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CBD and Blood Thinning: What To Know
CBD can be a valuable addition to your wellness routine, but may interact with certain medications. Here’s what to know about CBD and blood thinners.
Many people have incorporated CBD as a mainstay into their daily routines for its wealth of potential benefits.
Whether they’re looking for a sense of balance, a way to unwind, or extra support for their overall well-being. As with anything we put into our bodies, it’s important to understand how CBD interacts with other things, like blood thinners.
If you take medication that supports heart health or circulation, or you’re just curious about how CBD might affect your body, it's important to understand the impact CBD may have on your current regimen.
How does CBD work in the body?
Before we get into blood thinning, let’s take a quick look at how CBD works.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound found in hemp plants. It interacts with a system in the body called the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in everything from mood and relaxation to digestion and sleep patterns.
The endocannabinoid system is a broad series of receptors throughout the body, and CBD helps support its natural functions.* That’s why so many people incorporate CBD into their wellness routine. It works with the body in a holistic sense to promote natural balance.
While CBD is naturally occurring and generally well tolerated, it can still have effects beyond what you might expect. One of those effects involves how the body processes certain medications, including those that support circulation.
Can CBD thin the blood?
CBD’s supportive effects don’t directly relate to the way your body produces blood or how your blood reacts. CBD is more focused on providing support to internal systems that regulate internal balance and bodily responses.
The short answer: CBD doesn’t thin the blood in the same way that medications do, but it may have an effect on how the body manages clotting when you’re already using medications to treat an underlying condition.* If you aren't using any medications for a condition relating to your blood or cardiovascular health, CBD won't have any blood thinning effects at all.
The liver plays a huge role in how the body processes medications, breaking them down so they can do their job effectively. CBD interacts with certain liver enzymes, which means it can slow down how the body processes some medications. CBD and medication are competing for the same enzymes, which can change the way they prioritize what they're going to process.
If the body takes longer to process a medication, it can stay active for longer than expected, potentially making its effects stronger. This is important for people taking blood thinning medications or supplements that support circulation. If CBD slows the breakdown of these substances, it could mean they stay in the system longer, which might lead to more thinning than intended.
That doesn’t mean CBD automatically causes a problem. It just means it’s worth being mindful if you’re using anything designed to support healthy circulation.
What about topical CBD products?
The body uses topical CBD products in a completely different way from consumable CBD products. Topicals provide relief from the outside in, whereas options like CBD tinctures and gummies provide relief from the inside out.
If you’re interested in using CBD cream after a workout or when you experience minor muscle discomfort, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Topical products aren’t metabolized by your body, which means they won’t interact with any medications or supplements you take.
How does CBD interact with medications that affect blood thickness?
Some commonly used medications work by reducing the body’s ability to form clots. This can be important for heart health, circulation, and overall wellbeing in people who have experienced blood clots or people who are at high risk for blood clots.
If these medications stay active for longer than expected (which CBD might encourage), it could increase their effects. It isn't the CBD that's thinning the blood. It's the blood thinning medication overstaying its welcome.
CBD isn’t the only thing that can influence this process. Many plant-based foods, herbal supplements, and even daily vitamins can have similar interactions. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check in with a healthcare provider before combining CBD with prescription medications used to treat a health condition.
CBD and natural blood thinning supplements
Beyond medications, some people use plant based supplements that support circulation and heart wellness. Things like omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil or flaxseed oil) are commonly used as holistic cardiovascular support supplements.
These natural options can encourage the body to maintain a healthy flow, and some people find them to be a great addition to their wellness routine. However, when combined with CBD, they may have a stronger effect than expected.
The effects of natural supplements like fish oil are mild to begin with, which makes it unlikely that combining them with CBD would create a significant interaction. Even still, it's best to be mindful of the supplements you're taking and aware of the ways they may impact each other.
How to use CBD safely if you’re concerned about blood thinning
If you’re interested in using CBD but want to make sure it fits into your wellness plan safely, you'll want to consider a few things.
If you don't have any underlying health conditions, you aren't taking any other medications, and you don't use any other target supplements, you'll have less to consider. If your health and wellness routines are multi-step or goal specific, it may be worth some further consideration.
Ask a doctor about potential interactions
A doctor (or even a pharmacist) will be able to tell you how certain supplements and medications interact with each other. If you get clearance from a professional, there's generally nothing to be concerned about.
CBD use is commonplace enough that the majority of doctors and pharmacists have a solid understanding of the way that it works and how it may interact with many common medications.
Start with a small amount
Some people who are new to CBD will increase their daily serving at a rapid rate because they aren’t experiencing profound effects after a day or two of use — but realistically, this isn’t quite how CBD works.
The effects of CBD are gentle, and it can take up to a month of daily use to experience the full wealth of benefits of incorporating CBD into your routine.
If you’re adding CBD into your routine for the first time, it’s best to start with a low amount and see how your body reacts. CBD affects everyone differently, and a little goes a long way. Stick with a small serving size for a month or so before determining if you need a larger serving size to help you meet your wellness goals.
Be mindful of other supplements
If you’re already taking something that supports circulation, pay attention to how you feel when introducing CBD. Look out for things like unexpected bruising or feeling more sensitive than usual. If something feels off, adjust your routine accordingly.
If you’re dabbling with new supplements, it’s best not to start them all at once. Give yourself a few weeks to adjust to each supplement before modifying or adding to your routine. Keep a journal of how you feel to determine which changes are beneficial for you and which changes didn’t yield the results you wanted.
What other factors affect blood thickness?
If you're making many simultaneous changes in your wellness routine, it can be difficult to determine why you feel how you feel. It's better to gradually introduce new aspects of your routine a few weeks apart. If something changes, it's much easier to pinpoint what isn't working for you.
Changes in diet can play a significant role in circulation or clotting. Some foods, like leafy greens rich in vitamin K, naturally support blood clotting. Foods like garlic and onion have slight anticoagulant properties, which can make your blood thin. If kale salads or onion soup have become regular additions to your diet, they may naturally change the way your body manages clotting.
Fluid intake can also play a significant role in the thickness of your blood. If you're dehydrated, your body isn't getting enough fluid to properly maintain balance. Adjust your water intake for optimal hydration and consider incorporating more electrolytes into your diet if you exercise frequently.
Electrolytes work to support heart health and to reduce the potential for significant dehydration.
Final thoughts
CBD is a powerful plant based wellness tool that works with the body’s natural systems. While it doesn’t thin the blood on its own, it may affect how the body processes certain medications and supplements that support circulation.
If you’re thinking about adding CBD to your wellness routine and you’re already using something that affects blood thickness, start slow and pay attention to how your body responds. Checking in with a healthcare provider is always a good idea, especially if you’re taking medications or have specific wellness goals.
At the end of the day, CBD is about balance. When used mindfully, it can be a great addition to a wellness plan, helping to support relaxation, recovery, and overall well-being. That’s why Sunmed has thoughtfully crafted our high-quality CBD formulas targeted to specific wellness goals.
Your body is unique, and finding the right routine takes time. So, listen to what it’s telling you, make informed choices, and enjoy the journey toward feeling your best.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Sources:
The Polypharmacological Effects of Cannabidiol | National Library of Medicine
Vitamin K: the effect on health beyond coagulation – an overview | National Library of Medicine