CBD can be a great addition to your lifestyle in terms of relaxation and wellness but taking too much can be dangerous, and taking too little may not have any effect.
So how do you know how much to take? Dosing CBD isn’t easy, and it depends on a lot of different factors. Read on to find out more about CBD dosing and what dosage is the proper one for you.
What is CBD?
CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol and it is a tetrahydrocannabinol compound that is found in cannabis plants. Humans have been known to use marijuana plants for centuries, for both medicinal and relaxation purposes.
Marijuana plants contain main compounds like CBD called cannabinoids, and CBD is, in fact, just one of these many compounds. CBD is known for being considered a safe cannabinoid to use because of its non-addictive properties.
CBD is closely related to another compound in the marijuana plant called THC. THC is the most famous compound because it is what creates the ‘high’ feeling when people consume or inhale marijuana smoke. CBD does not give the user any sort of high feeling unless it is in a mixture that also contains THC.
CBD has been shown in clinical studies to actually neutralize the effects of THC. The specific results, however, depend widely on the person and the CBD dosage given. It is not recommended to use CBD to combat the effects of THC without the guidance of a doctor.
Why Are You Taking CBD?
Before we start discussing dosage, it’s important to know the reason you wish to use CBD. The reason for your use of CBD will play heavily into the decision of your dose. There is a broad spectrum of reasons you may be taking CBD, some reasons which will require higher doses than others. Most people choose to take CBD as a healthier alternative to pharmaceuticals that are prescribed for conditions like chronic pain and anxiety disorders.
Reasons to take CBD:
- Reduces anxiety/anxiety disorders
- Helps arthritis pain
- Epilepsy (specifically Lennox-Gastaut syndrome)
- Helps reduce the effects of cancer
- Alzheimer’s
- Reduces inflammation
- Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
- Helps treat chronic pain
- Boosts the immune system
- Reduces blood pressure
- Helps with PTSD
- Helps with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
- For mental health boost
- Fights nicotine addiction
- Assists with sleep disorders like insomnia
As you can see, there are many benefits of CBD dosing on a regular basis. But someone who is taking CBD to help with the effects of cancer will likely need to take a lot more than someone who is taking CBD for a mental health boost. This is why you need to evaluate why you are taking CBD before you begin to talk dosage. If you are taking CBD for multiple reasons, keep that in mind as you keep reading.
Is CBD Dosing Safe?
Generally, CBD is considered safe for humans. This is because it doesn’t cause any of the intoxicating effects that THC does, and it would take a large dose of CBD to cause someone to become ill from it. You’ll also be happy to find out, that besides just being safe, CBD has very few side effects compared to its THC cousin. This means you can enjoy CBD comfortably.
It is possible that you will experience some side effects. If you do, it is critical that you seek professional help right away, especially if the side effects persist for a long period of time.
Possible Side Effects of CBD:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Drowsiness
- Changes to weight or appetite
- Low blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Sedation
Again, these side effects are very rare, but they can happen, especially if you are one of a few groups that should not be using THC. Not sure if that includes you? The following are people who should avoid taking CBD unless they have discussed it with their doctor:
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Those who are taking other medications
- Children
This is also why it is important to keep any CBD items you may have in your home out of the reach of small hands. This is especially true when you buy edible products like CBD milk chocolate bars which may closely resemble the non-CBD version and cause a hungry child to accidentally eat high doses of CBD without realizing it. Keep in mind that while CBD is considered legal in most places, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not approved most CBD products for general consumption.
How Much CBD Should You Take?
Beyond just keeping your desired effect in mind, there are a couple of other aspects of yourself you need to take into account before deciding on a CBD dose. First and foremost, you need to look at your weight. Those who are lighter in weight will generally be able to handle much less CBD than those who are of a heavier weight. Next, consider how much experience you have with THC. Those who have taken THC previously, or on a regular basis, will have a much higher tolerance for CBD.
They will need to take more than those who have never had any. Finally, you need to look at any other medications you may be taking. For example, if you are dosing CBD for pain relief, but are also taking a pain relief medication prescribed by your doctor, you will require a much lower dose than if you weren’t taking that prescription.
Take a Look at the Bottle
With all of the above items in the back of your mind, it’s time to take a look at the bottle or container for whatever CBD product or supplement you are taking. There is usually a recommended dose. You should take the smallest dose possible, and then increase after you see how that dose affects you.This way, you will be much less likely to experience any side effects, and you won’t risk possibly taking too much your first time.
If the bottle, jar, or bag you are looking at doesn’t have a recommendation for the amount of CBD you should be taking, not to worry, as we’ve included a chart by weight. Remember, this is just a suggestion, and you should always adhere to product labels and the instructions of any medical professionals.
|
Body Weight (Pounds) |
Starting Dose per Day(mg) |
|
100 lbs. |
10-20mg |
|
110 lbs. |
11-22mg |
|
120 lbs. |
12-24mg |
|
130 lbs. |
13-26mg |
|
140 lbs. |
14-28mg |
|
150 lbs. |
15-30mg |
|
160 lbs. |
16-32mg |
|
170 lbs. |
17-34mg |
|
180 lbs. |
18-36mg |
|
190 lbs. |
19-38mg |
|
200 lbs. |
20-40mg |
|
210 lbs. |
21-42mg |
|
220 lbs. |
22-44mg |
|
230 lbs. |
23-46mg |
|
240 lbs. |
24-48mg |
|
250 lbs. |
25-50mg |
|
260 lbs. |
26-52mg |
|
270 lbs. |
27-54mg |
As you can see, the general rule is to take 1-6 mg of CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight you have. Remember, when in doubt, always take a low dose instead of one that could be too high. Of course, if you are taking CBD for chronic pain, it is highly likely that the base dose will not be enough for you. But it is always better to start slow and increase rather than go the other way around and take too high of a dose.
Also, you don’t have to take all your CBD in a single dose every day. It is perfectly acceptable to split your dose and take some in the morning and some at night. This is recommended if you experience side effects from even small doses of CBD.
When Should I Up My CBD Dose?
Despite common belief, your body does not develop a tolerance to CBD. This means that once you find a dose that manages the reason you are taking CBD in the first place, you can stick with it. There are some exceptions to this, however, such as someone who has increasing pain. If your pain increases over time, then you will need to increase your CBD dose as well.
Does Which CBD Product I Take Matter?
Another aspect of dosing CBD is picking the right products for you. Some products are more potent than others. For example, Cotton Candy CBD oil drops will be much more potent than consuming your CBD in an edible like chocolate bars or gummy bears. Not to mention that CBD that has to travel through your digestive system before making it into your bloodstream is much more broken down than those products that are inhaled.
Therefore when you switch to a different product you may eventually need to adjust your dose. But first, you should stick to the same mg dosage as you were using with your previous product. You will need to look at the label to know how much this is. After you see how this affects you is when you can raise or lower your dose.
Different brands have different concentrations, so even if you were taking CBD oil drops or CBD capsules before from a different company, and switched to a new brand, you need to check the label to see how much you should be taking. If you are taking a topical CBD product, the above information generally doesn't apply and you can typically use as much of the product as you need to cover the affected area.
How Long Does it Take to Feel the Effects of CBD Oil?
One of the reasons you may want to switch up the dosage of CBD you are using is because how long it takes to feel the effects of CBD oil depends on the form of CBD you choose to consume.
Oral products such as the following:
- Chocolate Bars
- CBD Gummies
- Soluble Powders
- Pills
- Edibles of any kind
The products will take a bit longer for you to feel the effects of the CBD. This is because the CBD has to pass through your digestive system before it can interact with your endocannabinoid system. This process typically takes 30-90 minutes. CBD products taken via a sublingual method (under the tongue), such as CBD drops via a dropper, typically take effect much faster. This is because it doesn’t have to journey through your stomach to get to your endocannabinoid system.
CBD taken using this method takes about 5-20 minutes to take effect. CBD oil dosage needs to be taken seriously, as many of these products vary widely in their purity and concentration of CBD. Some also contain THC. Always read the bottle or container for the suggested CBD oil dosage for your product before you consume it. Another popular way to take CBD is by inhaling it as vape oil, in a vape pen, or via a spray. This method has the quickest effect, making this a great method for those using CBD to battle pain.
It typically takes a few minutes for inhaled CBD effects to be felt. Take note, however, that inhaled CBD effects also last for the shortest amount of time. Some people choose to take CBD topically, in a lotion or a balm. Using this method, the relief is felt within minutes when applied directly to the area that is experiencing the problem.
Should I Dose Differently If My CBD Product Contains THC?
There are many types of CBD products on the market that do contain THC, and if you plan to take one of these instead of pure CBD, you will absolutely need to dose it differently. This is because THC will cause psychoactive effects in your body and the amount you take will vary the strength of these effects. For this reason, you should take the lowest dose possible of any CBD product containing THC possible until you know how you react to the psychoactive effects of THC.
Then, if you fail to feel the pain relief or symptom relief that you are taking CBD for, you should increase your dose little by little. Too much THC can cause bad side effects, especially in someone who has never taken THC before and has no resistance.
Alternatives to CBD
Some people may find that taking CBD isn't for them, and that's okay. In the healthcare industry, there are many professionals that can guide you to select a different cannabis product that is better for you. One of the best CBD replacements is hemp extract which is typically applied via a topical lotion. This can have many of the same compounds as CBD and be a little less strong.
Thus people who have side effects from even small doses of CBD shouldn't have any when it comes to hemp extract. Don’t be afraid to look into other cannabinoids as well. Just because CBD isn’t for you doesn’t mean that another compound found in the marijuana plant isn’t! CBG is another popular tetrahydrocannabinol that many people take to achieve the same health benefits found in CBD.
Now You Know
As you can see, there are many health benefits to taking CBD on a regular basis. And now that you know the correct CBG dosage for you, you can take whatever CBD product you desire with confidence!
Just keep in mind that it's always best to start with a low dose and go up from there. If you aren't sure how to integrate your CBD dose into your everyday life, check out our article on 5 surprising ways to use CBD.