How Much CBD Should I Take the First Time?

CBD — short for cannabidiol — is arguably the most buzz-worthy product in recent years. To get an idea of just how successful CBD has become ever since the market boomed in 2018, consider this: the Brightfield Group, a cannabis consumer data and market research company, estimates that the CBD industry’s value will reach $22 billion by 2022!

How did CBD suddenly get so popular?

Well, CBD is compelling to consumers primarily because clinical trials and research have shown that CBD can be a potential natural treatment for a laundry list of health issues — from acne and anxiety to chronic pain and even neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, etc.

Though the benefits of CBD are well-documented, there is no evidence-based Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for CBD yet. This means that if you are trying CBD for the first time, figuring out the best dosage can be somewhat confusing. Before you go blindly estimating your dosages based on your friends’ recommendations, read this blog.

How to find the right CBD dosage?

We cannot cite a precise dosage for you, because it does not exist. The “ideal” CBD dosage is a sliding scale that is different for everybody. That said, some metrics like the concentration of CBD, your weight, and the severity of the condition you are trying to treat can help you make an educated guess regarding the correct dose.

Start small and increase gradually.​

The best way to find the right dosage for you is to “start low and go slow”.

Start with a very low dose. Monitor how your body responds to that amount of CBD, and steadily work your way up while continuing to gauge your body’s responses. Keep at it until you find the perfect dose that works for you. If you notice any unwanted response (such as dizziness), then return to the previous dose.

The general recommendation seems to be sticking with the lowest dose for two to three days before increasing it.

Estimate your dosage based on your body weight.

Your body weight can help you ballpark the dose. The general rule of thumb to determine your proper CBD dosage is to take 1 – 6 mg of CBD for every 10 pounds of your body weight.  For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, 20 – 25 mg would be a great starting dose for you.

Again, it is better to start with a low strength dose (1 mg per 10 pounds) and build up to a higher strength dose (6 mg per 10 pounds) gradually.

How are you taking your CBD?

CBD can be taken in a few different forms, including oils and tinctures, edibles, lotions, capsules, and more. How you get CBD into your system matters when it comes to how much you should take as CBD doses vary among forms. For example, a standard dose in tinctures and oils is around 1 mg per drop, while every gummy contains about 5 mg CBD.

What are you using CBD for?

People use CBD to potentially treat everything from anxiety to chronic pain. What you are taking CBD for matters when determining your ideal dosage. Here are recommended CBD doses by condition:

• General health: 1 – 3 mg CBD per 10 pounds
• Nausea: 1 – 3 mg CBD per 10 pounds
• Chronic pain: 3 – 6 mg CBD per 10 pounds
• Sleep disorders: 3 – 6 mg CBD per 10 pounds
• Anxiety: 3 – 6 mg CBD per 10 pounds
• Migraines: 3 – 6 mg CBD per 10 pounds

How to determine the potency of your CBD oil?

You can easily find the concentration of CBD per ml of oil with one simple formula:

The amount of CBD in the bottle (in mg) / the size of the bottle (in ml) = concentration of CBD (in mg/ml).

If we work our CBD drops 1500 mg 30 ml CBD oil into this equation, we get 50 mg of CBD for every 1 ml of oil (1500 mg / 30 ml).

You can compare this to the recommended dosage above to see how much oil you will need to get the desired strength of CBD.

Speak to your physician before using CBD.

We strongly recommend you to talk to a trusted medical professional to know exactly how much CBD you should take, especially if you are on any other medication. Although CBD is safe and well-tolerated, it could interfere with your body’s ability to metabolize any drugs or dietary supplements that you are taking.

You may also want to research your state laws regarding the use of cannabis products.

The bottom line

It takes a little trial and error to find out your ideal CBD dosage. The good news is that CBD is typically safe and well-tolerated, even in large amounts. That said, however, until experts come up with clinical guidelines, your best bet is to talk to your healthcare provider, especially if you are using CBD to manage a specific condition or regularly take a medication for a specific condition.

Ready to dip a toe into the world of CBD?

New Age Hemp is Arkansas’s first and most premium hemp processor and wholesale supplier. We offer complete transparency by conducting third-party testing on every single batch we process and making those lab test results available on our website. When you shop with us, you can be sure that what you are getting is high-quality and safe.

Head over to the main page of New Age Hemp’s blog for more insights and news on CBD or check out our online storefront for all your CBD needs!