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CBD Dosage: How Much CBD Should You Take for Results?

One of the main questions the Blessed CBD team receives from both inexperienced and seasoned CBD users is: how much CBD should I take?

No matter the supplement, calculating the right dosage is a difficult job for both beginners and experienced users. Even with extensive research, it’s not always possible to find a conclusive answer.

It’s no different when adding cannabidiol (CBD) oil products to your wellness supplement routine. Many people find that determining CBD dosage for wellness needs can be somewhat challenging.

Fortunately, there are several ways to accurately measure and dose CBD products for first-time and experienced users. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about finding the right CBD dosage for your individual needs.

Knowing the dosage of CBD isn’t an exact science, but we’ll break down the important factors that go into figuring out the best dosage when taking CBD oil.

CBD Oil Dosage Calculator

The short answer is the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) and FSA (Food Standards Agency), at the writing of this article, hasn’t recommended a daily amount for the consumption of CBD, meaning that CBD doesn’t have an official serving size.

However, based on recent findings by the government’s Committee on Toxicity (COT), the FSA recommends no more than 70mg of CBD a day.

Step 1: Use Your Body Weight to Estimate Your Dosage

Similar to most substances that affect the body, someone with less body mass requires less CBD to feel the same effects as someone with more body mass.

Here’s a good guideline to keep in the memory bank:

CBD oil dosage calculator

(the above dosage calculator numbers are approximations and highly subjective due to the nature of CBD consumption – always consult with your doctor to check for drug interactions, as there may be side effects)

Step 2: Start With Lower Doses and Increase Dosage Slowly

There’s a reason some people swear by one brand and another has no success with it – we are all made differently and our bodies have had their own unique experiences and history with substances, vitamin supplements, and medications.

In other words, our body chemistry affects how we will react to CBD. This is why you shouldn’t listen to your friend that gets results taking the smallest amount, or the one whose body can handle a large dose of CBD. What works for your friend may not work for you, and vice versa.

This is why it’s important to determine your CBD oil starting dosage based on weight. Then you need to gauge your body’s reaction to the minimal amount of CBD it was given before increasing it.

After you are comfortable with the minimal dose, gradually increase the amount of CBD while monitoring your body’s reactions closely. Being able to feel your body plays an important role in finding your perfect dosage.

When we refer to a “drop” of our CBD oils, we literally mean a droplet of the oil. This is not to be confused with a “full dropper”. 

Knowing the right milligrams of CBD to take only requires a little bit of simple math.

For example, if you’re using our 500mg CBD oil tincture for a daily dosage of 18mg, you’ll take 9 drops (18 / 2 = 9). You can space out those 9 drops throughout the day (3 drops in the morning, 3 drops in the afternoon, and 3 at night).

Know Your CBD Type

The first step to accurately dosing any CBD product is knowing the type of CBD you are taking. Some CBD products are made with pure CBD isolate, while others are broad or full-spectrum CBD products that contain other cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes in addition to CBD.

Full-spectrum CBD products are often considered more likely to cause the entourage effect. This is the theory that all of the cannabinoids and other compounds in hemp work together to provide greater wellness benefits.

CBD isolate is, as the name suggests, isolated cannabidiol. This means it does not contain any other cannabinoid compounds found in the hemp plant. Isolate products also don’t contain aromatic terpenes that provide a distinct taste or smell, so they tend to be flavourless and a popular choice for those that don’t like the taste of CBD. Additionally, isolate products tend to come in higher concentrations of CBD than broad or full-spectrum products, and shouldn’t cause you to fail a drug test.

Broad-spectrum CBD oil contains cannabidiol and other compounds found in the hemp plant, but all of the THC has been removed. This leaves behind other cannabinoids like CBG and CBC, which can still bind to CB1 and CB2 endocannabinoid receptors. Broad-spectrum products provide a great non-psychoactive alternative to cannabis hemp products that contain trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

By understanding what CBD you are taking, you can better determine the right dosage required for your body. For example, you might find that CBD isolates provide similar wellness support as full-spectrum CBD products but in a smaller dosage. In contrast, broad-spectrum CBD products might require a slightly higher dose to ensure you get the desired daily CBD dosage.

Know Your Body

The second most important aspect of understanding CBD dosage is knowing your body’s physiology. There are several factors to consider when thinking about your body and how it will process CBD. These include:

  • Body weight

Heavier individuals tend to process supplements, vitamins, and other wellness products differently than those who are lighter. Typically, those over 90 kilos will require a higher dose of CBD to experience the same effects as someone under 90 kilos. It is very similar to the idea that heavier individuals will require more alcohol to get drunk than lighter individuals. The same can be said for CBD oil and other hemp-based products.

  • Metabolism

Even lighter individuals may find they have a slower metabolism which will also cause them to process CBD differently. A slower metabolism doesn’t mean that you’ll need more or less CBD, but rather that you may want to find products with enhanced bioavailability like CBD isolate powder, water-soluble CBD, or those with MCT oil. These products are easier for your body to process and typically result in faster and more consistent wellness results.

  • Gender

Studies are only now starting to confirm that men and women may process chemical compounds from supplements, vitamins, and minerals differently as a result of hormones, body chemistry, and other internal systems. As a result, men may find that they need more of a product than women do to achieve the desired effect, and vice versa depending on the type of CBD product being used.

By understanding your specific body type, you can better understand how to avoid unwanted side effects and have a positive wellness experience.

Know Your Tolerance

A major factor affecting the proper CBD dose for your needs is tolerance. Simply put, the more frequently you use a product, the less effective it becomes. This is called tolerance, and it’s a phenomenon that exists with nearly every type of wellness product on the market, from caffeine to multivitamins. Tolerance happens because your body gets used to the regular presence of a compound and starts to adjust its systems accordingly.

With CBD, higher tolerance typically means needing a higher dose of the product to achieve the desired effect. Conversely, lower tolerance means requiring less. This is why it’s important to start with a lower concentration and increase the amount you take as needed. Additionally, you may find that taking a break from CBD every few weeks can help reset your tolerance and allow you to get the most out of the product when you do take it.

Know Your Potency

The potency of a CBD product is the amount of cannabidiol present in each serving. The higher the potency, the less CBD you’ll need to take to reach dosage goals. For example, a 50 milligram-per-serving product will require a lower dose than a 10mg per serving product to get the same saturation of CBD in the body.

CBD potency isn’t just about CBD concentration – it’s also about the quality of ingredients and the manufacturing process. Generally, the lower the quality, the more CBD oil you may be taking to get the desired effects on your body. You can avoid wasting money on CBD products and potentially consuming harmful substances by looking for CBD oil products that are:

  • Made with organically grown hemp
  • non-GMO
  • Free from herbicides, pesticides, and other harmful chemicals
  • Processed using supercritical CO2 extraction methods

By choosing high-quality CBD products with these characteristics, you can ensure that your dosage is as accurate as possible and that you’re not inadvertently harming your body with artificial sweeteners, flavourings, or other harmful chemical solvents.

Know Your Form of CBD

CBD dosage varies not only by the type of CBD but also by the form you consume it in. CBD oil is available in several different forms, including but not limited to:

Each form of CBD product has its own unique characteristics that will affect how you dose it as part of a wellness supplement routine.

For example, CBD oil tinctures are used by those seeking fast absorption sublingually with the use of a dropper. CBD tinctures are available in low and high dose concentrations ranging from 300mg per bottle to well over 10,000 mg of CBD per bottle. It is best to start with a lower dose of oil tincture and increase the amount you take until you realize your optimal mL concentration.

CBD capsules are designed for those who want a measured, consistent, and flavourless dose of CBD each time they supplement. CBD capsules are available in 10mg, 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, and 100mg dosages. Most people find that starting at the lower end of the spectrum and working their way up is the best way to find their desired dose when taking CBD capsules.

CBD gummies are another popular form of CBD, especially among those new to CBD supplementation. CBD gummies are a discrete and easy way to get your CBD dose, and they’re available in a variety of potencies ranging from 5mg per gummy to as high as 50mg per gummy. As with other forms of CBD, it is best to start with a small dose and increase as needed.

CBD creams and other topicals are applied directly to the skin and are absorbed through the pores. These forms of CBD stimulate endocannabinoid receptors in the skin to better promote internal homeostasis from multiple angles. 

CBD creams can often be the hardest to dose properly because portions used can vary from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball, and potencies can range from 500mg per jar to 5,000mg+ per jar. Start with a small portion applied directly to the target area and increase as needed until you are satisfied with how you feel.

Know Your Reaction

If you have taken CBD products before, you know that taking too much can sometimes cause minor side effects that first-time users may not be expecting.

By knowing how you react to too much CBD, you can better tailor dosing and consumption habits to avoid any unwanted effects, including:

  • Dry mouth
  • Stomach cramps
  • Nausea
  • Drowsiness
  • Diarrhoea

If you do experience any of the side effects of CBD, it is best to decrease the amount of CBD you are taking or stop taking CBD altogether. You may also consider switching the form of CBD you are taking to see if the issue is with the method of consumption rather than the CBD itself.

Know Your Reason for Taking CBD

If you are taking CBD as a general wellness supplement, you can probably get away with a dose on the lower end of the spectrum since you are not trying to reach a specific goal. However, if taking CBD for a specific reason, you may need to adjust your dose accordingly to meet your needs.

As part of the trial and error method of finding the perfect CBD dose for your needs, you may find that you have taken too much CBD. Fortunately, CBD is non-intoxicating and has no psychoactive effects, so you will not feel “high” or experience any uncomfortable effects similar to consuming THC rich marijuana cannabis plant products.

Know Where to Get Medical Advice

Like any supplement, it may be necessary to speak to your primary care physician prior to taking CBD, especially if you have a medical condition or are taking other medications. This is because CBD can potentially interact with other medications and may not be appropriate for everyone.

Your healthcare professional may also help you determine what dosage of CBD is right for your individual needs based on your age, weight, gender, and why you are taking CBD.

Pro Tip: Because CBD is considered as a general wellness supplement in the United Kingdom and not legal to be seen as a treatment for specific medical conditions like epilepsy, chronic pain, anxiety disorders, etc., your doctor may not be able to provide you with specific medical advice. However, they may still be able to offer guidance on whether or not CBD is suitable for you and, if so, a generally recommended dosage. 

The Right CBD Dosage Makes All the Difference

Ideally, the best dose of CBD should not cause any unwanted side effects and provide you with a way to meet your wellness goals. However, how much CBD you need to take in order to experience these effects will vary from person to person.

For this reason, it is essential to consider the information above before purchasing or starting any CBD regimen. By taking the time to find the perfect dosage for your individual needs, you can make sure that you are getting the most out of your CBD products.

References

1. A Systematic Review of Cannabidiol Dosing in Clinical Populations, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6710502/

2. CBD and Other Medications: Proceed With Caution, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cbd-and-other-medications-proceed-with-caution-2021011121743#:~:text=While%20generally%20considered%20safe%2C%20CBD,of%20unwanted%20symptoms%20or%20toxicity

3. Pharmacology of Cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 Receptors, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0163725897820013

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