⛔
Regulatory ban. This ingredient is banned or restricted in one or more countries. See Regulatory Status below.
⚠️
Major drug interaction. This ingredient has clinically significant drug interactions. See Drug Interactions below before use.
SAFE

CBD (Cannabidiol)

Cannabidiol from Cannabis sativa
Possibly Safe V4 Verified Herbs & Botanicals
Scan supplement →
Upper Safe Limit
EFSA Novel Food 70-160mg/day safety assessment (varies by route)
PubChem CID
About

CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid from hemp. Epidiolex (prescription CBD) is FDA/EMA approved for rare epilepsy. Evidence for anxiety, sleep, and pain. REGULATORY: Novel food in EU — only products with Novel Food authorisation are legal. THC content must be <0.2% in EU.

How it works (mechanism of action)

Allosteric modulator of mu and delta opioid receptors. Inhibits FAAH (increasing endocannabinoids). Activates TRPV1 (pain). Modulates serotonin 5-HT1A receptors (anxiety). Inhibits adenosine reuptake. Different mechanisms from THC (no CB1 psychoactive agonism).

⚖️ Regulatory Status
⛔
AE — Banned
UAE MOH — classified as narcotic. Zero tolerance.
⛔
CN — Banned
NMPA China — classified as controlled substance. Prohibited in food and health supplements.
⛔
ID — Banned
BPOM Indonesia — cannabis and all derivatives classified as narcotics (Golongan I). Prohibited.
⛔
MY — Banned
NPRA Malaysia — classified as dangerous drug under Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
⛔
SA — Banned
SFDA Saudi Arabia — all cannabis derivatives prohibited under narcotics law.
⛔
SG — Banned
HSA Singapore — controlled drug under Misuse of Drugs Act. Criminal offence.
⚠️
CH — Restricted
Swissmedic — CBD products with <1% THC permitted under Swiss law, but health claims prohibited. Must comply with novel food requirements.
⚠️
DE — Restricted
BVL Germany (2019) — novel food requiring EU authorisation. Products without novel food status subject to enforcement.
⚠️
EU — Restricted
EFSA/European Commission (2019) — classified as novel food. Pre-market authorisation required.
⚠️
GB — Restricted
FSA UK (2020) — classified as novel food requiring FSA authorisation.
⚠️
IE — Restricted
FSAI Ireland (2019) — novel food. Pre-market authorisation required.
⚠️
JP — Restricted
MHLW Japan — CBD isolate permitted only if derived from cannabis seeds or stalks and contains zero THC. Full-spectrum and broad-spectrum products prohibited. Strict analytical testing required.
⚠️
KR — Restricted
MFDS South Korea — classified as narcotic. Only approved for specific medical use.
⚠️
PH — Restricted
FDA Philippines — cannabis-derived CBD legal only for medical use under Republic Act 10883. Not permitted in general health supplements.
👥 Safety by Population
PopulationSafety RatingMax Safe Dose
GeneralPossibly safeNot established
ChildrenPossibly safeMedical use only — Epidiolex for specific epilepsy syndromes
🚫 Contraindications & Warnings

CRITICAL DRUG INTERACTION: Strong CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4 inhibitor. Increases plasma levels of warfarin, clobazam, valproate, and many other drugs. AVOID with blood thinners without medical guidance. Liver enzyme elevation at high doses. Drowsiness at high doses.

💊 Drug Interactions (11)
🔴 Warfarin
Major
Anticoagulants
Management: CAUTION — monitor INR closely when starting or changing CBD dose. May require warfarin dose reduction.
🔴 Antiepileptics
Major
Antiepileptics
Management: Monitor antiepileptic drug levels. Dose reduction of clobazam often required when combining with Epidiolex.
🔴 Clobazam / Valproate
Major
Antiepileptics
Management: Monitor drug levels closely. Dose adjustment of clobazam/valproate required.
🔴 Diazepam / Alprazolam
Major
Benzodiazepines
Management: Avoid combination or use under close supervision. Excessive sedation risk.
🔴 Tacrolimus / Cyclosporine
Major
Immunosuppressants
Management: Monitor drug levels. CBD is a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor.
🟡 Antidepressants
Moderate
Antidepressants
Management: Monitor for signs of antidepressant toxicity. Dose adjustment may be required.
🟡 Clopidogrel
Moderate
Antiplatelet drugs
Management: May reduce antiplatelet efficacy. Avoid in patients requiring clopidogrel.
🟡 Atorvastatin / Simvastatin
Moderate
Statins
Management: Monitor for myopathy. Statin dose reduction may be needed.
🟡 Metformin
Moderate
Antidiabetics
Management: Monitor blood glucose. Data limited — use caution.
🟡 Antidepressants (SSRIs/TCAs)
Moderate
Antidepressants
Management: Monitor for increased antidepressant side effects.
🟡 Opioids (morphine)
Moderate
Opioid analgesics
Management: Monitor for excessive sedation. May reduce opioid dose requirement.
⚠️ Adverse Effects (2)
Liver enzyme elevation
dose-dependent (>20mg/kg/day) Moderate
Hepatic system
Clinically significant LFT elevation at high doses used in Epidiolex trials. Monitor LFTs at pharmacological doses.
Diarrhoea
common at high doses Mild
Gastrointestinal system
Dose-dependent GI effects. Usually resolves with dose reduction.
🏷️ Other Names
Cannabidiol from Cannabis sativa
References (4)
  1. National Institutes of Health. Vitamin D: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. 2023. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/   Reference   Source ↗
  2. National Institutes of Health. Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. 2021. Available from: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/   Reference   Source ↗
  3. EFSA. EFSA J. 2016;14(10):4547.   Regulatory document   DOI ↗
  4. EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. EFSA J. 2013;11(11):3418.   Regulatory document   DOI ↗

Evidence grades: SR = Systematic review / meta-analysis (highest) · RCT = Randomized controlled trial · Reg = Regulatory/official guidance

Updated: 2026-03-30
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