You can overdo garlic in dishes where it doesn't get cooked, like hummus. I don't regret putting a whole bulb and a half of garlic into one cup of chickpeas resulting in an almost spicy taste ...but some people might .
I guess it would depend on the recipe. I use a lot of older recipes and they're kind of sparing with the vanilla. I haven't had any bad effects from doubling or tripling their capful or teaspoonfuls.