The popularity of CBD is on the rise for its potential benefits for an array of ailments. Packaging and bottles give recommended serving sizes, however one size does not fit all when it comes to CBD dosage. Everyone will react slightly differently to CBD just as they do medications and supplements. So, how do you find the best dose for you? Consider a few individual factors and what ailment you wanting to treat. Here is how to get started…
Factors in Dosing
CBD isn’t as straightforward with dose as say vitamin C. Due to its complexity and your own body’s chemistry, it may take a few attempts to find your best CBD dosage. Remember “start low and grow slow”. Meaning begin a t a low dose and slowly increase from there or even decrease as needed. Also remember to factor in whether your CBD is isolate vs full spectrum or broad spectrum.
Changing Effects
Our bodies naturally produce internal cannabinoids. When we introduce even trace amounts of photo-cannabinoids into our system (such as CBD or other compounds from the cannabis plant) our cannabinoid receptors “up-regulate”. This means our bodies actually become more easily affected by our naturally occurring cannabinoids. This reaction explains why so many people have such success from even small doses of CBD. It can take some time for your body to regulate the effects of CBD working with your natural endocannabinoid system.
Additionally, as your body changes your dose will also. For example, if you start using CBD for muscle recovery with your workouts you may find yourself less sore and working out more. This could result in weight loss. Since weight is a dosing factor, you may discover after a few months you can decrease your dose and achieve the same effects as before the weight loss.
The opposite would result if you gained weight after taking CBD to combat nausea. After a few months you may want to slightly increase your dose to achieve the same effects.
Curved Dosing
If a little works then more must work better is a common thought with dosing. However, the opposite can actually be the truth when it comes to cannabis. This result is due to the fact that CBD is biphasic – or has two phases.
Research shows CBD dosing to be on a bell curve.
- Small dose has a small effect
- An increased dose has an increased effect
- Increasing the dose further has a dimensioning effect
The objective with CBD dosage is to find the minimal amount that achieves maximum results.
Personal Experience
Your individual body plays a huge role in determining your dose. Key factors to consider include:
- Body Chemistry
- Metabolism
- Weight
- Severity of Ailment
- Concentration of CBD
- Tolerance to Cannabinoids
CBD Dosage Calculations
You may have to do some simple math to know where to start. When preparing to take CBD always read the label for milligrams as well as suggested serving size. Remember to adjust your serving size from the above chart’s recommendation based on your personalized factors.
Example Calculation
Let’s say a 200 pound man suffers from extreme pain from a car accident. He purchased an edible with 6 servings in a chocolate bar with 150mg of CBD. The chart above suggests with his weight and severe pain he should start with about 30mg of CBD.
150mg in the treat, divided by the total servings of 6 leaves each serving to have 25mg of CBD. Since its always smart to start low, the man would want to begin with just 1 piece of the bar. He could then record how he feels and take more if needed.
Track Your Use
We recommend keeping a journal or a log of your CBD use. You may want to keep track of things such as:
- Date and Time
- How much CBD you take
- How are you feeling before taking?
- How do you feel 30 minutes after?
- How do you feel 1 hour after?
- How do you feel 3 hours after?
After a few days of tracking you will be able to have a better picture of how CBD is affecting you. From here you can increase or decrease your dose. Even after you find a dose that fits you, we recommend keeping the CBD journal. Gaining or losing weight, stress, tolerance, and so many other life factors can slightly alter how our body responds to different supplements and medications. The same goes for CBD. By continually tracking your experience you are able to best determine your ongoing dosing.
How to Dose Vapes
When vaping, CBD enters the bloodstream through the lungs. This causes the effects of CBD to be felt much quicker than methods. The effects will also fade much quicker with this method. Vape cartridges typically come in 100 mg with approximately 1 to 2 mg of CBD per inhalation or “hit” of the vape pen. So 5 hits would be 5 to 10 mg of CBD.
How to Dose Tinctures
CBD from tinctures will enter your bloodstream differently depending on how you use it. If you put the oil directly under your tongue and hold for a few moments, then the CBD enters your bloodstream by way of your oral tissue. This is much faster than adding the tincture to coffee or food as the CBD has to make its way through your digestive tract to then enter your bloodstream. Although sublingually is quicker both are effective methods of consumption. Tinctures will very in serving size and mg per bottle. Be sure to check the label and determine your dose with the calculation guidance above.
How to Dose Edibles
Edibles are the slowest way for the effects of CBD to be felt. The CBD must be broken down and absorbed through your stomach. Don’t let the delay prevent you from trying edibles since the effects tend to be felt the longest with this method of consumption. Plus they tend to be quite tasty. Remember to take into account the time delay and do not take more until you have waited 30 minutes to an hour. Although most edibles are low doses, serving size and mg will vary product to product so always read the label.
Determining your best CBD dosage may seem intimidating to get started but do not let that stop you from trying. Remember to begin with a low dose and build slowly. And luckily you can’t overdose from CBD so don’t fear harm if you take more than intended. If you reach a point you are feeling the effects stay at that dosage as an increase may decrease your results. Keep tracking your results and adjust your dose as needed.
Check out the collection of CBD options from The Alchemist’s Kitchen here!
