CBD does not come with specific dosing recommendations like pharmaceutical drugs do; however, clinical trials with Epidiolex, an all-CBD medication used for pediatric seizure disorders, have employed up to 20 mg of CBD per kg of bodyweight.
Carlini and Cunha 29 found that 160 mg oral CBD increased self-reported sleep duration while leaving other parameters of restful slumber unchanged, while Spindle et al. 75 researched the pharmacokinetics of 100 mg oral CBD among infrequent cannabis users.
How much CBD do I need?
Calculating your CBD dose requires taking several key factors into account, including body weight, the condition being treated and its delivery method. For instance, sleep problems often necessitate higher dosage than reduced anxiety.
CBD brands may suggest an initial dosage based on small scientific trials they conduct, yet these tests don’t always take into account each person’s individual sensitivity to CBD and may even contain biases that undermine results.
Start slowly and gradually increase the dosage until you experience desired effects. Reputable CBD brands provide clear details on their product packaging or website regarding CBD concentration per serving, making it simple to find your optimal dose. Many also include measuring droppers on their oil products so you can easily customize and adjust dosage to achieve optimum results.
Assess your sensitivity to CBD
Reactions from using CBD creams and balms typically manifest themselves in itching, redness, hives or dry, irritated patches on the skin that may stay localized or spread with continued use. Not always is the CBD itself responsible for these reactions; more often it’s added ingredients like fragrances, preservatives, lanolin or carrier oils which cause reactions. Delayed symptoms are more likely when vaping or inhaling products containing terpenes or other airborne compounds contaminating them and inhaled through inhaling.
Gastrointestinal symptoms may include queasiness, abdominal discomfort or changes to digestion. Long-term or repeat exposure to multicompound products is more likely to trigger these issues.
CBD may interact with medications taken orally or topically, so it’s essential to discuss any adverse side effects with your healthcare provider. CBD has been found to lessen the effectiveness of antidepressants like Amitriptyline (Elavil) and Flibanserin (Celebrex), as well as painkillers like Gabapentin (Neurontin) and Pregabalin (Lyrica). Furthermore, warfarin may interact with CBD.
Consider the symptoms you’re treating
CBD may help relieve anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, ease arthritis pain and neuropathy pain relief and Parkinson’s tremors as well as alleviating other medical conditions, including fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes.
Your body weight and type of CBD product used can both play an impactful role in determining the appropriate dosage. For instance, in clinical trials of Epidiolex–an FDA-approved CBD medication–doctors calculated doses based on each person’s weight.
Before introducing CBD into your regimen, be sure to speak with your healthcare provider so you’ll know whether it will interact with other medications you take – for instance blood thinning drugs that rely on liver enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 for metabolism (such as those used to treat high blood pressure or heart disease), might interact adversely. CBD may also impede with certain antidepressant treatments like Elavil (amitriptyline), Citalopram (Celexa) and mirtazapine (Remeron); its efficacy against treating certain medical conditions like schizophrenia or PTSD is still unknown.
Start with a low dose
How Can You Determine How Much CBD You Need?? For the best answer to this question, consult with a healthcare provider who is familiar with your medical history and wellness goals.
CBD does not affect respiration or blood pressure like its counterpart melatonin; however, it may induce sleepiness so taking CBD prior to bedtime is often recommended.
One study on social anxiety reported that participants who took CBD experienced a marked reduction in stress before and after speaking publicly. Furthermore, other research shows CBD to be highly effective at relieving anxiety and stress when used 90 minutes prior to an event such as public speaking or flying.
One more reason to go slow and easy with CBD is because of how it may interact with other medicines, including blood thinners or antiepileptic medicines, or increase liver enzyme levels, making regular lab checks vital – particularly if you use CBD regularly.
