How Much CBD Should You Take?

Cannabidiol (CBD) has numerous potential benefits, and research is constantly improving our understanding of this plant-sourced compound. Because of the exciting new evidence surrounding CBD, many of you may be interested in sampling some. 

So, if you’re hoping to dive into the world of CBD, but you need a bit more information, you’ve come to the right place! Today, we’ll go over the suggested benefits of CBD, as well as dosing guidelines and any potential side effects. We hope you’ll come along for the ride!

Benefits of CBD:

It’s important to remember that scientific studies regarding CBD benefits are fairly new. So, while early evidence is promising, remember that more research is necessary to confirm all the suggested benefits we’ll review today. We’ll start with a really promising area of CBD’s potential: 

Potential Pain Relief

According to a new Gallup poll, 14 percent of Americans reported using CBD products; 40 percent of those users were doing so for pain relief. And for good reason! Several studies have already revealed CBD’s potential for pain relief benefits. We believe that potential comes from CBD’s ability to bind to your body’s internal cannabinoid receptors, altering the path of pain signals delivered to the brain. Specifically, it may be useful at targeting arthritis pain, as was recently evidenced in a rat study that highlighted CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties.

May Reduce Anxiety and Depression Symptoms

CBD products may also be linked to alleviating some symptoms of anxiety and depression. If confirmed, this would be a crucial development because, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 322 million people currently suffer from depression; and 264 million people suffer from anxiety. How might CBD potentially help with anxiety and depression? Studies suggest it has anxiolytic-like properties that may minimize anxiety-related responses. Anxiolytic is a medical term used to describe anti-anxiety medication. Early research suggests that it may produce a similar response in your body without the harmful chemicals included in traditional anxiety drugs. But that’s not all. In pre-human trials, CBD oil provided the potential for antidepressant-like effects as well.

As research develops, these discoveries could show important in the medical industry. Currently, prescription depression and anxiety medications could produce harmful side effects and come with the risk of dependency. CBD oil, on the other hand, is non-addictive and produces minimal, if any, side effects. In other words, with more evidence, it could be an effective, natural alternative to certain prescription medications.  

Of course, taking CBD can be complicated. Your body and your lifestyle will affect your optimal CBD dose size. And the amount you apply or consume will determine the nature of your experience. We know, it’s a lot to take in, but we’re here to help you break down the science of finding your perfect CBD dose and experience. 

Factors To Consider When Determining CBD Dose:

Body Weight

Your body weight is perhaps the most important factor in determining your optimal CBD dose. The same holds true with many other prescription and natural medications. After all, if you weigh a lot, you’ll need more active ingredients than someone with a lower weight. Therefore, you should enter into the CBD process knowing that your dose size increases with your weight. If you’re not sure where to begin, we always recommend talking to your healthcare provider for personalized safety guidance. 

What You Are Using It for

Depending on your goals, your dose size will vary. Typically, to target pain, your CBD dose should range from 2.5 to 20mg each day. But studies show you may need a higher dose to address sleep disorders. Therefore, your optimal sleep-related dose might be between 40 and 160mg, taken orally. And if you’re dealing with feelings of stress?  Some clinical trials found that high-dose oral CBD, ranging from 150-600mg/d, may deliver a therapeutic effect with social anxiety disorder, insomnia, and epilepsy. At that dose level, however, some users experienced mental sedation. So keep your CBD goals in mind and talk with your healthcare provider when deciding on your initial dose size. 

Everyone Is Different

Our bodies are unique. The dose that helped your friend could be completely ineffective when you take the same amount. Therefore, your dose will be determined by your individual body chemistry. Of course, you can’t just look inside and know how your body will process CBD, so finding your optimal dose will involve a lot of trial and error. 

To help you get it right, start with a very low dose for your body size (reputable products should contain body-weight based dosing guidelines on their labels). If you experience your desired effect, congratulations: you’ve found your perfect dose! If not, you can gradually increase your dose, at an interval of 5mg, allowing several days between increases to make sure your body adjusts properly.  

Using this method, you’ll find the right dose for your individual body chemistry. You should create a log to track your data, as this can help you determine when you’ve found the right balance. 

The Product You Are Taking

When it comes to CBD experience, the effects you experience will vary based on the quality and potency of your product, as well as the form of CBD and delivery method you select. Certain delivery methods, such as tinctures, deliver more efficient doses than other forms because you absorb your dose under your tongue. This allows it to directly enter your bloodstream, without first having to go through your digestive system. 

The form of products offered is also important: CBD products come as full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, and isolates. At Tanasi, we offer full-spectrum CBD oil products, which means we’ve preserved all of the hemp-plants natural components. Full-spectrum products produce the greatest effects in your body since the compounds work synergistically to provide you with an “entourage effect.” 

Can You Take Too Much CBD? Does CBD Cause Side Effects?

Research shows that CBD oil is very safe, and has a favorable safety profile in humans. The most commonly reported side effects of CBD oil are tiredness, diarrhea, and minor changes in appetite or weight. But you’d have to take a lot of CBD to experience these effects. In fact, studies show that humans can tolerate chronic use of high doses (up to 1,500 mg per day). Therefore, you’re unlikely to experience any of these side effects if you stick to recommended dosing guidelines. 

Summary

We hope this guide has helped you gain a better understanding of what to expect when you take CBD. But if you just remember one thing, we hope it’s this: stick to high-quality CBD oil products. Because there has been such an uptick in demand, many manufacturers and brands are taking advantage of unsuspecting customers. 

Before you purchase CBD, look for proof of product quality, in the form of ingredients lists and third-party scientific testing. That is exactly what we offer at Tanasi: the highest quality product, packed with scientifically validated nutritional supplements. We invite you to explore our range of full-spectrum CBD oil products but speak with your doctor prior to adding these supplements to your routine.