Effects of CBD Oil

CBD (cannabidiol) oil is an effective and powerful agent. There are lots of benefits of CBD oil. It can aid in anxiety, pain, inflammation, chronic illnesses and more. Through the interaction between CBD and the endocannabinoid system, cells in the body work together. They are able to regulate mood, the immune system, movement and enable the body to enter a state of homeostasis. With all that being said, by calming down the body, one may question whether consuming CBD oil affects driving abilities. If so, should there be a driving threshold? 

Does CBD effect driving?

In short, CBD alone (without THC) does not impact one’s driving abilities too much. However, when THC is consumed, it can cause impairments in cognitive tasks. Thus, according to the Australian government and Vic Roads, if consuming CBD oil that contains THC, it is illegal to drive. Nonetheless, when consuming Medicinal CBD, it is less likely to have THC. If it does have, then it is usually a lower dosage in comparison to recreational CBD. However, if an individual is taking pure CBD oil, then they are lawfully allowed to drive, as long as they are not impaired. 

THC and cognitive impairments

Cognitive impairments involved in consuming THC. They include simple motor functions, making decisions, solving problems and planning. This would lead one to assume that consuming THC may make driving more risky. Someone is more likely to make risky driving decisions, potentially leading to a car crash. THC may cause someone to be unaware of potential hazards when driving and decrease their reaction time. In essence, individuals should not operate any machinery after having consumed THC.

CBD-alone and driving

Nevertheless, cannabidiol-alone oil does not share these same qualities. Studies have shown that CBD oil does not make individuals more likely to be part of a car crash. Many individuals who do consume this substance express that it does not affect their driving abilities in a recent Australian survey. Although pure-CBD oil seems harmless, one cannot ignore that the side effects do include drowsiness and fatigue. These symptoms are harmful when getting behind the wheel as they can slow down reaction times, diminish one’s awareness of hazards and increase the likelihood of crashing. Therefore, it is important to speak to a medical professional before driving and discuss what the driving threshold should be for you. 

Limited research

It is important to note that CBD oil affects people differently. Further, there is limited research in this area. This is why it is so difficult to determine a threshold for driving. It is dissimilar to alcohol consumption where it is somewhat more simple to determine a driving threshold. Because CBD oil is a growing area of research, it is not as easy.

Some individuals feel that CBD oil containing THC does not affect their motor and cognitive skills at all. whereas for a lot of other consumers, they feel it greatly impacts them. Similarly, many people feel pure-CBD oil makes them super drowsy, inhibiting them from driving. On the flip side, a large number of consumers feel no side effects from CBD-alone, enabling them to drive, just like normal. This is why it is so important to speak to a medical professional prior to driving to determine what a safe dose is for you. What works for one person, may not work for another.