CBD Overdose: What Happens If You Take Too Much

A fatal overdose from CBD alone is unlikely, but taking too much can still make you feel miserable, and sometimes it is not the CBD at fault. The CDC says that while a fatal overdose caused solely by cannabis is unlikely, cannabis is not harmless, and the signs of using too much resemble the usual effects of the drug, only stronger. Below you will find what "too much" looks like, why mislabeled or THC-contaminated products cause many scares, what to do right now if it happened to you, and how to avoid a repeat.

If you or someone near you has taken a large amount and feels unwell, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. If there is trouble breathing, a seizure or loss of consciousness, call 911.

TL;DR

• Pure CBD has no known lethal dose in people, but "overconsumption" is real: expect drowsiness, stomach upset, dizziness, and sometimes anxiety or a racing heart.
• Many "CBD overdose" stories are really reactions to undeclared THC or other cannabinoids in poorly made products, so lab testing and a certificate of analysis (COA) matter.
• Edibles are the easiest way to overdo it: they can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to peak, and people re-dose too soon.
• Daily CBD can raise liver enzymes in some healthy adults, and it can interact with prescription drugs. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication.
• If you think you took too much, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 and keep the product label handy. Call 911 for breathing trouble, seizures or unresponsiveness.

Table of Contents

• Can you overdose on CBD?
• Signs of too much CBD
• Why edibles are where most people overdo it
• What to do if you think you took too much
• The risks that build up over time
• How much CBD is too much?
• How to lower the odds of a bad reaction
• Our perspective on CBD safety
• Choosing products you can verify
• FAQ
• Sources

Can you overdose on CBD?

It depends on what you mean by overdose. If you mean a life-threatening dose, there is no established lethal amount of pure CBD in humans, and the CDC describes a fatal overdose from cannabis alone as unlikely. If you mean taking more than your body handles comfortably, then yes, that happens often, and the experience can be frightening.

Two things keep the question from having a tidy answer.

1. There is no official safe dose. The FDA notes that the CBD market is largely unregulated, and the only FDA-approved CBD medicine is Epidiolex, which is used under medical supervision. For over-the-counter products, no daily limit has been set that anyone can point to as proven safe for everyone.
2. What is on the label may not be in the bottle. In one analysis of 48 CBD products, fewer than a third had accurate CBD labeling and 21% contained undeclared THC, according to Poison Control. A person who thinks they took 25 mg of CBD may have taken far more, or a good deal of THC.

So the honest answer to "how much CBD is too much" is personal. It depends on your body weight, tolerance, the product type, other medicines you take, and how accurate the label is.

Signs of too much CBD

The CDC lists the following possible effects of overconsumption of cannabis products: extreme confusion, anxiety, paranoia, panic, a fast heart rate, increased blood pressure, and severe nausea or vomiting. Those are the severe end, and they are far more typical of THC intoxication than of CBD.

At consumer doses, too much CBD more commonly shows up as milder, short-lived problems:

• Drowsiness or heavy tiredness
• Dry mouth
• Diarrhea, nausea or an upset stomach
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Changes in appetite
• Feeling "off" or foggy

The CDC states that CBD is not impairing and does not cause a "high", yet it adds that using CBD products is not risk free and that scientists are still learning how CBD affects the body. A review of cannabidiol safety data by Huestis and colleagues in the peer-reviewed literature covers adverse events in more detail, including those seen in clinical trials of high-dose pharmaceutical CBD, which are much larger doses than most gummies deliver.

When the symptoms point to THC, not CBD

If you feel a pounding heart, paranoia or intense anxiety after a "CBD" product, think THC. Clinical toxicologists quoted by Poison Control and the CDC describe many reported CBD overdose cases as reactions to undeclared THC or other cannabinoids. In its FAQ, the CDC also reports that severe illness tied to products labeled as CBD has been traced to synthetic cannabinoids, which can cause altered mental status, seizures, hallucinations and loss of consciousness.

That is why the source of the product is as important as the milligram count.

Why edibles are where most people overdo it

Gummies, cookies and drinks are easy to eat and slow to act. The CDC explains that edibles can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to peak, so people who feel nothing after the first piece take a second or third, then get hit by all of it at once. Potency that varies from product to product makes this worse.

The pattern is the same with CBD gummies: someone takes one, feels nothing after 20 minutes, takes two more, and spends the evening groggy and queasy. We cover the timing in detail in our guide to onset times for CBD gummies. The short version: wait at least two hours before taking more.

Products that combine THC and CBD raise the stakes. If you use a THC edible, start far lower than you think you need. Our piece on THC gummy side effects and safer use explains why 1 to 2.5 mg is a sensible starting point for newcomers, and our article on how long THC gummies last covers how long the effects can stay with you.

What to do if you think you took too much

Stay calm. Most cases resolve on their own, but do not guess. Work through these steps in order.

1. Stop taking the product. Do not take "a little more to even it out," and avoid mixing with alcohol or sedatives.
2. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. The CDC advises that if you suspect you consumed too much of a cannabis or CBD product, you should call the national poison center right away rather than wait for symptoms to worsen. The service is free and open around the clock.
3. Have the package ready. Read out the exact product name, the listed amounts and the batch or lot number if there is one. Responders use that to identify ingredients that might be dangerous.
4. Call 911 for red flags. Difficulty breathing, a seizure, chest pain, fainting or being unable to wake the person all count as emergencies.
5. Stay with the person. Keep them seated or lying on their side in a quiet room, and give water if they are awake and not vomiting.

Children and pets need special care. Poison Control says over-the-counter CBD products have not been studied in children and should not be used by children or adolescents. Gummies look like candy, so store them locked up and out of reach. If a child or a pet eats a product, call Poison Control or your veterinarian immediately.

How long does recovery take?

There is no antidote for CBD, and treatment is supportive: monitoring, fluids, a calm environment and treatment of specific symptoms if a clinician sees the need. How long you feel it depends on the dose, the delivery method, and whether THC was involved. Edibles last longer than tinctures held under the tongue, because they are digested slowly. If symptoms are still strong after several hours, or if you feel worse rather than better, get medical care instead of waiting it out.

The risks that build up over time

A single heavy dose is one risk. Regular daily use is another, and it is less obvious because you may not feel it.

Your liver

The FDA says CBD use is linked to potential liver injury. In a randomized clinical trial of 201 healthy adults, 8 of 151 people taking CBD, and none of the 50 on placebo, had liver enzyme elevations greater than three times the upper limit of normal. Those changes can be silent. If you take CBD every day, especially at higher doses, ask your doctor whether a liver test makes sense. Signs that call for a prompt medical visit include yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal discomfort and unusual fatigue.

We go deeper on this in Prescription vs Store CBD: When Liver Tests and COAs Matter.

Your medications

CBD is processed by the same liver enzymes (the cytochrome P450 family) as many common drugs. The CDC notes that this means CBD can raise or lower the levels of other medicines in your body. In practice, "too much CBD" can mean a normal amount of CBD that is too much for someone on a blood thinner, a seizure medicine or another prescription. If you take any medication, speak to your prescriber or pharmacist before you start CBD, and again before you raise the dose.

Pregnancy, breastfeeding and chronic conditions

If you are pregnant, nursing, or have liver disease, talk to your doctor before using any CBD product. We are not a medical provider and cannot tell you what is safe for your situation.