Cannabis emerged in Central Asia 36 million years ago. Its use as a medicine dates back to 4,700 years ago in China.
Today, the medical cannabis industry is growing rapidly. The worldwide market is expected to be worth more than $50 billion by 2027. With more people turning to CBD for the relief of various ailments, knowing the right CBD dosage is crucial.
Taking too much CBD can cause undesirable side effects. Taking too little won’t help you treat whatever it is you’re treating. And finding the right dosage for your body can be tricky.
Whether you’re using CBD for the first time or you just haven’t been able to get your dose right, keep reading to find out how to find your perfect CBD dosage.
The Recommended Dose
You might be hoping that there’s a one-size-fits-all recommended dose for CBD. But you’d be wrong.
Because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, the FDA hasn’t created a Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for CBD. Although they have this for other medicines, you won’t find a regulation surrounding CBD dosage from the FDA.
Making recommendations even murkier are the scores of websites that provide different dosages. Sometimes even for the same brand.
Without a regulated amount, finding the dosage that’s right for you is a matter of trial and error. There are at least 4 factors to consider when deciding on your dosage:
- The concentration of the CBD you are taking
- Your body weight
- Your body chemistry
- What you’re treating
Remember too that your dosage will likely change over time. The endocannabinoid receptors in your brain change with your body’s physiology. As you continue to use CBD, the dosage that works for you will shift along with you.
The Problem With Brand Doses
Making the problem of no recommended dosages even more complicated are the brands that sell the different variations of CBD. Because there’s no regulation around these products, brands have different standards.
Some brands recommend to much and other recommend too little. Because CBD comes in various concentration and forms, and the dose that’s right for you depend on your physiology and history, these serving sizes aren’t accurate.
Finding the Right CBD Dosage
Your dosage is unique to you and your body. But we’ve listed a few things that can help you find the right dosage for you in detail below.
Base Your Dose on Your Body Weight
When you’re first trying to find the right CBD dosage, a good starting point is your body weight. The more body mass you have, the more CBD you require.
If you take too little, it might not affect you in the way you desire. Try starting with 1-6 mg of CBD for every 10 lbs. You can increase or decrease the dosage in increments according to how your body reacts.
Use a Dose Calculator
Find a dose calculator online. A dose calculator can tell you a number of things. This includes:
- Minimum and maximum daily doses
- How much CBD you’ll need to reach those doses
- The concentration of CBD in your CBD oil
All you need to do is enter the size of your CBD oil bottle and how much CBD is in that bottle. You’ll also have to provide your weight. This is the basis for determining your CBD dosage.
Increase Your Dose Over Time
The dose that works for you will be unique. That’s because things like medications and supplements that we currently or historically take affect our reaction to CBD. That means that someone who is the same weight as you can require a different dosage than you.
While your first dose should be base don your weight, you can gradually increase that amount until you’ve found exactly what works for you.
It’s recommended that you increase your dose by 25 mg every 3-4 weeks. If you experience side effects or worsening of symptoms, immediately decrease the dose. And as you build a tolerance, you can begin increasing that amount again.
Talk to a Doctor
It’s true that many physicians are still wary of medical marijuana. Many of them don’t prescribe CBD to their patients because they’re not trained in its treatments or side effects. However, they can still be a trusted source of information on a dose that’s right for you.
Your physician will know about you’re existing medical conditions, as well as potential risks and interactions with medications you take. They can help you figure out the right CBD dosage for you based on a good understanding of those factors.
There are also physicians out there who do have experience with CBD. If you’re planning on treating a condition with CBD, seek them out and ask for their advice on more than just dosage.
Possible Interactions
Before determining a CBD dosage that’s appropriate for you, you should know what CBD can interact with. If you decide not to consult with a physician, be aware that the following could affect how CBD reacts with your body.
It’s possible that marijuana can increase the effect that alcohol has on your body. Avoid using your CBD while your drinking to reduce this risk.
Drugs, herbs, and other supplements that reduce blood clotting may not interact well with marijuana. Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs may not work when using CBD because it affects how your body processes them.
CNS depressants slow normal brain function to treat anxiety, sleep disorders, and other health issues. Using this with your CBD oil may increase the sedative effect of the medication.
Using CBD with antiviral drugs (protease inhibitors) can cause them to be ineffective.
More on CBD
CBD has a host of medical benefits. Treating your symptoms or conditions properly requires that you take the right CBD dosage. And determining what that dosage depends on your weight, your body’s chemistry, your history, as well as what it is your treating
If you’re new to the world of CBD, there’s more to know than just CBD dosages. Check out our blog for more great information on CBD.