CBD Oil Overdose: Can You Take Too Much?

CBD Oil Overdose: Can You Take Too Much?
Did you know that there is such a thing as a CBD oil overdose? This occurs when a toxic quantity of CBD oil is ingested, causing several adverse reactions ranging from extreme drowsiness, lethargy and nausea. 
While the chances of taking too much CBD oil and overdosing on it are scarce, it’s essential to know what could cause this. This article will be handy for those interested in taking large doses of CBD oil to treat themselves. 

How Much CBD Oil Will Cause Overdose?


For CBD oil to be toxic to your system, you would have to ingest approximately 20,000 mg of CBD oil in less than a day, according to a controlled study called “Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent”. 
This is an enormous quantity of CBD that most people find difficult to consume. However, many CBD users come from a place of self-medication and can often feel pushed to increase their intake to achieve desired results. 
To help visualise, we’ve broken down the daily toxic quantities of our top CBD oils: For those that use CBD in non-oil forms, these are the daily toxic quantities for other CBD products:

What Happens When You Take Too Much CBD Oil?


If you exceed 20,000 mg of CBD oil in a single day, several adverse side effects could be felt. These include:
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Drowsiness 
  • Dry Mouth
  • Potential CBD-drug interactions
Of all these adverse side effects, the most common would be dry mouth. All cannabinoids affect us as they interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the salivary glands. 
Interestingly, some of the side effects of a CBD overdose can be desirable. Too much CBD oil can cause a temporary drop in blood pressure, inducing a feeling of sleepiness. As discussed in previous articles, many patients turn to CBD to help them sleep. 
One of the most dangerous side-effects of taking toxic levels of CBD oil is its drug interactions. Because CBD can compromise the liver’s ability to metabolise pharmaceutical compounds, it is advised not to mix CBD oil with other medicines simultaneously. After consulting with a doctor, you might find that a buffer time will be enough of a precaution to ensure that you do not compromise the effectiveness of your medicines. 

What To Do If You Take Too Much CBD Oil?


It is possible to feel some of the adverse side effects of taking too much CBD oil in quantities less than 20,000 mg. Everyone reacts to CBD differently due to our unique endocannabinoid systems. Fortunately, most of the side effects of taking too much CBD can be resolved immediately. Others can be learnt from so that changes can be made for future experiences. 
Here are some things you can do to minimise or fix the side effects of taking too much CBD oil:
  • Stay hydrated: Before and after administering CBD oil, keep drinking water to subside the effects of dry mouth. 
  • Change Carrier Oil: Some nausea and diarrhoea side-effects from taking too much CBD oil comes from the carrier oils mixed with CBD. Certain carrier oils may be more toxic than others, depending on your digestive system. 
  • Don’t Mix Certain Medicines With CBD: Make sure you have consulted your doctor about your interest in CBD if you are already taking pharmaceuticals. You can find a list of medicines known to cause issues if taken with CBD here
  • Consider Terpenes Instead Of Dose Size: Rather than taking larger doses of CBD oil to seek out the desired effects of CBD, try to experiment with different types of cannabis terpenes. CBD has been shown to have a synergistic effect with cannabis terpenes, called the Entourage Effect, where its potency has been shown to enlarge. 

Summary


Fortunately, unlike other mainstream drugs, cannabis has been shown to have low toxicity levels. Even when consumed in massive doses, there seem to be no fatal effects from taking CBD. 
Nonetheless, it’s important to note that consuming casually large doses of CBD oil is not the solution to achieving the desired amount. Taking more CBD isn’t necessarily going to make you feel better; some of its side effects are very unpleasant and could cause further negative consequences. 
Hopefully, with the information provided in this article, you’ll better understand what constitutes too much CBD and what to do if you exceed the toxic limits. 

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