Can you take too much CBD? Is it possible to overdose on this substance? These are the questions we are often asked by our readers.
While CBD or cannabidiol is often regarded as a safe substance, there is a threshold at which it is regarded as toxic. However, most people will never have the opportunity to reach that threshold.
Be that as it may, you need to use CBD responsibly. Like any foreign substance, it is hard to tell what would happen if we were to introduce excessive quantities into our bodies. This is why we always recommend that you consult a medical practitioner, or at least manufacturer, prior to using the product.
In this article, we will answer the question: “Can you take too much CBD?” and we will also address some other things concerning these products. Check it out!
What is regarded as an excessive CBD dose?
Like with most other things regarding cannabidiol, there haven’t been many studies revolving around toxicity. But, one particular research indicates that CBD becomes toxic for humans if you’ve taken more than 20,000mg at once.
Needless to say, this is a really enormous amount of cannabidiol, and most people won’t even have excess to such a quantity. If we also consider the fact that the daily dosage goes from 5 to 25mg, it quickly becomes obvious that you won’t be able to overdose even if you wanted to.
Even if you were to use a whole bottle or packaging (which usually goes from 100mg to 1,500mg), you would still be far away from experiencing side effects.
Can you die from too much CBD?
Again, it is really hard to make any certain claims given that we don’t have enough user data or research data. But, it is believed that the toxic dose will not kill the user.
While you probably won’t die from an excessive dose of CBD, you will have to consider other potential issues. For example, cannabidiol products are known for certain side effects such as disorientation, drowsiness, lethargy, problems with appetite and stool, etc.
Usually, these issues are just minor but, if you were to use such extreme quantities of the substance, you would likely experience some of these side effects, and they might be quite debilitating due to the dosage.
According to one specific study, here are some of the findings regarding CBD and its toxicity:
- According to a small sample size, cannabidiol shouldn’t have an impact on embryonic development.
- The substance may lead to changes in hormones.
- It might have some impact on tumor cells in larger quantities.
- According to an animal model, there shouldn’t be any physiological or biochemical changes to subjects unless you submit them to excessive quantities.
- CBD might interact with other chemical compounds, but we don’t have enough data to know exactly how it would interact.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization has classified this substance as relatively safe. They’ve also said that CBD shouldn’t lead to dependency. While all of these things are really positive, you shouldn’t experiment by taking excessive doses.
Potential benefits of CBD
While you shouldn’t take too much CBD, this substance can provide some interesting benefits when used in moderation. For example:
- CBD may improve your focus and memory.
- It might lead to improved, uninterrupted sleep.
- The substance might reduce minor soreness and even address some minor skin issues.
- It hydrates the skin.
- CBD may boost your energy and change your appetite.
- It is a great product for stress reduction.
- The chemical compound might harmonize other internal processes returning them to their previous state.
Keep in mind that this wellness product will work differently for different people. In the following section, we will consider some of the main factors that will affect the dosage.
Finding the right dose
If you want to use CBD and medicinal hemp products in a completely safe way, you will need to find the right daily dose. Unfortunately, there are a lot of issues determining the optimal quantity of the substance.
Among others, the market lacks regulation, so two products that are called the same can have completely different impacts on your body.
Here are some of the main factors you need to consider when determining CBD’s daily dose:
- Your weight
- Metabolism and other bodily factors
- An issue that you wish to address
- Strength of the substance
If you consider all these factors, finding the right dose can be quite tricky. For example, the minimal dose can go as low as 5mg, and higher doses can go well above 25mg. Anyway, most hemp experts recommend that you start with a smaller quantity and ramp it up as you go. Always remember that you’ll develop some tolerance over time, so that’s another thing you need to account for.
CBD and THC
While you can’t really have too much CBD, you might encounter issues with THC. This is a psychedelic substance that is present in both marijuana and hemp but in different quantities. While there will only be traces of the substance within hemp, there will be a lot of it in marijuana.
As a way to protect users, the regulatory bodies have enacted laws according to which a medical cannabis product cannot have more than 0.3% content. This is why most companies make medicinal cannabis from hemp and not marijuana.
Unlike CBD, THC can be lethal. Whether you eat it or smoke it, these are some of the issues you might encounter while consuming THC:
- Ataxia
- Delirium
- Panic
- Muscle spasms
- Hypotension
- Respiratory depression
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Lethargy
- Memory lapses
- Hyperkinesis
So far, we don’t know what’s the lethal dose of THC. While there were some cases of a THC overdose, we are not certain how much average individual needs to experience extreme side effects. According to some studies, you might have major issues if you inhale more than 7.5mg and above. If you’re taking an oral dose, extreme drawbacks can be felt after consuming only 5mg of the product.
If you are to use CBD products in higher quantities, we suggest that you take isolates and broad-spectrum cannabidiol, because these items don’t have THC in them.