CBD DOSAGE: HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU TAKE?
You've likely heard about the many health benefits CBD has. Cannabidiol is one of over 100 active compounds, known as cannabinoids, that are present in the cannabis and hemp plants. It can have a wide variety of beneficial effects on your mind and body, and since it is not a psychoactive compound, it will not get you "high". But what is the ideal CBD dosage to feel these effects? This is a recurring question that is asked, as there is no official or universally recommended dosage for CBD. However, there are a few key points you should know to get a better idea on how to find the right CBD dosage for you.
CBD Research
There has been a growing interest in CBD research over the past few years as the scientific community begins to explore the potential benefits of CBD. A 2017 study and many others like it show that CBD is a safe treatment with very little side effects, none of which are severe. However, studies have uncovered that there is no universal CBD dosage: research subjects reacted differently, even when given the same dose. It has also been noted that depending on the condition you are looking to treat, the appropriate CBD dosage can vary to a great extent. This World Health Organisation (WHO) report shows a variety of conditions for which CBD oil may have therapeutic benefits. And looking at clinical studies reports such as this one, we can see that dosages can range anywhere from 40mg per day to 600mg per day or more.
Why is there no universal CBD Dosage?
The first question to ask ourselves is this: how does CBD interact with our bodies? Cannabidiol interacts with our own unique endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex cell-signaling system that regulates many functions in our minds and bodies. The ECS is responsible for regulating functions such as sleep, stress, anxiety, appetite, pain management, mood and fertility. As such, when a cannabinoid interacts with the endocannabinoid system, it can have a wide variety of effects. The topic of the endocannabinoid system is quite extensive and deserves its own article - so stay tuned for our article on that subject if you're interested.
The reason why we react differently to CBD oil and other CBD-derived products is because we all have a unique endocannabinoid system. We are all different and we react differently to many things, including substances such as alcohol or caffeine. Similarly, we will all react differently to CBD oil: for some people, it may help them relax and sleep better. For others, it may on the contrary help their focus and concentration levels. And depending on the CBD dosage, the effects could change. For example, when I take a low CBD dose, it tends to increase my concentration and focus levels; but with a large dose, it has more of a relaxing effect and helps my insomnia. But for you, it may be the opposite! Confusing, right?
Are you new to CBD? Check out our beginner's guide by clicking here!
Discover your own ideal CBD Dosage
Due to the uniqueness of our endocannabinoid system, the best way to find the ideal dosage is to test out different doses and see what works best for you. Depending on how sensitive you are to foreign substances and what condition you are looking to treat, within a few weeks' time you should have found the dose that suits you most. But where to start? Should you take one drop a day? Ten? Fifty? We always recommend you consult with your own doctor first, especially if you are taking other medications. That being said, here are some guidelines to follow when first starting out with CBD.
It is also important to note that if you vape CBD oil, you will feel the effects much faster than when applying it topically for example. You may also require a smaller CBD dosage when vaping since it enters your system directly from your lungs.
What is the standard for CBD Dosage?
The most common dose for CBD is between 20mg and 40mg per dose. Depending on the Cannabidiol concentration in the CBD oil you're using, this could range from a few drops to twenty drops.
For example, if you're looking to take 40mg, with our THE FORTY Swiss CBD oil you'll only need to take 3 (3 x 12mg = 36mg) whereas if you're using our THE TEN Swiss CBD oil you would need 12 to get to the same amount (12 x 3mg = 36mg). Our most popular Swiss Cannabidiol oil is THE TWENTY, as each drop contains 6mg of CBD, making it very flexible to take a light dose with a drop or two, or stronger dose with a few more drops. And before you ask, yes, that's right - the only differences between our oils are the CBD concentration and carrier oil, which is either canola or MCT coconut oil.
How to calculate the right CBD Dosage ?
Adequate CBD dosage is crucial, no matter what condition you are trying to treat. We have already established that we all react differently to CBD due to our endocannabinoid system. But dosage also depends on other factors such as age, body chemistry, weight and of course the condition you are treating. And when it comes to weight, we do have recommendations to share with you to help you identify the ideal dosage to start with.
From this recommendation, you can gradually increase or decrease your Cannabidiol oil dose until the desired effects are felt. That being said, once again we do recommend you consult your doctor first. And if this is your first time using CBD, always start with a low dose.
For general wellbeing improvements / light symptoms: 0.2mg per kilogram (or 0.6mg per pound)
For moderate symptoms / difficult times: 0.7mg per kilogram (or 0.3mg per pound)
Severe symptoms or conditions: 1.3mg per kilogram (or 0.6mg per pound)
Below is a table with some examples of different weights and dosages depending on the severity of the symptoms / condition you are treating.
Weight | Mild Symptoms | Moderate Symptoms | Severe Symptoms |
---|---|---|---|
45kg (100lbs) | 10mg | 30mg | 60mg |
57kg (125lbs) | 13mg | 38mg | 75mg |
68kg (150lbs) | 15mg | 45mg | 90mg |
79kg (175lbs) | 17mg | 52mg | 105mg |
91kg (200lbs) | 20mg | 60mg | 120mg |
As for our Swiss CBD oils, please refer to the below to calculate the correct dosage:
THE TEN = 1000mg of CBD / 1 drop = 3mg of CBD
THE FIFTEEN = 1500mg of CBD / 1 drop = 4.5mg
THE TWENTY = 2000mg of CBD / 1 drop = 6mg
THE FORTY = 4000mg of CBD / 1 drop = 12mg
Our CBD oil bottles contain approximately 320 drops.
CBD Side Effects
The available data on CBD is still limited due to the lack in research. That being said, most studies show that CBD has a very low toxicity and is therefore regarded as being generally safe. Unlike certain chemical substances where overdosing can be very dangerous, this is not the case with CBD. However, it is still important to ensure that you find the right CBD dosage for you. Some side effects may include:
- Drowsiness / changes in alertness levels
- Migraines
- Digestive issues such as diarrhea
- Changes in mood (irritability / agitation)
Summary: What CBD Dosage Is Right For You?
Cannabidiol affects everyone differently due to our unique endocannabinoid system. We would therefore recommend starting out with a low dosage when using CBD oil for the first time. You can always gradually increase your dosage if you do not experience the expected CBD effects. We do however recommend you speak to your doctor first about it.
Use our CBD dosage recommendations table listed above to identify the correct quantity to use based on your bodyweight and desired effects strength. Remember that you can spread out your daily dose. The potency of the CBD oil, capsules, or other Cannabidiol products you’re using is very important. Naturally, you’ll need a much smaller dosage of high-potency CBD oil compared to a low potency CBD oil.
And remember: we will all have different sensitivity levels for cannabidiol. In our team, we all use varying CBD oil dosages to achieve the same result. So feel free to experiment! By doing so, you'll find out what the best CBD dosage is for you.
As for which CBD oil to start off with, always look for one which is natural and free of chemicals, preferably organic. Our THE TEN and THE TWENTY are our most popular Swiss CBD oils. And if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via our chat or email us at contact@1807blends.com - our team is always here to help.
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