Can CBD Gummies Make You Sick? – Potential Side Effects

Women in her late 20's leaning over the toilet holding her stomach like she's about to vomit.

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CBD gummies are handy, easy to consume, and even tasty. But what happens when the CBD in them becomes the source of discomfort rather than the solution? 

CBD gummies do have the potential to make you sick; they could cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Though disruptive and unpleasant, these side effects are generally uncommon and almost always mild. They often remedy themselves once the product is out of your system.

CBD gummies that are expired or contain higher amounts of CBD than you’re used to are more likely to cause side effects than other options. Most CBD users and patients experience very little to no adverse effects when using their products, though; those who do experience side effects can also take steps to avoid them in the future.

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Can CBD gummies harm you?

CBD gummies are very unlikely to cause notable harm to those who consume them, though certain health conditions and prescription medications can interfere with CBD and cause adverse or potentially dangerous effects.

In general, CBD is not known to be a harmful substance. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CBD has the potential to cause liver injury, particularly at excessively high levels, but more research is needed to help us fully understand to what extent CBD is responsible for this damage and what can be done to avoid it.

Still, it’s important that CBD users remain aware of this (isolated, yet still noteworthy) risk. As mentioned, CBD can also interact with other drugs or medications and, as a result, cause serious side effects or interfere with other substances’ abilities to function.

Products like gummies are perhaps one of the easiest options to turn toward if you’re concerned about precisely controlling your dose. This makes them an appealing option for beginners, too.

Overall, the average CBD user need only worry about temporary side effects when using their product. Those taking other medications or experiencing chronic health conditions should always consult a healthcare professional before implementing CBD into their routine, whether for medical or for recreational purposes.

Can a child overdose on CBD gummies?

A child can overdose on CBD gummies, but a fatal overdose as the result of CBD is, as far as we know, not possible. It is possible for a child (and adult, or even pet) to experience side effects as the result of CBD gummies, but serious consequences often associated with overdose (seizures, unconsciousness, hospitalization, and even death) are usually not a concern.

There are a few reasons for this. First and foremost, it’s hard to consume enough CBD to enter what medical professionals might officially deem an overdose. A grown adult, for instance, must consume upwards of 30 to 40 tablespoons of CBD oil in one sitting to qualify as overdosing.

Of course, the amount it takes to overdose is smaller for children, especially very young children. Still, considering the average dose of CBD is a mere fraction of a tablespoon (usually about ⅛ to ⅙ at a time), it can be difficult for children to access enough of the substance to cause harm.

If a child does consume high amounts of CBD gummies, even if it’s not enough to technically “overdose,” noticeable side effects can occur. Extreme fatigue, vomiting, nausea, and others (but not death) are all commonly reported results of CBD overdoses, and these symptoms may be especially severe in children.

The effects of an overdose can be very unpleasant to experience, but fortunately, they’re rarely serious. When it comes to children, though, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and reach out to local poison control or a healthcare professional to report the incident, the child’s symptoms, and request guidance for next steps.

Metal bowl overflowing with bright multicolored gummy bears.

Can CBD gummies make you sick to your stomach?

CBD gummies can indeed cause feelings of nausea, bloating, and diarrhea, especially if you’ve taken more than you normally do.

Gastrointestinal symptoms like those listed above are unfortunately common side effects of CBD, and because gummies are ingested orally and break down in the stomach they may be more likely than other products to cause this sort of irritation.

If you take CBD gummies and experience vomiting and nausea, it’s likely a good idea to lower your dose or switch to a different product. If your gummies are too strong, for instance, you might consider a less potent option.

Aside from the CBD in the gummies itself, other ingredients can also cause discomfort. Lots of artificial ingredients, sugar, and potential allergens may exist within your gummies can cause you to feel less than great, so it never hurts to familiarize yourself with the ingredients of your gummies before you begin using them.

Can CBD gummies give you a stomach ache?

CBD gummies can give you a stomach ache (nausea) even if they don’t produce other side effects. If your gummies are formulated with ingredients that irritate your system, you might notice more unpleasant side effects than usual.

Ingredients aside, another reason CBD gummies might make you feel sick could be that they’ve simply gone bad. CBD gummies and other CBD products can indeed “go bad” over time, meaning that the CBD loses its efficacy and other parts of the product begin to spoil, too.

Gummies and oils, since they are consumed orally, may be the most likely product for users to turn to without realizing that they have the potential to spoil. While CBD itself doesn’t necessarily go bad – instead, it begins to lose its ability to produce effects and breaks down – other ingredients in your products can.

Sugary gummies, for instance, might get hard or excessively sticky over time. Dyes, flavorings, and alternative additives may also change in texture and taste. These factors combined can make consuming old gummies an experience worth avoiding.

If you have a stomach ache or otherwise feel unwell after consuming CBD gummies, ask yourself some questions to help determine the best course of action:

  • Is this a new product? If so, consider switching to something else or to a different brand.

  • Is this a new dosage? If so, consider lowering it back to what you’re most accustomed to.

  • Is there anything in this product that I know tends to bother me? If certain dyes tend to be irritating or cause an allergic reaction, for instance, it helps to be aware of their presence in your gummies.

  • How long have I had this product opened? If it’s been over a year or two, it may be time to invest in something new.

  • Do I take other medications that might influence my experience with CBD? Talking with your doctor can help answer this question.

Overall, the best first step to take is to stop ingesting whatever product you suspect may be causing your stomach aches. If after multiple attempts to use your product you still notice adverse effects, you may want to consider another product option (oils, tinctures, topicals, or even CBD flower).

White guy standing up holding his stomach with both hands wearing a charcoal long-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and a black belt.

What are side effects of CBD gummies?

The side effects of CBD gummies align with side effects a user might experience from consuming CBD in any form. Side effects are fairly uncommon when it comes to CBD use, but those with lower tolerance levels may find more potent products, including gummies, to be overwhelming.

Adverse effects that may stem from CBD gummies include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Drowsiness
  • Irritability

Though these side effects are unpleasant, they’re almost never serious and resolve on their own once CBD begins to break down in your system. 

Remember that it’s not possible to fatally overdose on CBD, so consuming even the largest amounts of CBD, while it may make you miserable, won’t cause serious harm.

Product options like gummies, tinctures, and oils may produce more intense effects, but they take longer to manifest. Consuming CBD orally also helps users avoid potential irritation to the soft tissue inside the mouth and throat as well as the lungs, which can also be a side effect to consider.

Final Thoughts

While it is possible for CBD gummies to make you feel lousy, these side effects are relatively unlikely to happen so long as you take an appropriate dose. 

Taking higher-than-normal doses of any sort of CBD increases the risk of experiencing the side effects we’ve discussed, including nausea and vomiting. Gummies may be especially irritating to the gut simply because they don’t begin to break down until they enter the stomach and intestines.

As with any new CBD product, following the dosage recommendations on your product’s packaging (if there are any) is a safe way to introduce it into your routine. Even experienced users should exercise caution when switching from one product type to another; some products produce stronger, longer-lasting effects than others.

While most shouldn’t run into any side effects when using CBD safely and correctly, each CBD user is different. If a product, including gummies, seems to be consistently causing adverse effects at any dosage, it’s likely best to discontinue use and seek out another option.

No matter what CBD product you end up choosing to use regularly, being aware of what sort of side effects to look out for can help save you a lot of headaches and money.

Choosing high-quality products, like those listed over at our free directory, that you know you can trust can help, too. Your health and comfort should never be sacrificed for any product, CBD or not.

Picture of Josh Murdoch

Josh Murdoch

I was born with Cystic Fibrosis, and although it is incurable, CBD and THC have been allowing me to live my life as a healthy adult now for years. For that reason, I’ve dedicated my career to spreading the good news about cannabinoids. Currently, I work for a cannabis distribution company called Humble & Fume which operates in California. Previously, I worked on two cannabis farms in northern California, one of which was located in the famous Humboldt County. I’ve also managed a medical cannabis delivery service in Marin County, California. I created CBD Facilitator to share what I’ve learned, and to recommend the best products that I have found in this chaotic market.

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