Considering CBD? Here’s One Potential Side Effect to Know About

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While OG marijuana usage (you know, smoking it) is still contentious in certain circles, in the last few years many researchers, brands, and consumers have embraced the many uses and health benefits of cannabidiol (CBD), a compound present in the plant. While research has linked it to assisting in combatting inflammatory disorders, alleviating nausea, and potentially being anti-tumorous, hold up before starting to use the product for wellness purposes.

If you take prescription medication, get a doc to give your CBD train ticket a stamp of approval before hopping on, a report from Popsugar recommends, as the compound may interact with your dosages.

Somewhat counterintuitively, though CBD contains far fewer psychoactive properties than tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the other major compound found in the marijuana plant that provides a high, when it comes to medications, THC isn't the issue.

"THC is processed in the liver by an enzyme that doesn't do a lot, whereas the enzyme that handles CBD handles pretty much all conventional medications." — Dr. Jordan Tishler

Alternatively, if you're taking CBD (which, FYI, gives you a bit of a body high, just with little to no change in your mental state, Jessica Assaf and cannabidiol activist told Well+Good), and are also on meds, you could potentially overwhelm the enzyme that processes both, thus affecting how your body absorbs medications, cannabis expert Jordan Tishler, MD, told Popsugar. "THC is processed in the liver by an enzyme that doesn't do a lot, whereas the enzyme that handles CBD handles pretty much all conventional medications." he said.

Not on any meds? You probably have nothing to worry about (though research has been somewhat limited on the topic), but if you are on some prescriptions, discuss CBD consumption with your doctor—and not Dr. Google!— so that you're not accidentally sabotaging your well-intentioned wellness goals.

And, make that appointment stat, as soft-serve yogurt and wellness blends alike now include the compound.

You also should avoid CBD if you're pregnant even if it did help you get busy in the first place.

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