Knowing how much cannabidiol (CBD) to take is a highly personalized matter and is based on a number of factors. The cannabis plant, from which CBD is derived, has been used by humans for millennia to treat a wide array of maladies. However, CBD products are relatively new and therefore have not been studied to establish evidence-based dosing guidelines.

Experts recommend that if you are just starting out with CBD, you should start out with a low dose and gradually work your way up. We call this the “low and slow” dosing method.

Rad on and take a look at some of the things you should know about dosing CBD.

CBD dosing depends on a number of factors

Dosing CBD is highly personalized because it depends partly on your individual body mass and your body chemistry. These two factors vary from person to person and effects how your body tolerates CBD.

Some other key factors that play a role in CBD dosing are as follows.

Method of CBD consumption

CBD can be taken in a variety of ways. The method you use to take CBD is important when it comes to dosing because it effects how quickly the CBD takes effect and how long it remains absorbed in your body.

Some of the different methods of consumption include:

• Tinctures and oils
• Salves, lotions, and creams
• Capsules and pills
• Edibles
• Vaping

In general, people report that tinctures taken sublingually and topically applied salves work very fast because they are quickly absorbed in the bloodstream. CBD taken in edible form has to be absorbed through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which takes longer to absorb and is less efficient (lower bioavailability).

The safety and long-term health effects of using e-cigarettes or other vaping products are not well known. In September 2019, federal and state health authorities began investigating an outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarettes and other vaping products. As of November 2019, the CDC recommends that people should not use THC-containing e-cigarette, or vaping, products, particularly from informal sources like friends, family, or in-person or online dealers.

What condition you are using CBD for

Many people are using CBD as a natural remedy for many conditions, including pain, inflammation, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. The reason you are using CBD and how severe your condition is may affect how much you need to take.

The Arthritis Foundation recommends starting with a low dose, and if relief is inadequate, increase in small increments weekly.

There are no established clinical guidelines to advise CBD users on usage, so that recommendation is generally accepted as the most prudent way to achieve optimal CBD dosing for each individual’s condition.

CBD and drug interactions

If you are taking any other medications, it is important to know if there are any drug interactions with CBD.

CBD is generally well tolerated, but there is some evidence of drug interactions. CBD can alter the way certain drugs are metabolized, and there is evidence that it might interact with antidepressants, immune suppressants, and blood thinners.

Speak to your medical practitioner about CBD if you are on any other medications.

When will CBD start working?

CBD onset time varies by the method of use.

Edibles, including gummies and candies, go through your gastrointestinal tract before they are absorbed into your bloodstream. By the time the CBD gets through your digestive system, the amount of actual CBD that gets into your system can be very low.

Another method, for example a tincture that is taken sublingually, is absorbed directly into your bloodstream, which means it is absorbed faster and the effects of CBD are felt more quickly.

CBD onset time by method of use

Each person is different, but in general this is about how long it takes to feel the effects of CBD taken in various ways:

• Sublingual tinctures and sprays: 15 to 45 minutes
• Topicals: 45 to 60 minutes
• E-cigarettes or vape products: 15 to 30 minutes
• Edibles: 2 hours

I don’t feel anything from CBD. Should I dose more?

Hold your horses!

Re-dosing is a common way people take too much of anything. If you take more before allowing CBD time to work, you could experience some negative effects.

Although CBD is generally well tolerated, even at large doses, the following are commonly reported side effects from taking too much CBD:

• Tiredness
• Diarrhea
• Changes in appetite and weight

One mice study showed that CBD-rich cannabis extracts may possibly cause liver damage. However, some the mice in the study were administered extremely large doses of the extract.

Stick to the rule of thumb: start low and slow, and allow the CBD enough time to start working before re-dosing. Begin with a low dose for one week before increasing it by small increments.

How long does CBD last?

The effects of CBD generally last between 2 to 6 hours, depending on the method of use, how much of a dose is used, and your individual tolerance to CBD.

To better manage your CBD dosing for your personal condition, keeping a journal is recommended. Take some notes when using CBD, including the following:

• The dose of CBD you took
• The method you used to take CBD
• What time the effects of CBD started
• How strong were the effects of CBD
• What time the effects of CBD ended

Keeping track of this information can help you the next time you take CBD so you know how much to take and how often you need to take it.

Tips for the CBD beginner

As CBD has become more popular due to its efficacy at treating a wide range of conditions, including pain, inflammation, anxiety, stress, and insomnia, it is available in many stores and online. It is important to know that your CBD is contaminant-free.

Find CBD from a reputable source and read the product’s certificate of analysis (COA). The COA should show the amount of CBD in the product as well as any residual contaminants from the production process.

Wellness Garden Medicinals offers a CBD sublingual tincture in three concentrations and two flavors which has been shown to be very effective at treating pain, inflammation, stress, anxiety, and insomnia through anecdotal evidence.

Additionally, we offer CBD topical salves which are all-natural and contain powerful essential oils and botanical extracts which complement CBD’s effects.

Our customers report improvement in their conditions and some use a combination of sublingual tincture and topical salve which provides CBD to the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) through two separate vectors, sublingually and transdermal.

Conclusion

CBD is generally well tolerated and safe to use, even in higher doses. However, finding the proper dose for your individual condition is important. There are a number of factors that determine how much CBD you should use and how frequently you should take it.

Until research helps establish clinical guidelines, you should speak to your medical practitioner, particularly if you are using CBD to help relieve a specific condition or take any other medications along with CBD.

Is CBD Legal? CBD products derived from hemp and with less than 0.3 percent THC are federally legal in the United States. CBD products derived from marijuana are federally illegal, but are legal under certain state laws. Check your local laws and the laws of anywhere you travel with CBD. Note that non-prescription CBD products are not FDA-approved, and may be inaccurately labeled. All Wellness Garden Medicinals products are made from U.S. hemp and contain 0% THC, which means they are federally legal in the United States.