Compare the Best CBD Oil for Thyroid Health in 2022

How CBD May Help With the Thyroid

The endocrine system refers to a series of glands in the body that creates hormones, which help cells communicate with each other. 

When these glands fail to produce the right amount of hormones that the body needs, diseases may develop and affect many aspects of life⁽¹⁾.  

One of the main glands that produce hormones is the thyroid gland. It is a butterfly-shaped gland in front of the neck and is responsible for how the body uses energy⁽²⁾. 

A 2018 study mentioned that there have been interrelations between the activity of the endocrine system and the ECS (endocannabinoid system)⁽³⁾. 

Found in mammals, the ECS is a system responsible for maintaining bodily balance or homeostasis. The cannabinoid receptors, namely CB1 and CB2, enable the ECS to regulate various functions in the body, including thyroid functions. 

Research from the European Journal of Endocrinology identified CB1 receptors on the thyroid gland of rat models. These receptors modulate the hormone production of two types of thyroid hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine)⁽⁴⁾. 

Thyroid hormones regulate the rate at which calories are burned, affecting weight gain or weight loss. These hormones can also speed up or slow down the heart rate⁽⁵⁾.

A study from BioMed Research International stated that thyroid glands have significant concentrations of CB1 and CB2 receptors⁽⁶⁾. 

These cannabinoid receptors have been associated with the diminution of thyroid tumors, showing promise as prospective blockers of the spread of malignant cells on the glands⁽⁷⁾. 

Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, is a cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. 

Although this non-psychoactive compound has low-affinity binding for CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD may antagonize them in the presence of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)⁽⁸⁾. 

It is unclear how CBD’s interaction with the cannabinoid receptors may affect thyroid conditions. Still, CBD is thought to have potential health benefits, such as analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, without the psychoactive effects of THC⁽⁹⁾. 

These characteristics make CBD a promising therapy for various medical conditions, including thyroid diseases. 

For instance, hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid is a condition where the thyroid does not create sufficient thyroid hormones into one’s bloodstream, leading to a slower metabolism.

Individuals with an underactive thyroid may consult their healthcare provider if they want to use CBD oil and other CBD-derived products to manage their symptoms.

Hair loss is a symptom of hypothyroidism⁽¹⁰⁾. In a study involving patients with alopecia, the subjects reported a 93.5% increase in hair regrowth following six months of CBD-rich hemp extract administration⁽¹¹⁾. 

Meanwhile, swelling in the neck from goiter or enlarged thyroid gland, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, and irritability are symptoms of an overactive thyroid⁽¹²⁾. 

Aside from having anti-inflammatory properties, CBD may also help with sleep– and anxiety-related disorders^(13-14). 

Although these potential health benefits seem promising for managing various thyroid conditions like an underactive thyroid, a direct study examining how CBD may help with thyroid is warranted. 

Benefits of Using CBD for Thyroid

The ATA (American Thyroid Association) said that individuals with thyroid disease choose complementary and alternative medicine to avoid dealing with the side effects of thyroid medications, such as dry mouth, weight gain, fatigue, and mental fogginess⁽¹⁵⁾.  

CBD, for instance, is an alternative medicine with a good safety profile⁽¹⁶⁾. It also has pain-relieving effects⁽¹⁷⁾.    

Some people with hypothyroidism may experience joint pain and muscle problems like tenderness and overall muscle weakness⁽¹⁸⁾. People with such a condition may also have a higher risk of developing autoimmune diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis. 

A 2020 research article from Nature suggested that CBD may help with inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis⁽¹⁹⁾. 

Hypothyroidism commonly causes dry skin. The dryness of hypothyroid skin results from sweat gland changes⁽²⁰⁾. 

A 2020 study from Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology suggested that the topical application of CBD may help with skin disorders such as eczema, which has symptoms that include dry skin⁽²¹⁾. 

Meanwhile, Graves’ disease is a form of autoimmune disorder that may trigger overactive thyroid. The condition is more common among women and individuals over 30⁽²²⁾.   

People are more likely to develop Graves’ disease when they have other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes⁽²³⁾. This condition occurs when one’s blood sugar is too high.

In a randomized controlled trial, CBD was shown to lower incidences of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice, an animal model of spontaneous type 1 diabetes development⁽²⁴⁾.  

These studies may look promising. However, some of them were conducted on animals. Still, researchers who want to explore the benefits of CBD for the thyroid may find these findings useful. 

Longitudinal research is warranted to determine how CBD oil helps individuals with thyroid issues.  

How to Take CBD Oil for Thyroid Disorders

There are several ways to take CBD to manage symptoms associated with thyroid disorders. Here are the common routes of administration to benefit from the effects of CBD:

• Inhalation
• Ingestion
• Topical administration
• Sublingual (under the tongue) route
• Transdermal administration (active ingredients delivered across the skin for systematic distribution)

The fastest way to benefit from CBD is by inhaling the compound using vape pens⁽²⁵⁾. When inhaled, CBD may take effect between two to 15 minutes⁽²⁶⁾.

However, an article from Harvard Health Publishing stated that vaping may cause lung disorders⁽²⁷⁾. Hence, smoking CBD may not be an option for others. 

If you want to try this administration route to benefit from the effects of CBD, it is best to consult your doctor. 

Meanwhile, if you opt for the ingestion route, CBD gummies may be a good option, especially if you do not like the natural grassy taste of CBD oil (hemp oil). 

Tinctures, which are alcohol-based, are generally taken sublingually. However, CBD oils can also be ingested⁽²⁸⁾. 

You may add CBD oil to your food or beverages. Researchers from the University of Minnesota hypothesized that high-fat foods may increase oral CBD absorption into the body⁽²⁹⁾.

CBD Dosage

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not recognize CBD as thyroid medication. Therefore, there is no standard CBD dosage for certain thyroid conditions. 

In a 2017 study, researchers suggested that chronic CBD use and high doses of up to 1,500mg daily may be well tolerated in humans⁽³⁰⁾. 

In addition, doses between 10mg and 100mg of CBD daily may help with pain, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders⁽³¹⁾. 

Autoimmune disorders refer to problems with the body’s immune system response. Such conditions usually cause inflammation⁽³²⁾. 

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a common autoimmune disorder⁽³³⁾. It refers to the inflammation of the thyroid gland and is the most prevalent cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S⁽³⁴⁾.   

The doses previously mentioned may be effective for some people. Still, it is suggested that patients work with a healthcare professional experienced in recommending cannabidiol for the appropriate dosage and delivery method. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Help With Thyroid Conditions?

How long CBD takes to help with thyroid issues depends on the route of administration and several other factors like CBD potency, the severity of one’s condition, and individual body weight. 

CBD’s onset via the ingestion route is between 30 to 90 minutes⁽³⁵⁾. Remember that your liver will process anything that goes into your stomach⁽³⁶⁾.

For instance, when taking CBD orally, your liver performs a first-pass metabolism on the compound before it enters your bloodstream⁽³⁷⁾. Hence, the onset of action is much longer than other delivery methods. 

Meanwhile, an International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences review stated that peak blood vessels of most substances taken under the tongue are achieved in 10 to 15 minutes⁽³⁸⁾.   

However, CBD, in particular, has a 15– to 30-minute onset and a four– to six-hour duration via the sublingual route⁽³⁹⁾.

How Long Will CBD Help With Thyroid Conditions?

How long CBD’s effects will last after the compound starts to help depends on its bioavailability and half-life.

The sublingual route relies on the mucous membrane under the tongue to absorb cannabidiol. The capillaries in the connective tissues diffuse the compound, which then enters the bloodstream⁽⁴⁰⁾. 

The sublingual method avoids the stomach and liver. Hence, CBD’s bioavailability is between 6% and 20%⁽⁴¹⁾. 

Bioavailability refers to the amount of a substance that reaches circulation in the body and can provide an active effect. 

Meanwhile, the bioavailability of CBD via the ingestion route is between 6% and 15%⁽⁴²⁾. 

A 2018 systematic review from Frontiers in Pharmacology mentioned that the half-life of CBD was reported between 1.4 and 10.9 hours after oromucosal spray use and two to five days after chronic oral administration⁽⁴³⁾.  

Half-life means the time needed for the concentration of a specific substance to decrease by 50% of its starting dose in the body.

It is believed that 94% to 97% of a substance will have been eliminated following four to five half-lives⁽⁴⁴⁾. 

How to Choose the Right CBD for Thyroid Health

Choosing the best CBD oil for your thyroid health from various CBD products in the market can be challenging. 

Below are some essential factors to consider to help you choose a high-quality CBD oil product:

1. Make sure that the CBD online stores or dispensaries you choose are authorized to manufacture, distribute, and sell CBD products, like CBD oil. 

If possible, look for any disclaimers usually found on company websites or read customer feedback to get more insights into the brand. 

2. Verify if the CBD brand you choose has enlisted the services of a third-party laboratory to test all its products.

The lab report and COA (certificate of analysis) must be easily accessible. This way, consumers like you can check the accuracy of the advertised CBD potency and whether the products contain residual solvents. 

3. Find a CBD brand that uses all-natural, non-GMO hemp. Reputable CBD companies produce hemp plants or purchase from other manufacturers that practice sustainable farming. 

4. Familiarize yourself with the different CBD extracts and extraction methods used. 

Full-spectrum CBD oil products contain all compounds of the cannabis plant. It also has less than 0.3% THC concentration. This CBD variant is known to produce the entourage effect due to the presence of all cannabis compounds.

The entourage effect refers to the phenomenon when biologically active compounds of cannabis work better when administered together. 

Meanwhile, broad-spectrum CBD is similar to the full-spectrum variant. It also contains all the natural compounds of cannabis except for THC. 

Lastly, CBD isolate is a type of CBD that only contains pure cannabidiol. It undergoes an extraction and refinement process that removes all cannabis compounds, leaving CBD in its purest form.   

As for cannabis extraction, some standard methods include ethanol, solvent, and carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction techniques⁽⁴⁵⁾.  

In carbon dioxide extraction, compressed CO2 is used as the extraction solvent instead of flammable and toxic chemical solvents⁽⁴⁶⁾. 

The Potential Side Effects and Risks of Using CBD for Thyroid

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), CBD is relatively safe and well tolerated in humans and animals⁽⁴⁷⁾. Still, CBD may induce risks and minor side effects, such as⁽⁴⁸⁾: 

• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue 

If you have thyroid disease, your healthcare provider aims to normalize your thyroid hormone levels⁽⁴⁹⁾. 

For a patient with hyperthyroidism or a high level of thyroid hormones, treatment options may include beta-blockers, which help control symptoms⁽⁵⁰⁾. 

However, beta-blockers use the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and may interact with CBD⁽⁵¹⁾. The cytochrome P450 is a family of liver enzymes that metabolize around 60% of the pharmaceutical drugs people consume. 

At high doses, CBD may inhibit the activity of these enzymes, increasing the effect or duration of prescription drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450⁽⁵²⁾. 

Another cause for concern is the labeling inaccuracy of most CBD products sold online. 

A study from the Journal of the Americal Medical Association examined 84 products from 31 companies⁽⁵³⁾. Of the tested products, about 26% contained less CBD than labeled, possibly negating any potential clinical response. 

Legality of CBD

The U.S. Congress ratified the 2018 Farm Bill, legalizing the commercial use of industrial hemp and products obtained from hemp plants⁽⁵⁴⁾. 

The Farm Bill states that Cannabis sativa L. and other derivatives of cannabis with less than 0.3% of THC content on a dry weight basis are deemed legal under federal law⁽⁵⁵⁾. 

Some states like Colorado have passed laws permitting recreational and medical marijuana use. Still, these state laws do not alter the fact that marijuana is still listed as a Schedule I drug under federal law^(56-57). 

Substances listed as Schedule I drugs have a high abuse potential with no accepted medical use. For this reason, medications under this category may not be administered, prescribed, or dispensed under federal law. 

However, the U.S. Attorney General, who works with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to determine a medication’s Schedule, has the authority to remove, add, or switch medications from one Schedule to another⁽⁵⁸⁾. 

Since rules and regulations regarding medical cannabis are confusing, consumers should learn more about the various state laws to avoid possible legal repercussions.