Did you know that the CBD market is expected to reach $2.1 billion in sales by the end of 2020? It seems like everyone is enjoying the non-psychoactive benefits of the hemp product.

Numerous health benefits come with regularly taking CBD. However, just because the substance doesn’t get you high, doesn’t mean there aren’t drawbacks to taking too much.

Many people think they can take as much as they want without any consequences. So, can you take too much CBD? In this article, we’ll answer everything you need to know about the substance and the correct dosage to take. Let’s get started!

What Is CBD?

Before we learn about taking too much CBD, it’s important that we first understand what the product is. So what is CBD? The term stands for cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is a chemical that comes from a Cannabis sativa plant.

CBD is added to oils and other products for oral or topical use. People report a general feeling of calmness and wellbeing when taking the substance. So, if CBD is derived from cannabis, can you get high?

No, you can’t — the substance, by itself, doesn’t contain any THC. THC is the psychoactive component in marijuana that produces a high, euphoric. However, keep in mind that CBD is currently not regulated by the FDA.

This means that products that aren’t tested by a third party may be more or less potent than advertised. In some cases, cheaper products may even contain small amounts of THC.

Can You Take Too Much CBD?

Just because CBD doesn’t contain psychoactive compounds, doesn’t mean you can’t take too much of it. Taking too much is one of the common mistakes that new users make. We highly recommend that you avoid these mistakes as well.

Sometimes this is the product’s fault. As we mentioned, lack of regulation can lead to certain CBD being more potent than people are used too. However, it can also come from user error.

This happens frequently when people are using multiple CBD products (soaps, gummies, and tinctures at the same time), but it mainly occurs due to dosage problems. With that being said, is it impossible to overdose on CBD?

Yes, it’s possible in theory, but almost impossible in practice.

Why?

To take a toxic amount of CBD you would need to consume over 10,000 mg of the substance. The only way to consume this much without throwing up is through an intravenous administration.

Besides the potential toxicity, you don’t need to worry about other overdose symptoms. Because your cannabinoid receptors aren’t located close to the brainstem areas required for breathing.

Unlike opioids, taking too much won’t result in respiratory problems. Also, our bodies have a limited amount of bioavailability for CBD. This means that taking too much will simply cause it to pass directly through your body.

So, it’s impossible to die from taking too much CBD — but you may experience some unwanted side effects. Let’s learn more about them.

What Are Some Side Effects From Taking Too Much CBD?

There are a variety of side effects that come from taking CBD products. They include things like anxiety, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and vomiting. The chemical compound can cause a change in appetite or a change in mood.

It can also cause things like dry mouth, fatigue, and depression. These side effects can be caused by the specific brand of CBD you’re taking. They can also be caused by other medications that you may be taking.

Keep in mind that while these side effects are uncomfortable, they aren’t life-threatening. So, it’s usually not necessary to take the individual to the hospital, unless they’re exhibiting severe allergic reactions.

Instead, wait for the effects to pass. CBD products typically pass through the system in four to eight hours, so the symptoms should subside in the time frame.

You can try the CBD product again to see if it was a dosage or medication problem. However, if you find that the negative symptoms persist, then you should immediately stop taking it and see a doctor.

What Is the Correct Dosage for the Average Person?

There is no single right CBD dosage that will work for everyone. Why? Because CBD effects depend on a variety of factors. Things like body weight, the condition being treated, the strength of the product and your biochemistry can all affect the experience.

Generally, the best advice is to start slow, and gradually find a dosage that works for you. A good starting place is 20 to 40 milligrams — a fairly small amount. Then increase your dosage by 5 milligrams every week until you find an amount that works.

You can usually calculate dosage by looking at the packaging. Pills, gummies, and capsules all come with a pre-measured amount. Oil tinctures can be a bit harder to measure.

Generally, four drops from a dropper bottle will be 20 milligrams. Keep in mind that drops mean single drops — not an entire dropper-full. You should also be aware of full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolate products.

Full-spectrum contains trace amounts of THC because it uses the terpenes from the entire hemp plant. Broad-spectrum comes with no THC but still contains the taste terpenes. Isolate products contain no terpenes besides CBD.

Make Sure to Do Your Homework on CBD Before Trying It

We hope this article helped you answer the question, Can you take too much CBD? All too often people buy the first CBD product they see instead of doing research. Instead, try doing your homework.

You should know whether you want full-spectrum or broad-spectrum before proceeding. Do you before oral tinctures, or balms and lotions? We also recommend checking the label for any potential side effects.

However, at the end of the day, only you will know if something’s wrong with your dosage. So, start experimenting today and find out how much CBD you need to feel the beneficial effects.

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