Enthusiastic about everything you’ve heard and read about CBD? Lots of people are. According to a Gallup poll, one in seven Americans now says that they personally used cannabidiol (CBD)-based products. [1] Pain management and relief from anxiety are the major reasons for CBD consumption. However, this naturally occurring compound found in industrial hemp and marijuana is being used for even more health and wellness conditions, such as sleeplessness, skin conditions, and digestive disorders. Consumers also are turning to CBD to help regulate their moods and their appetite.
If you are about to start researching what CBD products work for you, you probably have a few questions, such as when to take it and how much you need?
What is the right dosage?
While a 2017 research review found that CBD was relatively safe to use, the analyzed studies were unable to determine one universal CBD dosage everyone should take. Rather the review of clinical data and relevant trials underscored that different people respond to different CBD dosages.[2] Also, except Epidiolex, a form of CBD oil, all other products that contain CBD are outside U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, so there are no official guidelines regarding dosage.
Before taking CBD, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about recommended dosage. This is particularly important if you are taking other medications. While some doctors are new to CBD, they still may be able to provide CBD dosage recommendations. Doctors cannot prescribe but only recommend cannabinoids because there is no recommended daily allowance (RDA) or universal dose for all people.[3] The most common dose of CBD is 20 – 40 mg a day. Some people take much less (as low as 1 mg), others take much higher (up to 100 mg).[4]
However, keep in mind that just as in the case of most other products, the right dosage of CBD ultimately will depend on a range of variables:
- Your size and weight
- The condition and severity of the condition you are addressing when seeking pain relief, stress relief, or anti-inflammatory benefits
- Tolerance to CBD or individual body chemistry
- The formulation and concentration of CBD in the delivery methods, which most commonly include topicals, capsules, pills, tinctures, dermal patches, gummies, and vapor (inhaling).
Considering these factors, if your doctor doesn’t prescribe a dosage, it's best to start with a small amount, such as 20-40 mg per day, then increase the amount by 5 mg after a week. Continue in this way until you feel that the dosage is effective in treating your symptoms. [5]
What is the best time of day to take CBD?
There’s no one answer. The ideal time of day to take CBD and how often it depends on what works best for each individual throughout the day. The majority of users take CBD oil twice a day, in the morning and evening. Some add a midday dose.[1] Generally, you need to experiment to find out what works optimally for you and what condition you are addressing.
Among recommendations for when to take CBD, here are some general guidelines that can help as you experiment: If you are having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, you might want to take CBD close to your bedtime, maybe an hour before, so your body has time to absorb it thoroughly to promote restfulness. If anxiety is your problem, consider taking CBD about an hour before you have to deal with the stressful situation. On the other hand, for general anxiety, consider taking CBD in the morning before leaving the house to deal with the day. For chronic pain relief, you may experience relief by taking CBD daily. However, for acute pain or short term-discomfort from an injury, only take CBD when you are experiencing pain symptoms. [7]
As you begin your treatment regimen with CBD, the Bottom line, it takes time to find out the amount and time of day that is best for you to achieve the health and wellness results you seek.