Can you overdose on CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical compound found in Cannabis that unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), does not causes the effect of feeling high. It is a safe and effective non-psychoactive cannabinoid that will only give you mild and tolerable side effects when taken. When you take them in high doses, you will not suffer from a lethal overdose since there are few cannabinoid receptors in our lower brainstem responsible for our heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, body temperature, and digestion.
Can you overdose on CBD?
Can you overdose on CBD?
To this day nobody ever suffered from a lethal overdose of CBD. However, when you take too much of it, you will most likely feel uncomfortable for a few hours.
The brainstem of our body is responsible for our heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing, body temperature, and digestion. This part of our brain consists of several opioid receptors that, if opioid-based drugs overstimulate, the receptors will slow down our breathing and heartbeat. On the other hand, CBD does not significantly inhibit the brainstems activity unlike opioids.
How long do the effects of CBD last?
When intaking CBD, it can last between two to eight hours. However, its longevity may vary on many factors such as the following:
- Methods of Intaking. CBD will last about six to eight hours when you intake CBD edibles. However, if you want a shorter duration of effect of CBD, you may intake sublingual CBD such as oil and tinctures, or inhalable forms like CBD flowers and vape since they typically last for about two to fours only.
- Age and Metabolism. Age and metabolism can also affect how long CBD can stay in your body. The older you get, the slower your metabolism is. Thus, making it hard for your body to get rid of the effect of CBD.
- Potency and Frequency. CBD will build up your system and result in a longer duration of influence in your body, particularly when you intake CBD with high potency or frequently.
How much CBD is considered an overdose?
CBD can have side effects when taken too much frequent like any regular other substance. If you take CBD every day your body will eventually build up a tolerance thus reducing the effects of CBD on your body. Abstinence from CBD for a while is the only way of decreasing this tolerance.
How to decrease CBD side effects?
Usually, the side effects brought by CBD are generally mild and tolerable, but it causes discomfort in the body for some. Now, if you are experiencing a bad day due to the side effects of CBD, you may do the following to sober up from it:
- Since CBD can cause a decrease in saliva secretion levels, you have to hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water. This way, you can relieve dry mouth and satiate your thirst.
- Another effect of CBD is lowering your blood pressure, resulting in drowsiness, lightheadedness, and dizziness. To counter this you can do some light exercise or consume a caffeinated beverage.
- The adverse effect of CBD are likely to occur when you take them on an empty stomach. To lessen its side effect, make sure you had something to eat before consuming CBD.
When is CBD unsafe to consume?
Though CBD cannot lethally overdose and its side effects are mild and tolerable, there are instances that it is not recommended to consume. If you have the following conditions, you have to consider abstaining from CBD:
- Hypertension. CBD relaxes your blood vessel walls which can result in low blood pressure. Thus, if you are hypertensive, high CBD can make your blood pressure drop that causes drowsiness and dizziness.
- Liver Problems. Our liver processes and metabolizes the drug we consume, like CBD. Thus, if you have liver conditions, it is not safe to take high doses of CBD. The unnecessary demand for CBD on your liver may stimulate some unwanted effects in the long run.
- Pregnancy. CBD and other cannabinoids can cross the placental barrier that can harm the developing child inside the woman’s womb. In addition, if you are breastfeeding a baby, it is not advisable to take CBD because it can adversely affect your baby.
How to manage the risk of taking CBD?
Though CBD has a safety profile even in high doses, there are things you have to consider to manage and reduce the risk of any possible side effects. The following are the know ways to manage the risk of taking CBD:
- Examine the potency of your chosen product by looking for their laboratory test results. Thus, you have to select quality CBD products.
- In taking a new CBD product, you have to start slow. You have to examine the effects of your body in every dose you will take. You have to be patient until you figure out the best dosage for yourself.