Everyone is talking about hemp oil in Australia and other hemp-based supplements. Hemp oils are promoted as an all-natural supplement that can offer a diverse range of potential health benefits. CBD hemp oil can also be taken in various ways, and its versatility is often one of the main focuses when discussing hemp products.
What people discuss much less often is whether or not hemp oil has any adverse side effects on the body. With so much positive attention paid to its benefits, people often forget to even ask about the potential negatives.
So, are there any negative side effects to using hemp oil in Australia, and if so, what are they?
What Is Hemp Oil and How Does It Affect the Body?
In its most simplistic form, hemp oil consists of two ingredients: CBD extract, extracted and derived from hemp plants, and a natural carrier oil. Other ingredients such as flavorings are often added to hemp oils, but this varies based on the individual brand.
THC, the psychoactive compound, is also derived from hemp plants and often leads to confusion about whether or not hemp oils can be intoxicating. Hemp oils that are sold as health supplements are only legally able to contain a very small percentage of THC and, in many cases, contain absolutely no THC. Hemp supplement oils, therefore, cannot cause the same intoxicating effects that THC products can.
Hemp oils do still contain cannabinoids, though, and interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. CBD is the primary cannabinoid found within hemp oil, with other non-intoxicating cannabinoids occurring in a varying ratio based on the hemp strain.
The cannabinoids in hemp oils work alongside the body’s natural cannabinoids to support the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system maintains many vital functions across the body and overall good health and fitness levels.
What Are the Potential Negative Side Effects of Hemp Oil?
As with almost all dietary supplements, there are a few potential negative effects that people have experienced when using hemp oils.
Most of the negative effects that people have reported experiencing are mild and tend to only last for a short time after a person stops taking hemp oil. The most common effects are diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue, loss of appetite, and dry mouth.
More severe side effects can occur when people take blood-thinning medications alongside hemp oil. The effects of mixing hemp oil with blood-thinning medications can cause a similar reaction within the body that grapefruit can also trigger. The result can be an increased level of blood thinning and abnormalities in liver-related blood tests.
It is not a good idea to combine hemp oil with other prescription medications without getting a doctor's approval. Different medications can interact with each other causing negative effects. A doctor is the best person to discuss these risks with as they will be able to give personalized advice.
What Causes Hemp Oil to Have a Negative Effect on the Body?
In general, hemp oil is considered one of the safest dietary supplements and ways of treating certain medical conditions. For the majority of people, there will not be any adverse side effects. However, this is not the case in a small number of cases.
There are several reasons why negative side effects can occur when taking hemp oil.
The first and easiest to solve is to do with dosage. The larger the dosage, the more likely adverse effects are to occur. This is one of the reasons why it is essential to follow the usage instructions that come with hemp oils. The recommended dosage has been calculated to be effective but also safe.
Another reason for negative effects is that the compounds with the hemp oil interact with a different medication being taken. The same can happen with certain foods, resulting in a negative reaction. This is one of the reasons why it is always worth discussing dietary changes with an expert when concerned, as they can provide the most accurate advice.
In a small number of cases, the negative effects might not be linked to the cannabinoids, but to other ingredients added to enhance the final product. Extras such as caffeine, melatonin, flavorings, and even terpene blends can all alter the product's effect on the body.
How to Avoid Negative Side Effects
There is no guaranteed way to avoid negative effects, but a few simple steps can help.
Firstly, always stick to the recommended dose stated in the product's instructions. Secondly, consider other substances that may also be consumed around the same time and how they could react together.
Lastly, as soon as you notice any negative effects, stop taking hemp oil and allow the body to recover. Before trying other hemp oil products, speak to an expert to ensure that the same effects will not happen.
