Can You Overdose on CBD Hemp Oil?

Doctors advise not to overdo it with supplements and nutritional formulas, since too much of anything may get our bodies into trouble. Does this apply to when taking CBD oil? Can you overdose CBD hemp oil? How much is just right? And what happens if you take too much? 

Some people seem concerned, so we’re here to shed some light on all these questions.

Is overdosing on CBD oil possible?

In a nutshell, it is not possible to overdose on CBD or CBD hemp oil. CBD oil comes with some side effects that include nausea, fatigue, sleepiness, and vomiting, but it’s not toxic to humans. The World Health Organization has issued a comprehensive report on the safety and health benefits of cannabidiol just a couple of years ago. The report concluded that CBD is well-tolerated in people, even if consumed in large amounts (as high as 1500 mg CBD daily). Also, as of this day, there are no reports of a deadly overdose attributed to the consumption or use of CBD products.

In detail, the National Cancer Institute mentions that the brainstem contains no cannabinoid receptors, which means that CBD cannot alter our vital functions such as breathing. Opioids and other prescription drugs, on the other hand, have the potential to interfere with key functions (i.e., blood circulation), as they are located in the brainstem. This can cause death or severe internal damage or injury.

This claim is backed up by several studies of CBD use in a medical context. A retrospective analysis of more than 35 studies related to the use of CBD for medical purposes has shown no serious adverse events in the data even for people that took high doses of CBD (more than 50 mg/kg of body weight) other than sedation. The same results were reached by a look-back at clinical trials using CBD hemp oils in Denmark as only mild negative effects resulted from chronic CBD oil use.

Can you get addicted to CBD oil?

Unlike THC-rich marijuana, CBD is NOT habit-forming; hence, it is NOT addictive, which reduces the risk of overdosing on CBD oil even further. In other words, even if you have a history of substance abuse, it’s extremely unlikely to overdose on it.

CBD hemp oil – Can you build a tolerance to it?

Recent studies have evidenced that people cannot develop a tolerance for CBD, which means that they are not compelled to take more of it to experience the same effect. In general, developing tolerance can lead to toxicity as it increases the risk of taking too much of something. On the flip side, some anecdotal studies claim that CBD was found to have less an effect than it did before. Some people exhibited other signs that indicate tolerance (i.e., the CBD oil product took longer to work). To address this issue, researchers suggest taking CBD periodically, taking a short break, or taking CBD hemp oil at a different time of day.

It should also be noted that cannabis experiences (i.e., a history of marijuana use or using full-strength cannabis products) alter how cannabidiol formulas work in the human body. So regularly ingesting such a product (irrespective of it being THC- or CBD-rich) may start to build a tolerance that would be different compared to that of a beginner in CBD use. This, in turn, will affect whether the selected CBD product is effective on you or not. In this case, switching from broad-spectrum to full-spectrum CBD oil can contribute to sorting this issue out.

How much is enough?

The dosing of CBD products has not been established yet. In addition, both the CBD content and the size of the bottle vary among formulas. Add to that the fact that no two people are the same (no two human bodies respond to cannabidiol in the same way), and you begin to realize that there is no straightforward answer to this question. Plus, the delivery method plays a vital role in determining the right dosage, as one needs to consider several factors such as genetics, metabolism, and body weight.

That being said, however, starting with 25 mg of CBD per dose is usually recommended. You may need to adjust the dosage to either a lower or higher dose based on the effect you get from it. The best course of action? Consult your healthcare practitioner for vital information, including the right dosage.