Is Hemp CBD safe?

Introduction

The safety of cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp is a topic of growing interest due to its increasing use in various health and wellness products. This synthesis aims to provide a cohesive overview of the current research on the safety of hemp-derived CBD, drawing from multiple studies.

Key Insights

General Safety in Animals and Humans:
- CBD-rich hemp products appear to be safe for short-term use in healthy adult dogs and cats, with no significant changes in serum chemistry or complete blood counts over a 12-week period.
- In humans, CBD-containing hemp oil extract was well tolerated over a six-week period, with no clinically relevant safety concerns and all health markers remaining within normal clinical limits.
Adverse Effects and Contaminants:
- Some adverse effects of CBD products may be due to contamination with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), as a significant number of commercial products contain THC levels above the lowest observed adverse effect level.
- In a two-year post-marketing surveillance of full-spectrum hemp extract products, adverse events were rare and mostly mild, with no evidence of liver toxicity.
Toxicity Studies in Rats:
- In 90-day toxicity studies, CBD-rich hemp extracts caused reversible liver cell hypertrophy in rats, but no other significant adverse effects were observed, suggesting a high safety margin .
- Another study confirmed that the oral administration of a CBD-rich hemp extract did not result in any mutagenic effects and had a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of 86.81 mg/kg body weight per day.
Regulatory and Safety Concerns:
- The safety, efficacy, and purity of commercial CBD products are often questionable due to non-conformities with food safety regulations, including unsafe THC levels and improper labeling.
- Hemp-based food products, particularly hemp-seed oils, may pose health concerns due to high THC levels, and their consumption is not recommended for individuals under 18 years of age.

Conclusion

The current body of research suggests that hemp-derived CBD is generally safe for short-term use in both animals and humans, with few adverse effects reported. However, the presence of THC contamination in some commercial products raises safety concerns. Long-term safety data are still limited, and regulatory oversight is needed to ensure product purity and compliance with safety standards.

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Preliminary Safety Assessment with Use of CBD-Rich Hemp Nutraceutical in Healthy Dogs and Cats

CBD-rich hemp nutraceuticals are safe for healthy adult dogs, but cats show lower absorption and more adverse effects during oil administration.

Effects of Hemp Extract on Markers of Wellness, Stress Resilience, Recovery and Clinical Biomarkers of Safety in Overweight, But Otherwise Healthy Subjects

Hemp supplementation improved HDL cholesterol, tended to support psychometric measures of perceived sleep, stress response, and perceived life pleasure, and was well tolerated with no clinically relevant safety concerns.

Are adverse effects of cannabidiol (CBD) products caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) contamination?

Adverse effects of CBD products may be caused by low-dose effects of 9-THC, with the safety of CBD itself currently unclear and potential liver and reproductive toxicity.

Safety Assessment of a Hemp Extract using Genotoxicity and Oral Repeat-Dose Toxicity Studies in Sprague-Dawley Rats

A hemp extract containing 6.27% CBD is safe for oral use, with no evidence of bacterial mutagenicity and no significant adverse effects observed in Sprague-Dawley rats.

European hemp-based food products – Health concerning cannabinoids exposure assessment

Hemp-based food products, particularly hemp-seed oils, should not be consumed by individuals under 18 years of age due to potential health concerns related to cannabinoids exposure.

Post Marketing Safety of Plus CBD™ Products, a Full Spectrum Hemp Extract: A 2-Year Experience

Plus CBDTM products, a full spectrum hemp extract, are safe and well-tolerated at recommended doses, with no evidence of liver toxicity.

A Review of Hemp as Food and Nutritional Supplement.

Hemp, a valuable crop with numerous uses, offers health benefits and nutritional benefits when consumed as food or supplements, with CBD showing potent anxiolytic, spasmolytic, and anticonvulsant effects.

Oral CBD-rich hemp extract modulates sterile inflammation in female and male rats

Oral CBD-rich hemp extract reduces stress-induced inflammation in female rats, with potential sex and tissue-dependent effects.

Safety of Elixinol Hemp Extract: In Vitro Genetic Toxicity and Subchronic Toxicity in Rats

Elixinol Hemp Extract has a 90-day NOAEL of 86.81 mg/kg bw/day and is not mutagenic, with no significant adverse effects observed in rats.

Evidence for adverse effects of cannabidiol (CBD) products and their non-conformity on the European food market – response to the European Industrial Hemp Association

Cannabidiol (CBD) products have adverse effects, including inadvertent "high" effects, and their non-conformity on the European food market is a substantial fraction of the market.

Try another search