Getting Started with CBD: The Ultimate CBD Dosage Guide

One of the most frequently asked questions about CBD is how much should you take? But, like with anything you put into your body, there is no simple answer.
 
The right CBD dosage for you will depend on:

• How you’re taking CBD
• Why you’re taking CBD
• When you’re taking CBD
• Your diet, size, and metabolism
• How your body reacts to CBD

Before getting into the details of CBD dosages, you need to understand how your body absorbs and uses CBD.

How Does the Body Absorb CBD?

Before your body can make use of CBD, the compound has to make its way into your body. The four main methods of taking CBD are:

1. Ingesting CBD
2. Taking CBD sublingually
3. Inhaling CBD
4. Using CBD topically

No matter how you take CBD, the compound makes its way to your body’s cannabinoid receptors. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). However, each method of taking CBD will produce different results.

Ingesting CBD or taking it sublingually will allow the compound to enter your bloodstream after your digestive system and liver have processed it. This allows for the CBD to find cannabinoid receptors all over the body.

When you inhale CBD through vaporizing, the compound is absorbed by the alveoli in your lungs¹ . From there, it enters your bloodstream directly. Inhaling CBD gets more of the active compound working with your ECS faster because it doesn’t have to travel through the digestive system or your liver.

When you apply CBD topically, the compound is absorbed through the skin, and the CBD will interact with local cannabinoid receptors. This is why CBD creams tend to be used to pain relief² in specific parts of the body.

How Much CBD Oil Should I Take?

There is no universal, “right” amount of CBD. CBD will not leave you feeling high,³  and for most people there are no side effects to taking CBD⁴.

The key to finding the right dosage is to experiment until you find a dosage that works for you. If you have never taken CBD before, you should start with a small dose.

The heavier you are, the more CBD you may need to get the desired effects.

Most CBD products will also tell you the concentration level and have a recommended serving size.

For example, CBD gummies typically have between 5 mg to 10 mg of CBD per individual gummy. If you are new to CBD, you should start with a single gummy. If you are taking CBD gummies to help you sleep, and you don’t get results the first night with one gummy, you should try taking two gummies the next night.

The same principle applies to all other CBD products such as tinctures and vape juice. Like any other health supplement, you need to start with a small dose and see how you feel. It may take several days or weeks to find the right dose for you.

Because of the way your body absorbs CBD, you will need a smaller dose if inhaling CBD than if you are going to be taking CBD orally.

What Are Your Goals in Taking CBD?

Another key to getting the right dose of CBD is to be clear on your goals. If you are taking CBD because of chronic pain in your knee, you are better off taking CBD in the form of a topical lotion or cream instead of as a tincture. This will allow the CBD to deal with the cannabinoid receptors nearest to the source of the pain.

However, others get more benefit out of CBD by inhaling it or taking it orally. You may want to try several different CBD products to see what works best for you.

How Long Does CBD Last in My System?

Like everything you put into your body, CBD will remain in your system for a period of time. However, because anything relating to cannabis, including research, was illegal for so long, there are not a lot of accurate studies about how long it takes CBD to leave your system.

We do know that the frequency of use and the amount of your dosage plays a role. The more you use CBD and the more CBD you use, the longer it stays in your system.

Most experts believe CBD stays in the body for about the same length of time as THC. This means that if you use it daily, it may stay in your system for 10 to 15 after your last use.

CBD and Drug Tests
    
Most drug tests will not detect CBD because CBD doesn’t get you high like THC. However, many CBD products contain trace amounts of THC that aren’t enough to get you high but are enough to show up on a drug test.

If you are concerned about drug tests, you should only use CBD isolate, which does not contain any THC.

If you have any questions about your legal rights, you should consult with a lawyer. Each state has different rules about CBD and employment drug tests.

Understanding CBD Dosages

One of the most confusing parts for new CBD users is making sense of the dosages on the CBD packaging.

Typically, the packaging will contain information about the total amount of CBD contained in the product and the recommended serving size.

Using CBD gummies again as an example, the package may say it contains 60 mg of CBD. But, the serving size may be one. If there are eight gummies in the package, each CBD gummy only contains 7.5 mg of CBD.

Can I overdose on CBD?

Everyone’s body handles CBD a little differently. Most people experience no side effects to CBD. Some people find they are sensitive to the other cannabinoids that are in full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD.

However, there have been no reports of any CBD overdose deaths⁵.

CBD itself is non-toxic and non-addictive. It is possible to take too much CBD. However, you would have to take far more CBD than the average person. Some signs that you have taken too much CBD would include dizziness, diarrhea, and lethargy⁴ .

If you experience these symptoms, you should stop taking CBD immediately and seek medical treatment.

CBD has been used by millions of people to help with a variety of different issues. CBD has been shown to be far safer than opioids⁵ and other prescription pharmaceuticals.

When using CBD for the first time, take the same steps you would when taking any other supplement for the first time. Start with a small dose and pay attention to how your body feels.

 

FDA Disclosure

THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT OR CURE ANY DISEASE. ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE STARTING A NEW DIETARY SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM

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¹ Dezube, R., MD. (2019, June). Exchanging Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide - Lung and Airway Disorders - MSD Manual Consumer Version. Retrieved from https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/lung-and-airway-disorders/biology-of-the-lungs-and-airways/exchanging-oxygen-and-carbon-dioxide 

² Burgess, L. (2018, August 2). CBD for arthritis: Benefits, use, and side effects. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319796.php

³ Velasquez-Manoff, M. (n.d.). Can CBD Really Do All That? Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/14/magazine/cbd-cannabis-cure.html

⁴ Iffland, K., & Grotenhermen, F. (n.d.). An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5569602/

⁵ https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/5.2_CBD.pdf