How Much CBD Should I Take?
Posted on By Luker

CBD Dosage: How Much CBD Should I Take?

So, you’ve heard of CBD. Perhaps you’ve done some research into cannabidiol. You might have even taken the next step and ordered some CBD. But now you are wondering, how much CBD oil should I take? Good question.

The answer — how much you should take is very personal. What works for you may not work as well for others. CBD is flexible in that you can adapt your dose based on a variety of considerations and based on your body’s reaction to the dose. Getting the appropriate dosage is important because if you get too little, you won’t reap the benefits. In fact, you may think CBD isn’t for you because it doesn’t work when really you may simply not be taking the correct amount of CBD.

Research is still ongoing into CBD’s short-term and long-term effects. But the World Health Organization suggests CBD may help:

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Arthritis
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Diabetes
  • Infection
  • Inflammation
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Nausea
  • Pain
  • Psychosis

Still other research suggests CBD can help:

CBD remains unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which means there are not common dosing guidelines. We always recommend that you consult your doctors, making sure to alert them to your plan to take CBD so they can provide helpful guidance. If you are taking a seizure medication, this is especially important.

To help customize the dose that’s right for you and resolve questions related to the appropriate dosage for CBD oil or hemp oil, we have put everything you need to think about in one article.  

Can You Overdose On CBD Oil?

Let’s get the big question out of the way right away. Can you overdose on CBD? The answer is “no” you cannot overdose on CBD. CBD isn’t psychoactive as it has less than .3% of THC in it. THC is what provides the “high” found in marijuana. 

So, what is the maximum CBD oil dosage you should take? Researchers have found that 600 mg per day appears to be safe, but one study suggested that doses of up to 1,500 mg a day are safe and tolerated well.

If you aren’t sure how much CBD is in your product, check the label. The total amount and the amount per serving should be there. 

Look on the Label 

  • Amount of active CBD per serving 
  • Supplement Fact Panel, including other ingredients such as carrier oil. Warfighter Hemp uses hemp oil as the carrier oil in our tinctures.
  • Net weight
  • Manufacturer/Distributor name
  • Suggested Use
  • Full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolate
  • Batch/date code
  • Expiration date

Look specifically for hemp-derived CBD oil. In the cannabis category “organic” and “all natural” haven’t been scientifically vetted so take those with a grain of salt. However, you can help verify quality by checking out the manufacturer’s third-party testing. Look for transparent testing procedures and outcomes. At Warfighter Hemp we manufacture our CBD “seed to bottle” meaning we know where it is grown and how it is produced because we monitor it every step of the way. Our hemp is grown on Colorado organic farms (no synthetics!) and our process is carefully controlled here in the United States. We also post our third-party testing results on our website. Check them out.

How Much CBD Is Safe?

CBD research is ongoing and there’s not a lot of it to-date. At least not with humans. 

In monkeys, research has shown that CBD had no effect if the dose was below 30 mg/kg orally each day for 90 days or 150 mg/kg intravenously..

Three other tests, over eight years, looked at safety and side effects of CBD. A 2011 reviewTrusted Source found that continuous use of CBD, even in high doses like 1,500 mg a day, is tolerated well by humans. Then a 2017 updateTrusted Source to this review confirmed the same. A  2019 study done on mice did raise some safety concerns about CBD’s potential for liver damage and flagged interactions with other medications.

In a separate human physical dependence study, researchers gave people 1,500 mg per day of CBD for 4 weeks; participants did not experience withdrawal after the 28-day trial. Early research also suggests CBD has low toxicity.

People respond differently to CBD, depending on their condition and dosage. Some people may experience CBD side effects.  

Potential Side Effects

  • Appetite changes
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Stomach upset
  • Weight changes
  • Fatigue
  • Dry mouth
  • Low blood pressure
  • Light headedness
  • Drowsiness

What is a Good Dose of CBD?

The FDA has approved one cannabis-derived product called Epidiolex, which is available by prescription, for the treatment of epileptic seizures, specific to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

For Epidiolex, the recommended dose of CBD oil is 2.5 milligrams per kilogram body weight twice daily, for a total dosage of 5 mg/kg each day. After 1 week, people may increase the dosage to 5 mg/kg twice daily, which is a total of 10 mg/kg per day.

But only a select few of us need to take Epidiolex and therefore we need to consider a variety of things when considering the correct dosage.

Considerations for Dosing

  • Weight
  • Condition
  • Body chemistry
  • Metabolism
  • Other medications
  • Genetics
  • Medical condition
  • CBD quality and formulation 

How Many MG of CBD is Effective?

Consider your ailment when determining the most effective CBD dosage.

While many doctors are fairly inexperienced at providing dosing advice, some institutions have stepped up with recommendations. 

Dosage by Condition

You can find general guidelines for everything from how to use CBD oil for anxiety to how to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.

The Mayo Clinic has released a review that can help with dosing measurements. Based on its information, a dose of 2.1-10mg of CBD may be used to reduce anxiety or 160 mg for inflammation.

If combatting arthritis or chronic pain, a topical applied on the pain site may do the trick. A study on lab rats lead researchers to deduce that a CBD infused topical may be more effective when treating inflammation or pain in a particular area.

A dietary supplement might be a good option if you suffer from “down” moods. An oil, capsule or gummy might be a good way to target a specific symptom because of its higher, more concentrated dose.

Published reports show that some dosages that have been used in research studies for different conditions include:

  • Anxiety: 300 to 600 mg
  • Bowel disease: 10 mg per day
  • Cancer-related pain: 50 to 600 mg per day
  • Parkinson’s disease: 75 to 300 mg per day
  • Poor sleep: 25 mg per day
  • Psychosis: 600 mg per day

One 2020 review of studies found that participants showed improvements in anxiety levels after single doses of CBD ranging from 300 to 600 mg.

A year earlier in 2019, a comprehensive review published in The Lancet Psychiatry looked at previously published studies and concluded that little evidence supported the use of CBD for mental health. The same review took the opposite opinion on the treatment of anxiety, depression and insomnia, suggesting more research was needed.

With some studies being in conflict, it may come down to what works for you, while understanding that research is ongoing and more insights are forthcoming.

Types of CBD

We’ve mentioned topicals and tinctures, but CBD comes in a variety of formulations and applications. Three types of CBD are currently available. 

Formulations

  • Isolate contains CBD and only CBD.
  • Broad spectrum contains CBD and other cannabinoids, but not THC.
  • Full spectrum contains CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids.

A combination of CBD and THC appears to be the most effective, according to research. This is called the entourage effect. CBD may also help mitigate some of the effects of THC.

An Option for Everyone

CBD is available for consumption in multiple forms to suit a variety of needs. At Warfighter Hemp, we produce CBD products in the following forms: 

Most products are made by combining CBD with another oil, called a carrier oil. Oil is one of the most popular applications. 

Newer products on the market today include dietary supplements, and cosmetics. Warfighter Hemp will be introducing a variety of new products in 2021, including gummies. 

Start Small 

Follow your doctor’s recommendations when it comes to dosage, but if you don’t have that insight, the best approach is to start small and slowing ramp up your dosage.

The general recommendation is to start with 10 to 20 mg a day. Take this for a couple of weeks and look for any side effects or allergic reactions. If you don’t feel any real change to your symptoms, dial up the dose by 5mg per week. 

With severe pain, you may need to start with 40mgs and increase by 5mg per week.

In studies, amounts vary from as low as 20 milligrams per day to up to 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day. The World Health Organization reports that dosages in clinical research studies typically range between 100 and 800 milligrams per day.

Keep in Mind

Remember, your body weight impacts the dosage that’s right for you. Doctors calculate a dose per kg of body weight. If you weigh less, take less.

If you use other medications, especially those that cause drowsiness, may want to avoid CBD or lower the dose especially if you use depressants or drink alcohol as those may increase the sedation effect.

Track how much CBD you’re taking and note how your symptoms resolve themselves over time.

Dosage By Format

CBD comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and format and that can impact the dosage. For example, oral solutions depends on volume. CBD gummies, capsules, or pills will tell you how much is in a single serving. 

If you’re using CBD oil, it’ll likely come in a tincture or dropper bottle. The packaging might specify how much CBD is in a single drop. From there, you can figure out how many drops you need to use. Other packaging will tell you how much CBD is in a bottle (not a dropper).

How many CBD drops do you use under your tongue? For example, one 50-milliliter bottle contains 2,000 milligrams of CBD. Considering a standard dropper typically holds one milliliter of liquid, just divide the milligrams of CBD by the amount of liquid in the bottle. In this case, one full dropper should contain 40 milligrams. 

Read on to better understand the dosage by format.

Tinctures

Tincture is one of the most popular forms of CBD. At Warfighter Hemp, we produce tinctures mixed with organic hemp oil with concentrations of CBD ranging from 150mg to 4500 mg.  

What exactly is the best way to take a CBD oil tincture? 

  • Using the dropper, squeeze the desired amount of tincture under your tongue. 
  • Hold it there for 60 to 90 seconds before swallowing. Otherwise, if you swallow it right away, very little ends up in the bloodstream because the gastrointestinal tract doesn’t absorb CBD very well.
  • Repeat as much as necessary throughout the day. However, in very large quantities hemp oil may cause slight drowsiness. If this is the case, it’s recommended to take your supplement before bed.  

When ingesting CBD oil, it is normal for it to have a “hempy” aftertaste. For this reason, at Warfighter Hemp we also provide an option including organic peppermint oil, for a natural peppermint flavor.  

You may also use a tincture topically. Warfighter Hemp offers both a 1000mg CBD lotion and a 1500 mg CBD lotion, or, if you have localized pain, you can even mix a few drops of the tincture with a lotion and rub it directly on the affected area. 

Capsules

Warfighter Hemp Capsules are a convenient and easy way to take CBD oil. At Warfighter Hemp, our capsules deliver 300 mg of CBD in a bottle, or 10 mg of CBD per daily dose, with more options coming in the future. For those who are new to CBD, this is a great way to begin by including CBD in your daily supplement routine. Because capsules are ingested, the body will absorb the CBD in the capsules more slowly. For this reason, capsules are sometimes seen as being less potent than tinctures.

Topical

Because CB1 and CB2 receptors are found throughout the skin, CBD can also be used topically. Topical use of cannabis extracts has been practiced around the world for hundreds of years, and today, CBD products like lotions, creams, salves and transdermal patches are all available.    

Topical application of CBD is especially useful for:

  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Arthritis pain
  • Muscle pain and muscle recovery
  • Psoriasis, eczema
  • Itchy rashes
  • Contact dermatitis
  • Acne

The Warfighter Hemp 1000mg CBD lotion and 1500 mg CBD lotion can be applied directly to the painful area as needed.   Transdermal patches are another option for topical use of CBD.  The adhesive patches provide an easy, convenient, longer lasting application. A transdermal patch can be left on for 8 to 24 hours and provides continuous localized pain relief.  

Remember to try any topical out on a small patch of skin to make sure you don’t have an allergic reaction.

Bath Bombs

CBD also offers a new way to take bath time to the next level. Bath bombs made with cannabidiol are a great way to combine the stress relieving benefits of CBD with the relaxation of a warm bath. The warmth of the water increases blood flow and opens your pores, promoting detoxification and the absorption of CBD into your body. Warfighter Hemp CBD bath bombs can:

  • Decrease inflammation
  • Reduce pain due to arthritis
  • Soothe sore muscles 
  • Melt away cramps and muscle spasms 

Warfighter Hemp bath bombs come in 4 fragrances with each having 35 mg of CBD.

Edible

Warfighter Hemp honey is an option for your tea or even for baking. Both honey options offer 25 mg of CBD in the jar. Try  Warfighter Hemp teas (two kinds!). And coming soon, CBD gummies. CBD gummy dosage will be provided on the label.

Dosage Calculator

If you aren’t sure about the right dose for you, you can always check out one of several dosage calculators found online. One example is mydosage.com. We cannot verify that these are 100% accurate, but they are another tool to help determine what’s right for you.

Remember that you may be sensitive to CBD and if that’s the case, take a small dose. You may also find that you need a larger dose before seeing any positive effects.

Special Considerations

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding you may want to avoid CBD. Cannabidiol may be unsafe. If you are considering CBD for children, talk with your child’s doctor first. Small doses may be safe but you want to be sure before you try.

If you have liver disease or Parkinson disease, you may want to take a lower dose.
Some research suggests high dose of CBD for those with Parkinson may worsen tremors and muscle movement.

A Final Reminder

Talk with your doctor about CBD and whether it is right for you. Discuss the proper dosage based on the symptoms you’re seeking to alleviate and the variety of other factors we’ve covered here in this article. It may take some experimentation to find the right fit for you, but the investment of time will hopefully be worth it.