You might be wondering how much CBD to take. CBD can help with different things, like reducing anxiety or helping with pain.
But what kind of dose should you take?
It’s a good idea to start slow and increase the dose gradually if you don’t see the desired results. Keep in mind that it may take a few weeks for CBD to start working properly. A good starting point is to take 2.5-10 mg of CBD per day.
CBD is non-addictive and generally well-tolerated, so you don’t have to worry about becoming addicted or overdosing.
In this article, we take you through everything you need to know about how much CBD to take, finding the right CBD dose, the way in which dosages can impact you, and other factors that can affect your decision.
How Much CBD Should I Take?
When you start CBD oil, it’s important to take the correct dosage. Most people find that 10 to 20 mg per day is a good place to start.
This allows you to gauge how your body reacts to CBD and whether you experience any unwanted side effects. If everything goes well, you can gradually increase the dosage over time.
CBD affects everyone differently, so it’s important to experiment until you find the right dose for you.
The optimal dose is going to be different for everyone, and CBD dosing can be a little tricky when you start using it.
If you’re not sure where to start, it’s a good idea to speak to a doctor or healthcare professional. They will be able to give you advice on how much CBD you should take based on your individual circumstances.
What are the Recommended Dosages?
Since CBD is not approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and a lot more research is needed, it’s impossible to give professional dosages or find the ideal CBD dose.
However, with all the studies being carried out, there are some that have given approximate dosages based on their research. They are as follows:
- Anxiety: 300 to 600 mg (research)
- Bowel disease: 10 mg per day (research)
- Parkinson’s disease: 75 to 300 mg per day (research)
- Poor sleep and sleep disorders: 25 mg per day (research)
- Psychosis: 600 mg per day (research)
The research is very promising, especially for those with acute anxiety, but the truth is that these dosages are only guidelines. Even for depression, CBD oil might be a good aid, but the ideal dosage is hard to determine.
As a result, it is a good idea for you to always start with a low dose and gradually increase it over time until you find that perfect middle ground.
How to Calculate CBD Dosage
CBD oil is available in different strengths or concentrations, which can make it difficult to know how much you should take.
The good news is that it’s easy to calculate CBD dosage. All you need is the CBD concentration of the product and your body weight.
Here’s a quick CBD dosage calculator:
CBD Dosage = CBD Concentration x Body Weight in kg
For example, if you have a 30 ml bottle of CBD oil that contains 500 mg of CBD, and you weigh 80 kg, you would calculate your CBD dosage like this:
- 500 mg x 80 kg = 40,000 mg
- 40,000 mg ÷ 30 ml = 1,333 mg/ml
- 1,333 mg/ml x 0.03 ml (the amount you would typically take) = 40 mg
As you can see, it’s very easy to calculate CBD dosage. The great news is that this isn’t just a CBD oil dosage calculator – you can use it for any CBD product to find the best CBD dosage for your body.
What Factors Can Impact How Much CBD You Take?
There are several other factors that can impact the amount of CBD you should take, and you should consider each of them before you begin.
CBD Sensitivity
CBD affects everyone differently. Some people are more sensitive to it than others and will, therefore, need less CBD to see the desired effects.
Concentration
CBD products come in different concentrations. A higher concentration will mean that you need to take less CBD to see the desired effects.
Your Weight
Weight can also play a role in how much CBD you need to take. Those who weigh more will generally require a higher CBD dosage than those who weigh less.
Your Body Composition
Body composition is different from weight in that it takes into account things like muscle mass, water retention, and body fat.
Your Unique Biochemistry
We all have unique biochemistry that can impact how CBD affects us. Things like diet, stress levels, and genetics can all play a role in how CBD interacts with our bodies.
The Reason You’re Taking CBD
The reason you’re taking CBD will also impact the dosage you need to take. For example, if you’re taking CBD for anxiety, you’ll likely need a higher dose than if you’re taking it for general wellness.
The Method You Take CBD
The method you take CBD also plays a role in how much you need to take. CBD oil is generally more concentrated than other CBD products, so you’ll need to take less CBD oil to see the desired effects.
Therefore, your CBD oil dosage will likely be different from CBD capsules, CBD gummies, or even CBD topicals.
Capsules and edibles have a lower concentration of CBD, so you’ll need to take more than CBD oils to see the desired effects.
What are the Types of CBD?
There are three main types of CBD available. These are:
- Isolate
- Broad-Spectrum
- Full-Spectrum
Which one of these you take depends on your personal preferences and what you’re looking to get out of CBD.
Isolate
Isolate CBD products only contain CBD and no other cannabinoids or compounds. This means that there is no risk of you coming into contact with THC because it is the purest CBD available. Additionally, you don’t have the “entourage effect.”
Broad-Spectrum
Broad-Spectrum CBD products contain CBD and other cannabinoids but don’t contain THC. However, because it is not a pure CBD oil compound like isolate, there is always the risk that you will come into contact with other compounds such as THC.
Full-Spectrum
Full-Spectrum CBD products contain CBD, other cannabinoids, and trace amounts of THC. This means they have the potential to interact with other medications you’re taking and have the “entourage effect.”
While this isn’t a pure CBD oil compound, it is the strongest and most potent. This is why it is commonly used for things like pain relief.
What are the Potential Benefits of CBD?
You’ve probably heard about the number of health benefits that CBD is able to provide. While there are quite a few (and studies are still ongoing), these are some of the benefits that CBD might be able to give you:
- reduce anxiety and depression
- improve sleep
- reduce seizures in people with epilepsy
- soothe pain and inflammation
- improve heart health
- improve symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
There is a lot of promise for the future of CBD as a medication to help things like chronic pain and general health, but the dosage is a tricky thing you have to figure out yourself.
What are the Potential Side Effects of CBD?
The great news is that CBD is pretty safe to use. There are very few side effects, and experiencing any of them is very rare. Studies and reviews have been able to back this up.
The good news is that you can’t take too much CBD, and while you will have to try and find your optimal dosage, you cannot really overdose on it.
If you do end up experiencing side effects, the most common are:
- fatigue
- diarrhea
- changes in appetite
- changes in weight
While more research is needed, a 2019 study on mice did show the potential for CBD to cause liver damage in rare cases. It should be noted that this is an animal study, and there have been none carried out on humans with the same results as of yet.
To Conclude
CBD is a versatile compound with a lot of potential benefits. However, finding the right dosage can be tricky. It’s important to start with a small dose and increase gradually until you find the desired effects.
CBD is also available in different forms, which can impact the dosage you need to take. Be sure to consult with your doctor before taking CBD, especially if you’re already taking medication. CBD is generally considered safe, but there are a few potential side effects to be aware of.
We’re sure you’ll find the perfect balance when you dose CBD as you start your CBD adventure. Find what you need at Keoni CBD.
Sources:
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Fasinu, P.S., Phillips, S., ElSohly, M.A. and Walker, L.A. (2016), Current Status and Prospects for Cannabidiol Preparations as New Therapeutic Agents. Pharmacotherapy, 36: 781-796. https://doi.org/10.1002/phar.1780
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Ewing LE, Skinner CM, Quick CM, Kennon-McGill S, McGill MR, Walker LA, ElSohly MA, Gurley BJ, Koturbash I. Hepatotoxicity of a Cannabidiol-Rich Cannabis Extract in the Mouse Model. Molecules. 2019; 24(9):1694. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24091694