What Happens If You Use Too Much CBD Oil?
A CBD flower is a dried bud of a hemp plant. It is non-psychoactive and doesn’t intoxicate a person using it. Some of the products produced by CBD Flower are CBD oil, CBD honey, CBD tea, CBD spices, CBD capsules, and many more. Unlike THC, this hemp constituent is non-intoxicating, and unlike many mainline pharmaceutical treatments, CBD does not appear to have any complex side effects.
However, there is a limit to how much CBD you can take safely. According to the available evidence, the toxicity threshold of CBD appears to be around 20,000 mg or 20 g.
If you have any experience using hemp, you know how difficult it would be to ingest this much CBD during the brief 24-hour time window necessary to induce toxic effects.
We’ve just covered the most important fact you need to know: CBD is only toxic in doses so large that the average consumer will never come close to using too much CBD oil. Let’s flesh out the details surrounding CBD toxicity to help you choose an ideal dose and better understand how this cannabinoid affects the human body.
Is CBD toxic?
Pretty much everything on planet Earth is toxic in the right quantities. In human biochemical research, toxicity is defined as the amount of a substance that can cause bodily harm. There are no such things as inherently "toxic" substances. Even cyanide, widely considered one of the most potent poisons, is not harmful in low concentrations.
To judge the relative toxicity of CBD, therefore, it’s necessary to compare the concentration at which CBD is believed to be toxic with the toxicity threshold of similar substances. While hardly definitive, preliminary lab studies indicate that CBD may negatively affect humans at concentrations above 20,000mg.
To be clear, you would need to ingest 20 grams of CBD once for this cannabinoid to exert toxic effects. Since CBD fully metabolizes in the human body within 8-32 hours, you would need to ingest these 20 grams of CBD within a single day for this cannabinoid to become toxic.
This experiment is prohibitive for most consumers. Even more importantly, commonly reported mild side effects of CBD, such as sleepiness and nausea, would likely prevent you from ingesting a such dose of CBD to begin.
So, is CBD toxic? Hardly.
Reaching the toxicity threshold for CBD appears nearly impossible, and studies indicate that doses up to 1,500mg of CBD are well-tolerated in human subjects. Turning CBD into a toxic substance by ingesting more than 20,000mg of this cannabinoid would require nearly superhuman feats of dedication and economic expenditure.
Can you overdose on CBD?
We’ve established that CBD can only become toxic under extreme and absurd circumstances. So, can CBD be toxic even if you don’t take cannabinoids in excess?
Even without using more than 20g of this cannabinoid in a single day, your body may react negatively to large doses of CBD. According to the available scientific evidence, however, using toxic concentrations of this cannabinoid will not result in the severe symptoms commonly associated with overdose. However, everyone’s body is different, and the tolerance level to CBD is also not the same for everyone, and the effect depends on the tolerance level of an individual’s body. For most people, the term “overdose” brings to mind horror stories set in motion when people ingest dangerous quantities of prescription or illicit drugs. It’s important to clarify that even when taken in quantities of around 20,000mg, CBD will not cause heart failure, internal bleeding, or any of the other terrifying consequences of ingesting too much alcohol or overdosing on opioids or stimulants.
The hallmarks of overdose, as they have been established in popular culture, will not occur even if you take CBD in concentrations that have been established as toxic. In all likelihood, ingesting unreasonable quantities of CBD will only result in vomiting or diarrhea as your body purges itself of this mild, non-intoxicating substance. The main concern would be dehydration, which could easily be treated with basic hospital equipment.
What are the effects of taking too much CBD?
Even though scientific research has established the toxicity threshold of CBD at 20,000mg for around 24 hours, the definition of “too much” CBD will vary from person to person. A variety of factors can affect a person’s body interaction with CBD and the threshold at which CBD’s effects become uncomfortable changes in response.
For instance, first-time users of CBD have not built up any tolerance to this cannabinoid. There is also some evidence that it takes multiple doses for your endocannabinoid system to become accustomed to CBD. For new CBD users, therefore, even a reasonably small quantity of CBD, such as 50-100mg, maybe "too much."
Commonly reported adverse effects of CBD are sleepiness, nausea, and dry mouth. When you take too much of this cannabinoid, it’s reasonable to expect these effects to intensify.
New CBD consumers may note adverse effects at lower doses. For CBD users who have become accustomed to cannabinoid, the negative effects may only set in at higher doses.
Most studies agree that doses up to 1500mg CBD per day are well-tolerated in humans. If you’ve used CBD for a while, it’s unlikely that you’ll experience any adverse effects when ingesting this cannabinoid in concentrations under 1500mg CBD.
Regardless of how accustomed to CBD your body may be, the adverse effects you should expect from taking too much of this cannabinoid are nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, fatigue, or sleepiness. In cases of extreme overdose, CBD may cause tremors, convulsions, trouble breathing, slow heart rate, and other side effects.
Can CBD be lethal?
Lethal doses of CBD have been achieved in animal studies. In most cases, CBD proved fatal in animals via cardiac failure.
Due to obvious ethical concerns, similar experiments have not been conducted on humans. It is difficult to say whether CBD is lethal in people and at what concentrations this cannabinoid would achieve human lethality.
Even though CBD becomes toxic at concentrations of 20,000mg per day, this concentration is not considered to be a lethal dose. But, this is the threshold at which CBD predictably exerts negative effects.
While the lethal dose of CBD in humans has not been established, it’s likely that CBD toxicity threshold would need to be significantly exceeded before lethal effects ensued. In short, CBD is a remarkably mild substance incapable of becoming lethal at concentrations an average consumer could use.
Pharmaceutical drugs commonly become lethal at surprisingly low concentrations. CBD appears to be significantly safer for cannabinoid’s intended consumers and for any children or pets who accidentally get their hands or paws on CBD tinctures, capsules, edibles, vapes, or flowers.
Differences between CBD and THC toxicity
While THC is highly intoxicating and can cause anxiety or paranoia, CBD is only mildly psychoactive and does not cause significant “head changes.” THC can also be habit-forming, while CBD does not appear to cause dependency of any form.
As we know, that the toxicity of THC is significantly different than that of CBD. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the median lethal dose of THC is 4,000mg (4g). This prestigious medical organization assures us that this is still “very low compared to most other recreational and pharmaceutical drugs.”
Let’s take a look at these THC toxicity figures in comparison to the toxicity of CBD. Recall the 20,000mg toxicity threshold reported for CBD is not a lethal dose for cannabinoids. Studies indicate that if you ingest more than 20g of pure CBD, this could be fatal for you. However, a mere 4g of THC is enough to kill an average 150lb person, making THC 5 times more toxic than CBD.
The WHO and other authorities assure us it would be hard to ingest more than 4g of pure THC. It’s now reasonably common among heavy THC users to vaporize dabs of THC concentrate larger than 1g that contain more than 60% THC. As a result, a “gram dab” can carry nearly a quarter of the fatal dose of THC.
Why CBD quality matters
CBD appears safe even if you routinely ingest quantities of 1500mg CBD or higher . The CBD industry is anything but perfect, however. Depending on the CBD products , the CBD concentration in your system might be the least of your worries.
Many CBD producers fail to practice quality control oversight over their production processes. While CBD-rich hemp is often grown using safe, organic, and sustainable methods, just as much hemp on the market is contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, fertilizers, and other substances that are hundreds of times more toxic than CBD.
CBD extracts are sometimes combined with dangerous ingredients such as PG, VG, artificial flavors, and chemical preservatives, which could also overshadow the benefits of CBD and cause contamination hazards.
While the toxicity of CBD itself hardly seems to be cause for concern, some of the sub-par ingredients in CBD products could be extremely dangerous. To protect yourself from contaminants in CBD products, choose hemp brands that use hemp and other ingredients that are organic and non-GMO.
Enjoy CBD safely
It has been established that CBD is only toxic in extremely high doses, and the lethality of CBD in humans has yet to be studied. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to go overboard with this cannabinoid.
The results are still out regarding the ideal dose of CBD for adults. The evidence we’ve accumulated so far indicates that using more than 1,000mg of CBD fails to provide any increased benefits.
Most CBD users report finding their ideal dose of this cannabinoid is around 100-250mg. Feel free to experiment with CBD to your heart's content safe in the knowledge that this cannabinoid is remarkably non-toxic. Just remember — moderation is the key to success with any substance.
CBD overdose FAQ
Anything else you’d like to know about the toxicity and overdose potential of CBD?
1. Can CBD oil kill you?
The simple answer is no. In the right concentrations, anything — even oxygen and water — can kill you.Studies show that CBD has been well-tolerated even at extremely high doses. Experts suggest that doses of CBD as high as 1500mg per day may be safe, but there isn’t enough evidence to draw conclusions.
Compared to substances like opioids, which are fatally toxic at low doses, it looks like you would have to try extremely hard to kill anyone with CBD.
2. Can you take too much CBD before bed?
Some users report grogginess the next day when they use unusually high doses of CBD the night before. Taking too much CBD before bed does not appear to be harmful in any way, however.
If a small dose of CBD is not enough to provide the bedtime effects you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to use CBD a little bit more.
3. Can CBD oil make you jittery?
CBD is known to cause tremors, jitters, or shakiness at extremely high doses. Cannabinoids must be administered in concentrations exceeding 1500mg perday to cause rare CBD side effects.4. How much CBD is OK per day?
Clinical studies consider doses of CBD as high as 1500mg perday to be safe. Further research is required along with these results, but it appears that even exceediing the limits of CBD remain unable to cause any unfavorable side effects. To strike a balance with your body’s endocannabinoid system, consider sticking with a daily CBD doses of between 50 and 200mg.
5. What happens if you take CBD oil every day?
No studies show that taking CBD oil is dangerous even used daily. As with any substance, though, contaminants in CBD oil can make this substance harmful even if it is perfectly safe on its own. Therefore, you should only use high-quality CBD products proven to be safe.
6. Is 70mg of CBD a lot?
Within the spectrum of CBD doses, 70mg is neither a lot nor a little. Taken all at once, 70mg of CBD might provide strong effects. However, 70mg of CBD won’t affect you very profoundly if used over a day.
The effect of 70mg of CBD changes significantly depending on the way you use this cannabinoid. Ingested orally, 70mg of CBD won’t knock your socks off, even if you take it in a single dose. Whenever CBD is vaporized potency of CBD increases, making a dose of 70 mg capable of providing intensely relaxing effects.
7. Can you get addicted to CBD oil?
Despite extensive research, CBD not prove to have any addictive properties whatsoever. The opposite might be true: there are quite a few studies regarding the potential usefulness of CBD as an addiction treatment.
Even though CBD doesn’t appear to have addictive property, it’s still possible to become psychologically dependent on any substance. Make sure to use CBD responsibly even though this compound proves to be remarkably safe.
8. Can too much CBD make you dizzy?
Dizziness is an uncommon but known side effect of using CBD. Generally, only occurring when you use more than 200mg CBD at once, dizziness after using CBD can usually be mitigate by sitting down for a while and drinking some water. Although vast majority of people who use CBD never become dizzy.
9. Can CBD oil cause breathing problems?
CBD is not known to cause breathing problems. Since this cannabinoids have a relaxing effect, it’s conceivable that CBD could make it harder to breathe if you already have a pulmonary impairment.
Always consult a doctor if you have questions about how CBD might impact your medical conditions. CBD is known to interact negatively with certain common prescription drugs, making a physician’s advice even more crucial .
10. Can CBD oil cause heart palpitations?
CBD is not known to cause any cardiovascular conditions, making it different from THC, which appears to make cardiac arrhythmia worse in some patients. If you want to use THC but are concerned about heart palpitations, CBD might be a viable alternative.
11. Why does CBD oil make me feel weird?
While it doesn’t make you high, CBD has a strong relaxing effect that might feel “weird” to some users. Give CBD a proper chance, but if you continue to feel weird when you use this non-intoxicating cannabinoid, stop using CBD, and get a doctor’s opinion.
12. Is CBD oil safer than ibuprofen?
Generally considered safe, synthetic NSAID drugs like ibuprofen can cause stomach ulcers and digestive bleeding in some people who use these common over-the-counter medications. CBD is not known to cause any digestive or bleeding conditions, partially explaining why so many people who used to rely on OTC painkillers are switching to all-natural CBD.
13. What happens when you stop using CBD?
When you stop using CBD, you shouldn’t feel any withdrawals or significant negative symptoms. CBD is not believed to be chemically addictive, so it’s unlikely you’ll find yourself enduring cravings if you stop using CBD. The only negative consequence will be the disappearance of any benefits you get while using CBD.
14. What are some common cannabinoid toxicity symptoms?
In the case of THC, common signs of cannabinoid toxicity include increased anxiety, rapid heart rate, nausea, and mental confusion. Toxicity is practically unheard of in the case of CBD, example of adverse effects that can occur when you use cannabinoids are sleepiness and mild gastrointestinal distress.
Cannabinoid toxicity is extremely rare and usually does not occur unless you have cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), a rare condition that involves adverse reactions to cannabinoid ingestion. Used in limits or even high concentrations, cannabinoids like THC and CBD usually do not cause serious adverse effects.
15. Can CBD side effects include tingling?
Tingling is not a common side effect of CBD. Some conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy, can cause tingling in extremities like your fingers and toes. If you experience tingling after using CBD, you should consult with a doctor immediately.
16. Can too much CBD make you drowsy?
Yes, taking a dose of CBD that’s higher than what you’re used to has a tendency to make you drowsy. CBD doesn’t get you high, but it does relax you, and many users report that CBD makes them sleepy when used in excess.
If you want to avoid getting sleepy when you use CBD, keep your doses low, and choose CBD products with sativa terpenes. Sativa strains are energizing, counteracting the soporific effects of CBD to some degree.
17. How much does it take for CBD to kick in?
You most likely won’t feel the effects of CBD unless you take at least 10mg. A dose of 5mg is too small for the average person to feel CBD’s effects, but if you take at least 10-20mg, you should start to feel CBD kick in within the expected activation time of the product type you chose.
Some users find that taking larger doses of CBD allows this cannabinoid to kick in faster. You might feel the effects of 50mg of CBD quickly than the effects of 25mg, for instance.
18. Is 25mg CBD enough for anxiety?
Many users indicate that 25mg of CBD is an ideal dose for anxiety. For context, 25mg is the amount of CBD included in an average gummy or capsule. It’s also the equivalent of a small bowl of hemp flower, a few hits of a CBD joint, or 1-2 draws from a CBD vape.
People with anxiety commonly rely on inhalable CBD products that kick in quickly once an anxiety attack hits. These products also deliver relatively high concentrations of CBD per dose.
19. How long does a 50mg gummy last?
You should feel the effects of a 50mg CBD gummy for around 2-3 hours. If you use CBD gummies on a daily basis, you may need to take more every 1-2 hours to continue feeling the desired effects. Users with lower tolerances may feel the outcomes of a single 50mg CBD for as long as 3-4 hours.
20. How long do CBD gummies take to start working?
Gummies and other oral CBD products kick in within 20-30 minutes. Like tinctures, it’s possible to hold CBD gummies in your mouth for a while before swallowing.
Take some time to thoroughly chew your gummies to improve their activation time and effectiveness And, If your CBD gummies still haven’t kicked in after 45 minutes to an hour, take a larger dose.
21. Are 500mg CBD gummies strong?
In case when a single CBD gummy contain 500 mg of total cannabinoids, it would surely be strong. Most CBD gummies contain 500mg, and 500mg refers to the total milligrams of CBD per bottle, not per gummy.
From there, you’ll need to determine how many gummies are in the bottle to determine if 500 mg gummies are concenterated or not. If there are 100 gummies in the bottle, they’ll only contain 5 mg of CBD each, which isn’t much. A high dose will comprise 10 gummies containing 50 mg of CBD each.
22. How long will 500mg CBD gummies stay in your system?
If you consume 500mg of CBD in the form of gummies, CBD will remain detectable in your system for five to 30 days,depending on the rate at which you consume your CBD gummies. When you use them in low doses over a spread-out period of time, cannabinoids are removed from your system relatively quickly.
However, cannabinoids remain detectable in your system for considerably longer because of a moot point regarding CBD, which isn’t usually a target of drug testing.
23. Why do I feel weird after taking a CBD edible?
You shouldn’t feel weird after taking CBD as an edible substance or any other type of product. Users almost universally describe the effects of CBD as mild and pleasant, and taking CBD in an edible shouldn’t change this cannabinoid’s inherent effects. CBD doesn’t even get you high, the type of “weird” that people conventionally associate with edibles.
If you still feel uncomfortable for a while after taking an orally ingested CBD product, seek medical attention. It’s possible that a non-cannabinoid ingredient in the product you used is responsible for your discomfort.
References
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