To overdose on most cannabinoids, you would have to take tens of thousands of milligrams at once. Here we discuss this concern and the possible side effects of CBD oil treatments, and how to take CBD oils properly.
Can You Overdose on CBD Oil?
CBD oil can help people get relief from a wide variety of illnesses and discomforts. However, as CBD popularity grows, it is important to stay updated with the research if you decide to use it. While the overdose limit is like drinking a gallon in two minutes, research shows that it may interact negatively with certain medications and specific ailments.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Center for Biotechnology Information, “CBD is not risk-free.”
It also discusses “CBD-induced drug interactions,” diarrhea, vomiting, and hepatic abnormalities. These side effects mostly showed a reaction with blood thinners and some organ transplant medications. These are just a few reasons why it is so important to talk with a doctor specializing in these treatments before you follow comments on social media.
However, according to the National Cancer Institute: “cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from Cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur.”
How Do You Find a CBD Doctor?
Finding a doctor that is a specialist in CBD or cannabis is not as easy as walking into the local clinic. However, you can find the right doctor by doing some research. There are sites dedicated to pairing patients with the correct physician or practitioner – like MarijanaDoctors.com.
Is CBD Oil Addictive?
According to a 2018 review by the World Health Organization (WHO), “potential physical dependence effects (e.g., withdrawal and tolerance) of cannabidiol have not been reported,” and “CBD is not associated with abuse potential.”
This is good news for sufferers of dependency looking to get relief from ailments such as chronic pain or anxiety. Addiction and substance abuse are serious topics, and luckily, studies prove that CBD oil may lend a hand to helping those who have substance abuse tendencies.
Can You Build a Tolerance to CBD Oil?
Short answer: Yes. However, It is hard to say how rapidly this happens, and there are factors to consider when taking CBD oil. Science Direct shares that a CBD oil study conducted by Shimrit Uliel-Sibony, MD, on 92 children and adults with treatment-resistant epilepsy found 37% of users built a tolerance that required higher doses of the oil.
One factor to consider when taking CBD is its ability to create reverse tolerance, which we discuss later. Another is your dosage. Some people prefer to micro-dose and change doses to switch up their CBD intake and flow in the system.
So, what do you do if you do build a tolerance?
Most specialists suggest taking a tolerance break, just like you would with THC. How long should the break be? This depends on your system.
A few things to try and document before, during, and after your first tolerance break are:
- Dose amount
- Dose after you start taking again
- Whether you are increasing doses
- How long you have been using CBD oil
- Note changes in behavior, symptoms, or side effects
Good news, though, unlike the suggested four weeks it takes to clean your system of THC, CBD oil only takes about 3-4 days to reset. Also, the body is such a complex system that it is hard to say that what works for one person works for the next. There are so many new studies being conducted that the information here may change as we dig deeper into the world of cannabis. So, your best bet is to document and speak with a professional.
Does CBD Create Reverse Tolerance?
Reverse tolerance means your body needs less of a substance after more extended use. While we have not found any scientific documentation in our research to say for a fact that CBD creates this phenomenon, many articles state that it does, also with no scientific proof, solely speculation.
One statement shares that because CBD does not bind to anyone’s endocannabinoid receptor like THC, it does not build a tolerance. However, the previous updated scientific evidence we shared proves otherwise.
Furthermore, the data also shows where this type of “reverse tolerance” may be misinterpreted is CBDs’ use in ischemic stroke patients. Ischemic stroke is the blockage of the artery that fuels the brain with oxygen. According to the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, “Components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) are altered after ischemic stroke.”
When they tested CBD on these patients, it helped inflammation in the artery to help blood flow and repair damages due to stroke. Thus, creating a sort of reverse tolerance by activating the damaged areas of the ECS, but there is still more research to be done.
What Are the Side Effects of Too Much CBD?
As we have shared, overdosing on CBD is highly unlikely. However, there may be side effects if you up your dose or try to supplement at higher doses after building a tolerance. While most are not dangerous, they can be uncomfortable.
Side effects that may be a sign to lower your CBD dose include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Dry Mouth
- Drowsiness
- Loss of appetite
Also, be aware of your medications — especially if you are an organ transplant patient. Studies have shown that CBD can interfere with some drugs designed to prevent the body from rejecting the transplant.
Can Pets Overdose On CBD?
CBD pet treats, tinctures, oils, and topical ointments are increasingly popular and are usually purchased through online vendors, cannabis dispensaries, or veterinary hospitals. Like humans, pets may get many of the same benefits, including the ability to help ease anxiety, seizures, and chronic pain.
But what happens if Fido tears into the treats and eats them all on accident?
Most CBD pet treats are labeled with a recommended serving size and dose (usually 2.5 mg – 5 mg/treat), and most typically claim to be THC-free. However, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) has reported an increase in calls concerning CBD ingestion and overdose symptoms — particularly in dogs.
Most of the dogs who ate more than the recommended serving size did show signs that are consistent with CBD overdoses in animals, which include:
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Urinary incontinence
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Increased sensitivity to stimuli
- Diarrhea
So, make sure you keep your treats packed away where your animals cannot get to them. While it probably won’t kill them, cleaning up after your pet’s diarrhea and stressing if they are lethargic is not fun.
CBD Oil and Drug Addiction
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 70% of drug overdoses were due to opiates. Furthermore, 75% of those were due to synthetic versions, such as fentanyl.
With more and more research advancing and the need for more effective and non-addictive solutions to substance abuse recovery, CBD has made a presence as a forerunner in aiding this epidemic.
According to a study in PubMed, “Acute CBD administration, in contrast to placebo, significantly reduced both craving and anxiety . . . CBD also showed significant protracted effects [and] reduced the drug cue-induced physiological measures of heart rate and salivary cortisol levels. There were no significant effects on cognition, and there were no serious adverse effects.”
There is hope for addiction with CBD oil and other cannabis plant extracts.
How to Take CBD Oil
First, you will want to shake the bottle to blend the oil. Next, squeeze the dropper top to fill the pipette with oil. After that, you can dispense the oil under your tongue and let it sit for about 60 seconds before swallowing for the maximum benefits.
CBD can reduce or increase the effects of other medications. But, even eating grapefruit while on medication can have the same results. Still, it is best to check with your doctor if you are on other drugs before using CBD. You should also check with your doctor if you are nursing or pregnant before taking CBD or any other dietary supplement.
Taking CBD oil is simple and easy. We at Intrinsic Hemp offer different flavors of CBD oil to make the experience more enjoyable, and all of our products have instructions on the package to help walk you through the process.
Choose a CBD Brand You Can Trust
Bottom line, can you overdose on CBD oil? Considering zero cases have been reported, it isn’t very likely. But, not all products or companies are created equal. When looking for a product that may relieve your pain, it is vital to go with a company you can trust. Intrinsic Hemp works hard at being that company.
When searching for a CBD oil to help with your needs, look for organic to reduce exposure to pesticides and chemicals. Avoid any additives and unnecessary ingredients. Look for a full spectrum product to ensure you get all of the benefits possible.
Intrinsic Hemp is proud to offer products grown in Kentucky and Colorado that are manufactured using the latest extraction processes. Try our organic full spectrum CBD oil and start getting the relief you need today.
The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. Products discussed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Due to FDA Regulations, we recommend that you do your own research on CBD products. We also suggest that you read the reviews on our website, where our customers record their real-world results of using our products.
