CBD Dosage Considerations: How to Find the Right Dosage for You

CBD is well known for its many potential health benefits. Studies suggest it may reduce seizures, ease pain, relieve feelings of stress of anxiety, or improve sleep quality. In order to experience these reported benefits, however, you’ll need to find the appropriate dosage of CBD.

There are many CBD dosage considerations to keep in mind, especially when taking CBD for the first time. There are no universal rules when it comes to dosages of CBD, but there are a number of steps you can take to find the right amount of CBD to take.

Calculate the Right CBD Dosage for You

You’ll want to consider your weight, the conditions you’re addressing, and the concentration of CBD you’re consuming when determining your dosage. It’s generally recommended that you start with a dosage somewhere between 10 and 40mg per day. The lower your weight, the lower your starting dosage should be.

If you’re taking CBD to address more severe symptoms, starting with a higher dosage may be necessary. If you take prescription medication, you’ll want to consult with your doctor before starting CBD. Some medications, like Epidiolex, already contain CBD.

Start with a Low Dosage

While you may be tempted to start off with the highest possible dose for your weight, it’s almost always better to take a low dose when you’re new to CBD. This will give you a chance to see how your body reacts to CBD, and it will also minimize side effects.

Many people assume that they’ll get better results from higher doses, but that isn’t necessarily the case. CBD has biphasic properties, which means taking a higher dose won’t necessarily deliver peak effect. If you take a dose that is too high for your body, you could actually experience adverse side effects.

Begin with a lower dose and see if that delivers your desired results. If the product doesn’t seem to be having much of an effect at that dosage, you can increase your dosage by 5-10mg. The process of gradually increasing your dosage is called “titration.” While it may take some experimentation, you should eventually be able to find a suitable dose for your body.

You may also want to try splitting your daily dosage, taking CBD twice throughout the day. For example, if you want to take 20mg of CBD per day, you could take 10mg in the morning and 10mg in the evening. Make sure you wait at least 8 hours before taking your second dose.

Know That Everyone Is Different

Calculations based on weight can give you an idea of the dosage you should be starting off with, but it’s important to remember that CBD effects everyone in different ways. CBD influences the endocannabinoid system, and not everyone has the same number of endocannabinoid receptors in their body.

It’s also important to remember that people have different goals when taking CBD. If you’re taking CBD to manage severe pain or nausea, a higher dosage may be necessary. When you’re using CBD because you hope to relieve symptoms of anxiety, a lower dosage could actually give you better results.

Track Your Dosage

It can be helpful to keep track of how different CBD dosages make you feel. While you don’t need to keep detailed notes, you should write down the dosage you took, how long it took for you to feel results, and whether you experienced any side effects.

When people take CBD regularly, they may seem to build a tolerance. When you keep notes, you’ll be able to see when you’re not getting the same results from your current dosage. This will allow you to adjust your dosage so that you can continue to enjoy the benefits of CBD.

Take CBD At the Right Time

While slowly changing your CBD dosage can help you find the appropriate dose for your body, you should also look at other factors, like timing. You may see more benefits from CBD if you’re able to find the right time to take it.

If you’re relying on CBD to help you manage your anxiety throughout the day, it can be helpful to take it in the morning. It usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes to feel the effects of CBD, depending on the delivery method that you choose. Afterwards, it should remain in your body for 6 to 8 hours, which means you’ll benefit from its effects throughout the day.

If you’re using CBD to address insomnia, taking it about an hour before you plan on going to bed is ideal. If you’re using CBD for nausea, you may find that it’s best to take it about an hour before meals. Plan ahead and give yourself ample time to feel the effects of CBD.

Look At Different Delivery Systems

Dosage isn’t the only thing that will influence how CBD impacts your body. You’ll also need to find the right delivery method. While oral delivery methods like edibles and capsules are a popular option, these products often have a lower absorption rate. Since the CBD has to go through the metabolic process before it’s absorbed into your bloodstream, it can take up to two hours to feel any effects.

When CBD is placed under your tongue using a tincture, it can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, giving you faster and more potent results. This delivery method is known as sublingual consumption. It’s likely that you’ll swallow some CBD during this process, which means the CBD may also stay in your system for longer.

CBD can be applied topically and absorbed directly into the skin. Since this method does not allow CBD to enter the bloodstream directly, it can affect the body in different ways. This delivery method is often used to relieve pain in a specific part of the body.

Vaping is another popular delivery method that allows CBD to reach the body via the respiratory system rather than the bloodstream. This allows for near-instant results. However, with this method, absorption rates can be as low as 30%, which means a higher dosage may be necessary. Vaping has also been linked to serious lung injuries, so exercise caution before trying this delivery method.

Be Careful About Taking Too Much CBD

While you’re unlikely to experience a CBD overdose, a high dosage could have adverse effects. Too much CBD could cause you to experience mild symptoms of fatigue, diarrhea, or a loss of appetite. Taking a smaller dosage can prevent these effects, and it can also give you a chance to monitor how you respond to specific products.

High doses are more likely to cause issues when products contain additives or synthetic CBD. Whether you take a lower dose or a higher one, you’ll have a better experience if you stick to pure CBD. Low-quality products aren’t safe at any dosage.

Focus On Finding the Best CBD Products

It’s best to look for products with a high concentration of CBD and a high bioavailability. This will allow you to get potent results from a lower dosage. In both broad and full spectrum CBD, the effects of the CBD are intensified by cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

It can also be valuable to buy from brands that share lab results. CBD products aren’t heavily regulated, which means you may have to rely on third-party testing to ensure that the product meets certain quality standards. Be cautious about products that contain additives. While some additives are safe, foreign substances have the potential to be harmful.

While these CBD dosage considerations can make it easier for you to find the right dosage to start out with, you’ll also need to look at other factors, like product quality and delivery method. Remember to speak with your doctor before starting CBD, especially if you’re on prescription medication. With patience and careful monitoring, you’ll be able to find the right dose for your body.