There is no specific amount or use of cannabis known to give you an overdose even though you can still overdose on it. When you take too much marijuana, you can become very confused, hike your heart rate and blood pressure, and in the process, you could injure yourself.
Everything there is to know about cannabis overdose:
Cannabis or marijuana has been in use for many decades now and it is considered to be a benign drug. The reaction you get from cannabis may not be necessarily the same reaction that another person would get.
When you take too much of it, there is a chance that you can get extremely confused. An increase in blood pressure and heart rate is also common with overdoses. In the process, you may get an unintentional injury. Dying from marijuana use by itself has never been reported and it is highly unlikely.
There is a lot of evidence that marijuana has fewer chances of causing harm to the user as compared to other types of drugs that you can buy over the counter from drugstores.
How much is considered too much?
There is no clear definition when it comes to an overdose. The active ingredient in marijuana is referred to as THC. This is the ingredient that causes that “high” that so many users desire. However, it is not clear how much THC or tetrahydrocannabinol can cause an overdose.
When in the bloodstream, THC is measured in terms of ng/ml or nanograms per millilitre. This defines the amount of the substance per one millilitre of plasma or blood.
Marijuana overdose
There are many active ingredients in cannabis. These differ in number with the main one being THC, there are still so many other cannabinoids. You should know that not all the ingredients offer the same effects.
When you take too much THC, then you may end up with a psychoactive reaction that is similar to stimulants such as methamphetamine. As for CBD or cannabidiol, you are more likely to get some effects similar to the effects you get from sedatives.
If you get severe symptoms, it is advisable to seek medical attention and make sure you are monitored for side effects and complications. The effects caused by smoking weed may last a couple of hours. When consumed with drinks and food, the effects can go for a longer period.
Cannabis edibles
Sometimes, the method you use to consume cannabis can make a huge difference, usually when taken in an edible form; the metabolism can be very different compared to inhaling. It may take a long time to absorb components consumed through eating causing a person to assume that they did not actually take adequate amounts. This can lead the person to take more and more until an undesirable effect finally pops up.
It is for this reason that it is so easy to overdose when you use edibles. Marijuana smoking is not something that happens accidentally. Even if a person smokes close to your home, you may not feel any effects. However, when you have cookies laced with the substance at home, there is a chance that someone may end up consuming them even though they had no intention of getting high. This is a big risk for those who have kids at home.
In states that have legalized the use of marijuana for different purposes, there are many cases of accidental ingestion, especially by minors.
What are the effects associated with the increased use of cannabis?
There are states that have legalized cannabis for medical use. In the medical world, there are many reports of an increase in the use of marijuana in different states, especially where it is legal. Many people who desire to get high using cannabis have been able to get medical prescriptions for the same. This means that such people can access the substance whenever they want it.
Other states had started with strictly medical use to recreational and after this introduction, there was a rise in the dispensary numbers in such areas. This may be because there are so many people who are willing to use the substance that was once illicit. It is the new consumption that has caused more visits related to marijuana to the ER.
Different states now allow the recreational use of marijuana and others are in the process of making it legal. Recreational pot is now a trend and people who may not have tried pot are experimenting.
Is there a difference between past marijuana and todays?
Today, we see farmers do all sorts of things to achieve bigger yields from different crops like beans and corn; the same is true with weed farmers who report more success than in the past.
You notice that the THC levels today are much higher than it was in the past. The THC concentration has increased by over 5 percent. You may not have to smoke as much as was needed before to get high. In most cases, however, a person wants to have more and more of a high.
The overdose of cannabis is still hotly debated and there is still no clear answer regarding how much is too much where cannabis is concerned. The only way is to stay safe, be informed, and have a critical mind.
There have been incidences where people have died due to high amounts of THC in their systems and in the absence of other drugs. There are other times when the same comes up even though in most instances, it has not been verified with clarity whether THC was the primary cause. It is quite different to die with high levels of THC in your system.
What do government agencies have to say?
According to the relevant body, it has been stated that no adult death has occurred that can be attributed to cannabis use solely. CDC shares the same sentiments claiming that even though a lot of issues may be brought about by the use of cannabis, it is unlikely that one may die from overdosing.
In the US, marijuana is commonly used, and it has been said that around half the population has tried it at some point in their life. Most specialists claim that it is hard to die from overdosing.
However, it is important to note that cannabis is considered a schedule drug as per the federal government. This means that there are no medical uses that are fully acceptable. However, many jurisdictions have legalized the use of the same for recreational purposes and for medical treatment for different conditions like chronic pain, epilepsy, seizures, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. The potency of cannabis has also increased significantly when compared to the past decades.
This only means that there are more people who can access marijuana with a higher THC concentration. This also means that there is a possibility that people are getting higher than was the case in the past and the many cannabis products that are now available on shelves make it more likely for people to have undesirable effects.
It is also important to note that we now have cannabinoids being made synthetically. These chemicals have made things more complicated and usually, when ingested, the patients get even worse side effects.
