Even though CBD has been around since 1940 (according to the National Library of Medicine), it’s taken a long—very long—time for it to become as ubiquitous as candy or soap (and yes, you can find CBD in candy and soap. And perfume. Hairspray. Lipstick, even. And of course, our favorite, gummies). Due to its antioxidant and anti-anxiety properties, CBD has evolved from a forgotten compound most commonly associated with marijuana, to a powerful aid that may help ease the symptoms associated with a variety of ailments from stress disorders to heart health. Recently, there has been a lot of news about CBD effects on the liver and what the benefits may or may not be. But what’s the real story? Let’s take a closer look at how CBD affects the liver.
So, what are CBD effects on the liver? First things first. As mentioned above, CBD is a chemical that is found in marijuana. However, it’s important to note though that it doesn’t have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana that makes you high. CBD is defined as a cannabinol, or a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid, but again, you won’t be flying high because of it. If anything, it will calm you down and give you a little Zen. CBD was isolated from the cannabis (marijuana) plant back in 1940, but because it didn’t provide the high that Mary Jane did, it got left out in the cold with THC eventually getting all the glory. It wouldn’t be until we were well into the 21st century that CBD’s medicinal benefits started to gain prominence in the mainstream. The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill sealed the deal, allowing hemp-derived products (like CBD) to be sold commercially. As more and more CBD-infused products hit the market, people began to use it for help with insomnia, pain relief, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even epilepsy. But what about CBD effects on the liver?
Recent headlines have pointed to CBD effects on the liver being a cause for concern. Specifically, a study that tested CBD on mice found it to be harmful to their livers. However, the dosage administered was extremely high, far more than a human would ever consume. In that particular study, the mice were given a CBD dosage of anywhere from 246 mg/kg to 2460 mg/kg, which is HUGE. For comparison, a therapeutic dose of CBD generally ranges anywhere from 0.5 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg.
In fact, when it comes to CBD effects on the liver, there have been studies to demonstrate that cannabidiols like CBD can actually help to restore liver function, especially with regard to a fatty liver brought on by alcohol abuse and a high-fat diet. Further, CBD may also help to prevent the development of a fatty liver brought on by the Lieber–DeCarli ethanol diet (which is high in fat, cholesterol, and sugar) or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Other potential benefits of CBD for the liver is that it has been shown to decrease the onset of Type 2 diabetes, which has ties to liver disease, and the reduction of liver inflammation, due to CBD’s inherent anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants.
Whatever your health concerns may be, CBD just may be able to provide you with some therapeutic relief. And if your liver in particular is a concern, as mentioned above, there is a great deal of evidence that suggests CBD effects on the liver can yield a number of positives. Take a look at our choice of CBD gummies and choose the one that’s best for you.
