Finding the appropriate CBD dosage can be tricky. Many factors, including body chemistry, tolerance levels and product type can impact how much CBD you require. Most clinicians advise starting off with low doses gradually increasing them as you go.
Before trying CBD, be sure to consult with your physician as it could interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and antiepileptic medicines.
Anxiety
Many people with anxiety turn to CBD in various forms – vape pens, capsules and tinctures – for relief. Effects may be felt instantly or take up to two hours.
CBD interacts with different receptors in the brain that regulate emotion and anxiety. It may be combined with other medications for improved treatment effectiveness.
Studies on CBD for anxiety vary, but there is some promising evidence. One study discovered that it helped improve anxiety and depression symptoms among young people; and further research shows it can reduce blood pressure and heart rate to help alleviate feelings of anxiety.
One study reported that 300 mg of oral CBD could significantly lower public speaking-induced anxiety among participants, increasing mental but not physical sedation while decreasing alertness, discomfort and systolic blood pressure. Another found CBD reduced anxiety while improving sleep quality in psychiatric patients.
Pain
CBD can assist in relieving pain by changing how your body responds to inflammation and creating an environment conducive to calm. Our bodies naturally produce certain neurotransmitters known as endocannabinoids that interact with receptors in our brain and nervous system – CBD mimics these naturally produced endocannabinoids to provide pain relief without the psychoactive side-effects associated with THC.
Clinical studies demonstrate the efficacy of CBD for relieving arthritis pain. One such study concluded that those taking 21 mg of Sativex, an 1:1 CBD:THC spray medication, saw significant relief from their pain levels compared to those who didn’t use any medicine at all.
Before turning to CBD as a means of relieving pain, it’s wise to consult your physician first. CBD could interact with medications like blood thinners, corticosteroids, opiates and certain antidepressants; additionally it could cause side effects like dry mouth or nausea when taken by mouth.
Inflammation
Inflammation is your body’s natural response to any injury, illness or foreign substance that doesn’t belong there (like germs or toxins). Inflammation plays an essential role in healing by eliminating pathogens and damaged tissue while creating the redness and swelling associated with cuts or splinters.
CBD can reduce inflammation by acting on specific receptors. One such receptor is CB1; this one inhibits macrophage infiltration into the brain while another one, called PPAR receptor, decreases production of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes and cytokines.
Zuardi et al.59 found that four weeks of oral CBD treatment reduced psychosis associated with L-DOPA usage in Parkinson’s disease patients, due to lower leukotriene levels which they believe was caused by decreased macrophage infiltration. Further testing must take place, but participants received 200 mg of CBD per day through an orally administered elixir.
Recovery
Starting slowly is key when selecting an initial dose of CBD oil for yourself or someone else, as your needs and individual sensitivity and tolerance vary widely between individuals. Since adults typically metabolize it differently than children, taking all this into consideration is essential when setting a starting dosage plan.
CBD can act both anxiolytic and antianxiogenic at lower concentrations, via modulation of limbic and paralimbic areas responsible for anxiety. Furthermore, CBD may inhibit adrenergic activity as well as inhibit NMDA receptors for increased effects.
Carlini and Cunha conducted Experiment 1 to test oral CBD (10 and 40 mg/day) on healthy participants who underwent EEG, ECG recordings, blood, and urine tests; no psychoactive effects were noted. Hurd et al. discovered that 3 days of CBD treatment significantly decreased heroin cue-induced increases in salivary cortisol and heart rate among opioid-dependent individuals for 1 week postdose; additionally a 4-week course significantly decreased symptoms severity in Parkinson’s disease patients treated with L-DOPA which elevates brain dopamine levels and can potentially cause psychosis.
