CBD (Cannabidiol) products have quickly become a go-to remedy for anxiety, sleep, and pain troubles. People have been going gaga over CBD ever since the 2018 farm bill passed and legalized the sale of CBD with less than 0.3% THC on the federal level.
Gradually, almost all states have legalized its use in recent years, and there’s plenty of scientific data and anecdotal reports to prove its efficacy. CBD is now available in so many forms, including tinctures, gummies, vapes, lotions, beverages, snacks, and more.
This can be quite confusing for new users: which product to use, how much to use, when to use it, etc. In this article, we will clear up all the confusion for anyone who’s starting CBD for the first time.
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Factors That Affect The Dosage
Every individual has a different anatomy, and the impact CBD has on their system is dependent on multiple factors. One question that many new users ask is, “Can you overdose on CBD?” and the answer is no.
Though taking too much may cause some slight fatigue and dizziness, you still won’t overdose on it. More on that later. Let’s take a look at major factors detrimental to dosage.
- Individual body composition: Your body chemistry, metabolic rate, and weight play a major role in the overall duration, impact, and onset of CBD on your body. Usually, people with lower weights need to take much less for the same impact than a heavier person.
- Type of product: The form of the CBD product is also important. Smokable forms have the fastest onset times but a low overall duration, and they may also harm your respiratory health.
Next, we have tinctures or oils; they get absorbed quickly in your bloodstream, and the impact can be felt within a few minutes of consumption. Edibles have the slowest onset time, as they need to get digested first and take some hours to show the effect.
- Effects you are seeking: People use CBD for a variety of issues; some want quick anxiety relief, some want long-term relief from chronic pain, and some need it to improve their sleep quality. Hence, the total dosage and frequency will change as per your needs and the effects you want to experience.
- Medications: Usually CBD is well tolerated, but in some cases, the overall efficacy, time, and dosage required may be affected by ongoing medications. The metabolization of medicine may hinder that of CBD.
Hence, it’s recommended to ask your doctor about CBD before starting an ongoing medication. For example, taking it with nerve pain medications may lead to an increase in drowsiness and fatigue.
Dosage Guide: How Much CBD To Take For Maximum Relief?
The most common and useful advice with CBD dosage is to start slowly, observe the effects for a few weeks, and then increase or decrease the amount accordingly. Also, consistency is crucial, you can not take it haphazardly and expect it to turn your life around.
Many experienced users share that in the initial days, you might not see any major change in your sleep quality, focus, or stress levels, and you may get disheartened. But, you must stick to it, and follow a routine, and you’ll feel the changes after some time.
To put it in numbers, it’s generally recommended to start with 10mg a day. This may translate to a half or full gummy or a few drops of CBD oil, depending on the per-dose potency offered by the brand.
Most of the reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals, always mention the dosage per serving on product labels. Smokable forms like vaping are not recommended for beginners, because it’s quite hard to measure how much CBD you are inhaling with every puff.
As we mentioned above, everybody has a different response to the amount of CBD dose consumed, so it’s pretty hard to point to one standard dosage amount. Plus, different conditions will require different potency, hence you should try to find their ideal dose with little trial and error exercise.
Of course, as standard procedure, it’s perfect to follow the dosage mentioned on the label. But you can mix it, maybe by changing the frequency, timings, and types of products. Since there’s no risk of overdosing, max to max you might feel a little extra drowsy if by mistake you consume too much. Taking it before bed may work best though, because your body goes in the repair mode, and will also escape from any chance of drowsiness or fatigue.
Can I Take Too Much CBD?
No, you cannot take too much CBD. In fact, as per a clinical study, humans can consume up to 1500 mg of CBD every day without any severe issues. That’s already way too much for a person, and most sane people will not exceed this threshold in daily use.
For experimentation, some may try to gulp down an entire bottle of CBD gummies, but that’s definitely not recommended (so try not to mimic those cannabis YouTubers). Of course, CBD is still new, and we need more research and trials, but generally speaking, you’ll be fine even if you end up with a few extra gummies.
The best way is to stick with 10mg per day and increase it gradually over time. Some people might feel slight fatigue, dehydration, and an increase in appetite. That’s completely normal; just try to increase your water intake and follow the label instructions.
The Final Thoughts
To sum it up, CBD is pretty safe for daily use, and anyone can use it on a daily basis. If you’re a beginner and find yourself confused about the appropriate dosage, just try to follow the label instructions.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended to start with a low dose, say 5–10 mg, and then gradually increase it over time. There’s no one fixed approach or dosage chart for CBD, as its rate of absorption, time, and intensity will change from person to person.
People with high metabolisms will naturally require a higher dosage than those with low metabolisms. Plus, the effects you seek and the type of product you use are also necessary parts of the equation. So try your own thing, make new recipes, and experiment with timing and quantity, but make sure to keep the consistency.
All trusted and reputable brands, like Colorado Botanicals, always mention the starting dosage on the product label; for beginners, that’s a good starting point. After that, it’s all on you, and you may increase or decrease the dosage based on how you feel.