Something we hear frequently is, "how much CBD oil should I take?" Cannabidiol (CBD) has taken the health and wellness industry by storm—and for good reason. From oils and tinctures to gummies and mints, CBD products offer a great addition to your self-care routine.
So, whether you’re new to CBD and want to understand how to determine your perfect dose or you’re looking to reevaluate your current CBD dose, we’ve got you covered. Below, we explain everything you need to know to determine how much CBD you should take, including how CBD works in your body and how to systematically discover your perfect dose.
CBD and the Endocannabinoid System
CBD has a wide range of potential benefits, many of which are still being discovered through research. However, the most common uses of CBD are for alleviating mild anxiety, promoting restful sleep, and reducing everyday aches and pains.
These potential benefits are believed to come from the interaction between cannabinoids, like CBD, and your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a network of receptors that supports neuronal activity and plays an important role in the regulation of processes and functions, including sleep, mood, inflammation and pain, and memory.
How Much CBD Should You Take?
The first step to determining how much CBD you should take is determining your initial dose. From here, we recommend using the bell curve approach to hone in on your perfect dose.
Determine Your Initial Dose
The amount of CBD you take depends on several factors, including:
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The ailment you’re looking to relieve
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The severity of the ailment
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Your tolerance to CBD and other cannabinoids
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Your unique body chemistry and endocannabinoid system
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The potency and quality of the CBD product you’re using
Typically with CBD, lower doses may provide focus, clarity, and a sense of calm while higher doses tend to have a sedative effect. With that being said, here are some general guidelines for determining your initial dose.
Find Your Optimal Dose Using the Bell Curve Approach
Once you’ve determined your initial dose based on the ailment you’re seeking relief from, we like to use something called the bell curve approach to nail down your perfect dose. Here’s what to do:
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Start with that initial dose you determined from above and be sure to note what time you took the CBD. We recommend using a CBD journal each day to note both internal and external factors. Factors to note can be how you’re feeling, if you felt any effects from the CBD, when the effects started and ended, if you had an intense workout that day, or even if you ate a lot of fatty foods—fatty foods can actually intensify the effects of certain cannabinoids. Try to be as objective and critical as possible here!
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Begin to move up the bell curve by increasing your dose by 10 mg each day. Be sure to take the CBD at the same time every day. Continue journaling about how you’re feeling, noting any and all internal and external factors. Continue increasing your dose by 10 mg each day until you start feeling new or different positive effects from the CBD. Once you have, move on to step three.
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At this point, you’ll want to stay at the dose determined in step two for two to three days, again while using your CBD journal.
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Now, believe it or not, you’re actually going to start moving back down the bell curve. Do so by decreasing your dose by 10 mg per day until you’ve honed in on your optimal dose. For example, if you ended up taking 60 mg each day during step three, you may find that when you start moving down the bell curve 50 mg feels the same as 60 mg and 40 mg doesn’t give you the same effects. In this example, your perfect dose would be 50 mg.
Still Have Questions About How Much CBD You Should Take?
Figuring out how much CBD you should take isn’t always easy, but once you find your sweet spot, it’s totally worth it. If you’re still not sure you want to buy a full bottle of CBD oil, consider trying The Flight, which contains three varying strengths of CBD oil.
If you still have questions about finding your perfect dose, or anything else about CBD, our CX team would be more than happy to do an in-depth consultation to help guide you along your wellness journey.
P.S.: If you send your completed CBD journal back to us, we will give you $5 off of your next monthly order!
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.
