What’s the ideal CBD dosage to hit that spot?
Cannabinol is becoming more and more mainstream, helping millions around the world with anxiety, sleep, pain and just generally feeling better. But as the number of CBD products available explodes, it can be rather confusing to work out exactly how much you should take and when. To help you along the way, we’ve collected together some tips on finding the right CBD dosage for you.
The first thing to remember is that how much CBD you take is very a personal matter. There are no precise rules that work for everyone. Each of us is different and our bodies react in different ways. As always, we recommend starting slow and low, and gradually picking up the pace (if you want).
But what exactly do we mean by “slow” and “low”?
It’s usually recommended to begin with about 20mg per day. After a week, increase this by 5mg. Continue until you feel the effect and have reached that “sweet spot”
But how do you know if you’re taking 20mg?
The strength of each CBD serving
Step 1? Look carefully at the label. Although these aren’t standardised, they should contain some essential info.
For CBD edibles and capsules, it’s easy as the amount of CBD in each serving will be indicated on the label. Like these CBD capsules from Swiss Original Cannabis:
But it can be more difficult if you’ve opted for CBD oil with a dropper. Some brands include how much CBD is in each drop, so you can easily figure how many drops you need to reach 20mg (or your chosen amount). While others only include the total amount of CBD in the bottle.
If this is the case, here are some pointers.
One drop is about 0.05 millilitres (ml) — that a single drop, not a full dropper. A 10-ml bottle of CBD oil therefore contains roughly 200 drops. Divide the total amount of CBD by the number of drops.
So, with a 10ml bottle of CBD oil containing 1000mg of CBD, like this one from CBD Embrace, each drop will contain about 5mg of CBD (1000÷200 = 5).
20 mg therefore means four drops (5 X 4 = 20mg)
Most CBD brands also include their own recommended dosage.
Percentages
Labels often also indicate the percentage of CBD. And this can be a bit confusing.
It represents the concentration, i.e., the true measure of the drop-for-drop strength of a product. The higher the pourcentage, the more powerful (concentrated) the CBD.
But this also depends on the total volume of liquid contained in the bottle (how much carrier the CBD has been diluted in). So, when working out your dosage, we recommend focusing to milligrams.
Body weight matters
We’re not here to judge your weight, don’t worry. But it’s a good idea adapt the dosage to how much you weigh as this will have an impact on how your body processes the CBD. If you’re on the taller or heavier side, you may want to start with a bit more than 20mg per day and, if you’re light as a feather, a little less.
As a general rule, calculate 1 to 6 milligrams of CBD for every 10 pounds (roughly 4.5 kilos) of body weight — obviously, this range is very wide, but it does set some outer limits.
CBD delivery method
Remember that depending on the delivery method, the CBD will enter your blood stream at a different rate. CBD oil is the quickest, while edibles and capsules can take a lot longer (up to 2 hours). So, don’t be tempted to gobble up too many gummy bears without waiting to see how you feel.
Do your research
Before sampling a new product, read the label carefully. We also recommend finding out more about the brand, as well as how CBD can help your specific need. Whether you’re looking to use CBD oil for sleep, pain, anxiety or overall wellbeing, you’ll find lots of great advice on which products are available, as well as the advantages and disadvantages.
Here’s a selection of our articles to get started.
Adapt it to your lifestyle
No one knows you better than you! Think about your daily routine and which kind of CBD products fit in most easily. Does the simplicity of using a dropper and speed at which the CBD oil enters your blood stream sound appealing? Or are you looking for something that’s easy to carry around and discreet to take at a moment’s notice — like CBD gummies or mints? If you take CBD to unwind at the end of a busy day, why not try CBD bath salts or bath bombs?
For more information about how long CBD stays in your body, it’s this way.
And here’s some info on possible side effects.
Key CBD dosage takeaways
Remember that there’s still a lot we don’t know about CBD. Human CBD trials use hugely different amounts of CBD — anything from 20 and 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day. So, the best approach is a cautious and informed one:
1. Each of us is unique, so is the most effective CBD dosage
2. Always read the label carefully, so you know how much CBD your product contains
3. If you are already taking medication, consult your doctor first
4. Adopt a gradual approach when starting out or trying a new CBD product
More questions about CBD dosage? Don’t hesitate to get in touch.
