Marijuana Overdose - Is it Possible?

  • Context: Medical 
  • Thread starter Thread starter TheStatutoryApe
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the possibility of marijuana overdose, particularly in light of increasing THC content in modern marijuana strains. Participants explore symptoms, potential risks, and the distinction between overdose and panic reactions, while examining both acute and long-term effects of marijuana use.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that symptoms of marijuana overdose could include difficulty breathing, weak pulse, and loss of consciousness, although they question whether these are truly overdose symptoms or panic attacks.
  • Others argue that acute panic reactions can occur with marijuana use, leading some individuals to seek medical help, but they do not classify these reactions as overdoses.
  • A participant challenges the notion of increased THC content in modern marijuana, attributing this belief to changes in testing methodology rather than actual potency increases.
  • It is proposed that actual overdose may be more likely through ingestion rather than smoking, with some participants stating that the lethal dose of THC is extremely high and unlikely to be reached through normal consumption.
  • Concerns are raised about the cardiovascular effects of marijuana, particularly in individuals with pre-existing health conditions, as marijuana can increase heart rate and alter blood pressure.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the existence of marijuana overdose, noting that reports of such incidents may actually reflect panic attacks rather than true overdoses.
  • There are mentions of potential long-term effects, including the risk of cancer from smoking marijuana, although some argue that users typically consume less marijuana than tobacco smokers do tobacco.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally do not reach a consensus on the existence of marijuana overdose, with multiple competing views remaining on the topic. Some believe it is a myth, while others suggest that panic attacks may be misinterpreted as overdose symptoms.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying definitions of overdose, differing opinions on THC potency, and the lack of definitive studies on the long-term effects of marijuana use. The discussion also reflects uncertainty regarding the physiological responses to marijuana, particularly in combination with other substances.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring the health effects of marijuana, those concerned about its safety, and anyone interested in the ongoing debate surrounding marijuana use and its potential risks.

  • #31
There really is no danger of an overdose from cannabis. The only problem to worry about (other than the regular health effects of smoking) is that in some people, long term heavy use can trigger temporary psychosis. Some people may not enjoy the effects of being stoned and my panic or become paranoid, but this is not the same as an overdose.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
  • #32
russ_watters said:
I've gotten the impression that American teens go through a period of immaturity and rebellion that is far worse than those in other countries.

Should we blame their role models? Government? Education? Parenting? Capitalism? Media?
 
  • #33
Pythagorean said:
Should we blame their role models? Government? Education? Parenting? Capitalism? Media?

yes. in europe, kids are allowed to experiment with alcohol at a much younger age. here, we keep getting more and more restrictive. i wouldn't be surprised if there were soon to be a move to raise the drinking age to 25. that's about the age where the brain is considered fully developed and we are better able to evaluate risk. it would also, in theory only, keep them drug-free all the way through grad school. which, who knows, might not be such a bad thing since the grad degree seems to be becoming the brass ring that the undergrad degree once was.
 
  • #34
Everyone here seems to have a different view of what an overdose is. Some people are taking it as the same as a heroin overdose, some aren't.

Lets try to define what the OP means by overdose before we get into too much more depth on this concept. We obviously have found that overdosing in the sense of drugs like heroin, or even prescription drugs is nearly impossible, or at least extremely, EXTREMELY difficult.

Remember also that for those who have added their experiences with "overdosing" on marijuana, that there is always the possibility that what you had was laced with another drug, like PCP or LSD, which can make consuming it in any fashion fatal if you consume too much, but only because of what it is laced with. This is part of the problem with buying marijuana off of the street from dealers, and is a big reason why supporters of the legalization of marijuana would like to have it legalized. You know what you're buying, and you know it's safe (or at least safer, depending on your POV on marijuana).
 
  • #35
i once had too much weed, and it was real bad trip. it started with vibrations all over my body, which was very cool, but then, i had sensations of pins stinging everywhere. and then it started feeling like i was being jolted by electricity for like, 15 minutes. every bad memory, every painful experience flashed before my eyes. it only stopped after i splashed cold water over my face.
also whever i smoke up, i have this sour taste of lemon, all over my body. is that normal?
 
  • #36
I don't understand marijuana. I will admit that I had unfortunately smoked three times before. All of them with friends. I'm not sure why I did it but I did and I must say the whole thing is very stupid. It did almost nothing for me, and yes I smoked high quality stuff and quit a bit of it too but it only felt as if I hadn't eaten for 2 days.

Most of the kids in my school are stoners, and I have to put up with them for the rest of my high school life. When I ask them why they do it they say because it's fun. Most of them don't have the intelligence of my 12 year old brother. They have no other skills either, all they talk about is weed and other drugs. They are also experimenting with other drugs now too. Some of them are nice kids but others are real losers. I try and tell them that it's only a waste of money but they won't listen.

Also the only reason I see kids drinking alcohol is because it's illegal, my mom, (shes from Europe so she see's it as no bid deal) let's me drink a little bit of wine every once and a while and I NEVER have abused it while other kids I know would go crazy with any alcohol they find.
 
  • #37
TheStatutoryApe said:
While it may not be an overdose in the sense that it is potentially fatal

Too bad, it would get rid of a lot of as*****s who enrich the drug dealers.
 
  • #38
i've never heard of a MJ overdose...i've had bad experiences with laced stuff and mixing it with the wrong things, but no ODing...i always thought you'd get sick from the smoke and lack of oxygen before you'd OD on THC.

and I've never heard it's stronger when you eat it...i've eaten it and it had a weaker affect on me than when i smoke it. even when i kept going back to the wrong brownies, lol.
 

Similar threads

Medical Can Marijuana's Active Ingredient Prevent or Reverse Alzheimer's Disease?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
7K
COVID Reaction to COVID-19 Vaccine (or what to be prepared for)
  • · Replies 287 ·
10
Replies
287
Views
27K
What are some common Hollywood medical faux pas?
  • · Replies 77 ·
3
Replies
77
Views
10K
On medical materialism and the value of subjective experience
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K