Cannabis and its cannabinoids may be legal on the state level, but it always pays to know that it is remains to be outlawed on the federal level. This is why these are still not regulated by federal authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration. Combined with the fact that different people receive cannabinoids differently, this goes to mean that it is difficult to determine the prescribed dosage of cannabidiol.
With this information missing, many individuals who may be interested in trying out this product refrain from doing so because of fears of overdosing. Here, we will uncover the myths and reality of CBD overdose. Read on!
CBD Overdose: Is it Real?
The Myth
Some individuals refuse to even get their hands on cannabinoid-infused products, let alone the plant itself. This is due to the prejudice ingrained in the minds of individuals, which could be fuelled by the fact that marijuana remains to be a Schedule I drug along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy. Critics of this naturally occurring plant even go to the extent that consuming too much of cannabis and its cannabinoids can lead to fatal consequences.
Now, we ask: Can you OD on CBD?
The Reality
In response to this question, there are a few things we should consider:
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The Scheduling of Marijuana
The first thing we should clarify is whether or not we should lump marijuana along with opioids and other dangerous drugs. After all, Schedule I drugs are those that do not have accepted medical use and high potential. Schedule II (which includes cocaine) to V have recognized medical use and safety, with V being the least dangerous among the five.
However, studies show that marijuana (and CBD) is non-toxic, unlike opioids. Moreover, users only have a 9% possibility of getting serious addiction as compared to heroin (23%), cocaine (17%) and alcohol (15%) users.
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Fatal Overdose from Cannabis and Cannabinoids Does Not Occur
Every marijuana has an amount of cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinol (the highly psychoactive THC) and other cannabinoids. Even then, research by the National Cancer Institute says that lethal overdoses due to the consumption of the plant and its chemical compounds. This is because endocannabinoid receptors in the body are not found in areas targeting respiration, unlike opioid receptors.
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Overconsumption Does Have Adverse Effects
While it does not have fatal effects, it is important to note that overconsumption can lead to psychosis, confusion and disorientation, which can increase the risk of death. Moreover, it can cause tachycardia, hypotension and decreased gastrointestinal motility, among others.
For CBD, some side effects include tiredness, diarrhea and weight gain or loss due to changes in appetite.
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The Occurrence of CBD Reverse Tolerance
Another concern regarding the high and frequent consumption of this cannabinoid is CBD tolerance. While THC users have shown signs of tolerance build up, cannabidiol users are in no danger of developing a tolerance on the cellular level. This means that the body’s cannabinoid receptors do not develop a weakened response to cannabinoids even with frequent interaction. The fact is, frequent CBD use leads to the development of reverse tolerance. This is when your body requires less of the compound to achieve the effects you are looking for.
With this information, it appears that the answer to the question of whether or not you can OD on CBD is a mix of yes and no. Yes, because intaking too much of the compound does have side effects. However, this type of OD is non-fatal as compared to what immediately comes to mind when talking about opioid and even alcohol overdose.
