Name: Effects of CBD Oil on Your Liver: Is It Bad?
Creator: WayofLeaf
Published: 2023-03-03

An estimated 30 million Americans have a form of liver disease, and it is the 12th most common cause of death in the US. As you may already know, the liver is our largest internal organ. It is involved in cleaning the blood, processing food material, producing vital nutrients, and detoxifying harmful substances. Even when damaged, a healthy liver has an astounding ability to regenerate cells. However, when the liver is too damaged, it loses its ability to heal itself and creates scar tissue.

Cirrhosis is the final stage of liver disease, which can ultimately prove fatal. Interestingly, various studies have found a link between marijuana and the restoration of liver function. While these studies have been primarily on mice, we would have a promising cirrhosis treatment option available if the results translate to humans.

However, there have been reports of some liver toxicity with CBD use, so let’s look at the evidence.

CBD Concerns

One problem with purchasing CBD (cannabidiol) is the lack of regulation in the industry. Some even refer to it as the ‘wild west’ due to its level of lawlessness. It was hoped that the passing of the Farm Bill of 2018, which legalized the growth of industrial hemp, would help tighten regulations.

However, laws still remain murky. Not only does this allow dishonest brands to take advantage of potential customers, but it circulates more misinformation about CBD too.

In 2017, a study by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that almost 70% of CBD products didn’t contain the amount of the cannabinoid promised on the label. Over 40% contained too little CBD, while 25% contained too much. Even more concerning, almost 20% of the products contained significantly high levels of THC.

CBD Interactions with Prescription Medications

The main concern with CBD is its potential interaction with other drugs. CBD itself is metabolized by an enzyme called CYP3A4. There are prescription drugs that hinder CYP3A4, which can thereby slow the breakdown of CBD and increase its rate of physiological activity. Other drugs increase levels of the enzyme and lead to rapid CBD breakdown.

In addition, CBD interacts with cytochrome P450 enzymes, which are responsible for the metabolism of several pharmaceuticals. At sufficiently high doses, CBD even inactivates cytochrome P450, leading to toxic levels of pharmaceutical drugs.

Because of these concerns, it’s always recommended to consult a trusted health care provider before trying CBD, especially for those already on medication.

CBD’s Effect on the Liver

A 2019 study on mice showed that CBD led to the elevation of liver enzymes at high levels, an indicator of liver damage. However, the CBD dosage was high, representing the maximal amount someone taking the CBD-based epilepsy drug Epidiolex may be consuming. No data is yet available on the actual liver status of humans who have taken Epidiolex, as the drug is still relatively new.

Nonetheless, the relationship between CBD and the liver isn’t all doom and gloom. It should be noted that another study found that lower levels of CBD were actually protective against alcohol-induced liver damage in mice. Researchers found that CBD was a promising treatment for damage associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and steatosis (fatty liver).

Quality of CBD Matters

In addition to avoiding interactions with other drugs, ensuring you verify the quality of your CBD is crucial. Ask yourself the following questions when buying from a new brand.

1) Is the Company Well-Established?

Take the time to do some quality research, spend plenty of time reading, and make a genuine effort to inform yourself about quality, safety, etc. Well-established brands will offer complete transparency from lab reports to information about their team and origin. Simply put, your overall experience with CBD will hinge upon the quality of extract you choose.

2) Does It Post the Results of Third-Party Lab Tests on Its Site?

Again, this is crucial. Avoid purchasing CBD from any manufacturer that doesn’t offer lab reports verifying the presence of cannabidiol. And furthermore, make sure that the lab reports also verify the absence of unwanted chemicals, including things like fertilizers and pesticides.

3) How Does It Extract CBD? Does It Use Solvents or Supercritical CO2 Extraction?

Most high-quality sellers nowadays use CO2 extraction techniques. CO2 is, of course, a natural substance and is found in many of the foods and beverages we consume on a daily basis. Supercritical CO2 is generally regarded in the industry as providing the safest, most efficient, and most advanced extraction techniques.

Use of clean alcohol as a solvent is acceptable, but avoid CBD extracted using butane.

4) Is the Oil Free from Pesticides, Insecticides, and Heavy Metals?

It should come as no surprise that these are not things you want to be ingesting. A quality CBD oil that’s been formulated using CO2 extraction techniques should be free from things like unwanted chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, etc.

5) Does the Company Outline Its Extraction Process in Detail?

Believe it or not, some companies in the market still fail to mention how their products are made. If you scan through a brand’s website and can’t find any information on extraction processes, you’ll probably want to avoid buying from that brand.

6) Where Does It Source the Cannabis or Hemp?

This is another crucial consideration as the quality of your CBD oil can only be as high as the quality of your hemp. And believe it or not, not all hemp contains high amounts of CBD. Good, high-quality CBD oil is sourced from industrial hemp that has been specifically cultivated for its cannabidiol content.

Furthermore, hemp grown in the US or the EU is subject to much stricter agricultural guidelines than in other parts of the world. Know where the hemp was grown that was used to make your CBD oil, and you’ll be well on your way to choosing a quality tincture.

Final Thoughts on CBD and the Liver

There is scant evidence to suggest that CBD itself causes any issues with liver function at low levels. However, it’s still important to keep some key things in mind. One of the first things to keep an eye out for is low-quality CBD, which may harm your liver by exposing it to toxins.

The other main danger is if you are already using prescription medications. Any medication metabolized by your liver is affected by CBD, so please speak to your physician before using CBD. Regardless if they understand cannabidiol, they can help by regularly checking your blood for signs of abnormalities.

For those who want some guidance on the best CBD oils on the market, take a look at our list below.

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