Can You Overdose on CBD?
Everyone has probably heard the classic go-to stoner quote: “No one’s ever died from a cannabis overdose.” To reassure an untrusting mind, uneasy on the topic. Now though this may be true—as there have not been any reports of fatalities directly correlated to the use of cannabis. We all know there are always some risks associated when using too much of anything!
You should know that it is very possible to consume too much CBD when it comes to CBD vapes, oil, supplements, and edibles. However, thank goodness ‘too much’ will not land you in A&E, though it is still rather unpleasant.
As a safe bet with any substance, it is always recommended that you only use what your body needs to notice a measurable effect. 2 glasses of wine to yourself is a heck of a big difference from 2 bottles!
Please note: Our CBD articles are not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your GP or pharmacist with any questions about using CBD. This article is for informational purposes only.
Can I overdose on CBD?
Put plainly, no. You cannot.
Due to CBD’s lack of toxicity, you can only take too much—which is not an overdose. CBD is not only highly tolerated in humans but animals too and it is exceptionally rare for users to experience negative effects.
A recent report published by WHO shows a study of primates on an extremely high dose of CBD. 30mg+ of CBD per kg of said monkey was delivered orally for a length of 90 days.
For context, a full-sized human adult would have to consume an entire bottle of CBD tincture every single day for 90 days to experience the same relative situation comparatively speaking. And despite the extreme circumstances the WHO was completely unable to find any measurable physiological or biochemical effects on the primates. WHO knows.
What happens if you take too much CBD?
While overdosing is impossible, consuming too much is certainly not. This can cause truly unpleasant adverse effects such as:
- Diarrhoea
- Appetite changes
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
It is crucial to note that most people will have a naturally high tolerance to CBD. The majority of these effects will only occur in the circumstance of excessive or extreme dosages.
Though not doctor worthy, these are still rather uncomfortable side effects, and they are the reason why we always recommend using the lowest dose and slowly working up to your sweet spot.
But how much is too much CBD?
Unfortunately, this question carries a lot of person-to-person variabilities. What is your weight? Height? Is your metabolism slow or fast? How do you consume CBD? And the list goes on…
However, an effective rule of thumb is to use your circumstance or reasoning. Are you using CBD for chronic pain relief? Or only its calming effects? Someone using high dosages will likely have a strong reason or necessity for doing so, as smaller amounts will just not suffice.
If you are a casual consumer, or you use CBD for sleeping purposes, anything under 20mg/per day is a totally reasonable quantity. As mentioned previously, my key to finding the dosage for you is by simply having patience. Slowly and carefully increase the quantity of CBD you consume until you feel satisfied with the results. But have control! Don’t skip the patience aspect.
Can my pet overdose on CBD?
So now you know that you cannot overdose, it is also important to consider that animal bodies such as cats and dogs are different—but their safety requires further investigation.
To date, there are no reported cases of any fatal overdoses in pets from CBD alone. However, it is crucial to understand that our lovable fluffy companions are an entirely different species, and their bodies have wildly complex endocannabinoid systems which are significantly more receptive to cannabinoids compared to humans. In essence, most domestic animals have more endocannabinoid receptors than we do, which means they need far less CBD to produce a measurable effect.
Thus, please ensure your best buddy doesn’t experience those nasty adverse effects by being certain to dose cautiously, and only slowly increasing the milligrams if necessary.
Before administering CBD to your pets, it is highly recommended that you first consult with their veterinarian for assistance on specific metrics. They can usually tell you a good starting dose for your pet based on their weight, species, and breed. It is important to know information such as age, weight, and also whether it is recommended at all for your specific pet. This is paramount if your pet is currently on any medications or undergoing treatment.
Still, CBD can be an effective supplement for our furry friends—particularly those with anxiety issues.
Important Notes
The same as with your pet, if you are having any medical treatment or are on any form of medication it is highly advised that you consult with your GP first before trying CBD.
Though strange, if your medication has a grapefruit warning on the label, you should not be using CBD.
This is because both grapefruit and CBD act upon the same enzymes which disperse medication into your body.
With certain types of medication, you can accidentally release the medication into your bloodstream too quickly—this occurs with both CBD and grapefruit. This can be dangerous to a toxic degree.
It is also important to note here—particularly if you’re unable to ingest CBD—that you cannot overdose on CBD lotions, creams, balms, or salves, as the CBD in these formulas isn’t able to enter the bloodstream (except in the case of transdermal products, which permeate the skin).
Summary
It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for… Can you overdose on CBD?
Nope. You cannot.
Of course, you can consume too much—too much of anything can be bad. Even water (even though we are made of it)!
The effects of having too much CBD are not particularly fun, though not life-threatening. If you are currently experiencing too much CBD, don’t worry: it will pass shortly.
However, if you’re experiencing any extreme adverse effects, you should of course consult a medical professional.
Check out our other CBD Guides!
Please note: Our CBD articles are not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your GP or pharmacist with any questions about using CBD. This article is for informational purposes only.
