Discover how CBD and CBDa may interact with medications. Learn safe use tips, key drug interactions, and how to consult your healthcare provider effectively. For up-to-date information, view trusted sources on the web based on your receptor or enzyme in question. If you haven’t already read “What is CBDa? Benefits, How it Works, & Differs from CBD” we highly recommend it to gain a deeper insight into CBD and CBDa.
*This is provided as an information resource only. We are not medical professionals, and this guide is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.*
Step 1: How Your Body Processes Substances (Pharma-co-kinetics)
Many people are unaware of the complex journey that substances take within their bodies.
When you consume any medication or substance, your body goes through a series of steps to process it. However, it’s important to note that these processes often overlap and can occur simultaneously:
- Absorption:
- The substance enters your bloodstream, either through your digestive system, lungs, skin, or directly via injection.
- Distribution:
- Once in the bloodstream, the substance is distributed throughout your body to various tissues and organs.
- Metabolism:
- Your body, primarily the liver, breaks down or alters the substance. This process can change the substance’s effects and prepare it for elimination.
- Elimination:
- Finally, your body removes the substance and its byproducts.
This process affects how quickly a substance takes effect, how long it lasts, and how it interacts with other medications or substances in your system. Understanding this process can help you better comprehend why drug interactions occur and why it’s crucial to be aware of potential conflicts between different medications or supplements competing for absorption.
Step 2: The Role of Enzymes in Metabolism
Your enzymes key role is breaking down substances. These enzymes are proteins that act like tiny workers, breaking down what you’ve consumed so it can be used or flushed out by your body.
Think of enzymes as specialized tools in a factory. Different enzymes are responsible for breaking down different substances. One important group of enzymes is called CYP450 (pronounced “sip-four-fifty”), which processes around 60% of medications, including those used for blood pressure, cholesterol, and more.
Why Enzymes Are Important for Drug Interactions
Enzymes don’t just process one thing at a time – they process everything that comes at them. If multiple substances (like medications or supplements) are broken down by the same enzyme, they can “compete” for attention. This can slow down the processing of some drugs or speed up others, which changes how effective or safe the drugs are.
For example, if a substance slows down an enzyme that normally processes a heart medication, more of that medication stays in your system longer, which can lead to stronger effects or side effects of that medication.
Natural Products and Drug Interactions
Just because a product is natural or plant-based doesn’t mean it’s always safe to use with medications. Many people assume that herbal supplements and natural products are harmless, but they can interact with other substances in significant ways. Even everyday items you might not suspect can cause interactions.
For Example – Grapefruit Juice:
This interaction can occur with several types of medication, including:
- Some statin medications used to lower cholesterol
- Certain blood pressure medications
- Some anti-anxiety drugs
- Certain antihistamines
The interaction occurs because compounds in grapefruit can interfere with enzymes in your intestines that break down medications. As a result, more of the drug enters your bloodstream, which can increase its effects and side effects.
Step 3: What Are Receptors, and Why Do They Matter?
After the body processes a substance, it needs to interact with specific parts of your body to produce an effect. These interactions happen through receptors. Receptors are like locks on the surface of your cells, and only certain substances (the keys) can “unlock” them and trigger a response. If multiple substances are active in your body they can compete.
CBD and CBDa may enhance the effects of medications that target these same receptors. For example, they could potentially increase the effects of serotonergic drugs or pain medications.
CBDa versus CBD interactions?
Understanding how CBD (cannabidiol) and CBDa (cannabidiolic acid) interact with your body—specifically through enzymes, receptors, and pathways—is critical for safe, effective use, especially if you’re taking other medications. Here’s a clear breakdown of the unique interactions each compound offers:
CBDa (Cannabidiolic Acid)
CBDa, the raw, acidic form of CBD, has gained attention for its unique and amplified effects on specific pathways, suggesting benefits beyond those offered by CBD alone. Here’s how CBDa interacts with your body:
- Enhanced Serotonin Interaction: CBDa shows significantly higher activity with serotonin receptors (5-HT1A), up to 100 times greater than CBD. This can amplify CBDa’s potential in mood regulation and anti-anxiety effects, making it particularly impactful when used alongside serotonergic drugs.
- Pain and Inflammation Targeting: CBDa selectively interacts with COX-2 enzymes, which play a role in pain and inflammation. It has about 9 times the affinity for COX-2 compared to COX-1, indicating a targeted approach in alleviating inflammation and pain without affecting broader enzyme activity as intensely.
- Superior Absorption Rates: CBDa is absorbed 5 to 11 times better than CBD. This higher bioavailability allows smaller doses of CBDa to achieve significant effects, reducing the likelihood of interactions due to excessive concentration in the body. Users may experience quicker relief with smaller amounts.
CBD (Cannabidiol)
While CBD shares some pathways with CBDa, it targets additional receptors, offering a distinct set of effects:
- GPR55 Receptors: CBD works as an antagonist to GPR55, a receptor involved in modulating cell growth and bone health. By inhibiting this receptor, CBD can potentially mitigate abnormal cell proliferation, though research is ongoing in this area.
- PPARγ Activation: CBD activates the PPARγ receptor, which plays a role in regulating lipid metabolism and glucose, thus showing potential benefits for metabolic health. This pathway can support weight management and blood sugar balance, especially in those with metabolic concerns.
- Glycine Receptors and Pain Modulation: CBD activates glycine receptors, which aid in pain modulation by enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission. This property is particularly useful for managing pain and muscle spasms, providing relief without relying heavily on serotonin pathways.
- TRP Channels and Immune Response: CBD interacts with TRPV2, TRPA1, and TRPM8 channels, which regulate immune response and pain perception. These interactions may also affect temperature regulation and inflammatory responses, offering unique therapeutic benefits.
Shared Interactions and Key Drug Metabolism Pathways
CBD and CBDa influence many of the same metabolic enzymes, particularly those in the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system, which is essential for metabolizing a broad range of medications. Both compounds can slow down or inhibit certain enzymes, impacting how your body processes drugs. Key enzymes affected include:
- CYP3A4: This enzyme metabolizes many common drugs, including certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, and blood thinners. By inhibiting CYP3A4, both CBD and CBDa can increase drug concentrations, which could heighten effects and side effects. Blood thinners like warfarin, for instance, may lead to increased bleeding risk if taken with CBD or CBDa.
- CYP2C19: This enzyme is essential for processing proton pump inhibitors and some antiepileptic drugs. CBD and CBDa can alter the efficacy of these medications, potentially requiring dosage adjustments.
Key Takeaways For CBD And CBDa Interactions
- CBD and CBDa can increase the effects or side effects of certain medications by influencing how they are metabolized by enzymes.
- Check if your medication interacts with common receptors affected by CBD or CBDa.
- Consider Timing: Take CBD or CBDa at different times than your other medications.
- Start with Low Doses: Begin with a small amount and gradually increase if needed.
- Keep a Medication Diary: Note any changes in how you feel or in the effectiveness of your medications.
Consulting a Doctor?
In multiple quantitative studies, healthcare professionals felt unfamiliar with cannabinoid pharmacology and clinical applications and were not confident in discussing cannabis-related products to their patients as they felt unqualified.
If you choose to consult your primary care professionals, as we recommend, please provide them with our scientific publication overview for them to feel more confident surrounding cannabis-related products and how they interact with your body and potentially other medications you are on. You can find it here: “Cannabinoid Research for Doctors”