If you’re interested in using CBD supplements or tinctures, you may be wondering: is there a risk of going overboard with CBD dosage? Can it be dangerous?
The good news is that CBD is incredibly safe, even at high doses. There have been no reports of dangerous overdoses of CBD, and most side effects associated with CBD are mild and short-lived.
However, it is possible to feel…not too hot after taking too much CBD.
But don’t worry, we’re here at the Brothers Apothecary to go over everything you need to know about how much CBD to take, potential side effects, and what to do if you think you may have had a bit too much CBD.
Are High Doses of CBD Safe?
While side effects are more likely to take place after consuming large amounts of CBD, these high doses are still not considered dangerous.
An average dose of CBD is considered anywhere between 20 and 50 mg. Most people do not need more than 150 mg of CBD per day to feel the desired effects. However, CBD doses as high as 1,500 mg per day have been deemed safe for use through clinical trials.
While it may not be dangerous to take 1,500 mg of CBD in a day, we would not recommend doing so. Though it’s often well-tolerated, taking high doses of CBD can cause potential side effects.
What Are the Side Effects of High Doses of CBD?
Side effects of CBD are rare, especially with lower doses of CBD, but can occur when taken in high doses.
Drowsiness
The most common side effect of too much CBD is just plain ol’ sleepiness. You may feel tired, foggy, and in need of a nap.
Lethargy
Taking too much CBD could also lead to lethargy. You may feel a little out of sorts, or you may have a hard time focusing on your tasks.
Stomach Upset
Occasionally, too much CBD can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and changes in appetite. This is often due to the high fat content in carrier oils rather than the CBD itself. If you have an upset stomach after ingesting high quantities of CBD, try drinking some water in slow sips and eating something bland like crackers.
These potential side effects are often mild and dissipate on their own. To avoid any potential unwanted side effects, you should also always stick to the recommended dose for any CBD product you are taking.
For instance, if you’re using our Honey Drop CBD Gummies, you shouldn’t take more than the one to two recommended gummies per day. For CBD oils, you are unlikely to experience side effects if you start off slow and keep your daily intake within 150 mg of CBD per day.
Is It Possible To Take Too Much CBD?
Taking more CBD than you need can not only result in unwanted side effects but may also cause you to lose out on its benefits.
Unlike THC – another cannabinoid found in cannabis that can cause psychoactive effects – CBD dosing exists on a bell curve graph. This means that once you hit a certain dose, the effects of CBD actually begin to decrease.
So, once you find an amount of CBD that brings on the desired effects for you, there’s no benefit of continuing to up your dose.
How Much CBD Should I Take?
Everyone is different, so the perfect amount of CBD for you may not be the right amount for your friend, and vice versa. The best way to find your own unique CBD sweet spot is to start with low, with five to ten milligrams of CBD per day, and then work your way up by another five to ten milligrams each day until you feel the desired effects. Once you find that, you are good to go!
Is Too Much CBD Lethal?
Don’t worry–even large doses of CBD aren’t considered lethal. To date, there have not been any deaths associated with CBD consumption.
According to one study, CBD could become toxic at 20,000 mg per day. Seeing as your average CBD Oil contains about 500 mg of CBD in the entire bottle, hitting 20,000 mg a day would be just about impossible.
And since CBD products can legally have no more than 0.3% THC content as of the 2018 Farm Bill, there is no risk of overdosing on THC from a legal, third-party tested CBD product. Such low THC levels would require consuming more of a CBD product than is conceivable to even get high from the THC, let alone to overdose on it.
Investing In Quality CBD
Too much CBD is rarely an emergency, and there are ways to help counter the effects at home.
Any severe reaction to a CBD product would likely be due to an inaccurate label rather than from CBD itself. Of course, If you are feeling terrible side effects after taking CBD, you can always contact your doctor.
Because CBD products are not regulated by the FDA, some products on the market may not be up to standard quality. This is why you always want to use products that are third-party lab tested and are sourced from high-quality industrial hemp.
What Exactly Are Third-Party Lab Tests?
Third-party lab tests ensure that ingredients are accurately labeled, that the dose listed on the product is true to what is inside, and that nothing is contaminating the product (such as heavy metals or pesticides).
When using a third-party tested CBD product like all of ours found here at the Apothecary, severe reactions to CBD are all but impossible. And if any side effects do occur from taking too much of a trusted product, you should be able to counter the effects on your own without needing to seek out medical attention.
How Can I Counter the Effects of Too Much CBD?
If you start to feel like you’ve had a bit too much CBD, stay calm! There are plenty of ways to help ward off the undesirable effects of too much CBD.
Sleep It Off
If too much CBD is causing you to feel tired and low energy, sleeping it off may be all you need to do the trick.
Have a Snack
Eating can help reduce the effects of too much CBD, especially if you are reacting to the carrier oil. If your stomach is upset, try eating something bland like crackers, rice, or oatmeal.
Hydrate
Staying hydrated is always important but can be especially helpful when trying to lessen the effects of too much CBD. If you are feeling nauseous or have a dry mouth, try just taking small sips every few minutes.
You can also try drinking a soothing, caffeine-free peppermint or ginger tea.
Keep Yourself Busy
Take a few deep breaths, put on your favorite music, go for a walk, or watch your favorite feel-good show. These are all ways you can help distract yourself from any unsettling effects of too much CBD as you remind yourself that you are safe, and that these side effects will soon pass.
The Bottom Line
CBD is a versatile and safe cannabinoid from the cannabis plant that is non-habit forming and can even help counter the psychoactive effects of too much of the compound THC. And, if you do find you’ve had too much CBD to be enjoyable, there are steps you can take at home to get yourself back on track.
At The Brothers Apothecary, we only use high-quality, ethically sourced, and organic industrial hemp, and all of our products are third-party tested so you’ll never have to question the quality.
We also provide serving sizes and instructions on all of our products so you can easily find your perfect dose and enjoy the benefits CBD has to offer, stress-free!
Sources
Safety and side effects of cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent | Current Drug Safety
Jesse Richardson is the co-founder of The Brothers Apothecary. He's an avid tea drinker and the primary creator behind The Brothers' products. An undergraduate of UCLA for Political Science, Jesse currently studies Medicinal Plants at Cornell University and The International School of Herbal Arts & Sciences.
