New CBD users may want to begin with a low dose of 5 to 10 milligrams of CBD oil once per day for back pain, recommends Theisen. She also suggests individuals keep a log of daily dosage amounts, timing and how long it takes to feel effects like back pain relief (if any). It may also be beneficial to record how long back pain relief lasts and if any side effects occur, which may include dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness or low blood pressure, says Theisen.
“Take that information down for about two weeks,” recommends Theisen. From there, an individual may start to see trends in pain relief (or the lack of it), she says. For best results, work with a cannabis clinician, such as a cannabis nurse or another knowledgeable health care provider, who can help individuals find the right type and dose for them, adds Theisen.
Theisen recommends working with a cannabis clinician instead of experimenting with dose amounts yourself. “There are so many products to choose from, and getting a good quality product to start with can increase your chances of success,” says Theisen. “Working with someone who can assess the situation and follow the treatment plan helps ensure that one is using CBD safely and effectively,” she adds.
If an individual’s CBD oil dose is working, they should feel some back pain relief within the first two weeks, says Theisen. If there’s no pain relief after two weeks, consider gradually increasing dosages. If someone hasn’t experienced pain relief after three months, even with higher doses and experimenting with different brands and additional compounds (like CBG, CBN or THC), CBD oil may not be the right treatment for the condition, notes Theisen.
Health Risks of CBD Oil
A health care practitioner may recommend avoiding CBD if you’re taking any of numerous medications that can interact with CBD, including:
- Citalopram (Celexa) and fluoxetine (Prozac). CBD may cause these medications to take longer to break down, increasing levels of these drugs in the body and their side effects.
- Lithium. Higher doses of CBD may increase lithium levels in the body, increasing one’s risk of lithium toxicity.
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol). CBD may decrease how quickly the body is able to break down this medication, increasing levels of the drug and its side effects.
- Medications changed and broken down by the liver. CBD may impact how quickly the liver breaks down the medication, possibly changing the effects and side effects of drugs.
- Medications that increase or decrease the breakdown of other medications by the liver. Some medications impact how quickly the liver breaks down CBD, which can impact the effects and side effects of the cannabinoid.
- Methadone. Taking CBD with methadone may increase the effects and side effects of the medication.
- Sedative medications like benzodiazepines, barbiturates and some sleep medicines. Taking CBD with sedative medications may cause drowsiness and/or breathing problems.
- Tamoxifen (Nolvadex). CBD may impact how quickly the body is able to break down tamoxifen, affecting the drug’s levels in the body.
- Warfarin. CBD may increase warfarin levels in the body, which may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Melatonin and valerian. Taking these herbal supplements alongside CBD may cause slowed breathing and/or excessive drowsiness.
Additionally, individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using CBD, since some CBD products may contain contaminants that can harm the fetus or infant.
CBD may also cause side effects like changes in alertness, irritability, drowsiness and gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea or diarrhea. Consult with a health care provider to determine whether it’s safe for you to use CBD products.
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