effects, reducing spasms for some people.

?These acute effects are actively being researched to fully understand their underlying causes and mechanisms.

CBD can cause some negative acute effects, which may include:

-?????? A dry mouth

-?????? Diarrhoea

-?????? Reduced appetite?

-?????? Drowsiness or feeling tired (usually at higher doses)

?Additionally, CBD can interact with certain medications, particularly anticoagulants, leading to serious side effects: its interaction with anticoagulants, commonly known as blood thinners, warrants careful consideration. Anticoagulants like Warfarin, Apixaban, and Rivaroxaban are crucial in preventing blood clots, particularly in patients at risk of stroke or heart attack. CBD and many anticoagulants are metabolised by the liver’s cytochrome P450 enzyme system, specifically through enzymes like CYP3A4 and CYP2C19. When CBD is taken concurrently with these medications, it can inhibit these enzymes, slowing the breakdown of anticoagulants and potentially leading to higher concentrations in the bloodstream. This interaction increases the risk of excessive bleeding, a severe complication, especially in patients already prone to bleeding disorders. As a result, individuals using both CBD and anticoagulants must do so under strict medical supervision. Healthcare providers may need to adjust the anticoagulant dosage and conduct regular monitoring.

The onset time for CBD to affect the body differs depending on the route of administration. This is because the route of administration determines how fast CBD can get to the receptors where it has its action. Similarly, the length of time CBD has an acute effect on the body can be determined by the route of administration, the formulation of the CBD product, and the individual's metabolism.

?Generally, CBD, if inhaled, can have an effect as quickly as 5-10 minutes from consumption. If ingested, this can take 30-40 minutes, peaking as much as 2 hours later. The typical length of time CBD has an acute effect will depend on the product and the dose or amount consumed (if not formulated to have a slow release into or clearance from the body). It is generally between 6 – 10 hours.

?As CBD product formulation evolves and manufacturers begin to use more advanced drug delivery technologies, the onset and duration of acute CBD effects may become more specific to individual products. If a CBD product has been formulated to adjust these times for a specific need, it should be clearly outlined in the product details.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects, as well as discussions on the scientific/pharmaceutical landscape in selected areas of interest to us. The information and other content provided here or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you or any other person has a medical concern, you should consult with your healthcare provider or seek other professional medical treatment immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something that you have read here or in any linked materials.

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