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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Proper CBD Dosage

Beginners are asked to slowly navigate their way when ingesting cannabis. While there are no official dosages prescribed by the law, a good rule of thumb would be to take 1 milligram of CBD oil for every 10 pounds of body weight. Meanwhile, beginners can increase their intake to 2 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight when taking an evening dosage.

Bear in mind that starting small and starting slow allows you to gauge how you react to each intake.

Potency and Purity

Recent studies in the field show that CBD-rich cannabis extracts are more potent and safer in treating a variety of conditions, including epilepsy. Compared to individuals treated with CBD isolates or simply purified CBD oil, a study published on the Frontiers in Neurology journal show that cannabidiol oils from full plant extracts offer more therapeutic effects.

Researchers of this study also demonstrate the ability of pure plant-derived extracts to improve the users’ quality of life. For example, the studies reveal that individuals who took cannabidiol-rich cannabis extracts experienced a boost in their quality of sleep, motor skills, and even awareness.

While there are no differences in terms of efficacy, using full plant extracts may yield more benefits when measured up to CBD isolates. So, to get the desired effects and to err on the safe side, make sure to pick one that is made from pure sources.

Best Practices

To help optimize the bioavailability of pure cannabidiol products, you have the option of taking these products orally or by inhaling its vapor. So, you have the option of placing oil droplets directly under your tongue or even ingesting some edibles.

However, there is another way of getting the most bioavailability of your cannabidiol oil: injecting it into the bloodstream. Since this method is not widely known, vaporizing or orally ingesting these goods are great options. You can also opt to increase bioavailability through sublingual consumption, such as taking CBD tinctures, sprays, and lozenges.

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.