Many medications and supplements have side effects. So you might be wondering if CBD hemp flower does too. Thankfully, just like hemp-derived CBD oil, hemp flower has a very favorable safety profile. While some minor side effects have been reported, they are rare and often associated with taking too much.
Potential Side Effects From Hemp Flower
The most commonly reported side effects of CBD include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Changes in appetite
If you experience any of these, first try lowering the amount of CBD that you are taking. This alone can often alleviate the issue. If it persists, you may want to try a different strain since the specific cannabinoids and terpenes in a product influence the effect that it has on you.
CBD hemp flower does contain some THC. So there is the potential for very minor psychoactive effects. Thanks to the high CBD content these effects are unlikely to be impairing. But for those who have turned to hemp flower specifically to avoid high-THC cannabis, it can be considered an unwanted side effect.
Side Effects of Smoking CBD Flower
The side effects that one may experience when using CBD flower can also depend on the consumption method. For example, it is not uncommon for one to experience a headache when smoking hemp flower. This is often because of the smoke itself and the combustion, or burning, of the plant and some of the volatile compounds that may be present in the smoke.
For those wishing to avoid this, vaping may be a viable alternative. This is because vaping does not combust the flower. Instead, it heats up the flower in an oven-like chamber and gets it just hot enough to vaporize the cannabinoids and terpenes. No smoke is produced, only vapor.
Vaping high-CBD hemp flower at the appropriate mid-low range temperatures can prevent euphoria and sedating effects, allowing you to avoid a “body” feel, but be sure to check the specific cannabinoid and terpene content of your strain so that you can pick the right temperature.
Choose the Right Strain
What one considers a side effect, another may consider the intended effect. It is important to make sure that you are choosing the right strains for your needs. Terpenes play an important role in the effects of cannabis, and they’re largely responsible for the sativa or indica tendencies of certain strains. Humulene, for example, can suppress hunger. Myrcene and linalool can make you drowsy. Limonene may make you energized.
By choosing strains with the right terpenes for your needs, and avoiding ones with unwanted effects, you can eliminate a lot of unwanted effects. The third party lab reports will be able to tell you the terpene profile of a specific product before you purchase it.