Can You Overdose on Marijuana

Can You Overdose on Marijuana Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Print Can You Overdose on Marijuana? By Rod Brouhard, EMT-P facebook twitter linkedin Rod Brouhard is an emergency medical technician paramedic (EMT-P), journalist, educator, and advocate for emergency medical service providers and patients. Learn about our editorial policy Rod Brouhard, EMT-P Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Richard Fogoros, MD on June 17, 2017 Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. He is Verywells Senior Medical Advisor. Learn about our Medical Review Board Richard Fogoros, MD Updated on June 18, 2019 Barbara Peacock / The Image Bank / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Marijuana Cocaine Heroin Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Marijuana (cannabis) has a reputation for being a totally benign drug. To read the claims from the proponents of weed, it would seem that cannabis only has beneficial effects. Ask any stoner from the 60s about his or her bad experiences and it becomes clear that marijuana isnt always rainbows and unicorns. Dont get me wrong, there is plenty of evidence that as drugs go, marijuana is significantly less dangerous than many other oft-abused substances, including alcohol. But less dangerous is a far cry from saying its completely safe. How Much Marijuana Is Too Much? Marijuana doesnt come with a clear definition of overdose. In fact, doctors arent entirely sure how much  tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)â€"the active ingredient in marijuana most likely to induce the high users are seekingâ€"it takes to overdose. We havent even agreed on a common test to determine levels. Typically, THC in the bloodstream is measured as nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml) and refers to how much THC there is in a milliliter of blood or plasma.   Can You Die From Smoking Marijuana? We arent sure how much is too much. We do know from animals and a handful of human cases that it is possible to die while ingesting marijuana alone (no alcohol or other drugs along with it). What medical professionals arent clear about, is whether those cases had other contributing factors (like pre-existing cardiac conditions). What Does a Marijuana Overdose Look Like? Marijuana is a strange drug in that it contains a lot of active ingredients. Although scientists cite different numbers, in addition to THC, there are thought to be over 100 other cannabinoids in cannabis.  Not all of these act the same way. Get too much THC and  youre likely to have a psychoactive reaction that is not unlike that of a stimulant like methamphetamine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is associated more with sedative effects.   The effects of marijuana use are all over the map. There have been cases of heart arrhythmias  and sudden cardiac arrest while smoking weed. There are reports of both seizures and the reduction of seizures, which seems to be based on which type of cannabinoid were looking at. Here are some examples of THC toxicity  that have been published: Psychosis or Paranoia:  Users report severe psychotic episodes with hallucinations and negative associations. In some cases, the psychosis can last significantly longer than the amount of time it should take to metabolize the THC.Uncontrollable Vomiting: Although THC often has anti-nausea properties, it can rarely be associated with a syndrome of persistent vomiting. More often associated with chronic cannabis use, uncontrollable vomiting is sometimes relieved with a hot shower.Heart Arrhythmias:  Some doctors believe that heart disturbances are under-reported in marijuana use. Since smoking weed and taking other drugs often go together, its really hard to isolate the cause when the heart starts doing crazy things. Even drinking alcohol intensifies the effects, which means you cant say for sure whether it was the pot or the booze that caused a problem. The Higher Risk of Edibles Even the method of consumption makes a difference. THC that is consumed in edible form is metabolized differently than when its inhaled.  It takes longer to absorb THC in edibles, which can lead to the user thinking they didnt get enough. If one brownie doesnt work, they take another...and maybe just one more. Suddenly, they have a serious reaction. Edibles are also much more prone to accidental overdoses. Smoking marijuana doesnt usually happen accidentally. Even second-hand smoke from your neighbors party isnt really going to do anything but stink up your apartment. Leaving laced cookies lying around, however, pretty much begs for someone to try a bite. Kids are especially likely to munch on marijuana goodies. When grandma is trying a little medical marijuana for the first time and accidentally leaves it out for the grandkids to explore, you have a recipe for overdose. Children presenting to the emergency department with accidental ingestion of marijuana becomes increasingly common in every state that legalizes marijuana for recreational use. Once its legal and tolerated, its a lot easier to accidentally leave your marijuana out on the coffee table for the kids to find. The Effect of Increased Marijuana Use Many in the medical world report being a bit surprised by the marked increase in marijuana use in states where it has been fully legalized. Many paramedics and EMTs  and emergency department healthcare providers figured that those who really cared about getting high had their medical marijuana prescriptions and could get it when they wanted. Its been available for medicinal use since California legalized medical marijuana in 1996. By contrast, in Oregon, the number of dispensaries doubled after weed went from strictly medicinal to recreational. As it turned out, there were plenty of people interested in trying the recently illicit substance. All that new consumption has led to significant increases in marijuana-induced emergency department visits. Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C. all allow the recreational consumption of marijuana. Several other states are fast on their heels. As the momentum of recreational pot burns across the country, people you probably didnt expect to see getting high are trying weed for the first time in years. While they might have smoked a little pot in college, this isnt the same thing. Todays Marijuana Is Different From the Past Just like how modern farmers are able to get much bigger yields from crops like corn and beans, weed farmers today are much more successful than they were in the past. The levels of THC in marijuana are well above what it was before the current farmers were born. The concentrations of THC increased from 3.4 percent  in 1993 to 8.8 percent in 2008. Some folks say that just means you dont have to roll the blunts as fat as you used to, but lets face it: When youre chasing the high, the bar just keeps getting higher. Marijuana overdose is still a debated topic and there isnt really a clear answer on how much pot is too much. Until there is, its important to be diligent if you choose to use and to keep yourself informed. Dont accept the mantra that weed is natural and therefore, safe. What makes anything safe is an informed consumer and a critical mind.