Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the chemicals in the cannabis plant.
It does not affect the way you think, feel or behave in the same way as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is another chemical in cannabis.
CBD comes as:
- oils
- creams
- edibles such as sweets or gummies
- vape liquid
Drug category: cannabinoid
Cannabinoids are drugs or chemicals:
- from the cannabis plant
- made to mimic the effects of cannabis (synthetic cannabinoids)
They can make you feel relaxed, happy, paranoid or confused.
Effects of CBD
CBD products can cause:
- dry mouth
- dry eyes
- low blood pressure
- dizziness
- drowsiness and fatigue
- diarrhoea
- reduced appetite
- fertility problems in males
- breathing problems - if you vape it
- increased pressure in your eyes
CBD and mental health
Some people use CBD to feel calm and relaxed. But CBD is not a licensed medicine for mental health difficulties. CBD products that you can buy without a prescription may not have any health benefits.
In cannabis, CBD may balance some effects of THC so you are less likely to feel anxious and paranoid. But this does not mean CBD reduces feelings of anxiety or paranoia when it comes without THC.
If you are worried about your mental health, there are other treatments that are safe and effective.
CBD for medical use
Epidyolex is a prescription medicine that contains CBD.
It can help treat seizures (fits) in:
- Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS)
- Dravet syndrome (DS)
- tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)
LGS and DS are rare and severe types of epilepsy that begin in childhood.
CBD it is not a licensed medicine for other conditions. We are still learning about other possible uses of CBD.
CBD and dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
CBD does not usually cause dependency.
It is not clear if CBD can cause tolerance. This is when you need to take more CBD to get the same effects.
How long does CBD stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long CBD stays in your system.
Drug screening does not usually include tests for CBD.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from CBD
The labels of CBD products may have incorrect or misleading information. This could be about the strength of the product or its effects.
CBD products are not safe if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have problems with your eyes such as glaucoma
- take certain medicines - CBD can stop some medicines working well or can increase the risk of side effects
If you use CBD products:
- do not drive if you feel drowsy
- stop and park in a safe place if you feel drowsy when driving
- check the label or website for any misleading claims
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if you:
- take any medicines and you're thinking about using CBD
- are worried about your health or wellbeing
If you are worried about CBD use
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can find support.
If you are worried about someone else
You can report any misleading claims about CBD products to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).