Due to limitations to research on cannabidiol (CBD), it can be hard to know which dose is best for you. While there are recommended doses, a lot of dosing ends up being ‘trial and error’. That said, can you overdose on CBD? And if you do, what happens?
CBD is a nonpsychoactive compound of cannabis. It is known for its anti-inflammatory, antinausea, and antipsychotic effects, and is thus being explored in various clinical trials for potential use against different illnesses. While widely available as a supplement, however, CBD is still not approved or regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration, meaning dose recommendations may have limited validity.
A study from 2011 found that chronic use and high doses of CBD up to 1500 mg per day are well-tolerated. To put that in perspective, a one-ounce bottle of CBD oil can contain anything from 300 to 1,500 mg of CBD. How exactly this dosage may affect different individuals though, may depend on any underlying medical conditions, other medications being used, and route of administration.
Some people may nevertheless experience negative side effects after taking high doses of CBD. In one case study from 2020, for example, a 56-year-old man consumed two packets of CBD gummies, or a total of 370 mg of CBD. Afterward, his speech began to slur, and he started vomiting. He was treated in hospital with intravenous fluids, oxygen, and antiemetics for vomiting and recovered the following day.
While more research is needed to confirm possible side effects of excessive CBD consumption, some early studies have signaled that it may have adverse effects on respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive, and cellular health. Others, however, show that when taken at smaller doses, CBD may have protective effects in the cardiovascular system and on lung function.
To conclude, although CBD can be tolerated by many in higher doses, due to limitations in research, little is known on exactly what may happen if too much is taken. Until then, it is better to consult with a doctor to understand which dose is best for you to prevent any potential negative side effects.
Sources: Curr Drug Saf., Cureus., Curr Neuropharmacol., Br J Clin Pharmacol, Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol.
