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There’s so much information about CBD out there. With a quick Google search, you can learn all about how CBD is a derivative from the hemp plant, how it has helped thousands to treat serious mental and physical health problems, and how it’s growing in demand every day.
But one of the most difficult questions to answer about CBD is how much you should take the first time you try it. It’s easy for you to search “CBD oil near me” and have dozens of search results that apply specifically to your situation, but when you’re trying to research out “the best CBD oil dose for me,” you won’t get such a clear answer.
That’s because there are many factors that go into determining the correct dose of CBD oil for you. You should consider several things and add them altogether before trying your first dose if you want to avoid unpleasant side effects or an inefficient dose. Use this guide to create your own formula for your first CBD dose.
Types of CBD and Your Body
CBD is activated in your body when the cannabinoids within infiltrate your blood stream. From there, it can course through your body, binding to your endocannabinoid system and boosting more positive hormonal and immune system reactions.
Like with any medication, taking CBD in certain ways will carry the substance to your blood stream sooner. Some carriers will also put a higher concentration of CBD in your blood stream than others. Consider this list of common types of CBD and how they enter your blood stream when determining which dose is right for you.
Sublingual Sprays and Tinctures: This is the fastest and most effective method of getting CBD into your bloodstream. By holding the CBD in your mouth for about 90 seconds before swallowing, you allow the CBD to sink into your mucous membranes and absorb into your blood faster. Then, when you swallow, the rest is absorbed during digestion. This carrier requires one of the lowest doses to be effective.
Edibles: Anything you can eat that contains CBD like CBD gummies, capsules, brownies, etc. will require a slightly higher dose. About 80 percent of CBD is lost when enzymes are broken down during digestion, so you won’t feel the effects as strongly at a lower dose.
Topicals: Anything topical is one of the highest dosed CBD products. In order to reach your blood stream through the skin, it must soak through several layers of skin, and not all of the CBD will reach your blood stream.
Vaping: Vaping CBD will get the substance into your body quickly, and you don’t need much for you to feel the effects. However, it does not last long, and there are risks associated with vaping.
What You’re Trying to Treat
The ailment you’re targeting with your CBD products may also affect the dosage. If you’re using CBD for pain, you’ll probably need a different dosage than you would for anxiety. It’s believed that anxiety is the most sensitive ailment that CBD treats. Therefore, users typically don’t need as high of a dose to treat it.
Pain, on the other hand, may require a little more, but you don’t want to take a large dose all at once. The Arthritis Foundation recommends that you start out slow and build your way up. That way, you can get the pain relief benefits of CBD at a higher dose without overwhelming your system with a huge dose.
Speak with your healthcare provider about how you’re planning to use CBD and get his/her recommendation for treating it at the right dose.
Expert Tips for the Newbie User
Here are a few other expert tips for newbie users to follow.
Start Small: When in doubt, always start with a small dose and consider working your way up from there. For many people taking their first dose, the smallest dose is enough. It’s better to start small and feel no effects than it is to take too much and experience uncomfortable side effects. You can easily increase if needed.
Take Your First Dose at Night: One of the most common side effects of CBD is drowsiness, so taking your first dose at night is recommended. Some people don’t experience drowsiness, especially if they get the right dose, but you won’t know how it affects you until you take it. It’s better to take it at night when you can sleep off any side effects before you have to be somewhere tomorrow.
Be Prepared for the Taste: Unless you’re using CBD gummies or candy, it’s probably not going to taste great. It’s a medication of sorts, not a treat, so be prepared before you try your first dose.
Skip the Vaping: If you’re not a vaper, don’t do it. There are many risks to vaping, not the least of which is lung infections or potential cancer risks. CBD in vape form might seem like a tempting way to get it into your symptom quickly, but the risk usually isn’t worth the reward.
Be Careful When Shopping: Unfortunately, not all CBD oil is made alike. Some companies market hemp oil or hemp seed oil as CBD, even though it contains little to no CBD. If you’re using a low-quality CBD oil and haven’t done your homework properly, chances are, you’re not going to get the effects you want. Always research companies thoroughly and read third-party lab reports to ensure what you order will be effective.
Talk to Your Doctor: Don’t be embarrassed about trying CBD, despite a negative social stigma surrounding it. Ask a doctor who is familiar with CBD before trying your first dose. Their cautions and guidance can be incredibly useful for getting the right dose without uncomfortable side effects.
Listen to Your Body: Listening to the advice of a doctor, a close friend, or a random internet article is a great start, but ultimately, you need to listen to what your body is telling you. If you’re feeling a lot of side effects, your dose is probably too strong. If you don’t feel anything at all, you probably didn’t take enough.
Try Again: Chances are, you won’t get the dose right the first time. It’s not an exact science, but if you pay attention to what your body is telling you and make adjustments, you’ll likely get it just right the next time!
