Effects of CBD Oil on Your Liver: Is It Bad?
An estimated 30 million Americans suffer from a form of liver disease and it is the 12th most common cause of death in the United States. The liver, as you might already know, is our largest organ inside. It is involved in the blood cleaning, the processing of food material, the production of vital nutrients and the detoxification of harmful substances. A stable liver has a remarkable capacity to regenerate cells even when damaged.
Cirrhosis is the last stage of liver disease and can ultimately prove fatal. Numerous studies have established a link between marijuana and restoring liver function. Although these experiments have only been on mice at this stage, we will have a promising alternative for treating cirrhosis available if the findings apply to humans.
There have been rumors of certain liver toxicity with the use of CBD, however, so let’s look at the evidence.
CBD Concerns
Due to the degree of lawlessness, the problem with CBD (cannabidiol) is the lack of enforcement in an industry known as the ‘wild west.’ The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which allowed the production of industrial hemp, is hoped to help ease regulations.
A study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 2017 found that nearly 70 percent of CBD products did not contain the cannabinoid promised on the label. More than 40 percent had too little CBD, whereas 25 percent had too much. Moreover, approximately 20 percent of the items contained extremely high THC levels.
CBD Interactions with Prescription Medications
CBD’s principal concern is its potential interactions with other drugs. An enzyme named CYP3A4 metabolizes CBD itself. There are prescription drugs that hinder CYP3A4, which can thus slow down CBD’s breakdown and increase its physiological activity rate. Other drugs increase enzyme levels and cause a fast breakdown of CBD.
Furthermore, CBD interacts with cytochrome P450 enzymes which are responsible for multiple pharmaceutical metabolisms. CBD also inactivates cytochrome P450 at very high doses, which can lead to toxic levels of prescription drugs.
CBD’s Effect on the Liver
A 2019 research on mice found that CBD contributed to the elevation of liver enzymes, an indication of hepatic damage at elevated doses. The rates of CBD used were very high, reflecting the maximum dose that can be taken by anyone taking the CBD-based epilepsy medication Epidiolex. No data are yet available on the actual liver state of humans who took Epidiolex, as the medication is still relatively new.
It should be noted, however, that a further study showed that lower levels of CBD in mice were positively protective against alcohol-induced liver damage. Researchers consider CBD to be a successful damage treatment related to inflammation, oxidative stress and steatosis (fatty liver).
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