Can I Overdose on CBD?
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the hundreds of compounds found in a cannabis plant. When you hear the name CBD, your mind might resort to marijuana, however this is not the case. Marijuana and CBD come from two different plants that come from the same cannabis family and look almost identical. The difference is this: A marijuana plant has a high concentration of THC (the compound that affects one’s psychoactive behavior) and a low concentration of CBD. Controversially, a hemp plant has a low concentration of THC and a high concentration of CBD.
How Does it Work?
Our bodies have a system designed to maintain homeostasis called an endocannabinoid system. It consists of endocannabinoids which are neurotransmitters that adhere to cannabinoid receptors. The two main known receptors are CB1 and CB2. The first is part of the central nervous system (think the brain and spinal cord), and the second is the peripheral nervous system (think of the extremities and digestive system).
Why use CBD?
Although the top three reasons that people use CBD are for sleep, anxiety, and inflammation, there are many more benefits. These include antiseizure, digestion/stomach issues, and problematic skin. Our endocannabinoid system reacts with the CBD to only impact the areas that your body needs help with. What is meant by this is that if you have only sleep issues, it will not affect any other system or part of your body. CBD may be a better benefit than marijuana because of this reason. Marijuana is not precise like CBD; it does not know which systems to act on and which not, so marijuana could help someone’s body in one way but then harm them in another.
Can I Overdose on CBD?
No, you cannot overdose on CBD. With that being said, it is important that you know exactly what you are getting in your products. Your CBD products should always have third-party lab testing that you can access at any time. If your products are safe, then there are no serious side-effects from taking a very high dosage of CBD. You may experience some sedative effects, but nothing psychoactive like that of an overdose on marijuana. Some results of a psychoactive drug overdose include paranoia, vomiting, or heart disturbances. CBD is the safe way to not get any major side effects in case you do take a high amount of it at once. Always consult with your doctor if you’re taking other medications.
How Much CBD Should I Take?
Every person is different and is affected by CBD in different ways. For example, a child may not need as much as an adult. Even at that, not all adults need a high dosage whatsoever. We suggest starting off at a relatively low dosage and see how your body reacts to it. That way, you can adjust as needed and either raise or lower the amount that you are intaking. There are many products which hold different amounts of concentration, so knowing the dosage that you want/need can help you decide which product is best for you.
What are the Different ways that I can Intake CBD?
There are many oral or even topical ways to get CBD into your body. Below are some:
⦁ Tinctures/oils
⦁ Soft gels
⦁ Edibles
⦁ Topicals
⦁ Skincare
⦁ Vapes
Each product has different dosages and concentrations of CBD.
The unique thing about tinctures is that they are the most versatile. You can adjust your dosage with the dropper, whereas a soft gel you cannot adjust how much CBD you are getting. Some tinctures, like ours, are water-soluble so you can put them in your water, coffee, or beer, whatever your cup of tea is (haha, get it?). Gummies can be adjusted too, essentially just cut the gummy in half or whatever increments you prefer. Salves and facemasks are topical, so they are easily adjustable to the area of skin you are applying to.
For whatever reason you may be taking CBD, make sure you are using the right amount for YOUR body. With CBD being so versatile, there are so many fun ways to incorporate it into your days. It is important to be using safe products, so be sure to check that your products are high quality and you know what is in them!
