How to Dose CBD Oil Properly

With so many CBD oil brands on the market, it is often difficult to know which ones are the best and, more importantly, how much CBD you should take.

CBD-rich oil comes in various concentrations and forms, and while most bottles have a label with suggested dosing, CBD oil works differently for each person. If you’ve never tried CBD or are still trying to figure out what works best, then this article is for you. However, you should always consult with your doctor before beginning any form of routine.

Continue reading as there are a few essential things to understand about CBD oil and CBD oil dosages.

What the Research Says About CBD Oil Dosing

Research suggests that, compared with many other medications, CBD oil is generally safe and well-tolerated.

In clinical experiments, scientists use doses of CBD ranging from 20mg per day to 1500 mg per day. Even at higher doses, serious side effects from CBD have been extremely rare.

Research suggests that compared with many other medications, CBD is generally safe and well-tolerated.

One study investigated the effects of different doses of CBD (300, 600, and 900mg) on 38 healthy human volunteers. None of the volunteers showed any noticeable effects on mood or anxiety or significant changes in blood pressure for all doses. The volunteers that took 900 mg of CBD had a significantly decreased heart rate four hours following the consumption of CBD. However, the value didn’t go below the healthy human heart range.

In another study investigating the longer-term effects of CBD, schizophrenic patients took CBD for 28 days, with doses beginning at 200mg and increasing to 800mg. Three patients decreased their doses back to 600mg per day because of unwanted side effects. However, none of the study participants demonstrated any notable safety concerns throughout the experiment.

What Does the Research Say about CBD Side Effects?

Some worries about CBD include the potential for dangerous effects on the liver, based on a 2019 experiment showing CBD caused liver toxicity in rats.

In this experiment, scientists used the equivalent of the maximum recommended human dose for  EPIDOLEX® – a CBD prescription medication – suggesting safety concerns about the liver may only be relevant for higher doses. In line with this claim, one case study demonstrated that 300mg of CBD for ten days in a human subject had no effects on the liver.

Another safety concern about CBD is its potential to cause adverse effects on reproduction. The empirical evidence for this comes from animal studies that show CBD can affect hormones and fertility.

One human experiment demonstrated that both 300mg and 600mg of CBD did not affect reproductive hormones. However, this study did not investigate the long-term effects, so the impact of different CBD doses on reproduction is still unclear.

It’s important to note that CBD oil doses used in clinical studies may differ from CBD doses found in-store or online. Studies generally use CBD isolate, which often requires much more to get the same effects as broad or full-spectrum CBD.

Although CBD may be effective or be safe in a research study, individual differences (see below) and differences in the purity of products might mean the effects aren’t the same for you.

Important Things to Know About CBD Oil Dosing

CBD dosing is not a straightforward matter. There are several different factors to consider, ranging from genetics to the condition one is hoping to manage. Here’s what you need to know.

1) Every Person Is Different, and May Require a Different Dosage

If you’ve been reading the articles on our site, you are probably familiar with the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is extremely complex and far from understood, but we do know that every person’s physiology is different. Therefore, while the instructions on a CBD oil bottle may be informative and clear, the standard dosing may affect two different people in entirely different ways.

2) Genetics, Tolerance, and General Health

Expectations of CBD’s effects may vary. For instance, some people want relief from severe, debilitating chronic pain conditions, and others are looking to help their day-to-day anxiety. However, everyone has unique genetics, tolerance, and general health.

3) It’s Not a Miracle Cure

It’s important to understand that CBD oil is not a miracle cure. Don’t expect to take a few drops, and voilà, you’re cured.

The effects of CBD oil are not instant. CBD can take time to work, and results may not happen overnight. The key is finding the right administration route and dosage, as well as maintaining consistency.

How to Calculate CBD Oil Dosage

First, you need to determine thestrength of your CBD oil. To do this, you need to use the formula:

The amount of CBD per bottle (mg per bottle) ÷ volume of bottle (ml) = concentration of CBD in bottle (mg/ml).

For example, if your bottle contains 600 mg and is a 30 ml bottle, then the strength of the bottle will be 20 mg/ml:

600mg ÷ 30ml = 20 mg/ml

From here, you can work out the concentration of each drop using the formula:

The concentration of CBD in bottle (mg/ml) ÷  number of drops in 1 ml = amount of CBD in each drop

The number of drops in 1 ml is usually 20 (with each drop equivalent to 0.05 ml). However, you should be able to find this value on the label of your CBD tincture bottle.

Going back to the previous example, assuming the  number of drops in 1 ml is 20, each drop will contain:

20 mg/ml ÷ 20 drops = 1 mg per drop

The final step is to multiply your desired dose by the concentration of each drop using the formula:

Desired dose (mg) ÷  concentration of each drop (mg/drop) = number of drops required for dose

Once you know how much you’re taking, the rule is to start low and go slow. Typically, it’s recommended to start with a low amount, like 10mg, and then titrate up until the desired effect is achieved.

The exception is for those taking CBD for sleep, as studies indicated that under 60mg of CBD can be more stimulating and that it requires over 60mg of CBD to help with sleep.

Recommended Dosage of CBD Oil

There are some general guidelines regarding the recommended dosage of CBD oil for specific conditions. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to questions like, “What is the correct CBD dosage for pain?” The reason is simple: not everyone has the same physiology, body weight, and size or will experience identical effects after using CBD.

Therefore, rather than looking at individual anecdotal evidence, we’ll discuss what CBD doses were effective for participants in studies relating to pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders.

CBD Dosage for Pain

Because of the varied nature of pain, it’s difficult to recommend a CBD dosage for pain.

In one study, researchers investigated the effects of CBD on various pain-related conditions in 400 patients. The doses in the experiment ranged from 40mg per day to 300 mg per day.

The researchers found that CBD was generally helpful in reducing pain and improving the patient’s quality of life.

CBD Dosage for Anxiety

Most studies investigating CBD for anxiety have used CBD isolates, with doses ranging between 300 and 600 mg per day.

There is some evidence to suggest that cannabinoids may have a biphasic effect when it comes to treating anxiety. A biphasic effect is when different doses have opposite reactions. In the case of CBD and anxiety, this means that whereas low doses can help reduce anxiety, high doses may actually increase anxiety.

CBD Dosage for Sleep

In one study, the researchers provided participants with either anxiety, sleep disorders, or both with 25 mg CBD per day for a month. This dose helped improve sleep quality in 70% of patients.

If you’re using CBD to help improve sleep, it’s recommended to take a dose in the evening at least an hour before bed to allow time for the effects to kick in.

The Standard CBD Oil Dosage Manual

Now, remember, this is a very general guide.

Furthermore, it is always best to consult with your doctor before starting a CBD regimen. With that said, there are a few common dosage strategies that might work for you:

1. Start by taking one dropper of low-dose CBD. Ensure you are in a calm and relaxed environment; it’s advised not to participate in any strenuous activity or operate machinery. It’s also important to see how you feel, as everyone reacts differently.
2. If all goes well, but you don’t see the desired effect, increase the amount to 2 droppers per day, spread throughout the day. For example, take one in the morning and one in the evening.
3. If you don’t experience any change, then increase at a slow rate and see how you feel.
4. If no effect occurs but side effects set in, it may be that a different route of administration (vape, topical, etc.) is needed. Or perhaps CBD may not work for you.

CBD Oil Dosage Recap

If you are starting out with CBD oil, remember to start small and consult with your doctor. Fortunately, according to ProjectCBD, a non-profit organization dedicated to making CBD research transparent, there is no established lethal dose of CBD.

As with any new health product, it’s essential to know how your body reacts to CBD.

However, one should still be cautious. As with any new health product, it’s essential to know how your body reacts to CBD. Increase the dosage gradually, and if you feel that the CBD oil isn’t positively affecting you, consult with a medical professional.

Once you’ve found the ideal dosage, make sure you’re using a good-quality oil.