Is the consumption of CBD oil and pharmaceuticals compatible?

In regard to the misleading information on the use of cannabis that some CBD distributors spread on the Internet and social media, we feel it’s important to inform all people interested that improper CBD product use or misuse of CBD oil may have no impact or even affect you in a negative way, especially due to contraindications to pharmaceutical drugs.

By choosing illegal CBD distributors, you run a risk of purchasing a low-quality product as well as getting wrong advice on cannabis use that can negatively affect your health and approach to cannabis.

Keep in mind that CBD manufacturers or distributors have no right or competence to give any advice regarding the usage of prescription drugs. Moreover, some of them often state that ‘CBD products are safe to use while consuming prescription drugs at the same time’. Such statements reveal the incompetence of these manufacturers and distributors, as they are not pharmacists or certified doctors.

All questions regarding the usage or dosage of prescribed pharmaceuticals should only be discussed with pharmacists or certified doctors, the best option being the doctor himself, who prescribed the drug for your individual case.

The process of metabolism when using CBD products and pharmaceuticals

Any type of pharmaceuticals or other substances have to be metabolized and broken down by our body when consumed. Enzymes of the P450 cytochrome class are one of the most common metabolites that consume and breaks down the various type of substances in our body. They are mostly found operating in our liver as well as gastrointestinal tract and lungs.

CYP isoforms are non-specific enzymes that can bind and metabolize different substances efficiently. In this way, the body can absorb or eliminate various substances in a better way. Cytochrome P450 enzymes metabolize mostly all prescription drugs we consume.

Excessive doses of active substances or improperly operating processes of metabolism can strain, disrupt or even irreversibly damage the liver, as well as have a negative impact on the intestinal tract.

Cannabidiol (or CBD), just the same as grapefruit, is metabolized by the same enzymes in the liver, meaning that you should avoid consuming CBD products if your doctor has prescribed you pharmaceuticals and recommended excluding grapefruits from your diet.

There are two sides of the same coin when it comes to the adjustment of consuming both pharmaceuticals and CBD products at the same time. Pharmacological effects of some pharmaceuticals are enhanced or weakened by CBD, but at the same time there are also drugs with which CBD has no contraindications.

Results of some preclinical studies indicate that Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabinol (CBN), and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are metabolized by the same enzymes of the cytochrome P450 system and, as a result, they act as “competitor inhibitors”. To make it sound simple, this means that consuming CBD and pharmaceuticals at the same time causes the burnout of certain enzymes in the liver, as they primarily metabolize CBD and are not able to properly metabolize the active ingredients of pharmaceuticals as well. This can lead to various unexpected consequences, enhanced or weakened direct effects, and an increased risk of unpredictable side effects.

Enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 are the main ones of the cytochrome P450 system that are responsible for the metabolism of most prescription drugs. It is these enzymes that also metabolize the phytocannabinoid CBD.

Just as our organisms have different basal metabolism rates and absorption speeds of various substances, the same case goes with CBD products, as each of them has a different composition and requires a specific rate of absorption of the active substances. For this reason, it is particularly important to consume phytocannabinoids and medications correctly.

The types of medications with which CBD products need to be used responsibly are the following:

• Antibiotics and antimicrobials
• Anticancer drugs
• Antihistamines
• Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs)
• Drugs that regulate blood pressure
• Blood thinners
• Cholesterol medications
• Corticosteroids
• Medications for erectile dysfunction
• Drugs that regulate heart rhythm
• Immunosuppressants
• Antidepressants
• Analgesics

You should always keep in mind that this is not a complete list of medications that should be used with caution when consuming CBD products at the same time. Also, this by no means does not indicate that it is impossible to consume CBD with these medications.

The simultaneous use of CBD oil and medications is always possible, it just needs to be done properly and safely. When it comes to the consumption of We are Canna CBD products with an ongoing use of different medicaments, our team is always ready to consult everyone individually, no matter the situation!

Is CBD oil safe?

There is only one right answer – obviously YES! Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural and safe phytocannabinoid. To date, there is no evidence that high-quality CBD products or the use of purified CBD in society as well as in researches lead to addiction or withdrawal symptoms.

CBD is not an agonist of CB1 cannabinoid receptors and, unlike THC, does not cause psychotropic effects. Because of that, the use of it is tremendously rising, as it allows to avoid the dizziness that is caused by the main elements of cannabis.

According to the assessment of a special expert committee on drug dependence assembled by the World Health Organization (WHO), the appropriate use of high-quality CBD products does not affect physiological and biochemical processes in any negative way, unless it was an irrationally high level of CBD (150mg per 1kg or higher). No adverse effects on the development of an embryo or the brain have been reported. The likelihood of an overdose is physically impossible.

Even the safest substance can become harmful if used improperly

According to the studies of isolated and synthetic CBD, side effects, such as drowsiness, changes in appetite, diarrhea, lower blood pressure, and a feeling of lightness, have been reported rarely. It is worth noting that the discomfort is usually caused by the consumption of extremely high amounts of CBD or other phytocannabinoids, so the dosage of CBD should always be set according to rational needs. Also, it should be kept in mind that the effect of CBD products does not only depend on the amount consumed but many other variables as well, such as your tolerance level of particular substances.

The amount of CBD each person tolerates is very different and, although side effects may sometimes occur, they are really rare and harmless to health. Luckily, these side effects can always be avoided if high-quality and officially approved CBD products are consumed in the right doses.

There are many things in life that can cause unwanted and unhealthy reactions in your body, some of them being too much consumption of water, poor nutrition, improper usage of food supplements, too much or too little physical activity, wrong and unhealthy posture, pollution, and many other. The use of CBD oil in combination with pharmaceutical drugs is not an exception as well.

Safety is number one

Food, its supplements, and, of course, pharmaceuticals must be used in a meaningful manner and with a specific purpose. The case with CBD products is the same. You shouldn’t use CBD products because of curiosity or prevailing trends. The consumption of CBD products must be based on personal needs and your own clear choice, not the influence of other people or mass media. It is always worth doing at least a small research about the effects of unknown substances before deciding to consume them, as we personally advise to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve.

Goals are achieved by a clear plan and not curiosity

The world of business has two sides – a controlled one with somewhat regulated prices and quality of products or services and an uncontrolled one that is often referred to as a black market. The CBD and cannabis market suffers not only from a lack of clear law regulation, but also because of the black market that consists of low-quality CBD products, which are mostly distributed on social networks, at various mass events and in poorly controlled trading areas. Individuals and sometimes even organized groups of them in most cases do not have sufficient knowledge about the effects and use of cannabis active substances. Therefore, sometimes even without their own understanding, they disseminate statements that contradict scientific evidence and share incorrect advice. Such distributors do not follow any quality standards and usually do not know anything about the origin of their products, manufacturers and production processes, so they can not ensure their clients on the safety of a product. Sometimes such distributors not only hide taxes, but also sell poor quality and harmful products in such ways.

We encourage everyone to make decisions consciously, ideally after having a consultation with an expert. CBD oil is not a panacea that works for everyone and whatever problem it is. It all depends on the individual case, the chosen product, and the purpose or reason for consumption. Don’t hesitate to reach us out at We Are Canna if you have any questions about choosing the most suitable cannabis product or its dosage. Not only the right product that matters but also the correct use of it!