CBD (Cannabidiol)

What does CBD look like?

CBD is mostly extracted from the hemp plant - a type of cannabis plant used to make fibres and rope, and also known for its high CBD and low THC content.⁹

The CBD extract is made into:

• oils, tinctures and distillates (usually as a clear liquid)
• capsules and pills
• skin patches, creams and lotions
• foods, also known as edibles (gummies, brownies, etc.)
• drinks (teas, soft drinks, etc.)
• mouth sprays.^9,11

CBD can also be found in other types of cannabis plants, and some plants are bred specifically to have more CBD than THC.⁹

Other names

diet dabs, cannabidiolum, Epidiolex®, Epidyolex®

Other types of cannabinoids

• THC (cannabis)
• synthetic cannabinoids

How is CBD used?

CBD is most often eaten/swallowed or vaporised. It’s also sometimes smoked, usually alongside THC in cannabis.

CBD for medical use is taken in many ways, including:

• vaporised
• eaten
• under the tongue (sub-lingual)
• mouth sprays
• suppositories
• applied onto the skin.¹²

Smoking CBD for medicinal reasons is not recommended, as it’s harder to accurately dose and the harms to your body from smoking can be worse than the benefits experienced.¹³

Effects of CBD

The use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

CBD affects everyone differently, based on:

• size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• the amount taken
• the strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)
• environment (where the drug is taken).

Onset and duration of effects 

How fast a drug takes effect and how long it lasts can vary depending on how it’s taken – for example whether it’s swallowed or vaporised.

If CBD is smoked/vaped, the effects are felt immediately, peaking within 15-30 minutes.^14,15

If eaten/swallowed, the effects are felt within 30 minutes to 2 hours, peaking within 1-4 hours.^15,16

The effects, both smoked/vaped or eaten/swallowed, can last up to 24 hours.¹⁵

Effects

Effects of CBD can include:

• pain relief
• muscle relaxation
• reduced inflammation
• changes in mood
• feeling tired or drowsy
• reduced anxiety
• diarrhoea
• changes in appetite
• dry mouth.^17,18

Overdose

There have been no recorded deaths from CBD overdose in Australia.

But novel synthetic cannabinoid overdose can cause death.¹⁹

Call triple zero (000) and request an ambulance if you or someone else has any of the following symptoms (emergency services are there to help and can provide instructions over the phone):

• chest pain or discomfort that may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or burning. It may also be felt in the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw
• irregular heartbeat
• breathing difficulties
• hallucinations, paranoia.²⁰

Mixing CBD with other drugs

Mixing CBD with other drugs can have unpredictable effects and increase the risk of harm. Mixing means using more than one drug (including alcohol or medications) at the same time, or one after another. You should also consider what drugs you’ve taken in the last 24 hours.

Effects of mixing with CBD²¹

Using more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another is also called polydrug use.²² Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.

Reducing harm

There are ways you can reduce the risk of harm when using CBD:

• Start low, go slow - try a little bit first, to see how you feel:
• if you have eaten/swallowed CBD, wait at least 4 hours before deciding whether to take more
• if you have used CBD any other way, wait at least 30 minutes.
• Avoid novel synthetic cannabinoids due to their unpredictable effects. These drugs often come in brightly coloured packages with the flower or plant material pre-chopped or powdered.
• If affected by CBD, don’t drive, operate heavy machinery or any other potentially risky activities, such as swimming - while CBD doesn’t cause intoxication, or give you a ‘high’ feeling, it can cause tiredness, which can affect your ability to do these tasks.
• If prescribed, follow the directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.^11,17

If smoking or vaping:

• avoid tobacco as a mixer
• clean smoking equipment regularly, including mouthpiece and any water containing parts to avoid mould or bacterial growth
• avoid smoking out of plastic bottles or aluminium cans due to toxic fumes
• use edibles, oils, or a vape instead of smoking to avoid harmful smoke and chemicals.¹⁶

Coming down

CBD is not known to cause comedown effects, and research on CBD comedowns is still limited.

Long-term effects

Further research into the long-term effects of CBD is needed, but early reports indicate it doesn’t cause negative long-term effects.²³

But there are long-term health risks that are specifically related to smoking CBD. The risk is even higher if mixed with tobacco. These include:

• respiratory health issues like asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia
• reduced lung capacity
• cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease.^24-26

CBD and mental health

There’s no evidence available to suggest that regular, ongoing use of CBD negatively affects mental health.²⁷

Tolerance

Regularly taking CBD may lead to developing a tolerance, which means you need to take larger amounts to get the same effects, but this hasn’t been proven through research yet.²⁸

Dependence

There is no evidence that people who regularly use CBD will become dependent.²⁸

Withdrawal

Withdrawal refers to the symptoms that can occur when someone who is dependent on a drug or has used it regularly over time, stops or reduces use.²⁹

Withdrawal can include physical symptoms (such as headaches, or nausea) and psychological symptoms (such as anxiety, or depressed mood).²⁹

Symptoms - including how strong they are and how long they last - will vary depending on the type of drug and a person’s history of use.²⁹

There are no known CBD withdrawal symptoms, however if you experience symptoms after stopping or reducing your use, or have concerns, contact your doctor or the help and support services listed below for advice and support.³⁰

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and CBD

There’s limited research on how CBD affects pregnancy and breastfeeding.

But we know that the endocannabinoid system plays an important role in reproduction and pregnancy.³¹ And that CBD passes through breastmilk into the newborn baby.³²

Because of this, it’s recommended not to use CBD if pregnant or breastfeeding. 

Getting help

If your use of CBD is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about someone you care about, there is help and support.

• Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs
• Search our Help and Support directory to find your preferred support, by adding your location or postcode and filtering by service type.