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Can You Be Allergic to CBD? Signs You're Allergic

Can You Be Allergic to CBD? Signs You're Allergic

CBD has surged in popularity thanks to countless scientific studies and anecdotal reports supporting its ability to help with pain, stress, and sleep. While CBD is generally mild and well-tolerated, it can sometimes cause rare allergies in certain individuals.

At Colorado Botanicals, we take science seriously, so it’s important for us to share all the latest data on CBD allergies. From symptoms and risk factors to steps you should take if you’re experiencing an allergic reaction to CBD, learn everything you need to know over the course of this data-driven guide.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in hemp, defined as Cannabis sativa with less than 0.3% THC. Interacting strongly with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), CBD impacts a wide variety of functions in the body, from relaxation to chronic pain and everything in-between.

The most popular types of CBD extracts included in products are broad-spectrum CBD and full-spectrum CBD (full-spectrum contains up to 0.3% THC). Offered in the form of CBD oil, CBD gummies, CBD capsules, and more, this cannabinoid is generally easy to take and only has mild side effects — if side effects occur at all!

Understanding Allergies

Allergies occur when the immune system mistakes a harmless substance as a threat. This causes antibodies to release histamine, which can cause symptoms ranging from mild itchiness to anaphylaxis. You can be exposed to allergens in many different ways, but most of the time, allergens are consumed in food or supplements. Symptoms of allergies generally subside on their own within a few hours, but a severe reaction may require medical attention.

Can You Be Allergic to CBD?

Yes, it is possible to have an allergic reaction after taking CBD — whether you’re allergic to CBD or another substance present in a CBD product. Ethical CBD producers limit the number of ingredients in their products and choose the highest-quality ingredients available.

Not all CBD products are made equal, however, and CBD can be accompanied by any number of carrier oils, flavoring agents, and other potential allergens. More often than not, it’s these additional ingredients that cause CBD allergy symptoms, not CBD itself.

Symptoms of a Potential CBD Allergy

To make sure you use CBD safely, it’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms of an allergic reaction to the cannabinoid. Symptoms experienced will vary depending on the type of CBD ingested and can include:

Skin Reactions

Use of topical CBD can cause:

  • Rashes
  • Itchiness
  • Hives
  • Swelling

In rare cases, hives and other symptoms can present themselves after using CBD orally as well.

Respiratory Issues

CBD allergy can cause respiratory symptoms like:

  • Congestion
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Sore or irritated throat

These symptoms are more common after inhaling CBD but can occur after ingesting CBD via any method.

Gastrointestinal Discomfort

Most usually caused by orally ingested CBD products, symptoms include

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain

Mild digestive discomfort is normal, especially at the beginning of CBD use. Serious or chronic reactions can be symptoms of an allergy.

Systemic Symptoms

Very rarely, CBD can cause unusual or body-wide reactions like:

  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Swelling in the face or throat
  • Anaphylaxis (closing of air passages)

Though extremely rare as a reaction to CBD use, anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Seek medical attention immediately if you are having trouble breathing after using CBD.

Risk Factors and Precautions

You might be more at risk of an allergic reaction to CBD depending on the following factors:

Known Cannabis or Hemp Allergies

While CBD is a separate cannabinoid from THC, both substances come from the same species of plant. If you are allergic to cannabis, therefore, you will also be allergic to CBD.

Cross-Reactivity with Other Allergens

Substances in hemp, like cannabis pollen, can sometimes resemble other allergens, such as those present in flower pollen and fruit. If you are allergic to other plant substances, you’re more at risk of being allergic to CBD too.

Sensitivity to Carrier Oils or Additives

To be effective, CBD must be paired with a carrier oil such as MCT oil. CBD products also often include some sort of flavoring ingredient. Check CBD product information thoroughly if you have any allergies.

Choosing High-Quality CBD Products

Low-quality CBD products are more likely to be cut with inferior carrier oils or contaminated with pesticides and processing substances. Choose a high-quality, certified CBD producer like Colorado Botanicals to eliminate these avoidable risks.

Consulting a Doctor Before Use

If you have allergies, asthma, or medical conditions of any other kind, it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor before beginning CBD use. You can work together to establish effective dosing and choose a safe and reputable CBD company.

What to Do if You Suspect an Allergy

If you are concerned you may be experiencing a CBD allergy, it’s important to act quickly to defend your health:

Stop Using CBD Immediately

Even if you aren’t sure whether it was CBD that caused the allergy or not, stop using all CBD products immediately. Most cases of CBD allergy are rare, but you don’t want to risk anaphylaxis.

Monitor Symptoms

Record when the symptoms first occured, how long they lasted, and how severe they were. Also note the way you used CBD and the specific product or products used.

Consult a Healthcare Professional

Contact a doctor or visit an urgent care clinic as soon as possible if you’re concerned you’ve experienced an allergic reaction to CBD. A doctor can assess your symptoms and offer antihistamines and other common treatments.

Consider Allergy Testing

A blood or skin prick test could help you determine the underlying cause of your allergic reaction. This might help you choose the right CBD products going forward or determine whether it’s appropriate to keep using CBD at all.

Review Product Ingredients and Quality

Reactions to CBD itself can occur, but allergic reactions after using CBD products can almost always be tied to another substance present in the product. Thoroughly review the ingredients present in any CBD products you used, and check their certificates of analysis (COAs) to determine if any contaminants might be present.

Conclusion

It is extremely unlikely that you will have a severe allergic reaction to CBD — cases of actual cannabis allergy are extraordinarily rare with carrier oils or other additional ingredients much more commonly being the culprits. Whatever the root cause, allergic reactions to CBD can be quite uncomfortable — ranging from mild skin irritation to difficulty breathing.

The cannabis plant may have impressive healing properties, but marijuana allergy has been a noted danger for decades. If you’re experiencing allergy symptoms, stop using CBD immediately, and seek medical attention. Adverse reactions are usually limited to a runny nose or skin rash, but there’s no use taking any risks.

At Colorado Botanicals, we take extra precaution to prevent cannabis-related allergies by holding ourselves and our suppliers to the strictest international organic and safety standards. Cultivated on organic family farms and processed in state-of-the-art, certified facilities, our CBD extracts and finished products are thoroughly third-party tested to eliminate the presence of glyphosate and other common agricultural toxins.

Trust us to create CBD oil the way nature intended. We encourage the cannabis industry overall to take allergies more seriously and work harder to separate harmful substances from the hemp plant. Protect your safety by choosing high-quality, hypoallergenic CBD products today.

Sources

  1. Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (2017). An update on safety and side effects of cannabidiol: a review of clinical data and relevant animal studies. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2(1), 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1089/can.2016.0034
  2. Https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/images/Johns-Hopkins-medicine-logo-horizontal-full-color.svg. (2024, May 23). Johns Hopkins Medicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/allergies-and-the-immune-system
  3. Ocampo, T. L., & Rans, T. S. (2015). Cannabis sativa: the unconventional “weed” allergen. Annals of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, 114(3), 187–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2015.01.004
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