How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?
Cannabidiol (CBD) has become so much popular in recent years, offering tremendous health benefits. It is one of the most preferred cannabis constituents because of its inability to cause psychoactive effects.
CBD is believed to have several physical and mental health benefits, making it increasingly popular in alleviating a range of disorders. It is available in different formulations such as tablets, creams, gummies, and oils. Little wonder, CBD oil has been the most popular and widely accepted CBD product.
While people find CBD oil highly beneficial, questions like ‘how much CBD oil should I take?’ still begs an answer. There’s no exact answer to this question because there are various factors attached.
This guide will provide you with answers to all of your questions concerning CBD dosage.
Table of Contents
CBD Oil and Its Benefits
To understand CBD dosage details and its factors, you need to know what CBD is and its benefits. CBD is an acronym for cannabidiol which is a natural constituent extracted from cannabis.
The cannabis plant is known to contain over 150 compounds referred to as cannabinoids. Some of these cannabinoids can be harmful to health. However, others, including CBD, can serve as useful supplements to treat a wide range of conditions.
CBD oil is the most popular formulation of CBD products. CBD oil has been known to solve an extensive array of medical issues. Healthcare practitioners have medically reviewed CBD and found it crucial in treating chronic pain conditions, which often take longer periods with synthetic drugs.
Some of the uses of CBD oil for health-related issues include:
· Anxiety
· Weight loss
· Cardiovascular disorders
· Seizures in epilepsy patients
· Inflammatory bowel disease symptoms
· Sleep disorders
· Nausea
· Pain and inflammation
· Diabetes
· Multiple Sclerosis
· Alzheimer’s disease
· Arthritis
And more!
What Does Research Say About CBD?
Due to its recent popularity, CBD has become subject to several research and discussions. Several studies suggest that it has a wide range of physical and mental health benefits. A review in 2017 confirms the relatively safe nature of treatment with CBD products.
Another 2019 review indicates that CBD may be effective for mental health purposes such as depression, insomnia, and anxiety. The review suggested the need for more research to have more substantial proofs for its use to treat these symptoms.
However, none of these reviews could offer a universal dosage for everyone using a CBD product. The 2017 review showed that different people respond to dosages of CBD differently. It is important to note that the cannabis industry continues to grow.
As researchers continue to study the cannabis plants and their derivatives, we may begin to have a clearer picture. There are, however, different ways to figure out the right amount of CBD to take. We’ll get to that shortly.
Factors That May Affect CBD Dosage
The acceptable amount of CBD oil you can take depends on several factors. These factors range from health conditions to environmental factors, genetic factors, and more. The factors are crucial in determining the best dose of CBD oil to take. However, they are not definitive.
That is, you shouldn’t think of them as rules that you must follow. Instead, take them as guides for choosing the right amount. These factors include the following:
· Body Weight.
You may begin to wonder how height and weight affect dosing CBD. A simple way to put this is – the greater your weight, the more CBD oil you may need to consume for best effects. As you may already know, CBD interacts with the receptors in the endocannabinoid system.
This compound has to travel through your body for effective interaction. Generally, the absorption and metabolism of CBD in the body differ from person to person. With other factors in consideration, you may need to take a higher dose, the greater your overall body weight.
· The Condition Being Treated.
People use CBD oil for different conditions since it has several health benefits. The condition you seek to treat matters a lot in deciding how much of the oil to take. For example, the Arthritis Foundation’s recommendation is to start slowly with small doses of sublingual CBD oil twice daily. This recommended dose may not apply to other conditions.
· Other Medications.
You may not be able to take CBD oil or other CBD products with certain medications. If the medications can work together with CBD, the amount to be used might be affected. CBD could affect the metabolism of a drug. Ensure to see a doctor before using CBD with any other medications.
· Previous Experience with CBD.
If you’re trying CBD oil for the first time, the best option is to start with a low concentration. However, if you’re very familiar with CBD products and you’ve experienced some unwanted effects, you may want to start slow. This helps you to understand your sensitivity to CBD and build-up to and check your best dosage regimen.
How Much CBD Should I Take?
As we have already mentioned, there has not been a universally accepted way of choosing the optimal CBD dosage. Reports from the World Health Organization show that clinical studies often use a CBD dosage of 100 to 800 mg in a day.
Although there is a need to carry out further research to pinpoint the best dosage for individuals, existing studies can help individuals choose the right amounts for certain conditions.
For example, a review released by Mayo Clinic combines several publications, researches, and expert opinions to build a starting point for CBD dosage measurements. Another 2020 review showed that patients had improvements in anxiety levels when they took about 300 to 600 mg of CBD in single doses.
Other reviews suggested the best possible CBD doses for several conditions. Here is a bit of the breakdown:
· 10 mg of CBD per day for bowel disease
· 50 to 600 mg per day for cancer-related issues
· 25 mg of CBD per day for poor sleep
· 75 to 300 mg per day for Parkinson’s disease
· 600 mg of CBD per day for psychosis.
While all of these doses may prove adequate, it is always important to first speak to a qualified medical practitioner. Also, the best way to use CBD oil is to start with a low dose. Begin by consuming about 10 to 20 mg daily for one week.
You have to be sure that you tolerate this dose well without any experience of side effects or allergic reactions. If you don’t feel the CBD oil’s wanted effects, you can increase the dose by 5 mg each week until you reach the desired amount.
It will be wise to keep track of how much CBD oil you take and the effects on your symptoms. You can write these down in a journal or note apps on your mobile device.
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How to Take CBD Oil
The way you administer CBD oil will affect the total amount of oil you take. CBD oil products usually come in bottles with corresponding droppers. The dropper helps you to get accurate measurements.
A typical standard CBD oil dropper holds up to 1 milliliter of the oil. To get the right amount to be used, you’ll need to consider the desired CBD dosage. For instance, a 30-ml bottle contains 600 mg of CBD. A full dropper will contain 20 mg of CBD.
So, let’s say you wish to start with a dosage of 10 mg. The first thing to do is fill half of the dropper. Then, administer the oil sublingually (i.e., underneath your tongue). Holding the CBD oil under your tongue is a vital step because the GIT tract absorbs the compound poorly. That is, very little of what you swallow will eventually get into your bloodstream.
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How Much of CBD is Present in One Drop of CBD Oil?
The packaging of every CBD oil often specifies the total amount of CBD in the bottle. However, most does not tell the amount in a single drop of the oil. So, you need to bring out the math genius in you to calculate the number of milligrams of CBD in each drop you use.
One milliliter of CBD oil equals about 20 drops. So, if a 30 ml bottle containing 300 mg CBD, each drop will have about 0.5 milligrams of CBD. The calculation is quite simple.
All you need to do is multiply the milliliters of oil in the bottle by 20. You’ll get the total drops in the entire bottle. After this, divide the number of mg of CBD in that bottle by divide your answer.
Amount of oil (in mL) present in bottle x 20 = Number of oil drops in the bottle
A total milligram of CBD in bottle ÷ Number of drops = Total milligram of CBD in ONE DROP
Finding the Perfect Dose of CBD Oil
The guide above is enough to help you find the answer to that ‘how much CBD should I take?’ question. However, you can be even more accurate by following the steps given below.
1. Find Your Right CBD Dosage.
Your optimal starting dose is usually based on your weight. Here’s a general guideline you can follow in choosing the right dose based on weight and strength.
Weight Metrics
Low Strength
Medium Strength
High Strength
In Pounds
0.1 mg per lb.
0.3 mg per lb.
0.6 mg per lb.
In Kilograms
0.2 mg per kg
0.7 mg per kg
1.3 mg per kg
To calculate your optimal dose, multiply your total weight by the desired dose. For example, a person weighing 170 pounds will require [170 x 0.3 mg] 51 mg of CBD as a great starting daily dose.
2. Determine the Strength of Your CBD Oil.
It will help if you read the oil’s label to find out how much CBD is in every ml of oil. To determine this, you only need to divide the milligrams of CD with the bottle size in milliliters.
For example, a CBD contains 600 mg per 30 ml bottle. The total amount of CBD in 1 ml of oil will be 600 divided by 30, which equals 20 mg. Once you know the CBD concentration in the oil, you can decide how much you’ll need for your optimal dose. So, let’s say you wish to start with a dosage of 10 mg. The first thing to do is fill half of the dropper.
3. Convert Your Dose into Drops.
This makes it easier for you to take the right dose. Most droppers dispense about 20 drops per 1 ml of oil. To find the CBD dose per drop, divide the drug’s strength by the number of drops. If there are 0.5 mg in a single drop and you need 20 mg, the total drops of oil you will take is 40 drops.
4. Ensure that Your Dose Matches Your Body
We all respond to CBD differently. Therefore, you have to assess your body composition and how the compound influences you individually. The best way to do this is to start with a calculated CBD dosage and tweak it from there. If you took 10 mg of CBD per day and you didn’t get improved symptoms, you may need to increase the dose and assess yourself again.
How Often Should You Take CBD Oil?
This is another question that pops up in CBD users’ mindsCBD users’ minds, apart from ‘how much CBD should I take?
It is best to start slow if you’re using CBD for the first time. Build your CBD dosage over some weeks to understand the influence on your body system. How often you use CBD may depend on the condition you’re taking it for and how well your body can maintain it. It will be best to experiment with dosing and timing until you find the best fit for you.
Are There Times You Shouldn’t Take CBD Oil?
Your body breaks down every substance you take in. CBD oil rich in phytocannabinoid will contain compounds that may affect the metabolism of some medications. Therefore, Pregnant and breastfeeding women or patients taking prescription medications or other supplements need to consult with their doctors before taking CBD oils.
Suppose any of your medications refrain you from taking grapefruit or other related substances. In that case, you may have to see your doctor before taking CBD oil. This is because the grapefruit and cannabinoids often affect the same enzyme family responsible for metabolism.
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Can You Take Too Much of CBD Oil?
Generally, it is almost impossible to take too much CBD, provided that you use it responsibly. According to a 2011 review, humans can tolerate the continuous use of CBD very well even when taken in high doses. This claim was also confirmed by an update given in 2017.
However, some concerns are associated with CBD use in relation to the potential adverse effect on the liver. For this reason, it is always crucial to discuss with your doctor before going ahead to take any medications.
Possible Side Effects of CBD
Despite its high tolerance levels, you may still experience some side effects with CBD. Some of them include the following:
· Diarrhea
· Nausea
· GIT discomfort
· Dizziness
· Appetite changes
· Weight changes
Recent researches have shown concerns over the potential long-term effects of CBD products. A 2019 study involving mice indicated that CBD might be associated with risks of liver damage. It may also interact adversely with several other medications.
Choosing the Best Quality CBD Oil
The best CBD products are those derived from the hemp plant. However, there are several other products out there which are of low quality. They may be from marijuana plants or may be extracted in the wrong way. It is always important to consider certain factors when shopping for hemp-derived CBD oil.
Full-spectrum CBD oils are usually the best option. These full-spectrum oils are extracted from the complete number of cannabinoids. This gives rise to the ‘entourage effect’ to give even better results. You can differentiate between full-spectrum CBD and CBD, usually isolated, by reading the product’s manual.
The first thing to do is to check the source of the CBD product. You must ensure that the company that grows the hemp plants and manufactures the CBD oil is a reputable one. Extracts from hemp usually come contaminated with toxins and other harmful substances.
The flawed manufacturing process may have these harmful materials ending up in your product. Therefore, you must always choose CBD oil from trusted brands. One of the best ways to ensure your safety is to look for USDA certified seal. They must also be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This will assure you that your CBD product is free from toxins.
It is also best to ensure that third-party labs fully test the CBD oil you are purchasing. You can trust results from such labs since the manufacturer won’t have any influence on them. The best brands will make it easy for you to find lab and analysis certificates.
Conclusion
CBD is generally safe and well-tolerated by humans. However, we cannot consider it as a ‘one size fits all’ solution. Several factors affect the dose of CBD you should take and how often you should take it.
All of these are subject to more researches and scientific studies. If you wish to use CBD oil to manage a health condition, the best decision you can make is to discuss with a qualified healthcare provider. Until then, we expect more clinical guidelines from the health and wellness professionals.
