Does CBD oil help Hashimoto?

The Health Benefits of CBD Oil for Thyroid Conditions

Lindsay Curtis is a health writer with over 20 years of experience in writing health, science & wellness-focused articles.

Published on January 16, 2023

Femi Aremu, PharmD, is a professional pharmacist with experience in clinical and community pharmacy. He currently practices in Chicago, Illinois.

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Cannabidiol (CBD) has soared in popularity in recent years thanks to its numerous health benefits. Derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, CBD oil is a powerful therapeutic remedy used to regulate body functions and alleviate symptoms of various health conditions.

CBD oil may support thyroid health, play a role in thyroid hormone regulation, and help manage symptoms associated with thyroid disorders.

This article will review the potential benefits of CBD oil for thyroid health, side effects, how to use CBD oil, and what to look for when choosing CBD products.

Health Benefits of CBD for Thyroid

CBD boasts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may be beneficial for thyroid health. Evidence suggests that CBD oil may help regulate thyroid hormone levels in the body and reduce symptoms associated with certain thyroid disorders.

CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a vast network of specialized receptors located throughout the body that helps the body maintain homeostasis (balance). The ECS plays a role in regulating important body functions, including appetite, mood, memory, fertility, body temperature, immune response, and pain perception.

The ECS has receptors—known as endocannabinoid receptors—throughout the body, including the thyroid gland. These receptors are also found in brain regions responsible for sending signals to the thyroid gland that controls thyroid hormone production. Research shows that the ECS plays a role in regulating hormones and thyroid health.

Though the exact mechanisms of how CBD interacts with the body’s ECS are not yet fully understood, CBD binds to endocannabinoid receptors in the thyroid gland to help support thyroid functions. CBD is known to alleviate certain symptoms associated with thyroid disorders, such as:

• Weight gain
• Inflammation
• Pain
• Skin problems
• Anxiety and depression
• Insomnia
• Fatigue

Though there is little research exploring the effect of CBD on specific thyroid disorders, CBD’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may offer therapeutic benefits for people with thyroid conditions.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Excess amounts of thyroid hormones cause your body’s metabolism to speed up, leading to symptoms such as weight loss, insomnia, rapid heart rate, hand tremors, and anxiety.

CBD oil may help relieve anxiety, irritability, hand tremors, and shakiness and improve sleep. Some evidence suggests CBD may benefit heart health and reduce irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia).

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid gland produces insufficient thyroid hormone. Common symptoms include weight gain, fatigue, dry skin and hair, joint and muscle pain, and depression. Research shows that CBD may effectively reduce pain, help hydrate dry skin, and play a role in weight loss.

The leading cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis—an autoimmune disorder associated with chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. CBD’s powerful anti-inflammatory properties may benefit people with thyroid inflammation.

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the tissues of the thyroid gland. Some research suggests that CBD may have anti-cancer properties and prevent cancer cells from multiplying, suppressing tumor growth.

One study found that the thyroid gland has a rich concentration of endocannabinoid receptors that may play a role in reducing the size of thyroid tumors. This suggests that CBD may be a potential therapeutic option to prevent the growth and spread of thyroid tumors.

Possible Side Effects

CBD is generally well-tolerated and is considered safe. CBD does not have psychoactive properties, which means it will not create the “high” sensation associated with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid abundant in the Cannabis sativa plant. Some people who take CBD may experience minor side effects, including:

• Dry mouth
• Low blood pressure
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Changes in appetite

Interactions With Thyroid Medications

Levothyroxine is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer. Research suggests that CBD may interact with levothyroxine and cause the thyroid gland to secrete more thyroid hormone than the body can metabolize. When this occurs, too much thyroid hormone may accumulate in the body and lead to hyperthyroidism.

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking CBD, especially if you currently take prescription medication to manage a thyroid condition. CBD may interact with other medications you’re taking, and your healthcare provider should be able to provide guidance on whether or not CBD is safe for you.

Dosage and Preparation

There is no recommended CBD dosage to manage thyroid disorders. Everybody responds to CBD differently, so it may take trial and error before finding the best dose for your needs. The general advice for those new to CBD is to start low and go slow. Certain factors play a role in how much CBD a person needs for symptom relief, including:

• The potency of the CBD oil you are using
• The severity of your symptoms
• Body weight and metabolic rate

You may need to experiment with different doses before you find the right amount to manage your symptoms.

CBD oil is available in various forms:

• Tinctures (CBD oil mixed with a carrier oil)
• Sprays
• Gummies and other edibles
• Capsules

The form you choose depends on your preference and how quickly you hope to feel the effects. Putting a few drops of the oil under your tongue generally produces effects more quickly than chewing a gummy, for example. Carefully read the directions for use on the packaging of the CBD product you intend to use before trying CBD.

If you’d like to try CBD to support your thyroid health or manage thyroid disorder symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. They should be able to offer dosage and product recommendations and provide information about potential interactions with medications you are taking.

What to Look for in CBD Oil

The CBD industry is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and quality can vary widely between brands and products. There are certain things to look for to ensure you purchase CBD oil from a reputable source:

• Certificate of Analysis (COA): Reputable vendors should provide a COA—a document from an accredited laboratory that details the quality and purity of a CBD product. It should also include a list of ingredients.
• 3rd-party lab testing: Buy CBD oil from companies that have their products tested in a 3rd-party lab to ensure you get the amount of CBD listed on the product packaging.
• Potency of the product: CBD products generally list dosages in milligrams (mg). If you’re new to CBD oil, you may want to try a product with a lower dose of CBD before trying more potent products.

Avoid CBD products that make health claims on the packaging, such as a promise to cure a particular disease. You may want to read through customer reviews for products you are considering. Testaments from people who have used a specific CBD product can tell you a lot about its effectiveness and potential side effects.

24 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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How Much Cbd Oil To Take For Thyroid

CBD is known for having several health benefits; one of the most outstanding benefits, however, is its ability to improve thyroid health. This article talks about what CBD is, how much CBD oil you can take for your thyroid and how CBD works to improve the health of the thyroid.

Increasing research suggests CBD might have several properties useful in treating thyroids. CBD is one of the most popular compounds found in the cannabis plant. Although it doesn’t have any psychoactive properties like its closer cousin THC, it has several therapeutic benefits. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, plays an important role by producing hormones regulating metabolism. Some of the evidence from research suggests that CBD might have properties used as an alternative to thyroid hormones. Take a deeper look at the interaction between CBD and the thyroid gland.

What Is CBD?

CBD, or Cannabidiol in full, is one of the compounds found in the cannabis plant. The cannabis plant is widely known for several reasons, but the heavy restrictions placed on the plant might be most familiar to you. According to Ihler (2022), the cannabis plant can be traced to over 5000 years ago, being used for therapeutic and recreational purposes. THC, another compound found in the cannabis plant, is responsible for the ‘high’ effect felt by Marijuana smokers. CBD doesn’t have therapeutic effects but is known for various health benefits.

One of the most popular benefits of CBD is its ability to relieve pain and inflammation. According to Eskander et al. (2020), CBD might have properties that can offer relief to those with chronic pain. Recent research has discovered that CBD oil can treat other serious conditions. CBD can improve the health of the thyroid gland.

How much CBD oil to take for thyroid

The amount of dosage you need to feel the effects of CBD might differ from person to person because bodies react differently to medications. There is no universally accepted dosage for CBD products, so determining the amount of CBD oil for your thyroid can be complicated. However, if you decide to take CBD oil for your thyroid, an easier way of knowing your dosage is by starting with a low amount (a few drops of CBD oil) and observing how your body reacts to the medication. Since CBD interacts well with the endocannabinoid system, the chances of you taking too much CBD that can harm your health are minimal. However, if you notice no improvements or effects of CBD, you can go on to higher doses.

Several factors might determine the dosage you require, such asthe condition or symptoms you are trying to treat, your body mass and metabolization, and your body’s potency of CBD. Talk to your health physician before trying out CBD oil for your thyroid to help you understand the dosage that might be right for you or if it’s safe to take Cannabidiol products.

How You Can Use CBD Oil for Thyroid Health

The Endocrine System and The Endocannabinoid System

The thyroid gland is one of the major glands in the endocrine system that excretes several hormones to help with the body’s functions. The endocannabinoid is a body system responsible for many of the body’s functions, such as mood, sleep, the immune system, and appetite. On the other hand, the thyroid gland influences the body’s functions, such as the metabolic rate, muscle strength, mood, metabolism, and body temperature.

Pellati et al. (2019) claimed that CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system through cannabinoids and receptors found throughout the body; some researchers suggest that these cannabinoids could also be present in the thyroid gland. Ferber et al. (2021) proved that the endocannabinoid system is a potential target that could aid the use of CBD to improve thyroid health and manage thyroid disorders.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism refers to an overactive thyroid, meaning that the thyroid gland produces more hormones than necessary. Some symptoms of hyperthyroidism might include increased anxiety, sleeping difficulties, and hand tremors. According to Shannon et al. (2019), CBD has properties that can be beneficial to those with anxiety and sleep-related problems. This means that CBD might just be used as an alternative option for helping in relieving some of the symptoms that come with hyperthyroidism.

Graves’ disease is among the major causes of this type of thyroid disorder; using CBD regularly can help you get your appetite back on track, reduce diarrhea issues, and help your heart function. It would be best to talk to your doctor before trying out any CBD product for this condition to prevent any interaction with medications prescribed to you.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, on the contrary, usually refers to a thyroid gland being less active; this can lead to fewer hormones being produced, affecting the body’s function. This condition is usually more common in those with Hashimoto’s disease or who might have had a thyroid gland removal surgery. Although it is very rare, some of the symptoms of this disorder include memory problems, dry skin, constipation, depression, loss of libido, and joint and muscle pain.

Since Hashimoto’s disease is inflammatory, CBD’s properties for relieving pain and anti-inflammation can come in handy to reduce some of the symptoms of this disorder. According to Baswan et al. (2020) and Maayah et al. (2020), CBD has pain relief and anti-inflammation properties that can improve the skin’s health and reduce chronic pain.

Thyroid Cancer

According to Resende (2022), CBD might have properties that could help in fighting cancer. Although Thyroid cancer is unpopular, it can affect the thyroid gland and is more common in women and those above 30 years. Seltzer et al. (2020) proved that CBDs interaction with the endocannabinoid system might be how Cannabidiol can prevent tumor progression in cancer. However, more research is still being conducted to know the full extent of CBD. Learn more about which cbd oil is good for epilepsy?

Conclusion

CBD seems to have more to it than just any other normal plant compound, and it has been under research for having properties that could help those with anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia. However, one of CBD’s most outstanding benefits is its ability to help improve the health of the thyroid. The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system that produces hormones to help aid a number of the body’s functions in ways similar to the endocannabinoid system. CBD’s interaction with the endocannabinoid system is thought to be how CBD oil might be used as an alternative to rectify some of the symptoms that can come with the thyroid gland being overactive or underactive such as increased anxiety and pain in joints. Learn more about which cbd oil to start with?

References

Baswan, S. M., Klosner, A. E., Glynn, K., Rajgopal, A., Malik, K., Yim, S., & Stern, N. (2020). Therapeutic Potential Of Cannabidiol (CBD) For Skin Health And Disorders. Clinical, Cosmetic And Investigational Dermatology, 13, 927.

Eskander, J. P., Spall, J., Spall, A., Shah, R. V., & Kaye, A. D. (2020). Cannabidiol (CBD) As A Treatment Of Acute And Chronic Back Pain: A Case Series And Literature Review. J Opioid Manag, 16(3), 215-8.

Ihler, H. M. (2022). Cannabis–Miracle Medicine Or Psychosis-Inducing Drug? Tidsskrift For Den Norske Legeforening.

Resende, E. (2022). Cannabis Sativa And Its Use In Fighting Cancer–Piauhy Labs. Agorà.