Can you overdose on CBD?
Can you overdose on CBD? This is a reoccurring question we get at Supreme CBD and have come up with a conclusive answer to help you understand the subject once and for all.
CBD is a compound derived from the hemp plant that includes low toxicity and intoxicating effects. If you take quality CBD products, there is no or very low risk of overdosing even if you took more than the recommended dose. According to data sources we know so far, CBD has been found to be safe and well-tolerated by most age groups, even at higher doses. Hence why it is legal in the UK.
CBD vs THC
It is easy to be confused when it comes to the difference between THC and CBD. And it's with this confusion that's what has led to rumours that CBD could be harmful in high doses. CBD is actually a lot safer than THC and has been used by many people, with that number increasing over the years.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the part of the hemp plant or Cannabis Sativa that has intoxicating properties, being the cause of what makes the user feel high when they take it. CBD, though from the same plant, does not cause any high regardless of how much CBD you have taken. It’s far easier to overdose on THC, which has been shown to come with a host of potential side effects.
It is impossible to overdose on CBD. This is due to CBD not interacting with the same receptors in your brain as THC.
If you have ever taken more CBD than you should have, you might have experienced fatigue and have been more tired than usual - or had a dry mouth. This often happens about 70-120 minutes after consuming CBD.
How much CBD consumption would be considered an overdose?
It is not easy to answer questions about a CBD overdose, but it’s possible to give a general idea of what an overdose would look like, should it ever happen. Generally, people take CBD for different reasons. For one person, they may prefer to take 50mg and it be more than enough, while for another person may require 100mg.
Should you take around 20,000mg of CBD at once, this is what would be considered a lethal dose. As you can tell, no one can be able to take that much CBD, regardless of the format even if they wanted to. This makes it practically impossible to accidentally overdose. So if you've taken a few mg more than you usually take, you shouldn't be scared. The worst that could happen is for you to feel slightly more fatigued.
Things to avoid when taking CBD products
The reality is, there is no such thing as an overdose when it comes to taking CBD. However, there are some unique situations when taking CBD products where you may want to be cautious. Some of these that you should be aware of includes:
Mixing CBD products with intoxicating substances such as alcoholic drinks.
Making your own CBD products. With so many tutorials online, teaching you how to make your own - it can be rather tempting to make your own CBD at home, but you shouldn't. There is a chance you may contaminate your CBD, increasing the risk of potential side effects that could be mistaken for contamination.
If you take CBD to tackle nervousness or other ailments and expect immediate results. For instance, if you are taking CBD for discomfort and you keep taking more, by the end of the day, you may have actually taken more than you need or have been prescribed.
If you take CBD as part of your prescription, the dosage should be carefully planned out depending on your condition. Your medical practitioner should be able to figure this out before they introduce it to you. For you, it's important to follow the advice of the doctor to avoid "overdosing" on it.
Is a “toxic” dose of CBD lethal?
Calculating out how much CBD to take is a little complex because there is no one dosage that fits everyone. But if you're looking for a CBD dosage that suits your requirements, there are multiple suggestions that you can work with for your situation. The general rule of thumb is to start with as little CBD as possible that's comfortable with you. Once you have taken a small amount and you feel that you want to increase the dosage, perhaps increase the dosage little by little until you are satisfied. You can also decrease the dosage should you need to.
If you're a beginner to CBD, 20mg is a reasonable amount to start with. Spread this amount of CBD throughout the day and observe your experience with it before you choose to increase the dosage. If you are already used to taking CBD, 70mg is a comfortable quantity throughout the course of the day.
If you are prescribed CBD from your doctor, only use what the doctor has recommended. Whenever by chance, you want to increase or decrease the dosage, talk to your doctor first so they can adjust accordingly.
That said, the "lethal dose" of CBD is way more than anyone can ever manage to take. But it’s always important to remember that too much of anything is bad, and so is CBD for you.
What time is best to use your CBD products?
Regarding what time is best to use your CBD products, the answer to this largely depends on what CBD products you decide to use. CBD oil is often used in the morning, before work and even during lunch and after you finish work. CBD capsules, however, are usually taken once or twice per day, especially if prescribed. Vaping CBD often happens when the user finds it most convenient throughout the day.
CBD is essentially a natural product that is safe to use. It can be taken any time of the day so long as you are comfortable with using it. What you need to watch out for is your dosage and you'll be fine. Here are some of the ways it has worked best for most users:
- Taking CBD capsules with a cup of coffee or tea
- Taking CBD oil sublingually during your lunch break throughout your working day
- Consuming CBD gummy bears after your dinner in the evening
- Using your CBD vape before you go to sleep
- Applying CBD cream or lotion after taking a shower towards the night
- Applying CBD massage oil on an irritated part of your body during any time of the day
There is a point of caution you should consider, however. You can often be tempted to keep eating CBD sweets as they often lack the earthy taste of CBD oil. Always keep in mind to stick with your daily dosage.
Can you overdose on CBD? Final thought
Now you should have a decent understanding as to whether you can overdose on CBD. The short answer to this question is that it is almost impossible to overdose on your CBD products. There is however, the factor of introducing foreign substances into your CBD; if these substances are intoxicating, you may end up taking more than you should. You should avoid taking CBD with other intoxicating substances at all costs.