Can I take CBD With the covid vaccine?

If you are scheduled to get your Covid vaccine, you might be thinking about taking, or increasing the amount of CBD you take before you get the vaccination. Covid vaccine side effects include fatigue, muscle pain, headaches, and nausea. It makes sense that taking something for pain relief before you get your jab might spare you from experiencing some of these side effects. But, is it a good idea to take CBD when you get the Covid vaccine?

The fact is, we do not have enough research to adequately answer this.  Dr Thomas Rocco, Medical Director of a Medical Marijuana Evaluation Center in Warwick, RI, suggests that CBD has the potential to decrease post Covid vaccine side effects.  However, whether you should or shouldn't take CBD when you get vaccinated is up for debate. 

​CBD may suppress your immune response

The purpose of the vaccine is to solicit an immune response to Covid. Inflammation is a vital part of the immune systems response to fighting off pathogens, including the Covid virus. When the body is introduced to a pathogen or injury, it triggers the release of a cascade of signals in order to increase circulation in the area that is damaged.  These chemical signals produce cytokines that cause an inflammatory response in the body. 

With all the benefits of cannabis, research suggests that cannabis can suppress your immune system.  In a Letter to the Editor published in the peer-reviewed journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, the authors discuss the possible drug interactions between cannabis and drugs used to treat Covid.   The journal states that it is important to monitor how the body responds to the immunosuppressive effects associated with CBD, as it may interfere with some Covid drug treatments by reducing the levels intended cytokine targets.

​The CDC recommends not taking anti-inflammatory drugs before getting the Covid vaccine.

The CDC is recommending that you not take over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen, aspirin or tylenol before receiving your vaccine.  If you are thinking about using CBD or an anti-inflammatory drug to ward off the side effects from getting the vaccine, the CDC recommends holding off on taking them until after you’ve received the vaccine.

The Covid mRNA vaccines work by introducing genetic materials into your cells that teach them how to make a non-infectious part of the virus. This protein triggers an immune response in the form of controlled inflammation. This immune response causes your body to produce antibodies so that you are protected if you get infected with the Covid virus.

​CBD could potentially reduce the intended immune response to the vaccine

​Because CBD has immunosuppressive properties and is an anti-inflammatory, it may reduce the vaccine’s intended immune response. While nobody wants to have pain, the inflammatory response to the vaccine is part of how it works.  If you are considering taking cbd to treat vaccine side-effects, consider waiting until after your body responds with inflammation to take it, per the CDC recommendations.

​CBD use after the Covid vaccine

CBD, and other anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken after receiving the vaccine. The CDC says, “You can take these medications to relieve post-vaccination side effects if you have no other medical reasons that prevent you from taking these medications normally.”  They do not recommend taking these medications to prevent side effects, either before or after the vaccination. They should be used if necessary, to relieve pain or discomfort after getting vaccinated.

​Possible side effects from the Covid vaccine

Before you get the Covid vaccine, you should be aware you may have side effects.  These side effects include:

• pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site
• fatigue
• muscle pain
• headache
• nausea 
• fever
• chills
  

For most people the side effects are mild but they may affect your daily life. Most people feel better within a couple days of receiving their vaccine. ​

​Using CBD to treat post-vaccine side effects

CBD is a safe, natural, and well-tolerated compound that has been demonstrated to be safe in numerous studies.  While we can’t claim that CBD is an effective treatment for Covid vaccine side effects, research suggests that CBD may alleviate pain from inflammation.  We don’t have enough research in humans, but in the majority of animal studies, CBD has been shown to provide analgesic effects.

Whether or not you have been using CBD for a while, or are a beginner, you can start or resume taking CBD once you have had your vaccine. The CDC does not give clear guidelines on when it is safe to start taking anti-inflammatory medications, but suggest waiting until you have side effects. This will give your body the time to produce the intended inflammatory response to the vaccine.