Last updated: October 2026
Yes, most healthy adults can take CBD and turmeric together. No direct interaction is known. Add black pepper: it raised curcumin absorption 20-fold in a human study. But both CBD and concentrated turmeric are processed by the liver, so check with a pharmacist if you take medication or have liver problems.
This guide covers what each does, what the research shows, why black pepper matters, how to take them together, and who should be careful.
Can you take CBD and turmeric together?
For most healthy adults, yes. CBD and turmeric work through different pathways: CBD acts on the endocannabinoid system, while curcumin, turmeric’s main active compound, affects inflammation signalling in the body. No harmful interaction between the two has been reported, and they’re often combined in oils and capsules.
The main caution is that both are processed by the liver and can affect how some medicines are broken down. If you take regular medication, particularly blood thinners, check with your pharmacist first.
CBD vs turmeric at a glance
| CBD | Turmeric (curcumin) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A non-intoxicating compound from hemp | A root spice; curcumin is the main active compound |
| Main research areas | Anxiety, sleep, and pain (early) | Joint and arthritis symptoms, inflammation markers |
| Absorption | Better with food containing fat | Poor on its own; much better with black pepper and fat |
| How quickly | Within an hour; steadier over weeks | Builds over weeks |
| UK status | Food supplement on the FSA public list | Food and food supplement |
What the research says about turmeric
Turmeric has a long history in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. The best human evidence is for joint symptoms: a 2016 review of 8 controlled trials found that turmeric extracts, at around 1,000mg of curcumin a day, reduced arthritis pain and stiffness compared with placebo, and worked about as well as common painkillers in the studies that compared them. The trials were small, so the authors called for larger studies. Curcumin also lowers inflammation markers in many lab studies.
Note that food amounts of turmeric, or the small amounts in many blends, are much lower than the doses used in these trials.
Why black pepper matters
On its own, very little curcumin is absorbed, because the liver and gut break it down quickly. Piperine, the compound that gives black pepper its heat, slows that process. In a 1998 study in healthy volunteers, adding 20mg of piperine increased curcumin absorption by 2,000%. That’s why turmeric supplements and blends usually include black pepper extract. Fat helps too, because curcumin and CBD are both fat-soluble.
The flip side is that piperine can also raise blood levels of some medicines, which is another reason to check with a pharmacist if you take any.
What the research says about CBD
CBD’s anti-inflammatory effects are well documented in lab and animal studies, and a small 2022 trial found a CBD cream improved thumb arthritis pain compared with a plain cream. Human evidence for CBD taken by mouth for joint comfort is still limited. See CBD balm for muscle pain and CBD oil for arthritis.
Is CBD with turmeric better than either alone?
It hasn’t been tested in people. Lab studies have looked at cannabinoids combined with curcumin and piperine, but there are no human trials of the combination, so any extra benefit is unproven. The appeal is practical: one product covering two popular ingredients in a daily routine.
Our Relief CBD Oil combines broad spectrum CBD with turmeric extract, black pepper extract and a terpene blend in MCT oil, in 500mg and 1,000mg strengths. Many people pair it with our Muscle and Joint Support CBD Balm on specific areas.
How to take CBD and turmeric
- Take them with food containing some fat, which helps absorb both.
- Choose turmeric with black pepper if you take it separately.
- Be consistent: effects from both tend to build over several weeks.
- Start low with CBD, around 10mg a day. The FSA’s 10mg a day figure is precautionary advice rather than a legal limit, set while longer-term safety research continues. At Evopure we think it is a very cautious figure, and many adults use more. If you go above it, increase slowly, and check with your GP or pharmacist first if you take any medication.
- Don’t double up on high-strength turmeric capsules and a turmeric-containing CBD oil without checking the total amount.
See CBD dosage and when to take CBD oil.
Side effects and who should be careful
Turmeric in food is safe for almost everyone. Concentrated supplements can cause stomach upset, and rarely liver injury: an Italian review of cases found most involved high-strength turmeric products designed for high absorption, often taken alongside other medicines. Stop and see a doctor if you notice yellowing skin or eyes, dark urine or unusual tiredness.
Speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking CBD with turmeric if you:
- take blood thinners such as warfarin, or antiplatelet medicines
- take diabetes medicines, as turmeric may lower blood sugar
- have liver disease, gallstones or a bile duct problem
- take medicines with a grapefruit warning (see the grapefruit warning)
- are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have surgery planned
See also CBD side effects and CBD and the liver.
See also how to choose a CBD oil for pain.
FAQs
Can you take CBD and turmeric together?
For most healthy adults, yes. No direct interaction is known, but both are processed by the liver, so check with a pharmacist if you take medication.
Is CBD or turmeric better for inflammation?
Turmeric has more human trials for joint symptoms; CBD’s anti-inflammatory evidence is mostly from lab and animal studies. Some people use both.
Why is black pepper added to turmeric?
Piperine in black pepper slows the breakdown of curcumin. In one human study it raised curcumin absorption by 2,000%.
How long does turmeric take to work?
Studies typically ran for several weeks, so take it daily for at least a month before judging.
Is turmeric safe for the liver?
Food amounts are safe. Rare liver injury has been linked to high-strength, high-absorption supplements. Avoid them if you have liver disease, and stop if you notice yellowing skin or eyes.
Can I take turmeric with blood thinners?
Speak to your GP or pharmacist first, as turmeric may increase bleeding risk and piperine can affect how some medicines are absorbed.
Does Evopure sell CBD with turmeric?
Yes. Relief CBD Oil combines broad spectrum CBD with turmeric extract, black pepper extract and a terpene blend, with 0% THC.
Sources
- Shoba G et al (1998). Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica.
- Daily JW et al (2016). Efficacy of turmeric extracts and curcumin for alleviating the symptoms of joint arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Journal of Medicinal Food.
- Lombardi N et al (2021). Acute liver injury following turmeric use in Tuscany: an analysis of the Italian Phytovigilance database and systematic review of case reports. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
- Heineman JT et al (2022). A randomized controlled trial of topical cannabidiol for the treatment of thumb basal joint arthritis. Journal of Hand Surgery.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Evopure makes Relief CBD Oil.
