For years now, CBD products have continued to grow in popularity. These days, CBD can be found almost anywhere and in all types of products, including edibles, oils, vape pens, and even bath bombs!
If you know anything about CBD, you know that the cannabinoid offers a host of benefits, such as pain relief, lowered anxiety, improved sleep, and even healthier skin. But, how much CBD oil should you take in order to feel the benefits?
There’s no one dosage for everyone. But finding the dosage that’s right for you is a must. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of properly dosing CBD oil so that you get the relief you want without any of the negative side effects.
What is CBD?
Before we talk about CBD oil dosages, let’s first discuss what CBD is. CBD is one of more than 60 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. CBD is also found in the hemp plant, which is where most of the compound is extracted from. This is because hemp has a very low amount of THC, unlike cannabis.
While many confuse the two, CBD and THC are very different. THC is known for getting users high, while on the other hand, CBD has no psychoactive effects. Instead, research shows that CBD may offer a host of benefits including:
- Reduced anxiety
- Pain relief
- Improved sleep
- Improved heart health
- Neuroprotective properties
But in order to reap the benefits that CBD offers, you’ll need the right dosage. Otherwise, CBD oil may not work for you at all.
How to Properly Dose CBD Oil
Figuring out how much CBD you need is trial and error. Because the CBD isn’t regulated by the FDA, there are no official dosage recommendations. While this makes it harder to figure out how much CBD you need in order to feel the effects, it’s not impossible. Just be patient and know that results aren’t immediate.
The good news is that CBD is relatively safe to take, so there aren’t any major side effects to worry about if you happen to take too much. While there isn’t a single universal dosage that works for everyone, you can expect to have to take anywhere from 20 to 1,500mg a day.
There are several factors to consider when determining what amount of CBD oil is right for you, including:
- What benefit(s) you’re seeking
- Body weight
- Product concentration
Your individual body chemistry must also be considered when trying to figure out what dosage is best for you. Because there are so many different variables to consider, it’s best to talk with your doctor first to ensure that CBD is safe for you to take. CBD has shown negative interactions with certain drugs, so it’s best to get medical clearance first.
If your doctor doesn’t suggest a dosage, you’ll want to start with a small dosage and slowly increase it. According to CBDGrade, start taking 20-40mg a day and then increase the amount by 5-10mg each week. You’ll want to continue slowly and steadily increasing the CBD amount until you start to feel the effects.
How to Calculate CBD Oil Dosage
Most CBD oil is sold in a dropper bottle. Many packages specify how much CBD is in a single drop. Using that information, you can determine how much CBD you’re ingesting.
If the CBD packaging doesn’t identify how much CBD is in a drop, it’s likely to state the total amount of CBD in the bottle. You’ll need to do a little math, but you can easily figure out what each drop contains CBD wise.
A single drop is around 0.05mL. So, if you have a 10-mL bottle of CBD oil, it contains 200 drops. If the packaging for the bottle says that the bottle contains 1,000mg of CBD, you can assume that each drop contains around 5mg of CBD.
What Happens if You Take Too Much CBD Oil?
Too much of a good thing can be bad, and the same stands true for CBD. Too much CBD does increase the risk of adverse side effects, but the chance of experiencing them is rare. Many studies have found that a high dosage of CBD, such as 1,500mg, is well tolerated by the human body.
An overly high dosage of CBD could cause diarrhea, fatigue, as well as changes in weight and appetite. If you experience any of these side effects, the best thing to do is to stop taking CBD oil for a few days and resume once the symptoms have gone away.
The biggest side effect to be weary of is a negative reaction with certain medications. CBD has shown to negatively interact with many drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, heart medications, and others. This is why it’s crucial to talk with your doctor first, especially if you take prescription medicine.
Other Important Factors When Using CBD Oil
Dosage isn’t the only thing to consider when using CBD oil. Another crucial detail that you don’t want to overlook is the product manufacturer. While there are many CBD brands and products on the market, they aren’t all made equal.
Because the CBD industry isn’t regulated, it’s important to take the time to research a brand before buying a product. It’s safest to only buy CBD oil from top names, such as cbdMD, Medterra, and others.
Popular brands in the industry are popular because they offer quality products. You can’t expect to get good results from low quality CBD oil. In fact, you could be risking your health! so while it may be tempting, avoid buying any CBD products at the local gas station or convenience store, because chances are that the quality just isn’t great.
Aside from the brand, you’ll also only want to buy CBD oil that has been tested by a third party lab. Review the product’s certificate of analysis (COA) so that you can verify the ingredients as well as the CBD and THC amounts.
Conclusion
CBD oil shows a lot of promise for treating a variety of conditions. But before you can reap all of the benefit, you’ll need to identify your ideal dosage. With this information, it’s easier than ever to find your sweet spot.