It’s no secret that I’m a huge advocate of CBD. I integrate it into my daily routine and it’s a great addition to my lifestyle. I also encourage everyone to give CBD a try to see if it’s right for them. But I also want to make sure everyone knows that CBD isn’t a replacement for any medications. In fact, CBD may also interact with certain medications, so I wanted to let you know what to look for if you’re currently taking medications but wanted to start using CBD.

Integrating CBD Into Your Routine

If you’re already on a wellness regimen or are taking something daily, adding CBD won’t be that hard. It’s all about consistency and making good habits. That said, it’s important to listen to your body and see what’s working and what’s not. You also have to consider everything you put into your body and how they can interact.

If every individual’s body was the same, it would be easier to predict how each of us will react when we use a new product. But the truth is, we’re all different and what may cause a reaction in one person won’t necessarily cause a reaction in another. There’s a lot of things to consider such as age, genetics, and body size. And if you’re on certain medications, taking CBD may also impact the way your body reacts. But now you may be wondering what type of medications might react with CBD. Well, let’s take a look.

Medications and CBD

Dr. Call notes, “CBD undergoes first pass metabolism and is extensively metabolized by the liver. Because of this we do not recommend using CBD products in people with liver problems. Like grapefruit juice, CBD is a CYP 450 enzyme inhibitor and thus can alter the metabolism of some medications. Please consult with your physician if you take any CYP 450 medications. In general, it will make these medications metabolize slower and thus you may need to reduce your medication dosing.”

The following are examples of types of medications that could potentially be affected by CBD:

• Macrolide antibiotics

• Benzodiazepines

• Immune modulators

• HIV antivirals

• Calcium channel blockers

• HMG CoA reductase inhibitors

• Anticoagulants

• Steroids

Dr. Call also says “Some of the studies that have been done with CBD used relatively high doses, often 600 mg twice a day or more. It is possible that the 15-60 mg per day that someone might absorb while using Natures Ultra products would have less of an effect on ones medication levels. Nevertheless, we want to error on the side of caution and therefore we recommend that everyone thoughtfully considers the medications they are taking, how CBD might affect them, and has a conversation with their physician.”

Talk with Your Doctor

Long story short, I encourage you to talk with your doctor. They will have a far greater insight into your health history, your medications, and how they may interact with CBD. If you’re already using CBD oil, it’s still a good idea to check in with your doctor to ensure your medications are still doing their job. Also, listen to your body. Every person is different and only you know how you are feeling.

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