CBD Oil Dosage
CBD is exploding in popularity and there is a constant stream of new products hitting the market. Whether you’re new to CBD or have been trying products for a while, it’s mostly a trial and error game to understand what the right dosage is for you.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at how to understand dosage for CBD oil and some critical factors you must consider when approaching the dosage process, but more on that in a minute.
How CBD Works
CBD provides many benefits to different areas of the body. We bet you would agree that it’s such a diverse and unique compound that has a multitude of applications, so it’s hard to compare it to anything currently on the market. It stands in it’s own category.
Let’s break down how CBD works.
The reason CBD can be so effective for treating so many conditions is because of the body’s endocannabinoid system. The body has natural receptors found in the brain, lungs, liver, and kidney, among other places. It’s responsible for maintaining homeostasis, or balance, in the body. If a functional aspect of the body is off (conditions like chronic pain, insomnia, anxiety, etc) CBD may treat it by binding to these natural receptors and working its chemical magic.
Know Your Why
So, you may guess where we’re going with this..
You want to first understand why you’re taking CBD products. Are you experiencing pain in your foot? Do you have trouble sleeping? Are both of these problems? When you understand your why, you can approach your treatment from a more informed place. Knowing your why also gives you a way to measure if the dosage is working for you. Does your foot feel better? Are you sleeping more deeply? With a wellness product like CBD, you will be learning what dose is best for you through experience, so understanding how to measure progress is important.
Choose A Method
There are many different ways to take CBD. You can purchase tinctures, edibles, gummies, salves, drinkables, suppositories, face masks, lotions and so on. It seems as if the industry is infusing CBD into everything! But in reality, there are only two different ways CBD (or anything) gets into the body. It’s either ingested orally or absorbed through the skin. Consider your lifestyle preferences and your why when deciding which method you prefer.
However:
When it comes to dosing, it’s natural to want to compare it to THC — the cannabinoid that gets you high. However, CBD is different and CBD dosing and THC dosing are completely separate considerations when it comes to potency and efficacy.
Dosing For Yourself
CBD oil is still new to the scientific community, so the data about dosing is nascent. Many CBD companies will dose their products at 10 mg per dose. This may look like one gummy or one full tincture dropper. The basic wisdom is to start with a small dose, 2-10mg of CBD, and increase from there. It’s also a good idea to keep a journal and write down what you notice with each dose. How long you wait before deciding to increase is up to you.
Also..
You need to consider several factors when approaching CBD dosage:
- The severity of your condition
- Metabolism
- Weight
- Lifestyle
- Past experience with CBD
- Age
We examined information regarding CBD dosing guideslines and here’s what we reccomend as a starting point. The general rule of thumb is to start low and work your way up to a higher dose.
| # | NameRating | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | cbdMD Review | 4.93 | Read Review |
| 2 |  | Spruce CBD | 4.79 | Read Review |
| 3 |  | Medterra Review | 4.98 | Read Review |
| 4 |  | Green Roads World Review | 4.95 | Read Review |
| 5 |  | NuLeaf Naturals Review | 4.92 | Read Review |
Bioavailability
Bioavailability is the degree to which a substance is absorbed into the bloodstream. Just because you take a 10 mg CBD product doesn’t mean all 10 mg reaches your bloodstream. Tinctures are so popular because they are placed directly under the tongue for at least 30 seconds and then swallowed. The area under the tongue is thin and is one of the best places for CBD to enter the body. The bioavailability of a tincture will vary from a salve, a capsule, a suppository, and so forth. Keep this in mind when considering dosing.
So what are some of the critical factors you must consider when dosing CBD?
Overdosing & Drug Interactions
CBD is a non-toxic substance which means that no fatal doses have ever been reported. A 2011 study also states that levels of 1,500 mg of CBD are tolerated well in humans. You can experiment safely with CBD without the fear of overdosing.
But..
Research shows that CBD may inhibit the cytochrome P-450 system. Why is this important? This system is found within the liver and is responsible for metabolizing potentially toxic substances. Doctors consider the amount of time it takes drugs to be processed through this system when determining dosage levels for pharmaceutical drugs. If you are considering adding CBD to your regimen and are currently taking other prescription drugs, make sure to consult with your doctor.
Asking Your Doctor (Or Vet)
Unfortunately, because the science is so early, most doctors are not trained to understand CBD or the endocannabinoid system. Animals like cats and dogs also have endocannabinoid systems which is why many products are marketed towards pet owners. This is why it’s not talked about widely in medical or veterinary circles, but that is shifting as pharmaceutical companies are researching, testing, and introducing CBD products to the market.
As a general rule of thumb, when in doubt, always consult your doctor or veterinarian to make sure you are doing what is best for your body (or pet) and its unique conditions.
More specifically…
If you are using CBD to treat a specific condition, you may want to search for patient groups on social media and talk with others who have used CBD for your condition. Finding others who are similar in weight, lifestyle, and gender may help you get a better understanding for what dosage or method might work best for you.
It’s also important to understand that not all medical professionals agree on CBD dosaging, for example Dr. Jordan Tishler says, “CBD requires very high doses, typically 800-1200mg per day (10-20mg/kg). While this is easy to understand, it translates to $50-100 per day, which is more expensive than most can afford. Studies show over and over that below these doses CBD is not effective and that people claiming benefits at lower doses are simply getting placebo.”
The Bottom Line
CBD has proved to be hugely beneficial for different types of people with different conditions. When seeking the best dose for you, make sure you consider your size, lifestyle, and current medications.
