Is it safe to take high doses of CBD?

This is a tip you’ve probably heard before: in order to find out which dose of CBD is right for you, you need to experiment. But aren’t there risks associated with taking too much of any given cannabinoid?

Don’t worry, according to the WHO and many researchers, it is perfectly safe to consume high doses of CBD. 

CBD = dangerous? 

Although CBD is derived from hemp, it is not considered a drug. The World Health Organisation states that cannabidiol does not appear to have abuse potentialor to be harmful to health, therefore, it is not classified as a controlled substance at the international level. The WHO also states that CBD may have potential for treating certain health conditions such as epilepsy, but does not currently encourage its use for medical purposes.

CBD’s safety has been confirmed by the Current Drug Safety organisation, which has examined several in vivo and in vitro studies to evaluate the impact of cannabinoid consumption at various doses. Its findings indicate that you would need to consume 1,500mg of CBD per day to overdose, a level that is difficult to reach.

Therefore, there are risks associated with too much cannabinoid consumption but they are limited. 

What are the consequences associated with taking too much CBD? 

If you consume too much CBD in relation to your body’s tolerance threshold, the symptoms will be limited and mild. This was demonstrated in a study published by the Department of Health and Social Services at the Australian Medical Cannabis office in Melbourne. This organisation sought to demonstrate CBD’s safety and tolerability threshold. Volunteers who had ate high-fat meals were given increasing doses of cannabinoids combined with lipids, to be taken orally.

The 24 healthy people in the study were divided into 3 groups which received 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg of CBD respectively. In addition, some volunteers were given a placebo. The results showed that there were no serious effects that endangered the participants. Some people experienced adverse reactions after taking a high-dose of CBD, but these were limited to headaches and diarrhoea. The variation in CBD plasma concentration was also analysed.

The maximum CBD level was reached 4 hours after consumption, regardless of the amount taken. It then took an average of 70 hours for the cannabinoid concentration to be halved. 

How to use the right amount of CBD 

There is a small but real risk of taking too much of any given cannabinoid. Consuming too much CBD can cause discomfort: headaches, drowsiness, muscle stiffness, numbness etc. The best thing to do is to rest until the concentration of CBD in the blood decreases and the symptoms disappear.

In particular, avoid any activities that require focus or concentration, such as driving a car. If the side effects of CBD are too severe, you may also need to see a doctor. But the best thing is to avoid taking too much CBD! In order for cannabinoid consumption to be associated with enjoyment and relaxation, remember to adapt the dose to your physiology and lifestyle.

To find the most beneficial amount of cannabidiol for you, it is best to start by trialling a low dosage. You can then gradually increase the amount consumed until CBD gives you the desired effect without the risk of taking too much.