TL;DR:
CBD is generally safe and non-addictive, but taking too much can lead to unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, diarrhea, and dry mouth. It rarely causes severe medical issues unless combined with certain medications. Always follow dosage guidelines and consult your doctor before use.
- CBD overdose = taking more than the recommended dose, not life-threatening.
- Side effects increase with higher doses (especially in gummies, oils, or pet products).
- Talk to your doctor if you take medications that may interact with CBD.
- Start with a low dose and use lab-tested products to stay safe.
- In rare cases of serious symptoms, contact Poison Control.
CBD may help to treat inflammation, chronic pain, sleeplessness, and other common issues. It’s also considered to be safe. CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.
However, what happens if you take too much? Can you overdose on CBD?
This is an important health-related question, so we want to be as clear as possible. You can take too much CBD, and it can cause an unpleasant experience or clearly negative side effects. It may also interact with certain medications and cause more serious side effects in that context.
Let’s take a closer look at CBD, its potential for overdose, and how to use it safely.
What is CBD? Source, Intended Effects, Legality, and More
CBD is a chemical compound that naturally occurs in both cannabis and hemp plants. It’s classified as a cannabinoid because it has specific effects on the human body. CBD acts on the body’s natural endocannabinoid receptors.
However, CBD is much different than the majority of other cannabinoids, or at least the ones normally available for purchase. CBD does not cause changes in perception or sensation. Nor does it cause elevated mood and other effects commonly included when defining a “high.”
Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) says, “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.”
For that reason, CBD is not seen as addictive. It doesn’t create the positive or pleasurable feelings that often lead to psychological addiction. It also doesn’t generate the withdrawal symptoms associated with physical addiction.
So, why do people use CBD products? The following benefits are not fully confirmed by research. However, user reports and early studies reviewed by Cedars Sinai Medical Center indicate that CBD may help to treat:
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Inflammation
- Chronic pain
CBD is especially popular among its users in part because it doesn’t impair them in terms of clouding judgment or delaying reaction time. In other words, it doesn’t stop them from doing things like driving, working, caring for children, or otherwise going about their daily lives.
CBD also has certain side effects, including drowsiness, diarrhea, and dry mouth. These are unpleasant, but relatively mild.
However, CBD can interact with other substances, including certain prescription medications. You should always consult with your doctor if you:
- Currently take medication and plan to start using CBD.
- Currently use CBD and have a new medication prescribed by a physician.
Is CBD Legal?
CBD extracted from hemp plants is federally legal. The 2018 Farm Bill allowed for the cultivation and sale of hemp plants containing no more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC.
On the state level, Leafwell explains that Idaho and Nebraska have laws restricting or outlawing CBD. Other states place some restrictions on the sale of CBD. Always check out your local laws before purchasing any CBD products.
Can You Overdose on CBD?
“Can you overdose on CBD oil?” and similar questions sound like simple queries that have yes-or-no answers. However, the truth is more complex.
You can define the term “overdose” in more than one way – it doesn’t have a single, precise, and universal definition. In some contexts, overdosing refers to life-threatening or seriously dangerous overconsumption of a medication or drug.
With this life-threatening definition in mind, CBD does not generally lead to overdoses. Wondering if you can overdose on CBD or THC, for that matter? In the context of extreme medical reactions and legitimate risk of death, it’s incredibly rare to OD on CBD.
However, there are a few examples of what could be notably threatening reactions to CBD, as Healthline points out. Yet, there are a few key pieces of context to keep in mind:
- It has not been determined if CBD by itself was the cause of these reactions. The products may have contained contaminants or other substances.
- Such instances are very rare compared to the size of the CBD industry and estimates of how many people use CBD.
With these instances in mind, let’s look at another common definition of overdose. Specifically, consuming more than the recommended dose of a drug or medication. This can and often does, but does not necessarily have to, lead to negative reactions and unpleasant side effects. This is a more casual definition of “overdose,” but it also centers on a very practical issue for users.
Under this definition, you can overdose on CBD. The unwanted side effects of CBD seem to be more common at high doses. Large doses seem to increase the risk of experiencing them. Experiencing those side effects is a sign of overdose in this context.
Keep in mind that the type of CBD product used does not appear to influence the potential for overdose directly – only the amount of actual CBD taken does. So, you can have a CBD gummy overdose, a CBD oil overdose, and an overdose on just about any CBD product.
Remember, that’s only true for most users if they consume an excessively high dose. Rare exceptions are possible. But, for the vast majority of CBD users, taking a recommended or moderate dose of CBD does not lead to an overdose.
Now, let’s review some other common questions related to CBD and overdosing.
Can You Overdose on CBD Gummies?
Yes, at least in the context of taking an excessive dose and having to deal with disruptive side effects. You can take too many CBD gummies and end up with issues like diarrhea, drowsiness, or irritability. The easiest way to avoid a CBD gummy overdose is to stick to the recommended dose, or a dose that you know is firmly within your tolerance.
Can You Overdose a Dog on CBD?
CBD for dogs is an increasingly popular option for many pet owners. Similar to humans, there isn’t conclusive evidence for its effects. However, pet owner reports and early research indicate that it may help with anxiety, pain, inflammation, and other conditions.
Just like humans, dogs can experience side effects from high doses of CBD. If you choose to give CBD treats or CBD oil to your dog, be sure to determine the correct dosage. In general, take a careful approach. Finding the right dose for your pet is much easier and much less prone to unwanted side effects when you start low and work your way up.
How Can You Avoid Overdosing on CBD?
CBD overdoses can be unpleasant and, in rare cases, dangerous. However, you can avoid overdosing on CBD, or causing dangerous drug interactions between a medication and CBD, by:
- Speaking with your doctor about potential interactions between prescribed medications and CBD.
- Following the CBD dosage instructions on the CBD products you use. These are generally listed on the package for CBD oils and tinctures , as well as CBD gummies. If you use a CBD vape cart that doesn’t list a recommended dose, start small and watch your consumption.
- Watching out for signs of milder CBD side effects, like drowsiness and dry mouth. If these occur, don’t take any more CBD and wait for them to subside.
- If more serious side effects occur, get in touch with your local Poison Control Center by dialing 18002221222.
- Use CBD products that offer independent lab testing results, so you can be sure the label matches the actual contents. At Delta 8 Resellers, we for our products on our website on their individual product pages.
CBD is generally safe, but excessively high doses can lead to overdoses. Following the steps above and taking a careful approach overall can help you use CBD effectively, safely, and responsibly.
