How to Find the Right Amount of CBD for You

Whether you’re new to the CBD train or you’ve been using it for a while now, it’s crucial to optimize your dose, both for your wallet and your own success. If you’re wondering how much CBD you should take, there are many factors to consider.

You’ve likely heard by now about all of the potential benefits CBD has to offer. Whether it’s chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, many people are turning to cannabis and CBD products in order to relieve their symptoms.

Now that we have legal access to CBD, more and more people are listening up when medical experts speak on this topic because they’re seeing the value from cannabinoids like CBD.

But how do you find the right amount of CBD for you? Is it possible to take too much CBD? What happens if you take too much?

While there is no one set dose that is ideal for everyone, there are some guidelines you can follow in order to get the most out of your CBD products.

How Much CBD Should You Take?

There is no universal dosage guideline for CBD, despite being legal in Canada thanks to the passing of the Cannabis Act in 2018. The general recommendation is to speak with your doctor, which is good advice for anyone starting a new health journey.

If you’re going to take CBD for medicinal purposes, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional, especially if you plan to use it to manage serious conditions. Figuring out the right dose of CBD is going to be a case of trial and error, but fortunately, CBD has a good safety profile with no reports of causing public health problems. 

It is recommended that beginner CBD users start off at a low dosage, and gradually increase it if needed as time goes on. This allows you to get a feel for how different doses affect you.

CBD works on what they call a “bell-curve” scale. Take too little, and you won’t see any effects. Take too much, and the effects start to diminish. With CBD, you’re looking to find that optimal dose that lands in between these two extremes.

Variables in CBD dosages

Many factors will influence the amount of CBD you should take. Some considerations are easier to pinpoint, like your body weight and the severity of the condition you’re looking to treat.

Others are more convoluted and will require trial and error, like figuring out how much CBD works with your unique body chemistry. 

The route of administration will have a big effect on dosage as well. Taking CBD edibles like capsules or gummies will provide different effects than taking it sublingually or inhaling CBD vapor, for example.

You can determine your best method of consumption by establishing where you want the CBD to target. 

You want CBD to go through the bloodstream in most cases because this will allow it to target numerous cannabinoid receptors throughout the body.

If you have aches, pains, and inflammation in specific areas in your body, you can start by trying CBD topicals that do not reach the bloodstream but are designed to provide relief in localized areas. 

CBD Topicals (creams, lotions, salves)

Many people prefer to use CBD topicals because they are easy to apply, and don’t enter the bloodstream. Dosing with them can be a little confusing, however.

Depending on the size of the product, most topicals will have hundreds of milligrams of CBD present so each use offers a decent dose of CBD.

Users should apply CBD topicals generously to ensure they penetrate the skin barrier and can reach cannabinoid receptors in the target area. 

The amount of pain you’re experiencing will determine how much CBD topical to apply. Check the product for serving size and if there is not one listed, apply a generous amount and wait 30 minutes to assess the pain. If it doesn’t feel any different, apply another generous amount and repeat. 

Many people find that they get the best results by combining several methods. For example, using a high-quality CBD oil alongside a topical CBD product; these can come in many forms, including salves, gels, or pain sticks.

This may take some time to figure out what works best for you, but if you’re using a quality product and paying attention to your reactions, you’ll find an optimal dose soon. 

Sublingual CBD Oils & Tinctures

CBD oils and tinctures can be found in Full Spectrum, Broad Spectrum, or CBD Isolate oils.

Taking CBD under the tongue, or sublingually, will provide faster relief than just swallowing it because it will reach the bloodstream much quicker.

To use CBD oil sublingually, measure out the amount of CBD oil or tincture that you want to use in the dropper that is attached to the cap; alternatively, you can use a small, clean spoon.

Place the CBD oil underneath your tongue and hold it there for 30-60 seconds, then swallow any remaining oil.

When you take CBD oil this way, it absorbs into the blood vessels and sublingual glands under the tongue, bypassing your digestive system.

Since the CBD will be reaching the bloodstream without digestive interference, you can start with 10-15 mg of CBD for mild relief. If you’re looking for relief from more extreme symptoms, start with 15-20 mg and increase it gradually.

It’s always a good idea to take note of how you feel with each dose so you can find the one that is perfect for you. Don’t be afraid to increase dosage as needed. 

Not too sure if your CBD is working? Here are 5 ways to tell.

CBD Capsules

CBD capsules are a convenient, mess-free way to take your CBD; they are discreet, tasteless and can be brought with you anywhere.

Capsules have a pre-set dose of CBD in them and can come anywhere from 10-50mg of CBD per capsule. You can start by taking 1 capsule, and then increasing the amount slowly as needed.

Edibles like capsules and CBD gummies take more time to start working than sublingual CBD oils, as they have to pass through the digestive system first. Wait at least an hour to assess how it is affecting you before taking any more.

Can You Take Too Much CBD?

CBD is a substance that, while it has been deemed relatively safe to consume according to some studies and trials, can lead to an increased risk of negative side effects if you take too much at one time.

Low blood pressure and nausea are two of the most common side effects of CBD; some people also experience diarrhea or loss of appetite upon ingesting too much at once.

While these effects are generally mild and only last as long as your body takes to fully process and use it, you can avoid this by going with a low CBD dosage until you know how your body will react to it.

The Bottom Line On CBD Dosage

The dosages of CBD vary from person to person, and there is no one dose that works for everyone. You may have to experiment with different doses before finding the right dosage for your body.

Finding your optimal CBD dosage will require some trial and error. Speak with a medical professional if you’re a first-time CBD user, and if they cannot provide a recommended dose, start small and increase gradually.

You can also try different methods of taking CBD (sublingual vs capsules, for example) which could make a difference as well.

Whatever method and/or dose ends up working best for you, we hope this article has been helpful in understanding the different aspects of dosing CBD.