Can CBD Oil Help Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition characterised by an overactive thyroid that releases more thyroxine than it should. This can cause several additional problems, such as weight loss due to increased metabolism. Common treatments for this condition include beta-blockers, anti-thyroid medications, and even surgery.

Some claim that there are associations between cannabis and hyperthyroidism and that cannabidiol (CBD) oil can be an effective treatment for this condition, but is there any merit to this?

Does CBD Oil Decrease Thyroid Hormones?

CBD is believed to affect the release of thyroxine by interacting with CB1 and CB2 receptors in the thyroid gland, according to some research. Still, more is needed before conclusive answers can be drawn.

This suggests that, rather than CBD oil decreasing or increasing thyroid hormones as an absolute scenario, it might actually modulate their release, increasing or decreasing them depending on what the individual needs.

Other Ways CBD Oil Can Be Beneficial for Hyperthyroidism

One of the many benefits of CBD is symptom relief rather than a cure, and so CBD oil can help hyperthyroidism in other ways:

• Anxiety CBD is widely regarded as an effective anxiolytic by various researchers.
• Insomnia A potential side effect of hyperthyroidism is difficulty sleeping, and the relaxant effect of CBD may be an effective way of easing this symptom.
• Tremors and irritability Although not quite as severe, CBD has been noted to benefit seizures in epileptic patients.
• Increased appetite Some research has found that CBD can be beneficial for reducing appetite (usually to counter the increased appetite accompanying THC, but there may be more extensions for this.

A Word of Caution

When using CBD, you should always be aware of interactions between it and any pharmaceutical medications you might be taking. Although limited research has conclusively looked at interactions between CBD oil and thyroid medications, CBD is known to negatively interact with many other medications. As such, you should consult your doctor before deciding to use CBD for the thyroid.