Positive attributes of cannabis
Do you remember that time when all of those unfortunate people died from overdosing on marijuana? Well, that’s because it never happened. With all of the hoopla about marijuana does this, and marijuana does that, the one thing it hasn’t done like nearly every other drug attainable to man, is kill anybody. Cannabis: the non-fatal outlier.
It is virtually impossible to overdose on cannabis. Now don’t jump the gun. Let’s back up a bit. There is such a thing as overconsumption. But it has never directly resulted in anyone dying.
So, technically you can overdose on cannabis, which means consuming more than the recommended amount. Thus, causing adverse reactions that normally include the same symptoms experienced with an adequate dosage of weed, only much more severe. Reactions such as increased heart rate and blood pressure; panic; paranoia and perhaps some nausea and vomiting. Which can make a few uncomfortable hours feel like an entire day. But it’s nothing that classifies as fatal. Generally, this is much less likely from smoking and tends to occur more with edibles and products with a very high THC content. This is because of the difficulty in determining an exact dosage consumed.
Medical professionals have not yet come to a unanimous determination on the precise amount of THC that would constitute an overdose. However, a general consensus estimates you would have to smoke around 1500 pounds of cannabis in less than 16 minutes to lethally overdose. There’s more of a chance of overdosing on acetaminophen than weed.
Unlike alcohol, heroin, cocaine, and other substances, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) fact sheet as of 2022, “no death from overdose of marijuana has been reported.” The National Institutes of Health has also declared there is “insufficient evidence” to link THC overdose to fatalities. Which would make the mortality rate like one in what- a couple hundred million?
However, this does not mean there have never been weed-related deaths. Causes such as key accidental injury, from an outside element or perhaps a pre-existing condition, but not from direct toxicity of the weed itself, like one would from alcohol poisoning or opioids or methamphetamines. A heated topic when the debate of the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana is brought to the table.
Now, what can be done to subdue a reaction to a milder case of overconsumption of weed? RELAX! First and foremost. Your anxiety will already be at ten, so try whatever you can to calm yourself. It’s good to have a buddy around who can reassure you that everything will be alright and you’re not flying off the deep end. RN Allen-Gentry suggests hydrating with lemon juice in water, which helps neutralize terpenes and counteracts the dehydrating effects of THC. More often than not, peppercorn is a suggestion. It is known to rebuff paranoia. Eat. Snacking on crackers, cheese, or nuts, can help return your blood sugar levels back to normal. NO SWEETS. Sugar and caffeine are known to heighten the effects of THC. Not helpful!
Hopefully, more people will be open to learning more about the positive attributes of cannabis instead of constantly stigmatizing it as that reefer madness. It’s not like it will kill you.