CBD oil dosage: how much and what to take it for
The recognition and use of cannabidiol as a substance with potential for medicinal and therapeutic use is still in its infancy. Doctors and scientists are just beginning to develop dosage schedules for medicinal cannabis and its extracts (including CBD).
Even in the current wave of more and more states legalizing medical cannabis, many doctors are hesitant to prescribe cannabinoids like CBD. This is for two reasons:
1- It's difficult for doctors because there is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) or universal dose for all people.
2 - Most medical schools do not address CBD/cannabidiol treatments at all (drug curricula revolve mainly around patentable substances).
Because there is no recommended dose, the information on this page should be viewed as an informational guide only - a starting point of reference - and should never be viewed as a medical recommendation.
When it comes to cannabinoids, there is one universal rule to keep in mind: Every person is different.
There are countless variables that come into play and make universal dosing impossible - your weight, diet composition, metabolism, genetics, environment, consistency of the product you choose, and more.
While we wish we could offer you a mathematical CBD dosage calculator, it's not that simple - the best we can provide are very rough estimates.
With this in mind, most people who are inexperienced with cannabidiol start their journey with the minimum recommended CBD dosage and then gradually increase the dose until they achieve the desired results.
The standard dose is 25 mg of CBD taken twice a day. To give you a better idea - our 10% CBD Hemnia hemp oil in a standard 10 ml pack contains 1000 mg of CBD extract. This amount should be enough for about 200 drops. The "standardized" dose is therefore 5 drops twice a day.
We then recommend increasing the amount of CBD taken every 3-4 weeks, by 25 mg, until you achieve symptom relief (if symptoms worsen, reduce the dose by 25 mg).
In addition, it is helpful to record your daily experiences in a notebook so that you can determine exactly what works best for you and how you feel. With this knowledge, now is the time to learn more about CBD oil and how to determine the correct dosage.
So how much CBD oil is ideal to take?
The following list for determining your CBD dosage is based on scientific research and publications as well as expert opinion. The dosage of cannabinoids and the length of treatment depends primarily on the indication, i.e. the disease or ailment that CBD is/can help relieve, in addition to a myriad of factors.
The recommended dosage of CBD based on scientific research varies for different conditions:
Pain relief:
100-150 mg CBD or 25 mg in combination with THC. The dose is based on a study that looked at use in liver transplant patients.
Epilepsy:
Daily dose of 20-25 mg CBD per 1 kg body weight. Dose is based on a review of clinical trials: an update on the safety and side effects of cannabidiol: A review of clinical data and relevant animal studies.
Movement problems caused by Huntington's disease:
10 mg CBD per kg body weight per day for six weeks (orally). Based on research entitled 'Therapeutic potential of cannabinoids in mobility disorders'.
Sleep disorders:
40 mg-160 mg CBD (orally). Based on research entitled 'Cannabidiol in humans - the search for therapeutic targets'.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS):
Cannabis extracts containing 2.5-120 milligrams of THC/CBD combination daily for 2-15 weeks. Patients typically take eight shakes within three hours, with a maximum of 48 shakes within 24 hours. This is based on the aforementioned research looking at the potential of CBD for mobility disorders.
Schizophrenia:
40-1,280 mg of CBD orally daily. More in the meta-analysis: An update on the safety and side effects of cannabidiol: A review of clinical data and relevant animal studies.
Types of CBD products
CBD products come in an almost infinite number of forms, each containing a different concentration of CBD and other phytocannabinoids.
Consider your needs and lifestyle when choosing the best way to take CBD (method of administration).
You can choose from the following products:
- Edibles
- In liquid form, these are primarily CBD tinctures or CBD drops (oils)
- CBD oil in capsules
- Sprays rich in phytocannabinoids (usually intended for application under the tongue)
- CBD concentrated into a thick paste
- Bottled water containing nanoparticle-sized CBD particles
- CBD-containing chewing gum or candy (CBD gummies)
- Dissolvable powders containing CBD (often mixed with other adaptogenic herbs)
- Cooking oils (e.g. coconut or olive oil) with added cannabinoids
- Edibles with added CBD (e.g. cookies, biscuits, etc. suitable for people sensitive to smoking).
Products intended for smoking:
- Crystalline isolates
- Waxes
- High CBD e-liquids and/or vaping cartridges (equivalent to e-cigarettes)
Products with external uses:
- CBD-containing transdermal patches (similar to nicotine patches)
- Ointments, balms, lotions, shampoos or soaps containing cannabidiol (for topical use).
- CBD-enriched bath bombs
Decide how to use CBD
For many products, such as chewing gum, no instructions are needed, but for others, we've put together the following tips on how to use CBD:
CBD in liquid form / tinctures / extracts:
The packaging of drops or tinctures should state the recommended dosage and the total amount of CBD contained in milligrams. You can use this to determine the amount of CBD you want to take. Simply use a dropper to put the correct amount of drops under your tongue and hold the CBD oil there for at least 60 seconds. The 60-second hold allows the CBD to be absorbed into your bloodstream more efficiently through the blood vessels under your tongue - effectively bypassing the need for digestion. After the 60 seconds are up, swallow the CBD oil.
CBD E-Liquid/Vaping Cartridge:
Vaping is a good option for people who need an immediate effect, as inhalation is the fastest way to deliver CBD to the brain and body. To use this, simply gently exhale the air from your lungs and then inhale slowly through the mouthpiece for 3 seconds. Then continue to inhale fresh air, hold your breath for a few seconds and exhale. There are pre-filled, inexpensive vaping pens and cartridges as well as more expensive vaporizers that you can fill with CBD-infused e-liquid.
CBD edibles:
With edibles, all you have to do is open the package, eat the contents and enjoy! This method of consumption will result in longer lasting effects that also come on later than some other options (CBD must first pass through the digestive tract). Edibles are great for those looking for long-lasting effects, or for those who want to be unobtrusive when taking CBD.
CBD isolates/concentrates:
Just pour some into a vaporizer or hookah, heat to the appropriate temperature and inhale! This option is useful for people who want to increase their regular consumption of CBD-rich hemp flowers or other herbs.
For a quick reference, check out this table of uses where you'll find the pros and cons of each administration method. You can decide for yourself which method is best for you:
Method of administration
Advantages
Disadvantages
Time of onset of effects
Duration of effects
Suitable if...
Edibles (e.g. tablets, capsules, oils, drink powders)
Convenient
Dosage control
Discreet
Familiar
Do not harm the lungs
Slow onset of action
30-60 minutes
Ingestible tablets/capsules: 4-6 hours
Tinctures/drops: 2-4 hours
Discretion is a top priority and/or you want more control over dosing.
Smoke (e.g. vaping, flowers)
Fast acting
Easy to use
Social
Familiar
Not discreet
Smoking/vaping is illegal in many public places
May have adverse effects on the lungs
Immediately
45 minutes-1 hour
Trying to quit smoking or need fast-acting relief.
Externally applied products (e.g. lotions, balms, gels)
Can be applied directly to the affected area
Bypasses liver metabolism
Long-lasting action
Can be incorporated into daily hygiene
Slow onset of action
Varies greatly depending on factors such as the amount of adipose tissue
Usually 5 hours or more
Suffering from localised skin or joint pain or concerned about body care in general.
Transdermal patches
Longest lasting effects
Bypasses liver metabolism
Steady release of CBD into the bloodstream
Can take hours to feel the effects
Varies depending on the amount of fatty tissue and hair on the skin
1-2 days
Suffer from chronic pain or go for extended periods of time where other methods of use are not available
Choose a CBD brand you can trust
Figuring out how much CBD oil to take can feel like walking a maze. The vast number of CBD brands on the market can be confusing to consumers, and when you take a closer look at everything, it's not hard to see why. Not only do vendors use different source materials (different varieties of CBD-rich hemp), but they also use different extraction techniques.
Adding to the confusion, many vendors recommend excessively high doses, while others suggest amounts that are a fraction of what experts consider effective.
As with fermented foods like kombucha, slight variations in the active ingredient content are normal and natural for a product like CBD oil. They are to be expected, after all, because the drops and oils are made from living plants. Changes in weather, different soil and water can all affect the biology of the starting material. Even the most reputable companies do not have the ability to control all the variables that enter into the organic process of plant development.
While it may not be ideal as a CBD dosage table, based on extensive analysis of hundreds of products, we have created a universal recommendation for starting to use cannabidiol.
The standard dose is 25 mg of CBD twice a day.
Then increase the amount of CBD you take by 25 mg every 3-4 weeks until you achieve symptom relief (conversely, decrease by 25 mg if symptoms worsen).
Consider how CBD would benefit your health
Cannabinoids like CBD have a dizzying array of functions in the human body, affecting everything from inflammation to anxiety and depression. You don't necessarily have to suffer from a serious illness for CBD to be beneficial for you. Even healthy individuals can experience a remarkable improvement in their quality of life when taking it.
Below is a list of diseases/conditions whose symptoms CBD can alleviate:
- Pain (neuropathic, chronic, etc.)
- Epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
- Parkinson's disease
- Inflammation
- Acne
- Dyskinesia (disorder of coordination of normal movements)
- Psoriasis (psoriasis)
- Broken bones
- Mad cow disease
- Depression
- Bacterial infections
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Nausea
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Schizophrenia
- Substance abuse/substance withdrawal
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Migraines
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Alzheimer's disease
Keep in mind that this list of CBD benefits is by no means complete. We're just beginning to discover how cannabinoids can help.
The important fact is that you can't overdose on CBD. There is no set lethal dose of CBD, and repeated use of high doses of up to 1500 mg per day (30 times the norm) has been repeatedly shown to be well tolerated by people in general.
As with any natural product, it is important to consult a physician before taking it. There are some mild risks associated with taking CBD in high doses or for extended periods of time, including:
- Mild lowering of blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Decreased T and B cell activity
- Decreased ability to fertilize
- Decreased p-glycoprotein activity
- Decreased cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme activity
Keep in mind that these side effects illustrate worst-case scenarios with CBD and are not necessarily typical.
There is one notable exception to the "generally harmless" perception of CBD, and that is the negative effect of cannabinoids on the functioning of the liver enzyme CYP450. Approximately 60% of all pharmaceutical drugs are degraded by this enzyme and CBD can slow down the metabolism of these drugs. These include:
- Steroids
- HMG CoA reductase inhibitors
- Calcium channel blockers
- Antihistamines
- Prokinetics
- HIV antivirals
- Immune modulators
- Benzodiazepines
- Antiarrhythmics
- Antibiotics
- Anaesthetics
- Antipsychotics
- Antidepressants
- Anti-epileptics
- Beta-blockers
- PPIS
- NSAIDS
- Angiotensin II blockers
- Oral hypoglycaemic agents
- Sulfonylureas
Read the drug interaction information before taking CBD. It is important to note that even something as innocuous as grapefruit juice can cause the same CYP450 enzyme inhibitory effect as CBD.
The most important thing to do before starting to take CBD (or any other herbal product) is to research all possible drug interactions and consult with your doctor to help answer any additional questions you may have about CBD drug interactions or overdose concerns. You and your doctor can evaluate everything best!
Understand how your genetics affect your CBD dosage
As if you didn't have enough factors to consider when deciding on the ideal dose of CBD oil, now you also need to think about how your own genetics may affect the amount you choose. Some individuals have been found to have mutations in the CNR1 gene, which is responsible for coding for the CB1 receptor (a type of receptor found in cells throughout the body that interacts with cannabinoids). Problems with the CNR1 gene can ultimately result in poor functioning , which is an important variable in determining how to use CBD oil.
How lifestyle choices affect the effect of CBD
CB1 receptors can be fundamentally affected by a variety of substances. Certain lifestyle choices can affect the way your body metabolizes CBD. We're only beginning to understand which factors affect CBD metabolism, so it's a good idea to take everything about this emerging science with a grain of salt. As with any other natural substance, consult your doctor with any questions and/or concerns about CBD and how to use CBD oil.
Rest assured, CBD oil is not physically addictive
People often ask us if they can build an addiction to CBD oil. This is a tricky question and the answer ultimately depends on you.
Based on pure chemistry, the answer is no. Cannabidiol is not physically addictive like heroin, cocaine, alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines and related substances. Furthermore, CBD itself cannot cause any physical withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped.
CBD is even currently being studied to see if it can minimize withdrawal symptoms in drugs with strong withdrawal symptoms, such as opiates.
However, people can become addicted to almost anything that is not chemically addictive: exercise, music, sex, and food are great examples.
People who take CBD daily to relieve symptoms of chronic illnesses and other serious ailments may find that their discomfort returns shortly after they skip a dose. This is no different than when someone's headache returns once the effects of ibuprofen wear off.
However, because CBD can alter the levels of essential liver enzymes, it's crucial to do your research, consult with your doctor, and find out what method of CBD oil use is best for your particular situation. Information and education will be your allies on the road to recovery.
Consider enlisting the services of an expert herbalist to answer all your questions
Most doctors do not specialize in medical cannabis and CBD oil. This means they may not be able to help you as thoroughly as you had hoped, and they may not be able to offer enough advice when it comes to helping you decide how much CBD to take. It's also worth noting that many patients feel uncomfortable talking to their doctor about cannabis and CBD.
If you have detailed questions about how much CBD to take, how to take it, drug interactions, or just want to know what to do next, talk to an expert in the field!
Photo: Shutterstock
Short and simple:
1. Hemnia does not want to, nor can it, replace the expert care of your doctor.
2. Hemnia products are not drugs (aka medications), so please don't treat them as such.
3. Hemnia offers cannabis products, but do not look for any narcotic or psychotropic substances. We do not offer or recommend them.
Read the full text of the disclaimer here.