Understanding The Relationship Between CBD and Grapefruit

As each day passes, we hear more buzz about CBD. Once illegal, this substance is now being touted as a potential tool for addressing symptoms of so many different conditions. And so many people want to learn more, to see if CBD can help them feel better. 

Today, we’ll try to help you understand more about using CBD. While it is a natural substance and has minimal side effects, it can negatively interact with some of your medications. It can also interact strangely with other compounds, which is why you should always talk to your doctor before starting a new CBD routine. 

A medical professional will know exactly which of your medications could interact with CBD. But, today, we’ll look at a different combination: in this piece, we’ll explore the possible effects of mixing CBD with grapefruit, so you can proceed with caution. But first, let’s take a closer look at this plant-based compound and how it interacts with your body. 

What Is CBD?

CBD, the acronym for cannabidiol, is one of the main compounds, called cannabinoids, that we derive from the cannabis plant. The other is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Both are known for their potential health benefits because they interact with an essential part of your body called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for maintaining balance (homeostasis) in your body. It does this by producing endocannabinoids that interact with a wide variety of receptors scattered throughout your body. 

The body has its own natural cannabinoids that initiate the process of restoring body balance when there is an anomaly. How does this work? When you’re in a bad mood, your body will produce endocannabinoids to try and balance your emotions. This takes some time, especially if your ECS is slow or out of balance. If, however, you introduce cannabinoids from the cannabis plants, you can help boost your ECS. We believe this is why cannabinoids like CBD and THC can produce strong effects in your body. 

While both CBD and THC have potential health benefits, they do act differently in your body. THC is intoxicating; CBD isn’t. Remember, full-spectrum CBD products will contain trace amounts of THC. But, as long as you choose hemp-extract CBD, with THC concentrations below 0.3%, you’ll be on the right side of federal laws. You should still check local state laws, though, since CBD regulations vary across the country.  

What Is the Relationship Between CBD and Grapefruit?

Have you noticed  “grapefruit warnings” on your medication? Or has your doctor told you not to eat grapefruit after prescribing a new drug? Well, the reason behind these warnings is that grapefruit contains a compound called furanocoumarins. It can combine with certain enzymes in your digestive system and neutralize them. One of these enzymes is CYP450, whose job it is to break down and remove drugs from your body. Without this enzyme, your medicines won’t break down properly. They’ll make their way into your liver, eventually hitting your bloodstream in a harmful form. This increases your chances of having dangerous levels of drugs in your system.

Studies have drawn comparisons between CBD and grapefruit in that they both have similar effects on these enzymes. The only difference is that CBD might be more potent since it binds with enzymes in multiple areas of your digestive system, while grapefruit mainly affects enzymes in your small intestine. Once you have interfered with the enzymes, it can take a few days to restore their regular functioning. This window is dangerous, since raw drugs may flow into your system.

Risks of Grapefruit and CBD

The enzymes affected by both CBD and grapefruit play a significant role in your body. They are responsible for breaking down multiple drugs, including antihistamines, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines. And the extent of the potential threat depends on the dosages.

When you get a prescription, your recommended dose specifies how much of this drug needs to survive to break down in order to do its job. But if nothing breaks down, your doctor-recommended dose is no longer accurate. A small dose could become a high dose when break down gets bypassed. This is particularly true for medications that only work when present in small concentrations.

We don’t yet know everything about CBD and grapefruit and their drug interactions, so always be cautious. Talk to your doctor before combining over the counter medications or prescription drugs with CBD or grapefruit. 

What Is the Way Forward?

CBD can still be a useful supplement, as long as you are careful. The best thing to do is to treat the CBD warning with the same level of seriousness as you would handle the guidance surrounding grapefruit. You won’t find drugs with CBD warnings, but assume that they are the same and avoid CBD when taking any medicines that have grapefruit warnings.

And again, it’s always best to seek the guidance of a doctor, especially if you are taking medications. Your doctor will explain the risk levels and might even be required to monitor plasma serum levels of the drug to determine whether it is safe or not. 

Possible complications of combining CBD and grapefruit-adverse drugs include: 

•   More intense medications side effects 
•   Medications become less effective
•   CBD side effects are more noticeable

Other Factors to Consider with CBD and Drug Interactions

Some studies indicate that CBD’s risk of medication interactions comes when you consume high doses. But that’s not always the case, so always proceed with caution. 

Other factors can determine the way CBD interacts with your current medications. These include your CBD delivery method and your dose scheduling. In some cases, your doctor may be able to craft a schedule where you take CBD and medication at different times of the day. They can space out your doses to minimize interactions, so you can wholly metabolize CBD and your medication separately. 

The potency of CBD oil and its bioavailability may also play a factor. This absorption rate of CBD may affect when you take it in relation to your medication. For example, a tincture may work more quickly in your body than a capsule. Here, your doctor can advise you on which form of CBD may be best for you to avoid interacting with the enzymes in your digestive system.

Bottomline

As we get excited about the potential health benefits of CBD oil, it helps to be aware of how CBD could interact with certain medications, including those with a grapefruit warning. Always be sure to consult your physician before introducing CBD into your routine, especially if you are taking any medication. When looking for a CBD product that’s right for you, be sure to look for high-quality CBD from a reputable source. A reliable source will have a certificate of analysis for their products provided from third-party lab tests.