Are CBD Gummies Safe to Take?

The FSA and most health departments have regarded CBD gummies as a safe food supplement for boosting body health. In this blog, you will find out the Safety and legality of CBD gummies, their potential risks and side effects, and their Safety for breastfeeding and pregnant mothers. The blog also explains what exactly CBD and CBD gummies are. 

CBD has gained popularity due to its therapeutic benefits, which come with minimal side effects. These benefits include relaxing patients' minds and muscles, relieving pain, anxiety, and stress, stabilizing sleep patterns, and boosting body energy. The cannabis industry has also introduced a delicious way to take cannabis in the form of gummies. Cannabis-based gummies are safe products for users, but if overdosed can have some side effects. For instance, pregnant and breastfeeding clients are not advised to take cannabis-infused products due to the Safety of the baby; little research exists on the Safety of cannabis for infants and breastfeeding users.

Understanding CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is an active compound in the Cannabis Sativa plant. It is mostly extracted from the leaves and flowers of industrial hemp, a popular cannabis strain. Hazekamp & Arno (2018) stated that after extraction, the compound is highly diluted with organic carrier oils like olive oil to form concentrated CBD oil. In most cases, cannabis industries add oil to produce gummies, topicals, and vape products. 

What are CBD Gummies?

CBD gummies are candy-like containing Cannabidiol as the active ingredient from cannabis. They are made of other minor ingredients like gelatin for product thickening, sugar, and flavorings. Cannabidiol oil is mostly added in the last stage of making the gummies, where it is cold pressed with other ingredients using minimal heat; heat tends to degrade the composition of cannabinoids hence affecting their effectiveness. 

CBD gummies provide a convenient, easy, and often tastier way for consumers to use cannabis. It offers an alternative to people who dislike difficulty swallowing cannabis tablets or do not like the bitter earthy flavor of Cannabidiol. The cannabinoid in the gummies undergoes digestion and liver metabolism before being absorbed into the bloodstream. In an hour or two, their therapeutic effects will start manifesting. 

The Safety and Legality of CBD Gummies

The Food Standard Agency (FSA) has regarded CBD products as safe food supplements for their therapeutic benefits. They are not impairing when used properly and may positively affect general body health. In 2018, the UK parliament allowed the use of cannabinoids for public consumption. However, products infused with Cannabidiol oil extracted from marijuana remain illegal. In addition, Cannabis products should not contain THC content above 0.2% of the total weight; Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most popular cannabinoid associated with the psychoactive effects experienced by marijuana smokers. According to Niesink et al. (2013), THC has kaleidoscopic effects like paranoia, hallucination, confusion, and highness, which alter brain neurons' normal functions. Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that does not bind directly with body receptors, delivering natural health effects. The cannabis-infused gummies contain little or no THC. However, due to the rising demand for the products, some companies may manufacture gummies containing high psychoactive compounds.

In 2018, the parliament passed a bill recommending that all manufacturers and vendors of cannabis products like CBD gummies submit their Novel Food applications to the FSA for cannabis permits. Additionally, CBD products should are not taken for medical purposes without the guidelines of qualified physicians; the medical practitioners clarify the dosage and advice according to a patient's health records. It is important to consider the following factors before using CBD:

• Buying the product from a reputable manufacturer
• Checking the source of CBD oil infused in the gummies. Always buy products infused with CBD extracted from the organically cultivated hemp plant.
• Review the certificate of analysis (COA). A product test result from a third-party lab will show the product's purity.
• Consider checking the source and effects of other ingredients in the gummies
• Buy gummies with an amount of THC below or equal to 0.2%
• Consider the current medications or supplement you are taking. CBD is an active compound that can negatively interact with drugs like anti-depressant, thyroids, and many more. Therefore consulting your doctor before joining the CBD regime is a crucial thing. 
• Always start slow with CBD gummies dosage and increase the amount until you reach the optimal result.

Potential Side Effects and Risks of CBD Gummies

While most research and qualified doctors suggest that CBD products are safe, some individuals who overdose or have cannabis allergic reactions may experience some adverse effects. According to Grimison et al. (2020), the following are the common side effects and risks of taking CBD gummies

• Negative interaction with other drugs.
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Reduced appetite and gastrointestinal problems
• Drowsiness and dizziness due to overdosing
• Dry mouth
• Rapid loss of weight, mainly for new users 

The Safety of CBD Gummies for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers

Although CBD gummies are an FSA-approved product, lactating and pregnant mothers shouldn't consume them. According to Joseph & Vettraino (2020), ingested or vaped CBD by a pregnant mother can find its way to the fetus through the placenta, affecting its growth. Unborn babies have not yet developed the endocannabinoid system (ECS) used to synthesize and process Cannabidiol. In addition, breastfeeding mothers could contaminate their child's milk with cannabis molecules. There is no clinical research on the effect of CBD on recent babies, but to be on the safe side, wait until all signs of mastitis vanish before Consuming CBD gummies. Nonetheless, CBD is an alternative herbal remedy to boost your body's energy after pregnancy and lactation. 

Conclusion

CBD gummies have multiple health and therapeutic effects. The gummies mask the bitter taste of Cannabidiol oil with a delicious flavor. The gummies are considered safe by the FSA if manufactured by authorized companies. The UK government allowed CBD products for public consumption if extracted from industrial hemp with THC below 0.2%. Cannabis-infused gummies with high THC content can have mind-altering effects like hallucination and increased tension. It is crucial to consult a doctor if you are taking the gummies alongside other medication; the gummies may negatively interact with other drugs. 

References

Grimison, P., Mersiades, A., Kirby, A., Lintzeris, N., Morton, R., Haber, P., ... & Stockler, M. (2020). Oral THC: CBD cannabis extract for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomised, placebo-controlled, phase II crossover trial. Annals of Oncology, 31(11), 1553-1560.

Hazekamp, A. (2018). The trouble with CBD oil. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 1(1), 65-72.

Joseph, P., & Vettraino, I. M. (2020). Cannabis in pregnancy and lactation–A review. Missouri Medicine, 117(5), 400.

Niesink, R. J., & van Laar, M. W. (2013). Does cannabidiol protect against the adverse psychological effects of THC? Frontiers in psychiatry, 4, 130.