CBD Dosage: Your Questions Answered

CBD products are growing in popularity for treating a variety of health-related conditions, in people and their pets.

But what is CBD, and what’s the buzz on this new-ish bud, CBG? What type of CBD should I take and is CBD oil more effective than gummies or vaping? How much CBD should I take?

Phew! There are loads of questions about CBD oil and its related products flying around right now. Everybody knows somebody who’s taking CBD for something, whether that something is arthritis, insomnia, or their dog’s anxiety (in which case, the dog takes it, not the owner).

There is also a lot of misinformation about CBD out there in the ether, and it’s apt to confuse the average person. There’s a slight gap between what we know scientifically about CBD and the experiences of the many, many people taking it. While studies have confirmed that CBD has certain benefits, far more research is required before any real claims can be made. So, for now, we base our information on recent research and documented benefits of its users.

While we recommend consulting a doctor before starting any alternative therapy like CBD, we also realize that many people are, let’s say, independent researchers taking charge of their own health. For that reason, our aim here is to provide you with legitimate, unbiased information about CBD so you can draw your own conclusions about what’s best for you and your body.

For an upside-down, inside-out look at what CBD is, where it comes from, and what it’s good for, check out our comprehensive guide: What is CBD? Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About CBD Oil & CBG.

How Much CBD Should I Take?

CBD affects everyone differently. It’s a bit like coffee that way, or alcohol. Some people can’t do a morning brew because it drives their nervous system through the roof, while others can drink pots of it. Some people can’t even smell alcohol, let alone drink the stuff, without facing some adverse reaction. Yet, it has no ill effect on the person sitting next to them.

How different substances interact with our unique personal chemistry is often a mystery that’s hard to pin down. If you’re kicking around the notion of CBD oil for anxiety, chronic pain, insomnia or some other life-interfering health issue, you will likely need to experiment with dosage, time of day, and type of CBD.

There are a few considerations when determining how much CBD or CBG to take.

(By the way, if you haven’t heard of CBG, it’s like “the new CBD.” Learn more about it here).

Personal Goals & Health

First of all, and most importantly are your reasons for taking CBD and what your goal is. Are you trying to get a better night’s sleep? Are you recovering from PTSD or anxiety? Do you want to alleviate post-workout aches and pains or reduce inflammation in your joints? Is it for your pet?

Are you currently taking any other medication, be it natural or synthetic? If so, we strongly recommend that you consult with a doctor before starting with any CBD product.

Type

How much CBD you should take also depends on what form you’re taking it in. Current offerings for CBD are vast and creative, such as oil, tinctures, gummies, vape pens, coffee, tea, softgels and capsules, skin care, and CBD for pets.

Strength

Dosage also depends on the strength of the product (ie. regular, extra, or maximum) and type of processing (ie. isolate, full spectrum, or broad spectrum). See our CBD guide or Glossary for a full explanation of those terms.

Quality

Any product you purchase should include the recommended CBD dosage. As well, a reputable vendor will offer guidance on how to take CBD, especially if you’re new to it. We recommend starting with a minimum dose for a couple of days and observing how your body reacts.

How Long Does It Take For CBD To Work?

The rate at which people experience relief of symptoms depends on the type of product––some work faster than others; some last longer than others.

Sublingual application, such as with CBD oil and tinctures generally takes about 15-30 minutes to kick in. However, it’s a much less obvious “kicking” sensation, and more like a gradual immersion. Vaping, on the other hand, takes just a few minutes and you’ll feel its effects more creep up more intensely.

Edibles and topical CBD products take a little longer because they have to be absorbed by the skin, or go through the digestive system. Both pathways take time for CBD to have the desired effect, about one to two hours.

How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?

Its rate of endurance depends on a few factors: the amount you take, the type you take, the potency of the product, your individual metabolism, and whether you take it on a full or empty stomach. That’s a lot to coordinate!

It’s why experimenting with dosage, time of day, and even different applications is a wise move to determine what is most effective for you. Don’t worry, it doesn’t take long to find that “sweet spot.”

Generally, the types that take more time to have an effect will stay in your system longer. Oils, tinctures, and edibles, such as CBD gummies and baked goods, will last about four to five hours. Vape pens, while they provide more rapid relief, wear off within a couple of hours.

What Does CBD Feel Like?

There is some confusion around whether CBD is a psychoactive compound. The term psychoactive means it has a psychological effect, which CBD does. However, it is not intoxicating, like THC.

So, let’s get this misconception out of the way: CBD does not get you high, unless it contains enough THC, the intoxicating component of cannabis sativa.

Its effect on the mind comes, in part, from the way it interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain. A lighter mood generally makes one feel more relaxed and able to manage frustrations. Although the effects are largely subjective, meaning they impact each person differently, CBD has a notable calming effect on most people who use it.

In the words of one of our customers who takes CBD oil for anxiety:

“The first time I took CBD, the extra-strength, full-spectrum oil, I felt what could be called my subtle neurotic behaviours fall away––the nail biting, hair twirling, and inherent edginess that are regular parts of my day stopped, and I was able to go about my day, focused and relaxed.”

From another customer, who takes CBD gummies for sleep disturbances:

“I felt it kick-in after about 30 minutes. I felt sleepy but not groggy, and I slept like a rock that first night, and every night since.”

And this one, from a customer who takes CBG oil:

“It’s hard to say how CBG oil is different from CBD, but I notice an even greater calm, and less pain in my joints, which normally bother me. And I don’t have that vibrating undercurrent of restlessness that I normally do. And I’m sleeping even better, with more pleasant dreams.”

How Many Drops of CBD Oil Should I Take?

There is no general rule regarding the number of drops to take. It all depends on the specifications of the individual product. Look at the volume of the CBD oil and how many milligrams of CBD it contains. For example, a one-ounce bottle of “extra-strength” CBD oil that contains 1000 mg of CBD delivers 33 mg of CBD per serving.

We recommend starting small with a partial dose and working your way up to a full dropper, depending on how your body responds.

The vendor of your chosen product, CBD35.net for instance, should indicate dosage recommendations on the packaging. You can use these as a guide for determining your ideal dose of CBD for your specific needs.

How Much CBD Should I Vape?

Vaping delivers CBD much more quickly and intensely than edibles or oils. Keep that in mind when you’re determining your ideal dose. This is an advantage to vaping––one puff will take mere minutes to have an effect, so from there you can calibrate the ideal amount of CBD each time you prepare your vape pen.

Always check the ingredients of your CBD vape product. We offer two different brands in a variety of flavours so you can find one that best suits your taste preferences.

Don’t Sweat It…

CBD is natural, gentle, and has few side effects. If you’re unsure about how much to take, consult with a health expert or ask the vendor of your chosen product. Any quality product should indicate specifications for recommended CBD dosage on its packaging.

At CBD35.net, all our CBD and CBG products are sourced with integrity from the USA and carefully selected for quality and potency. They’re also third-party tested and stored in optimal conditions that maintain their purity and potency.

Got a question about our CBD products or how to use them? Contact us on LINE.