Edibles and THC Overdose: Signs, Effects, & Treatment

Edibles are food and drinks that are infused with marijuana extracts (such as cannabis-infused oils or cannabutter) and contain varying amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis.¹

Edibles are sometimes considered to be a safe and effective way of experiencing the therapeutic or intoxicating effects of marijuana. However, many consumers do not understand that the onset of THC's effects is often relatively delayed with edibles.² This occurs because after they are ingested, edibles are absorbed through the digestive tract and then metabolized by the liver before entering the bloodstream, where they are then able to exert their effects on the brain.²

These unknown and highly variable factors can lead to unexpected adverse effects or accidentally ingesting more of the drug than expected, which may result in a THC overdose.¹

What Are Edibles?

Edibles are food and drink products that are made with marijuana extract. Marijuana edibles come in various forms and can be commercially made or homemade, and can include:³

• Baked goods.
• Candies.
• Gummies.
• Beverages.
• Cooking oils and butter.

There is an increased risk of marijuana toxicity, poisoning, and overdose when eating or drinking food and beverages infused with marijuana compared to smoking marijuana.¹

Eating or drinking THC usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour, and as long as two hours before a person feels the psychoactive effects.² The subjective “high” that’s produced (relaxation and/or euphoric feelings) can last anywhere from five to eight hours, much longer than other routes of marijuana administration.²

By contrast, when cannabis is smoked, THC is delivered to the brain almost immediately, with maximum effects present after 30 minutes and lasting one to three and a half hours.²

Ingesting edibles, rather than smoking marijuana, can delay the onset of the effects of marijuana, which can make it difficult for people to control how much of the drug they consume.^1,2

This may lead people to mistakenly consume higher amounts of THC than they intended because they don’t feel the effects of earlier doses, and can increase the risk of experiencing an unintentional THC overdose.^1,2 An overdose on THC is not likely to be fatal, but it can be very uncomfortable, with symptoms of heightened anxiety and short-term psychosis, in addition to increasing the risk of serious physical injury.²

Can You Overdose on THC or Edibles?

Yes, it is possible to overdose on THC, the main psychoactive component of marijuana.⁴ A limited amount of precise data exists on the association between cannabis use and overdose fatality or injury.^2,5 However, the increased availability and potency of a wide variety of cannabis products create a potential for an increased risk of harm due to overdose.^2,5

THC overdoses typically aren’t fatal, but they can lead to unpleasant experiences associated with cognitive and motor impairment, agitation, anxiety, vomiting, and cardiac stress.²

Eating marijuana carries a higher risk of overdose than smoking it.¹ Research suggests that this is because the amount of THC a person has consumed can be more difficult to predict when eating marijuana compared with smoking it.¹ Eating an edible containing cannabis results in a slower onset and longer duration of psychoactive effects.¹

Signs of a THC Overdose

Marijuana overdose is becoming increasingly common for a variety of reasons. An overdose of THC is dose-related, and the risk of overdose is higher when eating marijuana vs. smoking it.¹

Common symptoms of a THC overdose can include:⁶

• Anxiety.
• Agitation.
• Vomiting.
• Cardiac stress.
• Panic and fear.
• Extreme sedation.
• Motor impairment.
• Poor cognitive functioning.
• Psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions).

THC Overdose Treatment

If you are experiencing an overdose of marijuana or any type of substance, call 911 immediately.

Once stabilized, limiting your cannabis use and seeking further treatment for cannabis use disorder are both options to help prevent future overdoses.

THC Dosage Control in Edibles

The dose of THC in an edible can vary and be difficult to control or even know. This is true for both commercially made products, homemade products created with commercially prepared oils or butters, and products made at home from homemade cannabis oil or cannabutter. Variability can be even greater in products that may contain synthetic cannabinoids, which can differ widely in potency and effects compared with naturally occurring THC.

The THC concentration in homemade edibles could vary depending on the plant it is extracted from and the extraction process used to make the oil or butter in the edible.²

Commercial products are usually required by state law to include the amount of THC and the number of servings on the label. However, a single cookie or chocolate bar, for example, could contain many more servings than the maximum recommended dose.

Increasing Use of Edibles

With the legalization of marijuana for recreational use in more and more states, edible use is on the rise.⁷ For example, research shows that while smoking marijuana still remains the primary method of consumption in the United States for adolescents, the use of edibles among them continues to increase.⁷ In addition, a study analyzing data between 2015-2018 found that nearly 30 percent of adolescents who consume edibles do so on a daily basis.⁸

The availability of edibles has been associated with an increased rate of accidental ingestion of cannabis in children.² Adults and pets, as well as children, can mistake marijuana edibles for food, candy, or treats.¹ For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that if you use marijuana products such as edibles, you keep them in childproof containers and out of reach of children or pets.¹

Hazards of Edibles and THC Levels

Cannabis can affect people differently based on several various factors. In addition to how cannabis is ingested and how much is being ingested at one time, additional factors that play a role in how this drug affects a person also include:³

• The ingredients in the edible.
• The method of consumption.
• Other substances a person may have taken.
• A person’s underlying medical conditions.
• Age and gender.
• A person’s experience with cannabis use.

People who use cannabis regularly for many years may be at risk for developing an episodic, cyclical vomiting syndrome called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS).⁶ Long-term cannabis use (including smoking and eating marijuana), especially at high regular doses, puts a person at increased risk of CHS. Severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and visits to the hospital are common in people experiencing this syndrome.⁶

Negative psychiatric side effects, such as anxiety, paranoia, and even a temporary “cannabis-induced psychosis” involving agitation, hallucinations, and delusions, can occur with an overdose of eating or smoking marijuana.^2,3

Over time, heavy or frequent use can also contribute to marijuana addiction (known as cannabis use disorder), which may involve strong marijuana cravings and difficulty cutting down or stopping use even when it causes problems. For some people, trying to quit after developing a cannabis use disorder can be challenging and may lead to marijuana relapse.

Get Help for Marijuana or Edible Misuse

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