CBD is the second most prevalent cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. CBD is touted as a magical ingredient, and almost every other product is CBD infused. For the past ten years, CBD oil is also making headlines for its potential health benefits such as treating heart diseases, regulating the sleep cycle and boosting mood, etc.
According to the world health organization, WHO; CBD is safe and well-tolerated in humans. Additionally, it does not show any abuse or dependence potential. But somehow, there is ongoing controversy about whether CBD can interact with anticoagulants and blood-thinning medications. Does CBD oil really thin your blood? Here is everything you need to know.
Does CBD Oil Thin Your Blood? What Does the Research Say?
CBD oil has many health and therapeutic uses, that’s why it is extremely popular nowadays. Many people use CBD oil to boost their energy, alleviate their mood, regulate their sleep, etc. CBD is extracted from hemp and mixed with carrier oils to make the required consistency of CBD oil. CBD oil is not intoxicating and doesn’t give the “head high” effects.
CBD oil has blood thinning ability, and many people think that CBD’s blood-thinning property can benefit humans in many ways.
Following Are Some Studies Regarding CBD and Its Effects on the Blood:
- According to a study published in the JCI Insight Journal, a single dose of CBD has an impact on the blood pressure of participants. Whenever you take CBD oil for any health reasons, it also dilates blood vessels. As a result, blood flows faster in blood vessels, and then there is less likelihood of blood clots.
- Anticoagulants are also known as blood thinners. These medicines help to prevent blood clotting in veins and arteries. Different blood thinners work in different ways. Some may thin the blood by preventing cells from adhering to your blood vessels. Blood thinners are a lifesaver for people who have issues such as blood clotting. Similarly, CBD has the ability to thin the blood.
- Another study showed that cannabinoids in broad-spectrum CBD oil could prevent thrombosis. Thrombosis is a condition in which blood clots are formed. Moreover, CBD extends the time of blood clot formation. This time is two times longer as compared to the subjects who don’t take CBD, and blood clots formed. This study also suggests that “cannabinoids, THC, and CBN, show anticoagulant activity and may be useful in future the treatment of diseases such as type 2 diabetes. Broad-spectrum CBD products don’t contain THC but all other cannabinoids and terpenes. So, more research is required to unveil the CBD’s effects on the blood thinning.
CBD Oil and Its Interaction with Other Medicines
CBD can interact with other medicines. So, if you are on any medication, then you must consult your doctor before starting CBD. According to some studies, CBD works better with Heparin, Dabigatran, and Edoxaban. These are clot inhibitors or blood thinners.
Want to know something interesting about grapefruit? If you are taking blood thinners, then grapefruit affects the way certain medicines work. Grapefruit can delay medicines’ absorption or excretion from the system.
According to an article published in Harvard Health, “CBD can increase the level of Coumadin in the blood. Coumadin is a blood thinner and its increased level results in blood thinning. Additionally, CBD can “raise the levels of other medications in your blood by affecting the liver enzymes. Furthermore, some studies indicate that there is an interaction between CBD and Warfarin. Warfarin is the most common anticoagulant available in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Should I Stop Taking CBD Softgels a Few Days Before My Surgery?
This is something to consult with your doctor or surgeon. Everybody is different, and their body system reacts differently to CBD oil. Similarly, different surgical procedures have the various risks of bleeding. To stay on the safer side and as a precautionary measure, stop taking CBD a few weeks prior to your surgery. Moreover, your doctor can give you better advice in this matter as he knows your history and health issues.
Q. Should I Stop Taking CBD Before Going for a Tattoo?
When you decide to get a tattoo, you stop taking pain killers, blood-thinning medicines, and alcohol a few days prior to tattooing. It is ideal to stop taking CBD oil or any other form of CBD. Thinning of blood makes it hard for artists to draw tattoos, and there are chances of over bleeding. Many people take CBD oil to calm their nerves and for better sleep, so it is hard for them to stop using CBD oil. For more clear guidance, you take advice from your health care practitioner, or sometimes an experienced tattoo artist can guide you well.
Q. Is Topical Use of CBD Also Linked With Blood Thinning?
There is no clear and scientific evidence regarding this matter. Many people massage CBD oil or CBD oil-infused creams on different body parts to reduce pain and inflammation. There is not any scientific research available to prove that topical CBD oil can cause blood thinning.
Wrapping up the Things
CBD and its blood-thinning ability require more research and human clinical trials. Many other factors such as weight, health issues, and tolerance level can affect CBD’s ability and its interaction with blood thinners. If you are taking blood thinners and want to take CBD oil, then you must consult your doctor. Your doctor and health care practitioners can adjust your dose, and you can safely add CBD to your medicine regime.
CBD’s blood-thinning property is not a bad thing at all; it opens new doors for future research. It also calls for new opportunities to discover new ways to tackle some biggest health issues, such as brain strokes and heart diseases. As you know, blood clots are the common reason for heart attacks and hemorrhage. So, there is a need for more human experiments and clinical trials to unveil the true potential of CBD oil and its effects.
