Cannabidiol (CBD), a major nonpsychotropic constituent of Cannabis, has multiple pharmacological
actions, including anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antiemetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
However, little is known about its safety and side effect profile in animals and humans.
This review describes in vivo and in vitro reports of CBD administration across a
wide range of concentrations, based on reports retrieved from Web of Science, Scielo
and Medline. The keywords searched were "cannabinoids", "cannabidiol" and "side effects".
Several studies suggest that CBD is non-toxic in non-transformed cells and does not
induce changes on food intake, does not induce catalepsy, does not affect physiological
parameters (heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature), does not affect gastrointestinal
transit and does not alter psychomotor or psychological functions. Also, chronic use
and high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD are reportedly well tolerated in humans.
Conversely, some studies reported that this cannabinoid can induce some side effects,
including inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism, alterations of in vitro cell viability,
decreased fertilization capacity, and decreased activities of p-glycoprotein and other
drug transporters. Based on recent advances in cannabinoid administration in humans,
controlled CBD may be safe in humans and animals. However, further studies are needed
to clarify these reported in vitro and in vivo side effects.