Can you overdose on marijuana? Or is this just another lie to convince people to quit using drugs? This is a question many users of weed have been asking for years. It’s crucial to understand the effects of marijuana on your body, especially in light of legalizing marijuana use in different states. Although cannabis advocates are certain that the drug is safe, opponents aren’t convinced. We are having a discussion about whether it is possible to overdose on cannabis.
Is it possible to overdose on weed?
As with most drugs, overdose can lead to death. Opioids are well-known for their addiction potential and overdose. High doses of opioids can be life-threatening because they bind to brain areas that control breathing.
What about drugs such as marijuana that don’t bind to certain areas of the brain? While it is certainly possible to “overdose” on marijuana, it is not likely that the drug itself could lead to fatal toxicity in the same way that drugs like opioids and alcohol can. That being said, users can certainly experience a host of unpleasant side effects as the result of overindulgence in cannabis.
In a 2019 letter, the New England Journal of Medicine describes the symptoms of a marijuana overdose in a 52 year old man who was injecting a form of the drug to increase his appetite. The man was undergoing treatment for a brain tumour and took too much marijuana. This led to confusion, restlessness, speech problems, and restlessness for two days in the man. Although these symptoms themselves are not fatal, they can increase the risk of fatal accidents.
Weed Overdose Symptoms
How much marijuana does it take to get high? The letter mentioned above, which has been removed since, revealed that the man had injected approximately 330 mg of THC (the psychoactive component of marijuana). The average dosage of marijuana is 10mg, but the man took 30x the amount. This would have led to fatal overdoses with other drugs. However, the side effects in this instance were not fatal.
Overdosing marijuana is also possible, although it’s rare. Common marijuana overdose symptoms include:
- Panic attacks and anxiety
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Psychosis is a state in which a person loses touch or becomes paranoid.
- Hallucinations, delusions or loss of personal identity can lead to hallucinations and delusions.
- Impairment in judgment, perception, or coordination can increase the chance of injury or death
- Heart attack, chest pain, rapid heart beat, or chest pain.
- Uncontrollable shaking or seizures
- Pale skin color
- Unresponsiveness
- An increase in heart rate or blood pressure
Another disturbing and uncomfortable symptom is weed overdose psychosis. This can be identified by either delusions or hallucinations that develop quickly or later after intoxication with cannabis.
In addition to excessive use of marijuana, overdose risk increases when other substances may be involved. Some drug combinations, such as marijuana and alcohol, can pose a danger to your life. Consuming marijuana and alcohol together can lead to impaired judgment and depressed central nervous system. This is a common combination in car accidents.
Although the mechanism isn’t fully understood, it is known that each substance has its own side effects. It’s easy to see how combining them could lead to problems. People with pre-existing conditions or histories of drug abuse, such as mental illness, are more likely to overdose on marijuana.
The symptoms of marijuana overdose can last from a few hours up to a whole day. How much THC was consumed will determine the severity and length of your symptoms. The longer and more severe the symptoms, the more THC one takes in.
Help for Marijuana Addiction
While marijuana overdose death is unlikely, there are some side effects that can be experienced from too much marijuana. Although many people claim that marijuana has more benefits than it does cons, the truth is that marijuana is a drug. You shouldn’t take too much of any drug.
Not only is marijuana a gateway drug but also street-legalized versions of the drug are often laced with other drugs. Drug dealers have found more ways to make more money while delivering enough power to keep customers coming back.
Side effects and overdose risk are quite different for synthetic and fentanyl-laced marijuana. Our rehab in New Jersey and rehab in Florida provide treatment for prescription and illegal drugs. This includes substances such as synthetic weed, ecstasy, and other psychoactive substances.
We have already mentioned that weed can be a gateway drug. It opens up the doors to more addictive and intense substances. Many people who begin with marijuana end up using opioids. Our medically monitored detox or treatment programs can help if you are this person, or know someone who might be.
Related reading: Long Term Cognitive Effects of Marijuana
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.allinsolutions.com/substance-abuse-in-professional-athletes/
