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CBD Safety

An overview of CBD safety, potential risks, and interactions. Learn what major health authorities say about side effects, medication interactions, and considerations for use, while navigating the current regulatory landscape and understanding the limitations of available evidence.

Prepared from the sources listed below. This overview is educational and is not a diagnosis or treatment plan.

A calm, balanced arrangement of natural botanical elements and simple wellness objects on a muted coral surface.
A calm, balanced arrangement of natural botanical elements and simple wellness objects on a muted coral surface.

Overview

A clear starting point

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound found in the cannabis plant that does not produce a \"high.\" While often marketed for various wellness benefits, major health authorities like the FDA and CDC emphasize that CBD use is not risk-free. Currently, only one highly purified CBD prescription drug is approved for specific rare seizure disorders. For the general public, unregulated CBD products pose potential safety concerns, including liver injury, harmful interactions with other medications, and side effects such as drowsiness or mood changes. The long-term health effects of CBD remain largely unknown, making cautious use and professional medical consultation essential.

Four key facts

  1. 1The FDA has approved only one CBD product, a prescription medication for rare seizure disorders; other CBD products are not approved for medical use.
  2. 2CBD use is associated with potential risks, including liver injury, which can occur without immediate symptoms and requires medical monitoring.
  3. 3CBD can interact with many prescription medications, potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing the risk of serious side effects.
  4. 4Using CBD during pregnancy and breastfeeding is strongly advised against by health authorities due to potential risks to fetal and infant development.

Useful points to discuss

Always consult a healthcare provider before using CBD, especially if you are taking other medications or have underlying health conditions.
Be cautious of unregulated CBD products, as they may contain inaccurate dosages, THC, or harmful contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides.
Avoid using any form of CBD if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, due to potential developmental risks.

When professional care may be important

These examples are not a diagnosis checklist. New, severe, rapidly worsening, or concerning symptoms should be assessed by a qualified healthcare professional; emergencies require local emergency services.

  • Experience signs of liver injury such as unexplained fatigue, nausea, or abdominal pain while using CBD products.
  • Develop sudden changes in mood, extreme drowsiness, or severe irritability that interfere with daily activities.
  • Plan to start CBD while taking prescription medications, especially blood thinners, anti-seizure drugs, or sedatives.

Source trail

Authoritative references

Source publishers and titles are listed as non-clickable references so this page never sends visitors to another website.

  1. 1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)What You Need to Know (And What We’re Working to Find Out) About Products Containing Cannabis or Cannabis-derived Compounds, Including CBDPublished or updated 2020-03-05
  2. 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)About CBD | Cannabis and Public HealthPublished or updated 2025-01-31
  3. 3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)What You Should Know About Using Cannabis, Including CBD, When Pregnant or BreastfeedingPublished or updated 2019-10-16
  4. 4. National Health Service (NHS)Medical cannabis (and cannabis oils)Published or updated 2022-05-27