The subject of CBD oil dosage comes up quite a bit when people are discussing cannabidiol. Most CBD gummies, for instance, come in 5-10 mg CBD per gummy, and you often hear that people take 1-2 gummies per day to get their daily dose of CBD.
When it comes to CBD oil, the rule of thumb says to start with a small dose and increase slowly over time. But that does not tell you much, does it? This is because the effects of CBD oil vary from person to person, and different CBD oils also have different potencies.
Below, we will go through some basics on how to determine a starting point for your CBD oil routine and what factors you should consider when adjusting your dosage. Read on!
CBD Dosage Basics
As mentioned above, the simplest way to find your ideal dosage is to start small – say, one drop – and gradually increase over time as you see fit. This is also known as the “titration method,” and it has been used by many people to successfully find their ideal dosage with some trial and error.
This method is not very accurate, as varying levels of absorption in the body and different potencies can make it hard to determine how much CBD you are actually taking. Even if you use the same CBD oil throughout a certain period, external factors like fatigue, stress, and dehydration can affect the absorption rate and, as a result, how effective each dose is.
For this reason, you may want to turn to a more precise method to make sure you are taking the right amount of CBD oil.
Calculating the Right Amount of CBD Oil
First, you should know how much CBD is in each drop. This is called the potency, and it will be listed on the product label of your CBD oil. Sometimes, however, CBD product manufacturers will only put the overall potency of the bottle and not of each drop. But don’t worry, it is not difficult to calculate.
For example, let’s say you have a 30 ml bottle of CBD oil with 900 mg CBD. This means that each ml contains 30 mg CBD and each drop (0.05 ml) contains 1.5 mg of CBD.
The next step is to calculate how many drops you need to take. There are two ways to go around this. One is to stick to set dosages – for instance, 300-600 mg a day for anxiety or pain – and then simply divide that number by the potency of your CBD oil to determine how many drops you need.
Another way is to calculate the dosage according to your body weight. A common dosage suggestion is to take 1-6 mg of CBD oil per 10 pounds of body weight, meaning that a person who weighs 150 pounds should start with 15-90 mg of CBD per day.
There are also different thresholds for different purposes – pain relief may require higher doses of CBD oil than anxiety relief, for instance. In such a case, increasing your optimal dose gradually may be a good idea to find the amount that works for you, as you aren’t starting from just one drop.
What Factors Affect Your Optimal CBD Dosage?
Now that you have a general idea of how to find the best CBD dosage, it is time to look at some factors that will help you fine-tune your routine. These are mostly external factors that can impact the amount of CBD you should take, but there is also one internal factor – the absorption rate of your CBD oil.
External Factors That Affect Dosing CBD Oil
There are several external factors that may affect how much CBD you should take, including:
- Body weight – this is one of the main factors that determine how much CBD you need, as the human body takes time to metabolize CBD, and you need a larger dose to reach the same effect.
- Age – the elderly may need a higher dosage than young adults, as the young and old have different individual body chemistry, making them more or less sensitive to CBD and its effects.
- Diet – your diet will also affect how much CBD you can tolerate. If you are taking other supplements (like turmeric) or you are consuming a lot of edibles, you should start with a low dosage and increase it as necessary.
- Stress – CBD is known to have soothing and calming properties, but if your body is already under a lot of stress, you may be more sensitive to the effects of CBD and thus need a lower dose.
- Medical conditions – certain medical conditions may affect the way in which CBD oil works on your organism. For instance, for people with liver or kidney conditions, CBD can accumulate in the body and cause stronger side effects.
- Medications – if you take medications that interact with CBD, your CBD dosage will depend on how the medications affect your body. Note that some should not be taken at the same time.
- Exercise – CBD is known to increase your endurance, so if you work out a lot and are feeling tired, you may want to increase your CBD dosage.
Absorption Rate of CBD Oil
The absorption rate of your CBD oil is also an important factor that will affect your CBD dosage. The body absorbs CBD in various ways, and the speed at which your body processes CBD will depend on how it is taken.
- Oral ingestion – oral ingestion is the most common way to take CBD products, and it results in a pretty fast absorption rate since CBD goes directly into the bloodstream via the intestines.
- Vaping CBD – when you use a vaporizer, CBD enters your lungs and then goes into the bloodstream. This is one of the fastest ways to get the benefits of CBD, though vaping may not be as effective at treating chronic pain as oral ingestion.
- Topical use – applying CBD oil tincture or CBD salve topically is a slower way to take CBD, as it takes time for the body to absorb it into the bloodstream through the skin. It does, however, help with localized pains.
- Sublingual use – sublingual use is considered to be the fastest way to consume CBD. This involves placing CBD oil drops beneath your tongue to allow it to dissolve and enter the bloodstream through your saliva glands.
Are All CBD Oils the Same?
In short, no. There is a wide range of different CBD oils on the market, and it is impossible to make any generalized statements about them. But let’s try to cover some of the most important differences.
CBD Oil Potency
The first thing to consider is the potency of the CBD oil you are using. This is often expressed as a percentage or concentration, and the higher the number, the more potent the oil is. Our broad-spectrum CBD oil, for instance, comes in 450, 900, and 1350 mg concentrations.
The higher the potency, the less you need to take to reach your desired result, as we have calculated above. For example, if you need to take 15 mg of CBD oil for your anxiety, you’ll have to take twice as much with the 450 mg oil as you would with the 900 mg oil.
CBD Oil Type
In general, there are three types of CBD oils: full-spectrum CBD oil, broad-spectrum CBD oil, and CBD isolates.
Full-spectrum CBD oil is just that – the entire extract from hemp plants. This is the most natural form of CBD oil and has the highest potency, meaning that you only need a small amount.
Broad-spectrum CBD oil is made using a more complex extraction method that pulls CBD as well as other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant material. Unlike full-spectrum oils, broad-spectrum oils do not contain THC.
CBD isolates, finally, are made by extracting only the CBD from hemp plants and discarding all other plant material. This results in an oil with higher purity and potency but also lacks other beneficial compounds found in hemp plants.
CBD Oil Quality
The quality of CBD oil is also important to consider. This means that the oil has been made using a safe and effective method, that it contains what it says on the label, and that it is free of contaminants.
To make sure you are buying high-quality CBD products, look for manufacturers that use third-party labs to test their products. These labs analyze the oil for purity and potency and can also check for contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals. A USDA Organic certificate is also a good sign.
How Many CBD Oil Drops Should I Take a Day?
Once you know your starting point, you can increase your dosage gradually until you find the amount that works for you. This is where the trial and error comes in, as different people will have different responses to CBD oil.
It is a good idea to research what others have experienced with similar products before you start taking CBD oil yourself. Anecdotal evidence can be very useful in getting a general idea of what to expect.
Preliminary studies have shown that to help alleviate anxiety, you’d need to take a total dose of 300-600 mg of CBD oil a day. For pain relief, meanwhile, it has been found that 2.5-20 mg of CBD oil may be effective.
Of course, these are very general numbers and further research is needed. It is also important to remember that different people may need to take different amounts of CBD oil to achieve their desired results.
How Many Drops of CBD Oil Should You Take Before Bed?
When it comes to improving sleep hygiene, there are numerous factors that affect the quality and quantity of sleep you get – going as far as to when you stop using your mobile phone. But as you know, sleep is crucial for our health and well-being, so it’s important to look at all the options.
And that includes CBD oil. While alleviating anxiety may require you to go as far as 600 mg of CBD oil a day, a 2019 study has found that even as low as 25 mg of CBD oil may be enough to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety.
So, give yourself a few drops of CBD before sleep and see how your body chemistry responds. You may find that a smaller dosage is enough to improve your sleep quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does One Drop of CBD Oil Take To Work?
This greatly depends on how much CBD oil you take and how your body metabolizes CBD. In general, sublingual method is the fastest – CBD skips your digestive system and goes directly into your bloodstream via the blood vessels under your tongue. It may be as quick as 5-15 minutes to start feeling the effects.
Edible CBD products, such as CBD gummies or CBD softgels, take a bit longer. When you calculate CBD dosage for your body chemistry, you need to account for the fact that your body will absorb only a fraction of the CBD you ingest. In general, it takes about 30-60 minutes to start, and the effects span over the course of 4-6 hours.
Topical CBD products are applied directly to your skin, so they do not need to be metabolized by your body. They work relatively quickly, with effects starting in 5-15 minutes.
Why Do You Put Drops Under Your Tongue?
There are many ways to consume CBD oil, but sublingual administration is one of the most effective. Here’s why:
The tissue under your tongue has a lot of tiny blood vessels that allow CBD and other compounds to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This means that the effects of CBD oil are felt more quickly than if you were to ingest it.
Sublingual administration also bypasses the digestive system, which means that more CBD will be available for use by the body, and you have more control over how many milligrams of CBD you are actually getting.
What Happens if You Use Too Much CBD Oil?
CBD oil is generally considered to be safe and well-tolerated, even in high doses. However, there are some potential side effects that you should be aware of, such as fatigue, changes in appetite, and diarrhea.
If you experience any of these side effects, it is best to reduce your dosage and, in case of stronger side effects, contact a medical professional.
What Happens if You Swallow CBD Oil?
If you swallow CBD oil, it will be subject to the same process as any other food or supplement – it will go down your esophagus, into your stomach, and then through your digestive tract.
This means that it will take longer for the effects of the CBD to be felt and that less of the CBD will actually be available for use by the body.
Can I Drink Water After Taking CBD Oil?
For the best result, you should not drink water for at least a few minutes after taking a dose of CBD oil. This allows the CBD oil to be absorbed into your bloodstream before it is diluted by water.
How Long Do 2 Drops of CBD Last?
Two drops is a relatively low dose of CBD oil. How long it lasts will depend on factors such as your weight, metabolism, and the potency of the CBD oil you are taking. In general, you can expect the effects of a low dose of CBD oil to last for 2-6 hours.
Can I Take CBD and Drink Alcohol?
Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down the nervous system. CBD, on the other hand, is a sedative, meaning it can help to relax the body and mind.
Taking CBD and alcohol together can amplify the effects of both substances and may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired motor skills. It is best to avoid drinking alcohol if you are taking CBD oil.
What Medications Should Not Be Taken With CBD?
In short, CBD may amplify the effects of some medications and reduce the effects of others. If you are taking any medications, you should speak with your doctor before starting to use CBD. If your medication has the grapefruit warning, you should not combine it with CBD.
Will CBD Oil Show Up on a Drug Test?
In general, CBD should not show up on a drug test. But, some tests may not be able to discern between THC – the intoxicating compound in cannabis – and other cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, so it is possible that a positive test result could be due to CBD oil.
If you are concerned about this, you should purchase a CBD oil that is guaranteed to be THC-free and stop using it a few weeks before your drug test.
