Recent studies indicate the CBD industry is growing at a rate of 27% annually in the U.S. This is largely due to anecdotal evidence suggesting that this derivative of Cannabis Sativa provides a host of health benefits.
We all know that too much of a good thing is bad, but can we say the same about CBD?
So, if you’re wondering, ‘Can too much CBD kill you?’, keep reading to discover the side effects of this latest ‘miracle cure’ and more.
Negative Side Effects of CBD
CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol, a compound that occurs naturally in cannabis. It’s available in oils, edibles, and topical formats.
It isn’t approved or regulated by the FDA, so you never know what you’re getting when you consume a CBD product, apart from the manufacturers’ assurances.
CBD has no intoxicating effects, but it can cause some side effects, and you can probably take too much CBD. Some side effects of CBD include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
Usually, people experience no ill effects when taking CBD, unless they take a higher dosage than recommended on the package.
Can You Take Too Much CBD?
There are a few instances where people have experienced severe effects from taking too much CBD.
In 2019, a child became unresponsive after taking a high dose of CBD. Their condition declined while in hospital, and hospital staff intubated them to regulate their breathing.
The child recovered within 72 hours, but urine tests revealed high levels of THC in addition to the CBD.
Physicians are uncertain about why these patients reacted so severely to these medications.
If you want to know how much CBD to take, you should speak to your doctor or follow the dosage instructions on the package. CBD oil dosage varies from product to product, so it’s best to stick with the listed recommendation.
Can Too Much CBD Kill You? – Research and Studies
So far, there’s no evidence to suggest you can die from overdosing on CBD. Yet, studies suggest that around 20,000 mg of CBD in 24 hours would cause toxic effects.
Since most bottles of CBD oil contain from 100 to 1,500 mg of CBD, you’d need to consume almost 20 bottles of the highest level CBD to reach the limit. It’s unlikely that anyone would do this accidentally.
The biggest danger with CBD isn’t the dosage, it’s the fact that CBD products may contain some THC or other harmful chemicals. You should never take CBD products if you’re taking any other medications that react with grapefruit.
Some people become addicted to THC, and drug addictions lead to fatalities. Two studies, conducted in 2017, reveal more information about CBD’s potential for becoming addictive.
In 2020, animal studies involving increasing dosages of CBD resulted in no fatalities.
Make Informed Choices
Asking questions like, ‘Can too much CBD kill you?’ is an important consideration before taking CBD oil products and any other health supplements.
Regardless of whether a medication meets with FDA approval, you should always find out as much as you can about it before you take that first pill. Your doctor is your first port of call regarding your health and any medications you take.
You can also browse our blog for more guidance on health and lifestyle matters.