Want to know more about how to properly dosage your CBD? We got you covered, Based on the best practices from real life we have prepared this comprehensive CBD dosage guide. Despite popularity there are only a few pieces of information on how to properly and efficiently, effectively, and safely dosage your cannabinoids.
A sudden wave of new research has underpinned the medicinal uses of this captivating compound but without proper dosage instructions, you won’t be benefitting from its full potential.
This guide brings together knowledge from trusted sources in the UK and around the world so that you can feel confident and comfortable knowing that you are getting the most effective and optimum cbd oil dosage possible.
A Summary of CBD
Cannabidiol, or CBD as it is more commonly known, is a compound found in cannabis and hemp plants that has been shown to have numerous medicinal benefits such as managing anxiety, pain, epileptic seizures, inflammation and so much more.
This potent cannabinoid is non-intoxicating, meaning regardless of the amount consumed, it is impossible to get any euphoric ‘high’ feeling that would be typically associated with the cannabis plant.
CBD works by interacting directly or indirectly with receptors located throughout the body, influencing numerous biological and neurological functions leading to greater homeostasis (balance of health).
With thousands of peer-reviewed research papers written on the subject, there is no doubt that there are many CBD products which can help improve our health. The only question now is; how much do we need to take to maximise these benefits?
How to Figure out How Much CBD Is Right for You.
Every relevant study has shown that CBD exerts an inverted bell dose-response, meaning every single person has a unique dosage amount that’s right for them.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ here, but certain factors can help determine how much of this plant compound you should take; most notably:
Weight
The vast majority of studies determine the dosage based on a person’s body weight. The bigger the person, the greater the cellular surface area resulting in a need for higher doses than someone smaller and lighter.
For example: in clinical trials, children with epilepsy were given 2-5 mg per kg of body weight per day, reaching a maximum effective dosage of 10 mg per kg of weight.
Severity of Condition
The more severe the illness, the more CBD that may be required. Consider mild pain compared to fibromyalgia, general anxiety versus bedridden anxiety, one may need a low dose and the other a larger dose.
Concentration of CBD in the Product
The answer as to how much to take is never 1 or 2 drops, or 1 or 2 gummy bears because different tincture bottles, balm tubs, or packet of gummy bears will have varying strengths of CBD.
Drug on Drug Interactions
Similar to grapefruit juice, CBD can interact with enzymes in the liver thereby lowering or increasing pharmaceutical drug concentration in the blood. This is why people on medication should check with their doctor prior to use as they may require a lower dosage of CBD and subsequently a potentially lower dose of pharmaceutical drugs also.
How to Calculate the Right CBD Dosage
The best advice is to start small and go slow. By beginning at a low dosage you can safely and confidently increase until you find your optimum dosage.
Dr Sarah Brewer, a medical director and medical nutritionist at UK group ‘Healthspan’ says: “For General well-being, the recommended dose is 10 mg to 200 mg per day as a food supplement.”
Below is a great starting point for dosing with each recommendation based on weight. These doses are considered low when compared to some research studies where participants have safely taken up to 1500mg in one day.
Example: Using the above diagram, someone who is 17 stone and is looking for strong effects would take 45 mg in the morning and 45 mg in the evening.
Some people may prefer to start with smaller amounts and slowly work their way up until they find the optimal CBD dosage that works best for them. Such a preference can be easily reached by using the Dr Solak method.
Dr Dustin Solak dosing method
This is a popular method invented by Dr Dustin Solak, a medical practitioner from Maine, USA, who uses the “start small go slow” analogy to perfection.
Begin by scoring yourself out of 10 for the following:
- Breath – How easy do you find it to breath
- Body – How comfortable and calm does your body feel
- Mood – How easy is it to feel content
- Symptoms – How severe are your symptoms
Then take a very small amount such as 5 mg in a tincture or edible (gummy bear for e.g) and after an hour rate yourself again using the same 4 questions. (If you decide to vape or smoke then rate your score after 15 minutes as the effects will kick in quicker)
Do this once in the morning and once at night, slowly increasing to 10 mg, 15 mg etc each time.
Eventually, you will reach a point where you feel the benefits but increasing the dosage further does not increase them any further. This is your optimum dosage.
Note: Vaping and smoking will not last as long as edibles and capsules and as such, you may consider dosing three times a day if you choose to vape or smoke.
Can You Take Too Much CBD?
No known level of toxicity has ever been found nor has there ever been an overdose on CBD. In actual fact, this plant molecule has been shown to have a remarkable safety profile in clinical studies. In one particular trial, participants took 1500 mg in one single day and even at this high dose there were no adverse effects.
To put this into perspective, most people in the UK and further afield would normally take anywhere from 25 mg to 200 mg a day depending on what they are treating. 300 mg was found to be the magic number in South America when researchers were testing the effects on adults with anxiety.
From a financial point of view taking more than 300 mg a day would not make much sense for the majority of people because the cost would outweigh the beneficial return.
When it comes to which method is best, it is very much a case of “each to their own”. However, some methods will work faster while others will last longer.
Ways to Take CBD
Because CBD is so popular, the sudden surge in demand has allowed and even pressured manufacturers to infuse it into every manner of food, drink, lotion and capsule, with something to suit every palate.
Some options will have instant effects such as vaping, but these effects can be short-lived whereas other options can take a while to kick in but will last for a longer period.
Capsules
For precise, straight forward dosing choose easy to swallow capsules. They come in varying strengths, ideal for catering for each unique body. They even come in vegan and GMO-friendly capsules and the effects will last longer than most options.
- Takes affect: After 1 hour
- Effects Last: 4-6 hours
Vaping
Using an electronic device you heat CBD flower or e-liquid to a precise temperature, then breathe it into your lungs where it is quickly absorbed via pulmonary absorption. Vaping offers the fastest onset of effects bar the (eminently less popular) intravenous method.
Takes effect: Within 1-2 minutes
Effects Last: around 4 hours
Tinctures
A tincture is a small bottle of CBD concentrated with a carrier oil (MCT, olive, etc). Inside is a pipette that you use to place drops under your tongue where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. A wide range of strengths available allows you to take the same amount each time but get a stronger effect.
- Takes affect: 10-15 minutes
- Lasts: up to 4-5 hours
Edibles
Edibles include food, drinks, and snacks that have cannabidiol infused into them. Ideal for those who may not like the taste of CBD oil, edibles are delicious, discreet, and convenient. They also offer percise dosing and you can even make your own!
- Takes affect: After 1 hour approximately
- Effects Last: 4-6 hours
Smoking
Flower is placed inside a roll-up or pipe or other forms of paraphernalia and is smoked. The smoke is breathed into the lungs where it is rapidly absorbed via pulmonary absorption. Smoking may result in the creation of toxins associated with combustion and as such vaping is generally considered a better alternative.
- Takes affect: 1-2 minutes
- Lasts: up to 4 hours
Possible Side Effects of CBD
CBD is arguably one of the safest medicinal compounds in the world. Researchers from Hurth university in Germany concluded that CBD is safer than most ‘traditional’ pharmaceutical medicines. So you shouldn't have any major problems when trying to get your CBD dosage right.
Although rare, there can be some mild to moderate side effects namely:
- Somnolence (drowsiness)
- Diarrea
- Changes in appetite/weight
- Drug on drug interactions
Somnolence
Feeling a little tired or sleepy can occur in some people, in particular at higher doses. If you are looking for a safe and mild sedative then try CBD just before bed.
Diarrhoea
This was reported in 10% of patients with epilepsy who were taking CBD in the form of epidiolex. This is quite unheard of in other studies where non-epidiolex CBD was taken.
Changes in Appetite and Weight
Again this side effect was reported by epileptic patients using epidiolex where 16% reported reduced appetite and 2% reported weight loss.
Drug on Drug Interactions
CBD has the potential to interact with enzymes in the liver which may increase or decrease pharmaceutical drugs in the body. This may result in a need for a reduction of pharma drugs possibly leading to reduced side effects from said drugs. With this in mind, should you talk to your doctor before taking CBD oil?
Should You Talk to Your Doctor Before Taking CBD Oil?
No one likes forking out money to see the doctor and, in most cases, there is no requirement to speak to your doctor prior to taking CBD oil. That said, anyone on any medication should consult their doctor as is does have the potential to interact with existing medication.
On the plus side, this could work in the patient's favour as existing medication dosages may need to be lowered and subsequently result in a lowering of their side effects.
When in doubt; ask.
Conclusion
Start low and go slow until you find the CBD oil dosage that suits your unique endocannabinoid system. If you are on any medications then you should check with your doctor before taking CBD oil as it behaves similar to grapefruit juice.
CBD has been shown to be well tolerated up to 1500 mg in patients in trials so anyone considering taking doses of around 200-300 mg a day for chronic pain or other illnesses can take comfort in this knowledge.
That being said, from a practical point of view most people will tend to take anywhere between 25 to 200 mg per day. It all depends on what works best for you.
The Dr Solack method is arguably the best guide for accurate, effective dosing, especially for those new to CBD.
This guide collates all of the most pertinent information available and required for anyone looking to accurately dose CBD. If you have family or friends who are thinking about choosing CBD as a safer alternative, why not share this article with them.
