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

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about CBD, and may have even tried it yourself.  Ever since hemp and hemp-derived products became federally legal due to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD is now found everywhere from retail stores, to food establishments to bars serving CBD-infused cocktails. 

While there is new scientific and anecdotal evidence popping up daily about the benefits of CBD, many are still skeptical. Since CBD oil comes from the same plant that THC comes from, many are concerned about safety, if CBD is addictive, and wonder whether you can overdose on CBD.

Where Does CBD Come From?

CBD is one of the 100+ chemical compounds present in the cannabis plant.  Marijuana and hemp are two different varieties of cannabis and CBD can be extracted from either marijuana or hemp.

Since CBD is derived from hemp, which is a variety of the cannabis plant, many people wonder if CBD gets you high. Most of the CBD products on the market are derived from hemp, which only contains trace amounts of THC.  Consuming hemp-derived CBD, therefore, will not cause the intoxicating effects typically associated with marijuana, which has a high concentration of THC.

Is CBD Oil Safe?

In a 2017 report, the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that “CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile”.  But does that mean it’s completely safe at any amount with no side effects?  Not necessarily. Let’s explore some of the safety concerns with CBD.

Side Effects of CBD at Higher Doses

Just as taking too much ibuprofen or aspirin can have negative consequences, CBD is no different. There have been reports of some unpleasant side effects from consuming large quantities of CBD such as diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue.

That being said, most consumers are not taking high enough amounts to experience any of these effects.  Human and animal studies on the toxicity of CBD have researched extremely high doses of CBD, about 10 times the typical daily dose, to determine some of the undesirable results.

Is CBD Addictive?

The same WHO report also says that “There is no evidence of recreational use of CBD or any public health-related problems associated with the use of pure CBD.”  To date, there is no indication that hemp-derived CBD oil is either physically or psychologically habit-forming.

In fact, a 2015 study has suggested that CBD may be useful in the treatment of drug addiction. The review concluded that CBD may have therapeutic properties on opioid, cocaine, and psychostimulant addiction, and some preliminary data suggest that it may be beneficial in cannabis and tobacco addiction in humans.

Lastly, if you’re expecting some kind of psychoactive effect by taking CBD, you may be disappointed. While CBD can help promote a more relaxed mood, taking CBD doesn’t feel the same as consuming THC.

Can You Build Up a Tolerance to CBD?

While many marijuana users build up a tolerance to THC and its intoxicating effects, CBD works differently since it interacts with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) in a different way.  In fact, you may say it’s quite the opposite, what’s known as “reverse tolerance”.

The main purpose of our ECS is to promote homeostasis and balance between our various bodily systems such as mood, sleep patterns, immune response.  THC inhibits the ECS by binding to the ECS receptors, leading to a decreased amount of cannabinoid production over time, which is why more THC is needed to achieve the same effects after repeated use.

CBD, on the other hand, enhances our ECS’s ability to work more effectively, thus promoting homeostasis.  This means that over time, lower quantities of CBD may be necessary to help achieve the same results.

Can You Overdose on CBD?

So, we’ve discussed how CBD is generally safe and non habit-forming. The question still remains… Can you overdose on CBD?  The short answer is no, there have not been any reported cases of CBD overdose.  Even for recreational and medicinal marijuana users, there are no known cases of fatal overdoses.  The National Institute of Drug Abuse has even coined the term Marijuana Use Disorder since there is still much debate about whether marijuana is technically addictive or not.

It’s safe to say that cannabis use, in general, has not resulted in any fatalities due to overdose.  Given that cannabis has been used for thousands of years, that pretty sums up that you can not overdose on CBD.

How Much CBD Should I Take?

Everyone is different when it comes to genetic makeup.  Finding the optimal dose of CBD requires some personal experimentation.

The first step is to visit our free CBD Dosage Calculator to determine a good starting point.  As we’ve said before, it will take some trial and error to settle on a dosage.  We recommend starting at the base level from the calculator results, then slowly increase over time until you experience its effects.

And remember, more isn’t always necessarily better. Some studies have suggested the CBD dosage works on a bell curve.  Taking more than the optimal dose may result in less effectiveness, let alone, be wasteful.

Where to Buy Safe CBD Oil?

While it seems to be the case that you cannot overdose on CBD, it’s important to use caution when you are purchasing CBD due to the unregulated nature of the industry.  We’ve seen this in the recent outbreak of lung injuries associated with the use of THC vaping products, which resulted in 50+ deaths.

Since CBD is still not regulated by the FDA, there are many illicit, untested, and often contaminated products on the market.  It’s important to purchase CBD products from a reputable source. High-quality CBD oil should be made in the USA from organically grown hemp and should be 3rd party tested to verify the safety and potency of the product.

Tessera Naturals’ mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle, which includes a clean diet, regular exercise, and plant-based supplements for total health and wellness. Tessera Naturals is committed to providing the very best CBD products on the market, and adhering to the latest protocols of quality manufacturing and safety.

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Key Takeaways

• The World Health Organization has stated that CBD is generally well tolerated with a good safety profile.
• Most of the CBD products on the market are derived from hemp, which contains trace amounts of THC.
• THC is intoxicating and may be habit-forming, but CBD has not been shown to be addictive.
• There are some potentially unpleasant side effects from consuming large quantities of CBD.
• There have been no reported cases of CBD overdose.
• Finding the optimal dose of CBD requires some personal experimentation and more isn’t necessarily better.
• It’s important to use caution and purchase high-quality CBD from a reputable source.