CBD (Cannabidiol) Dosage: How Much CBD Should I Take?

If you’ve explored some of our helpful blogs on what CBD is, the benefits of cannabidiol, how to take CBD, and other related questions, you’re probably ready to take the plunge and explore the vast array of incredible products featuring this remarkable cannabinoid. The question then becomes, “How much CBD should I take?”

Unfortunately, there is not a uniform answer to the question of dosage. Every person is different. We each have our own unique physiology. Height, weight, metabolism, and tolerance — not to mention the potency of the product — are just a few of the factors that go into determining our own Goldilocks CBD dosage: the serving that’s just right.

There are other factors that go into deciding how many mg of CBD to take, as well. So, before we talk about finding the perfect serving size of CBD, let’s have a quick refresher course.

CBD Oil Dosage: Cannabis vs. Hemp vs. Marijuana

Cannabis plants that contain less than 0.3% THC are called hemp plants. When you purchase a CBD product, you are purchasing a product whose CBD is derived from cannabis hemp. Since the THC content in hemp-derived CBD is nearly undetectable and CBD itself has no psychoactive properties, CBD products are, themselves, non-intoxicating.

CBD Dosage: CBD and the Endocannabinoid System

While it doesn’t get you “high,” CBD does offer a ton of wellness benefits. This is a result of CBD’s interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system helps to regulate other systems in the body, most notably the central and peripheral nervous systems. This helps the body with such crucial functions as mood, memory, appetite, sleep, pain and inflammation management, and several more. 

The body produces its own cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) which interact with receptors to kick these other systems into high gear. CBD and its sister cannabinoids interact similarly with these receptors. In the case of CBD, this interaction bolsters the body’s ability to manage these functions, offering seemingly boundless wellness potential.

A Quick Note on the Term “Dosage”

Because medical research is still ongoing as to the effects and potential benefits of CBD, cannabidiol has not been cleared for medical use yet in the UK. So, it’s important to understand that, when we say “dosage” or “dose” or “CBD dosing,” we are in no way trying to give medical advice. In fact, it’s illegal for CBD companies to make any medical claims about CBD. We are using these terms, instead, to refer to recommended serving size. Please do not construe anything on this website to be considered as medical advice.

CBD Dosage: What Is Bioavailability?

So, you know what CBD is. The next step to finding your ideal CBD dose is understanding the extent and rate at which the body absorbs CBD. This is called “bioavailability.” 

We’ve already discussed how everyone’s body is different, and we all react in a different way to CBD. But there are other factors that affect bioavailability, as well. One factor is the method of CBD delivery. For instance, CBD vaping allows you to absorb a higher percentage of your CBD than a CBD edible (such as a gummy), which has to pass through the digestive system before it can be fully absorbed. On the other hand, CBD stays in your system longer with an edible for the very same reason. CBD topicals and CBD taken sublingually, such as with CBD oil drops, have differing rates, as well. In general, vaping and sublingual CBD use will start to work quicker than edibles (CBD gummies, capsules, etc.), but the effects will not last as long. Understanding your CBD product’s bioavailability will allow you to better understand how much to take.

Other factors that affect how your body absorbs CBD include the strength of your CBD product (check the milligrams of active ingredients per serving on the packaging) and the kind of CBD used: full spectrum CBD vs. broad spectrum CBD vs. CBD isolate. It should be noted that full spectrum CBD cannot be legally sold in the UK, so really you’re just checking to see if it’s a broad spectrum or isolate CBD product.

It’s important to understand these things, particularly when you switch from CBD product to CBD product, so that you have a better idea of what to expect.

CBD Dosage Strength: Can You Overdose From CBD?

One last thing we need to nail down before we answer the big CBD dosage question is, “What is the most CBD you can take?” Well, according to the World Health Organization, you can safely take up to 1500 mg of CBD in a day. Considering most single doses range between 25 mg and 50 mg of CBD, it would take a lot of effort (and expense) to even approach that mark. And even if you did, CBD is non-toxic. So, the most likely result of such overindulgence would be an overwhelming urge to go to bed.

It should also be noted that the FSA recommends you take no more than 70 mg CBD per day.

It’s good to have an understanding of the guardrails as you begin using any new supplement, including CBD. And we support the recommendation that you consult with your physician before trying any new supplement, so that you can make an informed decision on CBD oil dosage and related questions. While the extent of the effects is still being studied, CBD can interact with medications, such as certain antibiotics, blood pressure, cholesterol, seizure, and anxiety medications. Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you are taking prescription medications to minimise any chances of side effects from current medication use.

How to Find the Right CBD mg Dosage for You

So, now we’ve had a refresher course on what CBD is, how the body absorbs CBD, and even a quick lesson on maximum CBD dosage. This brings us to our final question: How much CBD should you take?

The answer lies within you. Every person has a different physiology, with factors that include height, body mass, weight, and tolerance, among other things. And every person reacts to various supplements differently, including CBD. 

Our expert advice is to start slowly. Take half of the recommended serving first time around … or less. If you’re taking CBD Multivitamin Gummies and the recommended serving size is two 25mg CBD gummies, start with one. If you’re trying our CBD Oil Calming Tincture for the first time and the package says a single 1mL dropper is your serving size, try a half dropper or a quarter dropper of CBD oil the first time. The point is to start low and slowly work your way up until you find the effective serving size for you. It is important to understand that there is no uniformity whatsoever on labeling requirements for CBD products. Your bottle may say 25 mg CBD capsules or perhaps just 750 mg CBD. Focus on the specific dose (i.e. 15 mg, 25 mg, etc.) that you require to have the desired effect. Also, pay close attention to the package size while noting the amount of CBD (usually in milligrams) per dose/serving. For these reasons, some people may prefer CBD oil drops and capsules over topical CBD products, due to ease of dosing.

And don’t add to your CBD serving during the same session if you aren’t feeling anything. That will defeat the purpose of what you’re doing. If you do end up feeling effects from your CBD, you won’t know if it’s your original dose kicking in or the second dose. You could also build up unnecessary CBD tolerance levels. It may take some time to find that sweet spot of maximum benefit with minimal side effects. Start low and go slow, but don’t be afraid to increase your dose. If you feel like your CBD product doesn’t do anything, you likely just need a higher dose.      

In the case of the CBD Oil Hemp Tincture, if you tried a quarter dropper of CBD oil the first time and you didn’t feel anything, move up to a half dropper the next day. If you still feel nothing, move up to three-quarters of a dropper the following day, and so forth. Be slow and methodical in finding your personal Goldilocks serving, the one that’s “just right” for you.

Closing Thoughts on CBD Dosage

We hope this article has helped you on your CBD journey. We encourage you to read more of our informative (and hopefully, fun!) blog articles. And if you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our customer service representatives. We’re always here to help you have the best CBD experience possible.

Trying CBD for the first time? Our Original Mixed-Berry CBD Gummies are a great place to start!

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