can you overdose with cbd? experts explain how to monitor your dosage
Many people interested in trying CBD oil are often confused about how much they should take. Others may worry about whether they can overdose on CBD. If you’re someone who’s worried about CBD dosage, we’re here to help.
First thing's first — you cannot overdose on CBD — and hemp and marijuana are very different plants. As a matter of fact, the World Health Organization conducted a massive study on CBD and found no evidence of overdose or abuse potential with it. This isn’t surprising, since CBD is a non-psychoactive ingredient, so taking too much of it will not harm you in any way.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that there aren’t proper dosages for taking CBD. There could be negative, albeit mild, side effects from CBD if a person takes too much. But how do you determine how much is too much?
a rule of thumb
A general rule of thumb for CBD dosage is to take one to six milligrams for every 10 pounds you weigh. You would generally start at the lower end of the dosage spectrum and move your way up as you get more used to various CBD products. So, someone who weighs 200 pounds would start with a dose of around 20 milligrams and gradually increase that amount over time.
However, the severity of your condition should be considered as well. Dr. Bonni Goldstein, a physician in Los Angeles who specializes in cannabis medicine who serves as a medical adviser to Weedmaps, says people with more severe conditions should consider stronger doses.
“Existing studies can help us narrow down the best CBD dosages for certain ailments and medical conditions,” says Dr. Goldstein. “Doctors at the Mayo Clinic recommended CBD dosage estimates for certain ailments… such as 40 to 160 milligrams to aid sleep.”
Dr. Orrin Devinsky, director of NYU Langone's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, is another expert who believes that lower dosages may not be an effective treatment for many people.
“Typically, I think 30 milligrams for an adult would be a very low dose of CBD, although some people may gain some beneficial or side effects from that kind of dose,” says Dr. Devinsky. “Many others are taking in the range of 100 to 600 or more milligrams a day.”
find your perfect serving
Most CBD products, like Pachamama’s Athletic Rub, will provide information on usage and dosage as well as give tips or recommendations for how much to use at a time. As we’ve established, this information will vary person to person based on the user’s weight and their experience with CBD. But these products can serve as a guide for people trying to figure out their perfect dosage.
It’s also good advice to consult with a doctor knowledgeable in CBD prior to diving into regular usage. Many places, particularly states with legalized marijuana, have doctors who specialize in CBD and other cannabis products. These doctors will have greater expertise and knowledge of current research and will be able to give patients more information on dosage tailored to them personally.
So, if you’re worried about whether you’ll overdose on CBD, fear not, it’s not a possibility. And by following this guide you should find the proper dosage just for you to get the most out of your CBD products.