So you’re just chilling with your friends, taking takes of a brand-new strain one of your buds brought over. And while the delicious smoke of Sour Tangie trickles down your throat, you just can’t help but puff more than the usual. The flavour is so enticing in fact, that you end up hitting your pipe three times more than you typically would. Now, as the effects start to settle in, you realise that you might have taken a little more than you should have. Oops.
Is it possible to take too much CBD? What happens if you do? Is there anything you should do? It can be daunting to think that you might have overindulged in an herb that’s often touted for its mood changing, euphoric, and numbing benefits, but hey, it’s gonna be okay. Here’s what you need to know.
Can it be dangerous?
While CBD isn’t approved for any sort of medicinal or therapeutic purposes, it’s not too heavily regulated in the US. As long as it falls within the prescribed THC levels, then these products can be pretty much used without getting so much as a second look from authorities.
That said, the chances of taking more than you’re supposed to becomes an obvious ‘danger.’ But is it as dangerous as people think?
According to the World Health Organization, CBD is so non-toxic that it doesn’t pose a threat to overall health and well-being even when taken in excessive amounts. That’s because the active ingredients in hemp products don’t interact directly with respiratory or cardiac functions, albeit indirectly causing changes in heart rate and breathing when imbued into the blood stream.
Another thing worth considering is that the body itself puts limits on the amount of cannabinoids that it can take. Aside from the fact that CBD and the others in its family do not pose any psychoactive effects, the body can only take a specific amount at a time. So even if you manage to exceed your limits, your body will simply flush out the excess.
How does it feel?
While it’s harmless from the viewpoint of health, there’s no denying that it can feel pretty uncomfortable while you’re there. Taking more CBD than your body can handle makes it possible for the unwanted effects of the substance to manifest. Keep in mind though that they’ll only stick around for as long as the cannabinoids are running through your system, and the strength of the effects will only be as potent as the amount that you take.
Some markers that you might have taken more than you can handle include:
- Nausea
- Temporarily impaired memory
- Slowness and sluggishness
- Sleepiness
- Diarrhoea
- Anxiety
- Changes in appetite
- Dry mouth
It’s important to consider your unique situation when dealing with hemp. If you’re already prone to anxiety, then taking more CBD than your typical dosage could result to heightened levels of apprehension and worry. In such cases, it might be necessary to really watch your dosages to prevent these effects from manifesting after use.
What to do when you take too much hemp
So, the deed has been done and now you’re just not feeling so hot. What are you supposed to do? Fortunately, there are ways you can temper the unwanted effects of CBD to reduce its impact and shorten the time the discomfort sticks around.
Take a hot shower
Standing under a warm shower can help release a lot of that pent-up energy, loosening up your muscles and calming your system from the otherwise unwanted results of taking too much CBD. Just like its effects on drinking too much alcohol, a warm shower can help you ‘come down’, so to speak, from the elevated effects of CBD and other hemp-derived products.
Drink warm tea
Especially if the result of the herb you took lean more towards sleepiness. If you feel like your memory and thoughts are too clouded, then some warm tea could help clear up the haze. Keep in mind though that it might not work for all sorts of situations. For instance, a cultivar that causes anxiety might be further exacerbated by taking in caffeine. Really consider your specific situation before taking on a solution.
Sweat it out
One of the most common ways that people like to break the effects of hemp would be to sweat them out. Engaging in exercise releases a plethora of hormones that combat the subduing effects of industrial hemp farms and may get you feeling fine and dandy after just a few minutes of intense movement.
Take a jog or try some yoga and try to avoid potentially injurious exercise routines especially if you feel like your mind is a little too clouded.
Indulge your senses
If you’re feeling particularly nauseated, then you might benefit from indulging your senses. Herbs like mint, chamomile, ginger, and peppermint have all been found to be excellent natural remedies against the ranging tides of nausea. Whether simply smelled or taken as a tea, these herbs can calm both dizziness and gut to subdue any tendencies to heave and wretch.
Stay distracted
Sometimes, focusing on other things can help you switch your attention from the feelings of discomfort towards something more productive. Try to binge watch your favourite TV series, unearth a forgotten hobby, or just clean your house. You’ll be surprised how fast you can come back to regular programming when you choose not to think about the unwanted effects of the herb.
Keep it under control
Don’t let the taste of a delicious new strain push you overboard. While CBD and hemp are both entirely harmless health-wise, the mere side effects that too much hemp could cause can be enough to make you want to keep an eye on your dosage the next time around. Once you reach your therapeutic limit, know better than taking another drag. At the end of the day, what’s important is that you reap the benefits of the miracle herb without having to contend with its potentially uncomfortable effects.
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Image credit: Freepik
Peter Wallace has been an advocate for mental health awareness for years. He holds a master’s degree in counselling from the University of Edinburgh.
