Can You Use Too Much CBD as a Topical?

It seems like a little bit of CBD extract is making it into all kinds of products these days. You will notice CBD in tinctures, oils, vape cartridges, tasty treats, and a variety of balms, otherwise known as topicals. CBD topicals can range from lotions to salves and lip balm, but they are usually made with a base of hemp-derived CBD extract. CBD interacts with your skin cells when applied as a topical, and provides a variety of potentially beneficial and unintended effects.

Can you take too much CBD though and increase the risk of experiencing these unintended side effects? Is it possible to overdose on CBD topicals? The short answer to one of these questions is no. But you should read on to learn which question is being answered and which one still needs a bit more research to reach a definitive answer.

How Does CBD Work?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a naturally occurring plant compound found in hemp plants. This plant compound, alongside some additional plant compounds, is extracted from hemp plants and mixed into a variety of products. Depending on which CBD product you opt to take, it will interact differently with your body. This can be in terms of effects, as well as the time they take to onset and how long these effects last. Finding the perfect dose of CBD for you, for each type of CBD product, is important when using it to potentially relieve some common or chronic symptoms. This dose can vary though depending on the method of delivery of CBD to your body.

When taken orally, for example in a CBD tincture, edible, or CBD capsule is digested and passes through your liver before entering your bloodstream. From there it is believed to interact with your endocannabinoid system, and affect functions that are related to this system within the human body. However, when CBD molecules are applied to your skin as a topical, there is little chance that the CBD will make it into your bloodstream. Instead, the CBD molecules interact with your skin cells and can provide inflammation relief or irritation that is skin level.

Will CBD Make You Feel High?

CBD is considered to be a non-intoxicating and non-addictive compound when used by humans. This means that you will not leave you feeling “high” like you would if you ingested or inhaled CBD’s popular counter compound. However, topicals made with tetrahydrocannabinol will also not leave you feeling high since the molecules do not sink into your bloodstream. Instead, hemp-derived topicals will interact with your skin cells and leave your mind feeling clear.

Can You Use Too Much CBD?

CBD is also considered safe to consume or inhale, and there are no known cases of people overdosing CBD with harmful side effects. However, taking a lot of CBD can increase some unintended side effects, such as dry mouth, fatigue, or diarrhea. When taken orally, CBD is also known to cause a drug interaction with common pharmaceutical medications or herbal supplements. It’s always best to check with your medical provider before using any CBD products on a regular basis.

Can You Use Too Much CBD Topical?

But, since CBD taken orally and CBD applied topically interacts with your body in different ways, is it still possible to take too much of a CBD topical? The answer is most likely no. However, you should always check with your doctor first to be certain. But most CBD topicals will not enable the CBD molecules to make it into your bloodstream, so there should be no risk of causing a drug interaction or overdose. There is also little risk of applying too much CBD to your skin. Although it is best to find the right dose for you to feel effects and conserve your supply of CBD cream in the long run. With all CBD products, the best rule of thumb is to start with a low dose and gradually build on that over time. You can always apply more of a CBD topical, but you cannot remove it once it starts to sink in.

However, hemp-derived CBD extract is not the only ingredient included in a CBD topical. You should take a careful look at the label to determine what other ingredients and natural plant compounds may be included in the CBD topical recipe. CBD lotions generally include more ingredients or scents, while salves and balms tend to just include the bare minimum ingredients. Be sure to consider what kinds of lotions or balms normally work well with your skin, and it will be a safe bet to pick up those same kinds of products with a touch of CBD added to them.

When it comes to CBD topicals, they are generally considered incredibly safe to use. There are no reported cases of someone applying too much CBD to their skin and having harmful side effects. Although you have to know how to use your CBD body oil as dripping of it might not be the best thing for your carpet on a regular basis. Be sure to wash the area of your skin thoroughly before applying CBD, so that only the ingredients you intend to be absorbed by your skin make it in.