Can you overdose on CBD? What if you take too much? Here, we’ll be discussing whether it’s possible to overdose on CBD, as well as the potential implications of taking too much.
You’ve probably heard at least one stoner cite the statistic: “No one’s ever died from a cannabis overdose.” And while this may be mostly true—that there are no reports of fatal overdose in humans when cannabis is the only factor—there are still risks associated with having too much of any substance.
Although the safety profile for CBD boasts minimal risk of harm, dependence, or even tolerance-building, you can still have too much when it comes to CBD oil, CBD supplements, CBD Edibles, and more. And while the effects of too much CBD won’t land you in A&E—or even warrant a trip to the GP—they can still be unpleasant.
Your best bet, as with any substance, is to always use the lowest dose your body needs to notice a measurable effect.
Is it possible to overdose on CBD?
Essentially, no.
You can take too much CBD, but this is not considered an overdose due to CBD’s lack of toxicity. Generally speaking, CBD is well-tolerated in humans (and animals, too), and very few users experience negative effects.
When they do experience adverse effects, it’s usually the case that their dosage is too high. But even when an excess dose is administered, some people won’t experience any ill effects at all.
According to a report published by WHO regarding a study using monkeys as test subjects, an extremely high dose of CBD was considered to be more than 30mg of CBD per kilogram of body weight taken orally for 90 days. For the average adult, this translates to taking an entire bottle of CBD tincture every day for 90 days. Yet even at this incredibly high dosage, the WHO was unable to find any measurable physiological or biochemical effects.
What happens if you take too much CBD?
While you can’t truly overdose on CBD, you can take too much, which can result in some mild but unpleasant symptoms. It’s important to note that most people tolerate CBD extremely well, and these effects usually only occur when CBD is taken in excess. These adverse effects can include:
- Diarrhoea
- Appetite changes
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
While these issues may not be severe enough to warrant a call to your GP, they can still be unpleasant. This is why we always recommend taking the lowest recommended dose and working your way up until you find your sweet spot.
How much is too much CBD?
The answer to the question of ”how much CBD is too much?” is heavily dependent on a number of uniquely personal factors, including your weight, metabolism, usual CBD dosage, delivery method, and more.
Your dosage will vary depending on your reasoning for taking CBD: those using CBD to help with chronic pain, for example, will need a higher dose than someone using CBD for its calming effects, and users taking CBD for sleep will need a lower dosage than those using it to help their depression.
When it comes to CBD dosage, your best bet is to take the lowest recommended dose—which, for most adults, should start at roughly 20mg per day—then slowly increase your dosage until you feel a measurable effect.
It may take some time to find your ideal dosage, but it’s certainly worth the effort.
Can pets overdose on CBD?
While we know that you can’t overdose on CBD, your pets may be a different story—but this requires more research.
There are currently no reported cases of fatal overdose from CBD in pets. However, it’s critical to bear in mind that our domestic counterparts have wildly complex endocannabinoid systems which are more sensitive to cannabinoids (like CBD) than our human systems are. This is because their bodies have exponentially more cannabinoid receptors than ours do—meaning their bodies and brains are that much more receptive to cannabinoids, like CBD, than ours are.
As such, it’s important to remember that your furry friend may not react to CBD in the same way that you do, and that they too can experience adverse effects when their dosage is too high.
Before administering CBD to your pets, you should first speak with your veterinarian for help finding the ideal dose for your specific pet’s species, age, weight, breed, and so on.
Important Notes
It’s very important to note that if you’re taking any medications, you should speak to your GP first before trying CBD. And if the medication you’re taking has a grapefruit warning on the label, you shouldn’t be using CBD.
This is because both CBD and grapefruit act upon the same enzymes which facilitate the dispersal of medication into your body. Taking certain types of medication with either grapefruit or CBD in your system can cause the medication to be released into your bloodstream too quickly, amplifying adverse effects to a potentially dangerous and toxic degree. If you’re taking any medications that warn against grapefruit or grapefruit juice on the label, you’ll need to avoid using CBD.
It’s also important to add here—especially if you’re unable to ingest CBD because of your medication(s)—that you can’t 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
So, can you overdose on CBD? No.
Can you have too much? As with anything—including even water—the answer is yes.
While the effects of taking too much CBD can be unpleasant, they’re not serious or pervasive and should subside shortly.
As always, we recommend starting your CBD journey with a low daily dose—roughly 20mg per day. From there, you can slowly increase your dosage to suit your personal needs and preferences.
If you experience any significant adverse effects or if you’re taking CBD in conjunction with any other medications, speak with your a medical professional (such as your GP or pharmacist) before starting or continuing to use CBD.
