A 56-year-old woman is recovering from developing heart problems due to hemp oil supplements. The woman, who has not been publicly identified, landed at the hospital and was the subject of a new case report.
The report, published in the journal Heart Rhythm Case Reports, details how the woman went to the emergency room after dizziness and fainting. At the hospital, he was diagnosed with a cardiac arrhythmia, a life-threatening irregular heartbeat.
The woman, who was not publicly identified, shared with doctors that she was taking herbal supplements with hemp oil containing cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (DBG), two chemicals found in the cannabis plant that they do not cause an increase. He was also taking supplements containing berberine, a plant-based compound that has been linked to a reduction in blood sugar and an increase in metabolism.
The woman told doctors she was using the supplements to help her with her stressful work schedule. The woman was taken to the hospital’s cardiology room where tests revealed she was taking up to six times the recommended dose of hemp oil.
Six days later, she was discharged and, during a three-month follow-up appointment, commented that she had not fainted or felt dizzy. Her heart rate also seemed to have returned to normal.
“These products should be used with caution, as data on their efficacy, toxicity, and potential for interactions are limited,” the researchers wrote in the conclusion. “The use of these supplements should not be taken lightly, dosage recommendations should be followed and possible interactions with other medicines or supplements should always be considered.”
Hemp oil and CBD oil are increasingly appearing in supplements, tinctures and lotions. So, should you worry about using it? Experts intervene.
What is hemp oil?
Hemp oil is an oil obtained by squeezing hemp seeds, according to Jamie Alan, Pharm.D., Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmacology at Michigan State University. “By definition it contains a minimum amount of THC,” he says. (THC, in case you are unfamiliar with it, is the abbreviation for tetrahydrocannabinol, it is the chemical responsible for most of the psychological effects of marijuana, that is, it makes you drugged).
Hemp oil should not contain more than 0.3% THC, says Alan.
People use hemp oil and its sister oil, CBD oil, for a number of things, such as treating anxiety, aches and pains, and modifying blood pressure. However, the investigation is still ongoing to see if these claims are legitimate.
What are the possible side effects of using hemp oil?
Alan notes that the woman in this study “took a massive amount of hemp oil,” which is not typical. Alan says it’s not “clear” why the woman’s arrhythmia happened, but, she says, “it may be because of the large amount of cannabinoids: CBD and CBG.”
“Overall, research has suggested that CBD from hemp oil may be good for the heart because of its anti-inflammatory properties,” says Keri Gans, MS, RD, author of The Small Change Diet. “Studies have shown a decrease in blood pressure, cholesterol levels and a reduced risk of heart disease with the daily use of CBD.” But, he adds, the dose is important. “If a person takes much more than the recommended dose, it could lower their blood pressure too much,” says Gans. (It is worth noting: the US National Library of Medicine says that 200 milligrams is considered the maximum safe dose.)
Generally, when taken as directed, there are usually not many side effects to taking hemp oil or CBD oil apart from drowsiness, says Alan.
However, there are some potential drug interactions, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine has a laundry list. Includes (but is not limited to):
- caffeine
- Liti
- Central nervous system depressants
- Tamoxifiers
- Warfarin
The U.S. National Library of Medicine also warns against taking CBD supplements along with those containing hops, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin, and valerian: they can cause too much drowsiness or slower breathing.
Is it safe to use hemp oil?
In general, experts say that it is good to use hemp oil. “If you know it’s hemp oil and it’s pure and you don’t take 700 million more supplements with it, it’s probably safe to take the recommended amount,” says Kathryn Boling, MD, a primary care physician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. . “Sometimes we live in a society where people think more is better, but more is not better in many cases, especially with medications and supplements.”
Alan says that “normally” it will be okay to take hemp oil orally and topically, but it includes a big warning: “Herbal products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and there is no guarantee that what you get is what is stated on the bottle and is not contaminated with anything else.”
If you have an underlying illness or are taking any medications, Alan suggests that you talk to your doctor before using anything that contains CBD, just to be safe. As this is a largely unregulated industry, Alan also recommends doing your due diligence before deciding on a product and opting for a reputable brand with data to support your claims. “You can get CBD, which is part of hemp oil, from places that will give you a lab report. That’s better,” he says.
If you prefer to buy your hemp oil in person, Dr. Boling suggests visiting a dispensary. “That’s what I tell my patients to do,” he says. “It’s regulated.”
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