Signs of cannabis toxicity
Cannabis toxicity signs include nausea, vomiting, a heart rate above 100 beats per minute, blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg, dry mouth, red eyes, anxiety, panic, confusion, and trouble with balance. In a small number of cases, signs include a breathing rate below 10 breaths per minute, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Call 911 if a person has trouble breathing or cannot stay awake.
Cannabis Overdose Symptoms: What You Need to Know
What is cannabis toxicity?
Cannabis toxicity happens when a person takes too much THC, CBD, or both. The liver turns THC into a compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. That compound causes some effects. Edibles cause more toxicity than smoked cannabis because the liver makes more 11-hydroxy-THC. Symptoms can start 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating an edible and last up to 12 hours. In some cases, symptoms last longer.
Common signs
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Heart rate above 100 beats per minute
- Blood pressure above 140/90 mm Hg
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Dizziness
- Anxiety or panic
- Paranoia
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Poor coordination
- Drowsiness
Signs that need emergency care
- Breathing rate below 10 breaths per minute
- Blue lips or face
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Chest pain
- Repeated vomiting for more than 24 hours
- Hallucinations
- Psychosis
Signs in children
Children show different signs. A child who eats a cannabis edible may have trouble walking, sleep for more than 4 hours, or breathe less than 10 times per minute. A study in Pediatrics found pediatric cannabis exposures reported to US poison centers rose 1,375% from 2017 to 2021. In 2021, poison centers reported 3,054 exposures in children under 6 years old. Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 if a child eats cannabis.
symptoms of a cannabis overdose
Signs from CBD
CBD can cause liver injury, drowsiness, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. The FDA has warned that CBD can harm the liver. Signs of liver injury include yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, and pain in the upper right abdomen. These signs need medical care.
What to do
- Stop using cannabis.
- Move the person to a safe place.
- Check breathing and heart rate.
- Call 911 if the person has trouble breathing, seizures, or cannot wake up.
- Call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 for advice.
- Do not give the person food or drink if they are vomiting or unconscious.
When to call 911
Call 911 if a person has a breathing rate below 10 breaths per minute, chest pain, a seizure, or loss of consciousness. Call 911 if a child eats cannabis and shows any sign of toxicity. Do not wait for symptoms to get worse.