If you’re tinkering with the idea of trying cannabidiol (CBD) oil you’re bound to have questions about how it works and what to expect. It’s natural to be curious about how CBD will affect you, especially because CBD is known to affect everyone differently.
One of the most common questions we get asked is what to expect when you start taking CBD oil. In this guide, we discuss the basic information on what to expect when you start taking CBD oil like what CBD is and how it works, how long it takes to feel the effects of CBD oil, how much CBD oil you should start with, and how to hone in on your unique perfect dose.
What Is CBD and How Does It Work?
CBD is one of more than 100 naturally occurring compounds—or cannabinoids—found in hemp plants. CBD is well known for its potential to help with several day-to-day ailments. Most commonly, CBD is used to alleviate everyday aches and pains, mild anxiety, and sleeping troubles.
CBD interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system which is a system of receptors that plays a key role in the regulation of processes and functions, including sleep, pain, mood, and memory. It’s comprised of two receptor types—the endocannabinoid type I and type II (CB1 and CB2) receptors which can be found throughout your body, including the nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord, your gastrointestinal tract, your skeletal muscles, your vascular system, and your skin.
What To Expect When You Start Taking CBD Oil
One of the most important things to understand is that CBD is not a cure-all by any means. While scientific research and strong anecdotal evidence suggest CBD can help with mild ailments like common anxiety, minor aches and pains, and mild sleeping troubles, CBD is definitely not a “cure” for anything.
Because of this, it’s important to manage your expectations when you start taking CBD oil. Most people describe the feeling after taking CBD as calming, both for the mind and body. However, everyone responds differently to CBD, and the effects may vary from person to person.
Sometimes with CBD, it’s not necessarily about what you feel but rather what you don’t feel. For example, if you’re taking CBD oil to promote restful sleep, you might not feel super tired after taking the CBD oil, but you may notice that the wandering thoughts that prevent you from falling asleep are subsiding.
How Long Does It Take for CBD to Work?
In general, you should feel the immediate effects of CBD within 30 to 90 minutes, but long-term results may take several weeks to notice.
In addition to your unique body chemistry and endocannabinoid system, the time it takes to feel the immediate effects of CBD depends a lot on the type of product you’re using. In general, here’s what you can expect:
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For oils and tinctures: 15 to 30 minutes
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For topicals: an hour or less
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Edibles: one to two hours
How Much CBD Oil Should I Start With?
Finding your optimal dose depends on what you’re seeking relief from as well as your body’s unique chemistry. Everyone’s perfect dose is unique because we all respond differently to CBD.
Here are some guidelines to help you determine your initial dose:
How Do I Find My Perfect Dose?
We like to view the first month or so of taking CBD oil as a trial and error period to help you understand what works for you to feel your desired effects.
We recommend starting with a lower dose and incrementally bumping it up over time to find your sweet spot. For your first week, aim to take your CBD at the same time each day, paying close attention to how you’re feeling. You might even consider tracking your CBD journey each day to better fine-tune your dose, noting any changes you feel, whether they’re small or big, as well as any internal and external factors that might be playing a role in how you’re feeling.
For more detailed information on figuring out how much CBD to take, check out our guide to determining your perfect dose.
Discover Your Relief With Feals
At Feals, we’re committed to your health and wellness journeys. We’re not only dedicated to providing you with the highest quality CBD products we also offer education, guidance, and support along the way. You deserve a better way to feel better and we’re here to help.
If you still have questions about what to expect when you start taking CBD oil, or about how to find your perfect dose, our CX team would be more than happy to help you—just give them a ring or shoot them an email.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.
