After reading through the research on black seed oil, the question is really..
Why choose!
We have 1 million+ words on CBD research so we're pretty well versed there.
Why would we then look at black seed oil?
Look...if we come across interesting research on other items, we'll do a deep dive.
Just check out our reviews on Psilocybin, Siberian Rhubarb, or Vitamin D to name just a few.
Black seed definitely fits in this category and we're excited to don the scuba gear!
There are clear shared pathways between CBD and black seed plus some that are different.
Here are the categories we'll cover:
- What is black seed versus CBD
- What pathways are affected by black seed and CBD
- Black seed versus CBD for inflammation
- Black seed versus CBD for neurotransmitters
- Black seed versus CBD for gut health
- Black seed versus CBD for brain health
- Black seed versus CBD for metabolic health
- Safety for black seed versus CBD
- How much black seed versus CBD
- What's the best type of CBD and black seed
Let's get started.
What is black seed versus CBD?
First, a quick lay of the land.
We'll start with black seed oil.
The techincal term is nigella sativa. The word "Sativa" has no connection to cannabis...it just means cultivated.
Black seed oil is more closely related to cumin.
It's interesting that each ancient civilization has a set of herbs and plants that known medical properties.
The Indian tradition (Ayurveda) has turmeric or curcumin among others.
The Chinese tradition has ginseng among others.
Black seed oil is the Arabic version of this very old medicinal tradition.
How old?
Oh...it was found in Tutankhamen's tomb. So roughly 3 thousand years of recorded history.
With modern advances, we can now track exactly what it's doing in the body.
There is a main constituent of black seed oil called thymoquinone which drives a lot of its effects.
In general, here are the main effects of black seed oil (we'll drill down further later):
- Powerful anti-inflammatory
- Powerful effect on metabolic function (insulin, sugar, energy, etc)
- Powerful immune response effects
- Powerful effects on neurotransmitters
- Powerful supporter of detox pathway
- Powerful anti-cancer effects
Okay...that's quite a bit especially since most modern diseases revolve around inflammation and imbalance.
Most interesting to us is that black seed oil and thymoquinone can have different responses depending on the state of the system.
This is so important as push key pathways in one direction is the basis for side effects and tolerance.
For example, in cases of too much inflammation, it can calm response.
However, in cases of insufficient immune response (where inflammation resides), it can bolster it.
There's only one system we know that can do this...the endocannabinoid system but we've scoured the research and we can't find a tie between thymoquinone and the ECS.
To have effects across almost every known pathway (reproduction, immune, neurotransmitter, oxidative stress, metabolic, etc) really points to a base-level effect.
Something system-wide that has a balancing of a feedback effect.
The ECS!
Let's explain as that leads us to CBD.
The endocannabinoid system is tasked with balancing other key systems:
- Nervous system - neurotransmitters and brain architecture
- Immune system - including inflammation and cell birth/death cycles
- Endocrine system - hormones such as those that govern metabolism
CBD acts as a feedback player in this system...technically called an allosteric negative modulator.
You see this effect across a range of pathways (most are shared with black seed oil).
CBD has powerful effects for:
- Immune and inflammatory response
- Neurotransmitter balance
- Gut health and inflammation
- Detox pathways
- Anti-cancer pathways
We've covered this in detail at our How CBD really works review.
Again...very similar to black seed oil with unique differences.
Let's go there now.
How are CBD and black seed oil different
We can almost pick a pathway and find CBD or Black seed oil effects.
We'll look at those in the next section but first, how are CBD and black seed oil different?
This is tricky because so much is shared albeit with tweaks.
In general, Black Seed oil may be stronger for:
- Metabolic balance - insulin, fat, cholesterol, etc
- GI issues
- Blood pressure
- Pain
CBD might be stronger in the following:
- Mental health resulting from neurotransmitter balance
- Sleep
- Mitochondria function (our cellular energy plants)
- BDNF (our brain's fertilizer)
Again, they both show effects in these categories.
Where they share pathways seems to be across the board (which again, makes us think endocannabinoid system).
Let's go to shared pathways now in a more practical way….by key categories.
What pathways are affected by black seed and CBD
Here are some key pathways that have real-world health effects:
- Inflammation
- Neurotransmitters
- Metabolic balance
- Gut health
- Brain health
Let's break each one down before jumping into research and detail.
Inflammation
This is probably the biggest impact on black seed and also CBD.
Inflammation is part of our immune response and it's not just about fighting infection.
It actually governs the entire death/birth cycle of cells and tissue around the body and this has a big impact on cancer.
Both black seed and CBD have shown powerful effects on different aspects of this pathway:
- CBD and blackseed have strong immune management effects
- CBD and blackseed both calm histamine (allergy) response
- CBD and blackseed both calm excessive inflammation
- CBD and blackseed both have powerful anti-cancer effects
Keep in mind that inflammation in the brain and nervous system is tied to a host of mental health issues (see CBD and neuroinflammation).
This may actually start (radiate) in the gut, but the "inflamed brain" is a new push of current research.
Let's dig into the research...
Black seed versus CBD for inflammation
We'll hit the points we made above.
Immune system balance
When the immune system responds too strongly, we commonly see inflammation.
We'll zero into research on 3 common expressions of this:
- Asthma (histamine or allergic response)
- Stroke (inflammatory response in the brain)
- Rheumatoid arthritis - autoimmune response
- Cancer - an inability of the immune system to properly catch/destroy wayward cells
Let's start with asthma for CBD versus black seed oil.
First, CBD (see CBD and asthma for more).
CBD treatment decreased the inflammatory and remodeling processes in the model of allergic asthma.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30481497/
So...not only did it reduce inflammation but it reduced the "scar tissue" (fibrosis) to the lungs that result.
Black seed oil?
N. Sativa is effective as an anti-inflammation on mast cells by inhibition of histamine release and has no toxic effect on mast cell. N. Sativa could be considered as a potential therapy for asthma therapy and prevention.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6194640/
Mast cells are the source of histamine whose release causes a cascade of inflammation during an asthma attack.
See CBD and mast cells to learn more.
Okay...so both have an effect on this histamine pathway.
What about stroke?
When oxygen is cut off from the brain (such as with a stroke), the inflammatory response can actually do more damage than the injury itself.
It's equivalent to a sprained ankle where the swelling prevents blood supply to the damaged area for quite some time.
There's lots of research on CBD and calming this response after blocking an artery in the brain such as:
CBD administration after MCAO led to long-term functional recovery, reducing neuronal loss and astrogliosis, and modulating apoptosis, metabolic derangement, excitotoxicity and neuro-inflammation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28012949/
To translate:
- CBD improved recovery
- CBD reduced brain tissue loss
- CBD restored the metabolic (energy) process in the brain
- CBD reduced brain inflammation and toxic build-up (mainly of glutamate)
Check out CBD and brian repair or CBD and brain damage for more info.
And black seed oil?
Results showed that NSO (0.2 ml/kg, i.p.) markedly improved the neurological scores, prevented blood brain barrier permeability, and increased level of brain water content which was accompanied by improvement of all oxidant responses including MDA and glutathione, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and Na+-K+-ATPase activities
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884225/
So...similar results to CBD:
- Improved recovery
- Protected brain-blood barrier (see CBD and blood-brain barrier)
- Boosted neuroprotectant chemicals
CBD helped "balance" the immune response while black seed oil supported the clean-up crew (glutathione, etc).
Very similar overlap in net results.
Let's go to a more systematic issue...autoimmune.
CBD versus black seed oil for rheumatoid arthritis.
First, CBD:
Thus, CBD possesses anti-arthritic activity and might ameliorate arthritis via targeting synovial fibroblasts under inflammatory conditions.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7463000/
Synovial fibroblasts are the specialized cells that are hyperactive (too many actually) with rheumatoid arthritis.
See CBD and autoimmune or CBD and rheumatoid arthritis.
There are other studies on the effects of inflammation, pain, and more tied to this disease.
And black seed oil?
This study indicates that Nigella sativa could improve inflammation and reduce oxidative stress in patients with RA.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884216/
Again, we only chose one study for each.
What about a case where our inflammatory response is not strong (or vigilant) enough?
Cancer!
There are many studies on CBD and different kinds of cancer.
Let's focus on breast cancer.
CBD and cancer:
CBD exerts its anti-proliferative effects on breast cancer cells through a variety of mechanisms, including apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7693730/
That NIH review is a ridiculously complex and complete view of CBD and cancer.
It's very easy to get lost but the synopsis from above basically says:
- CBD helps kill off cancerous cells (apoptosis)
- CBD helps remove cells that are not functioning well (autophagy) - pre-cancer
- CBD helps support the immune system's management of cellular birth/death cycles.
After all, cancer is generally a breakdown in this process where cells are "immortal".
And black seed oil?
Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of N. Sativa seeds, both separately and in combination, were shown to exert potent anti-proliferative effects on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in presence and absence of H2O2, which seems to play a synergistic role
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5052360/
Much of black seed oil's effect appears to be due to its support of our detox pathway, glutathione primarily.
See CBD and glutathione.
Anti-proliferative just means...stopping the spread of dysfunctional cells.
Okay...we zeroed in on 4 examples of inflammation and immune response run wild.
Both CBD and black seed oil have powerful effects.
Interestingly, they do not appear to just suppress the immune response in one direction!
This would be bad as we see the litany of nasty side effects that accompany autoimmune medications which generally result from pushing the immune response down in one direction.
In fact, both CBD and black seed oil appear to boost immune response when it's running low!
This is why we feel the black seed oil must have some interaction with the endocannabinoid system which is tasked with balancing immune response.
We expect future research to bear this out.
There's not a clear winner here...they both have powerful, albeit nuanced effects on inflammation and immune response.
Also, both are anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral in their own regard. Very fascinating!
Let's turn to the brain.
Black seed versus CBD for neurotransmitters
This is one area where CBD might have an advantage.
The ECS is tasked with balancing neurotransmitters...the little messengers of brain function that govern how we feel.
We've covered this in detail at:
- CBD and GABA - the brake pedal of the brain and target of benzos (see CBD versus benzos)
- CBD and glutamate - the gas pedal of the brain
- CBD and serotonin - master mood regulator - see CBD versus SSRIs
- CBD and dopamine - key to addiction and motivation (see CBD and addiction)
- CBD and acetylcholine - our calm and alert (yes, together) pathway
We'll stop there as we could go on and on.
CBD has been shown to act as a feedback mechanism for GABA, serotonin, and glycine (similar to GABA - see CBD and glycine).
Serotonin directly governs dopamine so that's covered.
Acetylcholine is more nuanced (tied to the rest and digest system and vagal nerve).
Glutamate is the opposing factor of GABA so it's covered as well by proxy.
Here's the key piece...CBD works as a feedback player so it doesn't just boost things in one direction!
Otherwise, we get tolerance like with addictive drugs (see CBD and alcohol, CBD versus benzos, CBD and nicotine addiction).
Just a few examples.
This is so important...tolerance is the basis for most side effects from drugs and medications.
Our systems are incredibly complicated and interwoven so pushing one string non-stop will have knock-on effects.
For example, NSAIDs like Advil reduce a pain signaller called COX2. Cox2 also has a role to play in heart tissue and gut function.
Hence the risk for heart attacks and leaky gut with too much use!
See CBD versus NSAIDs or CBD versus Tylenol to learn more.
We don't see these tolerance effects with CBD.
What we do see is powerful effects on neurotransmitters with direct consequences for mental health (see CBD and mental health).
Let's look at one of the most serious and intractable ones….schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is characterized by an imbalance of dopamine (among other things).
To make things worse, dopamine is too high in one brain area (striatum) and too low in another (prefrontal cortex).
This is why you have two "sets" of symptoms:
- Negative symptoms - depression, low affect, etc - too little dopamine in the prefrontal cortex
- Positive symptoms - hallucinations, paranoia, etc - too much dopamine in the striatum
The common antipsychotics are hammers on dopamine which helps with the positive symptoms but not the negative.
The side effect profiles are brutal since dopamine does so much more in the body and brain (appetite, motivation, sleep, etc).
Check out CBD and schizophrenia to see its results.
Very fascinating:
Although all current antipsychotics act by interfering with the action of dopamine at dopamine D2 receptors, two recent reports showed that 800 to 1000 mg of cannabidiol per day alleviated the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia, although cannabidiol is not known to act on dopamine receptors.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315552/
As we mentioned above, it works on serotonin and serotonin manages dopamine!
The fact that it can positively affect both sets of symptoms speaks to a whole different paradigm.
Not just boosting or suppressing dopamine...but doing both in different brain areas!
That's the endocannabinoid system at work and with schizophrenia, it's not able to keep up!
That's one example...you really need to look at the other reviews along these lines:
- CBD and GABA - anxiety, sleep, OCD, repetitive thoughts, panic attacks, PTSD
- CBD and glutamate - same as above but other side of the equation plus neurodevelopmental diseases like autism and schizophrenia (the immune response effect)
- CBD and dopamine - addiction, modification, bipolar, schizophrenia
- CBD and acetylcholine - dementia, panic attacks, etc
- CBD and serotonin - depression, cognitive function, brain repair (BDNF), mood issues
Of course, addiction is wrapped around all of these (a lack of really) and our CBD and addiction looks at this directly.
What about black seed oil?
Black seed oil definitely has effects here so let's go through it.
First GABA (target of benzos for anxiety, sleep, etc).
In stressed mice, thymoquinone (20 mg/kg) showed anxiolytic effects, with a significant decrease in plasma nitrite and reversal of the decreased brain GABA content.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21857076/
Stress and anxiety can eat up GABA or represent its depletion. It's a buffer of sorts.
Interestingly, thymoquinone had a different effect for non-stressed mice (less impact on GABA).
This is in contrast to benzos which spiked GABA regardless of whether the mice were stressed or not which is why tolerance occurs so quickly with benzos.
Again, this really reminds me of how the endocannabinoid system works!
What about serotonin, our mood regulator?
Nigella sativa L. oil increased brain 5-HT levels and decreased 5-HT turnover (5-HT/5-HIAA ratio). Levels of tryptophan increased significantly in the brain and plasma following the repeated administration of Nigella sativa L. oil. Nigella sativa L. oil showed a potential antidepressant-like effect.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951226/
Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin (5-HT). The decreased turnover is interesting...this is the rate-limiting lever for available serotonin.
There is one example of black seed oil and serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin) which is of note. Perhaps, it doesn't have a pure feedback mechanism like CBD which has no known cases of pushing serotonin too far even at high doses up to 1500 mg.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31577540/
That black seed dose was for surgery so likely very high but still...a note of caution.
It might not be advisable to use with SSRIs or certain nausea meds.
As for dopamine and acetylcholine, a study looked at the effects of haloperidol (an anti-psychotic) which can cause damage to neurons.
Black seed oil was able to offset this effect and the resulting downregulation of neurotransmitters:
We concluded that essential black-seed oil enhanced the wellness of aminergic, purinergic, and cholinergic neurotransmissions of haloperidol-induced neuronal damage in rats.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4959635/
A study of NS and choline looked at the effect following addiction:
Enhancement of cognition and improvement of memory in groups treated with NS might be due to activation of the cholinergic system in hippocampus that plays an important role in learning and memory.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884225/
This brings us to a final piece here:
Addiction!
Studies appear to show that both CBD and black seed oil may have powerful effects on withdrawals, tolerance, and addiction to other drugs.
We can quickly get lost in the weeds here...let's turn our attention to the gut now.
Black seed versus CBD for gut health
All roads lead to Rome and these days, the capital city is the gut.
New research is really showing that our 2nd brain, the gut, is critical as an immune and inflammation thermometer for the rest of the body and most importantly, the brain!
What about black seed and CBD in the gut?
First black seed oil.
The results indicated that TQ decreased inflammatory cytokines, oxidative damage, bacterial translocation and improved intestinal barrier function in rats with intestinal obstruction (Kapan et al., 2012
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884214/
Cytokines are the little chemical agitators of inflammation.
Oxidative damage is a highly destructive form of oxygen if left unchecked
Translocation means that bacteria leaking from the gut into the body!
The latter is critical for autoimmune and inflammation across the body/brain.
Speaking of the brain:
Nigella sativa has been shown to protect the intestinal mucosa, suppress the growth of potentially harmful gut microbiota, and prevent LPS-induced depression-like behavior in animals
https://gutpathogens.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1757-4749-5-3
The intestines are coated with protective mucous...the first line of defense really.
Slowing the advance of bad bacteria is also very important to gut health.
But did you catch the last effect?
Depression-like behavior from exposure to bacteria (LPS).
Check out CBD and neuroinflammation for anxiety or Tryptophan as the link between infection and mood.
What about CBD?
Similar results.
First, in studies on ulcerative colitis:
CBD targets enteric reactive gliosis, counteracts the inflammatory environment induced by LPS in mice and in human colonic cultures derived from UC patients.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232190/
So…
- Reduction in inflammation from bacterial exposure
- Reduction in immune response (gliosis)
This occurred in cells from people with ulcerative colitis, a brutal disease embedded in gut inflammation.
One of our favorite studies looked at CBD and the gut barrier following the introduction of c diff, the very difficult bacteria that's endemic in hospitals.
Cannabidiol improved Clostridium difficile toxin A-induced damage in Caco-2 cells, by inhibiting the apoptotic process and restoring the intestinal barrier integrity, through the involvement of the CB1 receptor.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5721977/
- CBD reduced damage to the tissue
- CBD restored the gut barrier (again, key to system-wide inflammation and autoimmune).
We've written extensively on this at:
- CBD and gut inflammation
- CBD and leaky gut
- CBD and IBD or IBS
We've seen how gut health directly drives brain health. Let's go there now.
Black seed versus CBD for brain health
We looked at mental health above so let's focus on neuroprotection.
It can be a very dynamic and sometimes toxic environment in the brain for which we have systems to help offset these insults.
First, on the immune response front (yes, Alzheimer's is primarily an immune issue - see CBD and Dementia)
In an in vitro study, TQ (10 mM) protected cultured hippocampal and cortical neurons of embryos of Wistar rat brain against neurotoxicity and cytotoxicity induced by Alzheimer’s disease specific amyloid beta (Alhebshi et al, 2013
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884225/
This speaks to the destruction caused by Alzheimer's directly.
Then there's the question of oxidative stress in the brain:
In an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model which mimics human MS, it was shown that administration of TQ was almost 90% preventive and 50% curative due to its antioxidant effects (Mohamed et al., 2009
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884225/
What about stroke?
It has also been reported that administration of TQ (5 mg/kg/day, orally) 5 days before ischemia and continuing it during the reperfusion time, prevented brain damage in a model of transient forebrain ischemia in the rat hippocampus
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884225/
Essentially, the main active ingredient in black seed oil prevented the onslaught of damaged caused by stroke.
What about CBD?
Same general effects!
Those amyloid plaques with dementia?
In addition, CBD has been found to decrease β-amyloid formation in neurons by reducing the concentration of transition metal ions
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7023045/
A look at brain damage from excessive iron?
These results suggest that iron can trigger cell death pathways by inducing intrinsic apoptotic proteins. The reversal of iron-induced effects by CBD indicates that it has neuroprotective potential through its anti-apoptotic action.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30177808/
Apoptotic is a critical piece. It's basically brain cell suicide and CBD was able to slow this process in the presence of a toxin.
What about induced stroke?
Histologic studies indicated that CBD reduced neuronal loss and apoptosis, and modulated astrogliosis and microglial proliferation and activation.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28012949/
Okay...it protected brain cells from damage and suicide.
It also calmed hyperactive immune response (astrogliosis and microglial).
Remember, most of the damage done from stoke is due to our immune system's panic response.
To wrap it up…
The cerebroprotective action of CBD is CB1 receptor-independent, long-lasting, and has potent anti-oxidant activity. Importantly, CBD use does not lead to tolerance.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4036658/
We've written extensively on:
- CBD and neuroinflammation including microglia
- CBD and Dementia
- CBD and Parkinson's
- CBD and brain repair
One final piece which is probably the most important...BDNF (our brain's fertilizer).
Every mental health and addiction review we've done ends up at this same place.
This may be CBD's advantage where it has a clear benefit over black seed oil (research is not as direct).
Check out CBD and BDNF.
Let's now turn our attention to metabolism where black seed oil might have an advantage.
Black seed versus CBD for metabolic health
This is the intersection of the gut, liver, insulin, energy, sugar, and much much more.
It drives diabetes, obesity, systemic inflammation, and just about every disease you can put a finger on in one way or another.
The gut environment is key to this very complicated and interwoven system.
Black seed oil has clear impacts on this entire network!
Such as with diabetes or metabolic syndrome…
The results show that NS and turmeric alone improved BMI, WC and BF% after 4 weeks, compared to baseline.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25125023/
Combined, black seed oil and turmeric were even more impressive.
Double-blind, placebo study for women:
The authors of the study concluded that NS could help to control weight gain, the lipid profile, and the blood glucose and hormonal levels
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633670/
This is fascinating to us since the system is so complicated! It's similar to metformin and berberine (see metformin or berberine).
Not an easy system to affect without unintended consequences.
Weight gain is a net effect of this spider web of hormones, pathways, and chemicals:
The results of that study showed that intake of NS seeds (3 g/day for 3 months) caused a very significant reduction in body weight and WC
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633670/
After all, metabolism is really about energy creation and use! Mismatches there show up in weight, fats, sugars, and the component pieces.
This has far-reaching effects across the cardiovascular system as well.
What about CBD?
CBD appears to help more with the negative effects of this mismatch:
CBD was able to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, and vascular hyperpermeability associated with diabetes. Consistent with these findings, CBD also inhibited p38-MAPK signaling.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3349875/
Essentially, protecting from the damage caused by the original mismatch.
That p38-MAPK is important...it's a major pathway for inflammation and pain (COX2) as well as a powerful cancer driver.
Both black seed oil and CBD appear to be protective on the liver which manages fats, sugar, and a range of metabolic processes.
The jury appears to be as such:
- Black seed oil has a direct effect on balancing the components of metabolism
- CBD has a direct protective effect when things are out of balance
This includes the liver! (see CBD versus alcohol).
This really points to black seed (and turmeric) to prevent/re-balance and CBD to protect and reverse damage.
Okay...let's turn to practical questions.
Safety for black seed versus CBD
Both black seed and CBD have very strong safety profiles.
We've looked at CBD safety in depth at:
- CBD safety
- CBD and blood work
- Can you take CBD long term
- CBD and medications
- Does CBD cause tolerance.
That last piece is really important...we don't want to make affected pathways over time and CBD does not show tolerance or addiction issues.
Across of a range of studies:
Regarding safety issues, most studies reported no AEs with acute administration and mild to moderate adverse effects with chronic administration.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7092763/
Studies have looked at levels up to 1500 mg (1.5 grams) with little change in safety profile.
As for black seed oil, it's a similar result:
Administration of NS oil (5 mL/day) to healthy volunteers for 8 weeks was reported not to have any notable liver, kidney, or gastrointestinal side effects
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633670/
More…
The intake of NS extract (200 or 400 mg/day) for 2 months was also reported to cause no observable complications in patients with mild hypertension
Two caveats.
Both CBD and black seed oil use a liver pathay (p450) which is common with processing about 60% of medications.
The standard rule of thumb is to take as least 4 hours away from medications.
Work with your naturopath of course.
One final piece...mitochondria.
One study showed that blackseed oil negative affected mitochondria (the powerplants of our cells) but they basically doused cells in black seed oil for 24 hours which isn't a great proxy for a living system.
You can probably get the same effect with water!
We would see impacts with the 8 weeks studies if this was the case as mitochondrial function literlaly drives everything.
CBD has been shown to actually support mitochondria so that's another argument to use them together.
What about dosage?
How much black seed versus CBD
First black seed oil.
The common dosages is generally around 500-1000mg daily.
Remember, doses up to 3 grams did not negative impact liver and kidney function:
Furthermore, NS at doses of 1, 2 and 3 g/day for 3 months did not adversely affect either the renal or the hepatic functions of diabetic patients
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5633670/
That was with impaired health (diabetes).
As for CBD, the dosage depends on the need.
- 50 mg is a general wellness level
- 160 mg reflects sleep studies
- 300 mg is peak level for neurogenesis (the BDNF mentioned above) for mental health and addiction
- 600 - 800 mg are shown in studies for more serious and acute issues (from schizophrenia to public speaking).
Everyone's chemistry is different.
For drug withdrawal, it's generally 600 mg for the first 10 days and 300 mg following (see CBD and withdrawals).
What about the type of black seed oil and CBD?
What's the best type of CBD and black seed
Black seed oil comes in different forms.
We like the Thymocid blend which combines the Thymoquinone (activie ingredient) along with the other ingredients (omega oils, etc) that have benefit.
It's very standardized which is important as oil can really differ in quantity and quality.
Our go to for purity and standardization is LifeExtension - their work on research is impressive!
You can get it directly here.
For CBD, there are three main considerations:
- Quality and Purity
- CBD isolate
- Affordability
For quality, the following are required:
- Organically grown in the US at an FDA registered farm
- CO2 processed
- 3rd party tested
- No THC (builds tolerance in our anandamide pathway)
- No heavy metals
- No solvents
- No pesticides
- No bacteria
- No mold
Our testing is available at the top of every page.
The Isolate versus Full spectrum is the bigger question.
Everyone's pushing full spectrum but the research is all on isolate.
More importantly, roughly 40-60% of the population has histamine issues and that goes up as we get older and for women.
Since both black seed oil and CBD calm immune response, the last thing we want to do is trigger it (histamine is part of immune response).
Learn why CBD isolate is better than full spectrum.
The side effects many people get from full spectrum go away with isolate...that's how we found CBD to begin with (that story is here).
Then there's cost.
The key is cost per mg of CBD.
We price our 6000 mg bottles at 2-3 cents per mg before discounts up to 50%.
Afterall, CBD was a critical piece of rebuilding our health and we want people to be get the same results.
We're adding black seed oil after reading the impressive research and the two combined appear to share a similar balancing effect in critical pathways across the body.
It's not a question of CBD versus black seed oil but CBD plus black seed oil.
Be well. Take care of each other. Take care of yourself.
Always work with a doctor or naturopath with any supplement!
The information provided here is not intended to treat an illness or substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.