Does CBD Oil Affect The Kidneys?

CBD Oil has surged in popularity in the last few years, with 44% of Europeans who were surveyed indicating that they knew friends or family members using CBD.

However, as a relatively new supplement, it’s understandable that some people have concerns about its impact on the body.

One of those concerns is whether or not CBD oil affects the kidneys.

While research into CBD shows that it’s safe and well-tolerated by the vast majority of people, consumers should still be cautious when buying CBD products.

What Is CBD?

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is one of over a hundred cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant.

Although it’s made from the cannabis plant, CBD oil does not get users high in the same way that recreational cannabis does, and so is legal to buy in the UK and many other countries around the world.

CBD interacts with the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of pathways and receptors that are found throughout the body’s nervous systems.

The ECS is made up of CB1 and CB2 receptors which help to pass messages along pathways throughout the body and help with homeostasis, which is the body’s ability to function consistently despite external factors such as temperature.

Although our body produces a small amount of endocannabinoids by itself, because CBD and the other cannabinoid compounds don’t form part of our diets, CBD is used as a food supplement in the same way we would take a daily vitamin - to ensure the body has everything it needs to work in the most efficient way possible.

What Do Your Kidneys Do?

Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs found high up in the abdominal cavity, either side of the spine.

Their primary function is to filter and process the blood that they receive from the renal arteries, removing any toxins or chemicals and converting the waste into urine for you to excrete. They also help to maintain your blood pressure, control the amount of water in your body, and convert a precursor of vitamin D into its active form.

Your kidneys are always working away in the background, and in a 24 hour period, they filter a mind-boggling 150 litres of blood and produce around 1.5 litres of urine.

To keep your kidneys healthy it’s important to stay well hydrated and eat a balanced diet, whilst also avoiding smoking and alcohol consumption as both of these can lead to high blood pressure, which is one of the most common causes of kidney disease.

Does CBD Oil Hurt Your Kidneys

CBD, like many other substances, works in your body by making its way into the bloodstream so that it can interact with the relevant receptors found throughout your body.

Because it passes into the bloodstream, it seems there is some concern from potential users about the impact this could have on your kidney’s functions.

A review in 2020 found that there is “no evidence to suggest that CBD has any adverse effect on kidney function” however there are some concerns about the quality of some of the products on the market.

Cannabis plants, including the Hemp plant that is used to make CBD products, are fantastic at absorbing compounds from the soil they’re planted in.

When grown organically, as all of the products in the CBD One range are, this means the plants are rich in nutrients by the time they’re ready to harvest.

However, when plants are grown by unscrupulous resellers, toxic contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents can make their way into the plant and, in turn, the finished product.

These low-quality products could pose a risk to consumers, so it’s important to buy your CBD oil from a reputable source where you can see lab reports that let you know exactly what you’re buying.

Can CBD Cause Kidney Failure?

Kidney failure happens when your kidneys can no longer filter waste products from your blood.

This leads to a build-up of toxins in the body, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

There are lots of factors that can contribute to this, including chronic diseases or trauma, but it can also be caused by toxic exposure to certain pollutants or medications.

As mentioned above, poor quality CBD products could contain dangerous contaminants that could impact kidney function, but a review of cannabis in chronic kidney disease symptom management found that “cannabis itself has not been shown to be associated with a loss of kidney function.”

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that CBD has consistently been shown to be safe, and is well tolerated in the vast majority of the population.

However, as with any food supplement, low-quality products could contain any number of nasty ingredients or contaminants that we would want to avoid.

If you want to try CBD oil, look for a supplier that can provide you with lab reports to verify the ingredients of their products, and only buy from a reputable source so that you can be sure you’re buying a legitimate product.