Is CBD Safe? Risks, Labels & Questions to Ask

Jun 5

3 min read

Updated: Oct 10

CBD is not risk-free. Whether a product is suitable depends on its ingredients, how it is used, your health and other medicines. This guide explains what to check and what to discuss with a qualified healthcare professional; it does not provide a personal treatment or dosing plan.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in cannabis, including hemp. CBD differs from THC and is not intoxicating in the same way, but that does not establish that a particular product is safe for you. Health Canada regulates CBD under the Cannabis Act, including CBD derived from hemp.

Source: Health Canada — Cannabidiol (CBD)

Side effects and medication interactions

The FDA identifies potential liver injury, drug interactions and side effects including drowsiness, digestive upset and changes in appetite or mood. Combining CBD with alcohol or other substances that cause sedation can increase risk. Some harm may occur without obvious symptoms. Long-term daily use and differences between product formats still have important unanswered questions.

Discuss CBD with your healthcare professional before use, especially if you take medicines or have a health condition. Bring the complete product label and a list of prescription medicines, non-prescription medicines and supplements. Do not change prescribed treatment based on a retailer's article.

Source: FDA — Potential harm, side effects and unknowns

What can research tell us?

Research on a specific prescription cannabinoid medicine does not show that every retail CBD product has the same benefits or risks. Studies differ in formulation, dose, participants and the conditions studied. Customer reviews cannot establish that a product treats a medical condition. Do not delay professional assessment of persistent symptoms while trying CBD.

Source: NCCIH — Cannabis and cannabinoids: what you need to know

Read the label before choosing a product

Check the full ingredient list, CBD and THC amounts, package size, intended route of use, warnings and directions. Distinguish total CBD in a bottle from the amount in a measured serving. An oil, capsule and external roll-on are different formats; directions for one should not be transferred to another.

If a laboratory report is available, check that its product and batch identification match the package. Read the reported results and testing scope rather than relying only on a 'tested' badge. Ask the seller about any missing or inconsistent information before choosing.

Questions to take to your healthcare professional

Is this product appropriate given my health and medicines? What evidence is relevant to my reason for considering it? What side effects should I watch for? Are there activities or other substances I should avoid? When should I stop and seek advice?

Common questions

Is CBD safe for everyone? No. Individual suitability cannot be determined from a general guide. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, use by children, existing illness and medication use require particular care and professional guidance.

Does a higher strength mean a better result? Package strength alone does not establish suitability or benefit. Read the concentration and directions, and discuss your circumstances with a healthcare professional.

Does 'THC-free' guarantee a negative drug test? Do not treat a label claim as a guarantee. If testing matters for your work or sport, seek guidance from the relevant testing programme before using a cannabinoid product.