An overdose of CBD does not occur in practice
To start with the reassuring answer: taking (too) much CBD oil can in principle do no harm. CBD is not toxic, even in high doses. An overdose of CBD has never occurred in practice. We don't recommend it (read on to find out why), but taking large amounts of CBD is not harmful to your health, especially if you are not taking any other medications.
A study from 2017 also shows that people can easily tolerate up to 1500 mg of CBD. For comparison: a standard bottle of 10 ml 5% CBD contains only 500 mg CBD. So even if you drink three bottles in one day, there will be no serious side effects.
Nevertheless, pay attention to the dosage of your CBD oil
Despite the fact that there is no such thing as an overdose of CBD oil, we certainly do not recommend taking as much CBD as possible. Firstly, this is of course a waste of money, because very high doses will make little difference. And more importantly: there are indeed negative side effects of taking too much CBD oil. It is important to pay attention to this, especially if you are taking medication. Be especially careful with large quantities full spectrum CBD, because it also contains (a very small amount) of THC. THC is also not poisonous in principle, but in large quantities it can cause side effects.
What are the side effects of too much CBD oil?
Are you taking too much CBD than your body can tolerate? Then you may experience complaints such as:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Nausea
- Vomit
- Less appetite
- Excessive fatigue
- Dry mouth
Be aware of CBD and medications
In addition to harmless side effects, CBD can also have an effect on the effect of medications. This can lead to very dangerous situations, so be careful with CBD when taking medication and if in doubt, always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
A good rule of thumb to follow is that if the medicine contains a warning for grapefruit, it is better not to use the medicine in combination with large amounts of CBD. This is because CBD has a similar effect on the effect of these medications: the furanocoumarins from grapefruit, like CBD, inhibit metabolism. We therefore recommend that you be extra careful when using CBD when using the following medications:
- Antihistamines
- Antibiotics
- Cancer drugs
- Blood thinners and blood pressure medications
- Painkillers
- Medicines for your prostate
- Anti epileptics
- Corticosteroids
Are you taking any of the above types of medicines? Always first consult with your doctor to determine whether and how much CBD is appropriate in your case.
How much CBD should I take?
The ideal amount of CBD varies from person to person, but in any case it is smart to begin with a low dose. By then increasing it slowly, you can be sure that you tolerate the CBD well and that you will not experience any serious side effects. Do you still feel uncomfortable after increasing the dose? Then take a little less next time.
Have you never taken CBD oil before? Then start with approximately 4 to 6 mg CBD per intake moment. With a CBD oil of 5%, this involves 2 to 3 drops at a time. Maintain 2 to 3 intake times per day to optimally benefit from the benefits of CBD. Do you then notice that your body responds well to the oil? You can then slowly increase the dosage to approximately 25 mg CBD per intake moment, depending on your complaints. Most people can tolerate these doses well.
Do you think you took too much CBD?
Have you, or someone else, taken a very large amount of CBD? Then remember that CBD is in principle not poisonous and that in most cases the complaints will disappear on their own. However, are you taking medication or do your complaints last a long time? Please contact your doctor or GP to be sure. Do you notice that someone becomes unconscious, has serious breathing problems or other serious complaints? Then call 112. It will not be a CBD overdose, but it will be a serious health problem.
