As the growth in popularity and knowledge about the benefits of cannabis-derived products like hemp and CBD (cannabidiol) increase, the stigma surrounding cannabis products continues to decrease. More and more people are turning to hemp oil and CBD oil.
You may have heard about the extensive benefits of hemp and CBD for your body, but one common question remains: How much should I take?
There are bottles of all sizes, different types of oils, and products that have varying levels of THC (and some that have none.) Sometimes it may feel like enough to make your head spin. But with a little knowledge on how to determine a dosage that works for you, you can quickly reap the benefits of this powerful plant.
SUGGESTED SERVINGS
The industry is still fairly new so there’s not much definitive information out there on how much to take. To kick the confusion up a notch, the FDA still considers CBD and hemp extract as a food supplement, therefore they have not created a Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for CBD.
This means CBD and Hemp extract do not have an official serving size. So, until it can be sold as a medicinal supplement, there won’t be any definitive scientific data supporting sizes of doses.
There may be suggested serving sizes on the packaging, but ultimately, the amount of hemp extract or CBD you take each day is up to you.
There are many different factors that go into determining what a good dosage is, and a dose that works for one person may not be the proper amount for another person.
We’ll take a look at some things to consider when determining what will work for you and hopefully make things a little more clear.
CBD Products Come in Many Strengths, Flavors, and Sizes
FACTORS TO CONSIDER
The common thing you may hear is “just take one dropper”. The dropper being the lid to the bottles of CBD that come with a tincture dropper attached. This can definitely be a dosage, but it’s not until you take into account several important factors that you can determine if one dropper is the right dosage for a given individual.
Some factors to consider include:
- The concentration of CBD levels in the product
- Your weight
- Your body chemistry (specifically your metabolism)
- Your desired end result
Even after considering those factors, there isn’t a “one size fits all” dosage. There will definitely be some trial and error while gauging your proper dosage and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Be patient and you can find the “sweet spot” that works for you.
According to Neuroscientist Nick Jikomes from Leafly, our body’s physiology changes frequently, and so do the receptors in our Endocannabinoid System(ECS), which are directly responsible for interactions with CBD. Because of these fluctuations, optimal CBD dosages will shift throughout a person’s lifetime.
So, put simply, a universal CBD dosage does not exist. The range of milligrams of CBD for many people is somewhere between 4 milligrams and 30 milligrams, per day. Depending on your situation you can of course go up or down with those numbers. It’s also important to note that there’s a not a huge risk of overdosing on CBD.
The worst thing that some CBD users who took a very high dosage, (one that was higher than they need to be taking) reported was feeling very drowsy. But, wanting to curl up in bed and go to sleep may not even be considered a bad thing if the problem you want to tackle is insomnia.
THE RIGHT DOSE FOR YOU
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR
As with any supplements, when in doubt consult your physician. Even if you’re not in doubt, it’s still a good idea. This is especially important if you have an existing medical condition. Your doctor has a pretty good idea of how things may react in your body, based on your health history, etc. and can provide some guidance.
There aren’t a huge number of doctors yet who have experience with CBD, but most will have a good idea on how your body will react to CBD and can provide you a more professional-based dosage for your situation.
ESTIMATE HOW YOUR BODY WEIGHT AFFECTS YOUR HEMP/CBD DOSAGE
As with most substances, individuals with more body mass will usually require more CBD to experience its effects.
With the support of your doctor, one way to determine your proper
CBD dosage is to take 1–6MG of CBD per day for every 10 pounds of body weight, also factoring in the benefits you are seeking. So… For example, 15MG-25MG might be a good starting dosage for a 150 lb patient, while 12MG-22MG might be best for another who weighs 120 lb. Then, depending on how this dose reacts in their body, they can work their way up from there until desired results are achieved.
START SMALL AND INCREASE GRADUALLY
This is where you have to keep in mind that the dose that works for your friend who has been taking CBD for months and is about the same size as you may not be a good dose for you.
You have to consider that not only is each individual’s body different from the next, but we each have our own unique history with things we put in our body. Any previous use of substances, medications, supplements, etc. will effect how CBD and Hemp extract react in your body. With that being said, the best call is to first determine your initial dosage based on your weight, judge that dosage based on how your body reacted to that amount of CBD, and then increase gradually while continuing to monitor your body’s reactions.
This is where patience is a virtue. Take the time to find the right feel of the CBD in your system.
LEARN HOW TO MEASURE YOUR DOSAGE
CBD and hemp can be taken in several different forms. Once you know the proper dosage you are trying to achieve, it is crucial to master measuring the proper dosage.
The most common form of delivery is through capsules and the oil tinctures. Capsules are easy. They tell you how much they contain right on the bottle.
Tinctures and oils are the product that can cause the most confusion in regards to dosage. Let’s talk about measuring out the desired dose for this popular product category.
Most tincture droppers are graduated, and hold 1 ML of liquid when filled to the top line.
If you know how many milliliters are in a CBD tincture, you can use the following simple formula to determine how much CBD is in the dropper.
HOW MUCH HEMP EXTRACT OR CBD IS IN A DROPPER?
WARNING: Math ahead!
[Total milligrams (mg) of CBD in the Bottle]
÷ [Number of milliliters (ml) in Bottle]
= MGs of CBD one ml of fluid (a full dropper)
For example, let’s say you have a 30ml bottle containing a tincture that has 1500mg of CBD:
1500 ÷ 30 = 50mg of CBD per dropper
So now, if your target dosage of CBD (based on evaluating factors mentioned above) is 25mg, and a single dropper of that 1500mg tincture contains 50mg, you’d just fill the dropper halfway to the .5ml mark.
Even though this method is not 100% accurate, it’s a much better method than not measuring at all. This will allow you to track how your body reacts at different dosage levels. Remember, start with a small dosage and gradually increase until you find your perfect dosage.good dose for you.
You have to consider that not only is each individual’s body different from the next, but we each have our own unique history with things we put in our body. Any previous use of substances, medications, supplements, etc. will effect how CBD and hemp extract react in your body. With that being said, the best call is to first determine your initial dosage based on your weight, judge that dosage based on how your body reacted to that amount of CBD, and then increase gradually while continuing to monitor your body’s reactions.
This is where patience is a virtue. Take the time to find the right feel of the CBD in your system.
Here are three great product choices for people just starting out with hemp extract and CBD.
WRAPPING IT UP
The medical community still hasn’t fully embraced CBD and hemp extract. Until more guidelines are developed and the FDA comes out with their own set of dosage recommendations, you can calculate your ideal number with the help of your doctor, a bit of simple math, and trial and error. The good thing is, if you find that that last dose you took wasn’t quite right, it’s unlikely to hurt you.
While CBD oil appears to be safe to take even in large amounts, you want to find that “sweet spot” of a dosage so that you don’t use any more than you need while also ensuring that you’re taking enough to get the optimal effects you are looking for.
The makers of CBD and hemp products continue to refine and improve and more great products are being introduced to the market on a weekly basis. With a little more knowledge under your belt, you can find the perfect product and dosage for you.
DISCLAIMER
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
As with any dietary or nutritional supplement, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor or a trained medical professional. It’s also important to keep in mind that the information in this article should not be considered medical advice.
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