About 30 million US citizens suffer from some type of liver disease and it is the 12th most common cause of death in the country. The liver is the organ that is involved in cleaning our blood, making vital nutrients, processing foods, and detoxifying harmful substances. A healthy liver is capable of regenerating cells even when damaged. However, when it is too damaged, it loses its capability to regenerate and creates scar tissue.
The final stage of liver disease is cirrhosis, which can be fatal. Many studies have found a link between marijuana and liver function restoration. Nonetheless, certain cases wherein the use of CBD proved to be toxic to the liver have also been reported. Continue reading to join in on this inquest to know the truth.
Interaction Of CBD With Prescription Medication
The main concern about CBD products is their potential interaction with other medications. An enzyme called CYP3A4 metabolizes CBD and some prescription medications can block CYP3A4 and thus slow down the breakdown of CBD. This can, in turn, accelerate the rate of the anatomical activity of CBD. Some other drugs can increase the levels of the enzyme and result in the rapid breakdown of CBD. Besides, CBD can interact with cytochrome P450 enzymes, which play a vital role in the metabolism of many pharmaceutical medications. At high doses, CBD can even inactivate cytochrome P450, which can result in toxic levels of pharmaceutical medications in the body.
Effects Of CBD On Liver
A study conducted on mice found that at high levels, CBD can result in an increase in liver enzymes. This is an obvious sign of liver damage. The levels of CBD used in the study were quite high and these levels represent the maximum dose that a person taking Epidiolex, a CBD-based epilepsy medication, may be taking. However, no direct data is yet available on the actual liver status of people taking Epidiolex as it is a relatively new drug.
Another study conducted to find the effects of CBD on the liver found that lower levels of CBD are protective against liver damage induced by alcohol use. From studies conducted on mice, researchers found that CBD can be a promising treatment for liver damage caused by oxidative stress, steatosis, and inflammation.
To ensure the safety of your liver while using CBD products, you need to verify the quality of the CBD product that you use, in addition to avoiding interactions with other medications.