CBD has exploded in popularity over the last decade, with people using the compound for a range of therapeutic purposes. But what are the long-term effects of taking CBD and do you have any cause to be concerned? We’ve outlined everything you need to know about CBD and its potential long-term effects. 

What is CBD?

CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is a chemical compound belonging to a group called cannabinoids. As the name might suggest, cannabidiol is found naturally in cannabis plants, including hemp. 

CBD is extracted from plant material and is then most commonly used as an oil. But this product is extremely versatile and can be used to make a range of CBD products. 

One reason that we’re seeing CBD become more readily available is thanks to recent legislation increasing CBD’s legality and reach. In the US, for example, the 2018 Farm Bill legalized CBD at the federal level, subject to certain conditions. 

Health benefits of CBD 

Research suggests that CBD holds significant health benefits and may relieve the symptoms of a range of conditions. Illnesses and symptoms that have shown particular promise with CBD treatment include:

• Anxiety: One study found that CBD significantly reduced anxiety symptoms in teenage participants with social anxiety disorder (1). 

• Inflammation: Inflammation can cause a range of disorders like psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Research has shown that CBD holds strong anti-inflammatory properties and may help treat many inflammatory conditions (2, 3). 

• Sleep issues: CBD may also help you get a good night’s sleep. Studies have found that this cannabinoid improved sleep scores in 66.7% of patients and also relieved the symptoms of sleep disorders like excessive daytime sleepiness and REM sleep behavior disorder (4, 5). 

• Seizures: Impressively, CBD has shown a lot of promise as a treatment for seizure disorders. One trial testing CBD treatment on patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (a severe form of epilepsy) found that CBD managed to reduce seizure frequency by 44% (6). 

• Alzheimer’s disease: Research indicates that CBD may prove useful in treating degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. One mouse model study found that CBD prevented cognitive decline in animals who modeled Alzheimer’s symptoms (7). 

• Skin conditions: CBD is also a promising skin treatment. Research tells us that CBD may help relieve the symptoms of acne, psoriasis and even aging (8, 9, 10).  

Potential side effects of CBD

CBD holds some impressive potential health benefits, but does it come with any side effects?

The good news about CBD is that it’s a well tolerated compound and its side effects tend to be mild, if they occur at all. The side effects most commonly seen include: 

• Lethargy
• Diarrhea 
• Reduced appetite 
• Sleepiness
• Increased temperature (11)

While the risks of side effects from CBD use appear to be low, it’s important to be aware of what they can be. If you do experience side effects from CBD use, it’s best to stop using it. This should cause the symptoms to disappear. If symptoms persist or if you’re concerned about the symptoms you are experiencing from CBD use, it’s best to reach out to your doctor for advice. 

Can CBD get you high?

One side effect that you don’t have to worry about with CBD use is getting high. While cannabis is a plant famous for its psychotropic effects on the brain, and even though CBD is found in cannabis, CBD alone can’t get you high. 

You see, CBD isn’t the chemical compound responsible for the high that comes with cannabis use. Another cannabinoid called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the reason you get high after smoking weed. 

If you consume a CBD extract that doesn’t contain THC, then you won’t experience any kind of high. Depending on what you’re after, this could be a good or bad thing!

How can CBD affect you in the long term?

So, how will CBD affect you in the long term? We know from research that CBD is well tolerated and considered to have a high safety profile, which means that you can feel safe using CBD. However, more long-term studies are needed to fully explore the safety of extended CBD use. 

When we look at how CBD affects the body, it paints an impressive therapeutic picture. Research tells us that CBD is able to relieve the symptoms of conditions like anxiety and seizure disorders. This indicates that long-term use of CBD could, therefore, provide a lot of relief for patients suffering from a range of disorders. 

Choosing the right CBD product 

If you’re happy with the safety profile and potential long-term effects of CBD, the next step is to ensure that you’re choosing the right CBD product for your needs. When choosing a CBD product it’s important to consider these points:

• Your tolerance: If you’re new to CBD, you might want to start with a lower dose product, e.g. low dose edibles 
• Your symptoms: Someone with more severe symptoms might want to try a higher CBD dose or a stronger consumption method, e.g. vaping 
• Product testing: Does the CBD brand use third-party testing? This type of testing is used by CBD companies to ensure that their product is free from any contaminants. Look for transparent CBD companies that are open about whether and how they test their products. 

The bottom line 

CBD research is still largely in the early stages but what we know indicates that CBD has a high safety profile and could offer long-term health benefits to patients suffering from a range of conditions.