CBD and MEDICAL INTERACTIONS
The cytochrome P450 enzymes are a larger family of almost 60 enzymes that work to metabolize things we consume through the liver. Specific cytochrome P450 enzymes called CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 are metabolized in similar ways to CBD so they MIGHT have interactions but the likelihood is low. Pharmaceutical companies take into consideration the cytochrome P450 enzyme metabolism rate to create their drugs such as anti-depressants, steroids, and beta-blockers.
Certain foods can activate the cytochrome P450 enzyme causing a drug to become useless, basically voiding out the desired effect. These are foods like charcoal-grilled foods and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and spinach or even supplements that contain high amounts of phytonutrients from cruciferous vegetables. Other foods or natural supplements can inhibit the cytochrome P450 enzyme causing the drug to not be metabolized and therefore extending its effect in your body with potentially toxic outcomes. We see this in the grapefruit juice effect and possibly with massive dosing on CBD oil.
When it comes to understanding CBD and possible drug interactions, many articles that are written on this topic are based on pre-clinical trials, not actual gold-standard clinical studies, where large doses of CBD were administered daily over many days to small lab rats. The dosages were in the hundreds of milligrams per day. Normal human dosages are in the tens of milligrams per day. In the pre-clinical trial they found no interaction between a normal dose of CBD and medications.
The important thing to note is to always check with your doctor and pay close attention to your body and what supplements and drugs you are using. The internet is full of useful yet sometimes misleading content. Read the full article and do not always trust the title or first few sentences as they are often considered “click bait”. Copyright 2019 “Supplements Desk Reference” by Jen O’Sullivan