Can You Overdose on CBD? How Much is too Much?

CBD is becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Millions globally use CBD dosages for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and chronic pain. However, can you overdose on CBD products, such as CBD gummies and CBD oil? If so, what are the health consequences?

Hospital visits due to THC overdoses aren’t uncommon. People who consume too much THC can feel nausea, paranoia, and overall body weakness. Yet, thankfully, a THC overdose doesn’t cause fatal consequences—but it can be majorly unpleasant.

However, does the same apply to CBD? We’ll tell you in this article:

Can You Overdose on CBD?

So it’s the million-dollar question: is it possible to overdose on CBD? Well, first, we need to define the meaning of an overdose. When people hear the term overdose, they often think of death. And that’s not irrational. With many drugs, an overdose can lead to death.

That’s not the case with CBD. You may feel unpleasant symptoms—including fatigue and nausea—but you’re not going to die. Plus, you’d need to consume high amounts of CBD to feel any symptoms. 

Let’s take a deeper look at how CBD affects animals:

Can Humans Overdose on CBD?

Let’s start with ourselves. There’s currently no study on CBD overdoses in humans due to a lack of scientific research. CBD is a relatively new phenomenon, so research is still lacking. With all that said, we do know that humans—if they consume vast quantities of CBD—can witness mild symptoms of an overdose. These symptoms include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and headaches. 

However, we must stress that you’ll need to consume large CBD dosages to feel these effects. You can easily monitor how much CBD you consume when using CBD oil, CBD gummies, or vaping CBD. If you start with small doses and work up, you shouldn’t overdose on CBD. 

There’s no typical overdose threshold for humans; it’s a case of trial and error. The factors that determine an overdose threshold include sex, weight, age, diet, and previous CBD experiences. Remember, you shouldn’t have a problem if you start small and work up. 

Can Your Pets Overdose on CBD?

Do you give your pets CBD too? Can they experience overdose symptoms? Again, there’s no research on CBD overdoses in pets, but they respond to CBD the same way humans do. Therefore, pets can experience negative CBD symptoms. You have to be wary if you have small pets because their overdose threshold can be far smaller than humans. Also, pets can’t tell you how they feel. So you need to observe the symptoms (which can be tricky.)

If you’re unsure where to start with your pets, you should take them to a holistic veterinarian near you. In addition, stay away from vast marketplaces, such as Amazon, because they only sell hemp seed oil. They often mislabel these products as hemp oil or hemp extract. 

The Side Effects of Taking Too Much CBD?

Let’s start with the good news: humans and pets can tolerate CBD, even at high levels, without feeling too many adverse side effects. With all that said, side effects are still entirely possible. One study found that CBD doesn’t create negative side effects at doses of 1,500mg. And, most importantly, most people don’t take more than 50mg of CBD daily. 

As a result, you’ll need to consume ridiculous amounts of CBD to overdose. But you can still feel some adverse side effects from using CBD, such as:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Changes in appetite
• Potential CBD-drug interactions

A dry mouth probably won’t shock you. After all, it’s one of the most common symptoms when consuming THC. A dry mouth is caused by the interaction with the cannabinoid receptors located in the salivary glands. When you consume CBD, the cannabinoids will bind to these receptors, thus inhibiting the creation of saliva and causing a dry mouth. You should be hydrated when using CBD products by drinking liters of water. 

Furthermore, you can feel dizzy when consuming CBD products due to a temporary drop in blood pressure. Therefore, some people report feeling sleepy after consuming CBD, but others may take a nap during the day. 

Some people, even though it’s less common, may feel a loss of appetite when they consume CBD oil, CBD gummies, or vaping CBD—which isn’t great. Unless you’re on a harsh diet, you don’t want to lose your desire to eat. Your appetite should come back within hours. Some people may also experience unpleasant diarrhea when using CBD products. However, diarrhea should pass within hours, if not days, of consuming CBD. 

Another side effect could be CBD-drug interactions. If you take any medication, you should be wary of this. You should always contact a doctor before using CBD products if you’re currently taking any medication. 

How Much Is Too Much CBD?

Now you know that CBD can cause unpleasant side effects, you’ll want to know how much CBD is too much. However, there’s little research on this—so it’s hard to say. Some scientists have suggested around 20,000mg of CBD taken at once is far too much. But you’re unlikely to come close to consuming this amount of CBD. 20,000mg of CBD translates into around ten bottles of full-spectrum CBD oil. 

We recommend you begin with 5-20mg of CBD daily and work upwards. Most people consume up to 50mg of CBD daily before finding the desired effects. Anything above this is a pointless waste of CBD and money. 

Can CBD Make Me Ill?

Pure CBD oil, without aggressive solvents, shouldn’t make you feel ill. CBD can reduce physical discomfort, and there are no studies that suggest it can cause physical pain. If you feel sick after consuming CBD, it could be because of contaminants and unwanted additives in your CBD oil or CBD gummies. 

To ensure you’re getting a high-quality product, follow these critical steps:

• Choose CBD oils from organic hemp 
• Make sure that the oil has been extracted using CO2 or alcohol.
• Check the third-party lab reports. All reputable CBD brands will show the third-party lab reports; it’s a giant red flag if they don’t. 
• Check the company’s reputation before buying. 

The most important step is following the third-party lab reports. These reports prove you’re receiving safe, high-quality CBD. Not all brands produce good CBD, and the industry is still relatively new. Therefore, some companies are undercutting their CBD quality due to a lack of regulation. 

Can You Become Addicted To CBD Oil?

There are no studies suggesting there’s a positive correlation between addiction and the use of CBD. Thankfully, CBD doesn’t have dependence or abuse potential. Research also proves that CBD is a non-intoxicant, meaning it can’t produce the powerful high experienced by THC. That further reduces the chances of becoming addicted to CBD. Still, more research is required on how addictive CBD can be among large swathes of the population. 

Can You Develop a Strong Tolerance to CBD?

When you develop a tolerance to any substance, your body becomes used to the compound and requires more to produce the same effects. Therefore, you’ll need to consume more—which is why people become drug and alcohol-dependent. 

Humans can develop a tolerance to CBD gradually. However, many factors can cause this—including the changing sensitivity of your cannabinoid receptors during different times of the day. Also, you may develop a tolerance to CBD if you consume large THC quantities. You can switch from CBD isolate to full-spectrum or broad-spectrum if that’s the case. 

How Much CBD Should I Consume?

If you’re new to CBD products, you should start small and work up. The amount of CBD required depends on your pain levels—albeit low, moderate, or high. Although people want simple answers to the perfect CBD dosage, that’s not always possible.

Your CBD tolerance levels depend on various factors: your weight, unique body chemistry, the desired effect, and the condition you’re addressing. 

Here are some guidelines:

1. Your Weight 

You should use your body weight to gauge your CBD tolerance levels. Here’s a rough guide:

• Under 130lbs – use up to 11 mg
• 130 to 230lbs – use up to 18 mg 
• Over 230lbs – use up to 23 mg

You can also calculate your body weight by taking 1-5mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. Otherwise, start low and work your way up. 

2. The Condition You’re Addressing 

The amount of CBD required depends on the condition you’re addressing. Here are some guidelines:

• Pain and inflammation – The dose for pain and inflammation vary massively. It could be anywhere from 5mg to 50mg. You may even require up to 600mg of CBD for severe chronic pain. 
• Anxiety – You typically only require between 15 to 30mg of CBD to reduce symptoms of anxiety. However, that depends entirely on the individual. 
• Poor focus – If you want better focus, you should take between 5 to 15mg of CBD in the morning. 
• Inadequate sleep – Taking between 10 and 25mg of CBD before bed can help you sleep massively. 

We have an extensive article covering CBD dosage and how much you should take. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is CBD Safe?

CBD is absolutely safe. Although you may feel unwanted side effects if you take too much, these are weak side effects that will pass in hours or days. Nobody has died from consuming too much CBD. Yes, you should be wary of your CBD dosage and start small. But that doesn’t mean you should worry about the safety of CBD. 

Is CBD Legal?

The legality of CBD depends on where you live. Buying CBD products is federally legal in the United States if it doesn’t contain more than 0.3% THC. Some states have strict laws on buyers, but it shouldn’t be an issue for most users. 

Taking CBD overseas, however, is a whole different game. Many nations suggest CBD is completely illegal because it contains some THC. Therefore, you could find yourself in jail for carrying small CBD oil bottles. If you’re unsure about the laws in the country you’re visiting, keep your vaping CBD products at home. 

Are There Any CBD Withdrawal Symptoms?

If, for whatever reasons, you need to stop consuming CBD, are there withdrawal symptoms? There have been no reported withdrawal symptoms. If you’re using CBD to help with chronic pain, you feel an increase in pain without your CBD dosages. Similarly, if you’re taking CBD to improve sleep, you witness your sleep quality drop. However, CBD withdrawal doesn’t provide any notable or direct side effects. 

What To Do If I Consume Too Much CBD?

Firstly, don’t panic. Although you may experience some side effects, they won’t kill you. However, if you’re worried about a possible CBD overdose, relax, drink water, focus on positive things, call a friend, and try to sleep. If your side effects feel genuinely concerning, you could call a doctor. Still, that’s likely unnecessary and a waste of a medical bill in almost all cases.

When Should I Not Take CBD?

If you want to use CBD products, you should always consult your doctor if you have any underlying medical conditions—such as kidney disease, a weakened immune system, or liver disease. You should also chat with your doctor if you’re currently taking medication for anything. The CBD may interact with the medication and create adverse side effects. 

Conclusion 

It’s possible to overdose on CBD, but you shouldn’t worry about it too much. You’d have to consume insane amounts of CBD to overdose and, even if you did, the symptoms aren’t dangerous; they’re more an inconvenience.

You can avoid CBD overdoses by monitoring your dosage and using excellent CBD products—such as CBD oil and CBD gummies. CBD has excellent health benefits, and scientists haven’t scratched the surface yet.

Take your CBD, check your dosage, and reap all the incredible benefits today.