Can you overdose on cannabis? It’s a rather controversial question. While some people believe that cannabis is completely harmless and has no side effects, opponents argue that it can be just as dangerous as opioids or stimulants. But what’s the real story? Today, we’re going to take a closer look at this frequently asked question about cannabis use.
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Getting Stronger
Many people who have used cannabis regularly can tell you about the unpleasant feelings that come from taking too much. That extra joint or slice of space cake can lead to feelings of anxiety or paranoia, dizziness, and nausea. These effects are mainly due to (or caused by) THC, the substance that gives cannabis its psychoactive properties. Over the past few decades, the THC content of cannabis has gradually increased. In addition, it is now easier to buy THC concentrates such as wax or oil, which have an even higher THC content. These potent products make it increasingly easy to take too much cannabis.
Cannabis edibles
Another common culprit in cannabis “overdoses” are so-called edibles. Think of space cake, hash brownies, or even cannabis cookies. If you smoke cannabis, you’ll likely experience the peak of your high within 30 minutes. However, when you eat cannabis, it has to pass through your digestive system, and that takes time. As a result, it can take 2 to 4 hours for edibles to reach their full effect. It’s common for people to get impatient after eating edibles and think they aren’t getting high, so they end up taking an extra slice. And that’s often exactly when things go wrong.
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What does a cannabis overdose entail?
But what exactly is a cannabis overdose? To answer this, it’s important to understand beforehand that you can theoretically overdose on literally anything, even coffee, water, or TicTac candies. Still, an overdose doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be fatal. So while the effects of getting too high and having a “cannabis overdose” are certainly unpleasant, it’s highly unlikely you’ll die from a marijuana overdose because of the ridiculous amount of weed required to do so. There are currently no known cases of people who have died from a cannabis overdose, so the chance of this happening to you after that extra joint is very small.
1.2 kilograms of cannabis
If you’re wondering how much cannabis would actually be too much—and thus lethal—we can point to a number of researchers who have figured this out. For instance, one study shows that, when taken orally, a total of 3 grams of THC per kilogram of body weight was needed to constitute a lethal dose. For comparison: suppose you weigh 80 kilograms; you would need 240 grams of THC to ingest a fatal dose. When you consider that most cannabis contains about 20% THC, a quick calculation shows that you would have to consume about 1.2 kilograms of cannabis before reaching a fatal overdose. In short: that chance is zero.
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What to do if you get too high?
If you get too high and start feeling unwell, there are several things you can do to help yourself. First, it’s important not to panic. You might feel terrible right now, but if you stay calm, it won’t be long before you feel like yourself again. Stay hydrated while you’re high by keeping a large glass or bottle of water nearby and taking small sips regularly. Many people also find that eating something helps them recover from the side effects of too much weed, so it’s a good idea to keep some snacks on hand.
Are there absolutely no concrete dangers?
If you’re thinking, “A fatal cannabis overdose is really something that could never happen to me, so there’s actually no danger at all in cannabis,” you’re not quite right. Although many people consider marijuana safe, there are some risks associated with its use, particularly with strains that have a high THC content and edibles. In most cases, the side effects of cannabis are short-lived and not a cause for major concern. Drinking some water and taking a nap is usually enough to get you back on track.
However, there are some potentially dangerous side effects to watch out for. For example, there is a risk of developing respiratory problems, heart problems, or psychosis, although these are rare and usually affect people with pre-existing risk factors. There is also an increased risk of accidents while you’re high, but these can be prevented by using common sense and staying out of dangerous situations (and, for example, never driving after using cannabis).
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Don’t worry too much, but be careful
In short: the dangers of a cannabis “overdose” do exist, but the chance that you’ll die from it is very small. So even though you might think the end is near in the moment (you’re not the first and certainly not the last), stay calm and let time do its work—everything will be fine in the end. However, if you experience severe chest pain after smoking or eating cannabis, or if your child, for example, has snuck a slice of cake from the fridge, it’s a good precaution to head to the emergency room just in case. Safety first!
