Choosing the Correct CBD Dosage
When evaluating the right cannabidiol (CBD) product and dosage amount for yourself, first identify the ailment you’re hoping to address. The list is long, and InStash.com does not offer medical advice. However, manufacturers do indicate recommended dosage amounts for all their products. The obvious question to ask yourself is: Are you legitimately sick and looking for alternative medicine? Or do you just want to relax? Dosing and product choices split along these lines.
The Dietary Guidelines report produced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture does not indicate a Recommended Daily Intake for CBD like it has for essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, etc.). And CBD would need to be sold as an FDA-approved pharmaceutical drug for exact dosage amounts to be recommended for specific ailments.
So consumers are left to trust the manufacturer’s recommendations on each product’s Supplement Facts label and, like it or not, self-experimentation. A common rule of thumb for dosing is to consume 1–6 milligrams of CBD/10 pounds of body weight, depending on condition, severity, and desired effect.
Correct CBD Dosage: Start By Following Recommendations
The law requires dietary supplement manufacturers to print Supplement Facts labels on their products. The label indicates the milligram amount of “active ingredients” per serving. They are also bound by Structure/Function Claims that limit manufacturers from claiming any potential benefits of the product beyond supporting the “structure and function” of the human body. Whereas pharmaceutical drugs can make actual Health Claims that products address specific health conditions or diseases.
CBD is so new to the consumer market that local, state, and federal governments and agencies are still figuring out how to label and regulate its sale and transport. This has left the industry to sort itself out—which puts a burden on consumers to identify quality. The more well-established companies, like Charlotte’s Web, opt for full transparency, disclosing Certificates of Authenticity and lab reports to vouch for hemp oil sourcing, strength, and cannabinoid ratios. Charlotte’s Web even goes so far as to name their oil products based on milligrams/per serving.
Designed to be more medicinal, oil (tincture) and vape products are typically the strongest per dose. These are similar to tablets, capsules, and skin patches. The CBD content of food and drinks is nominal and just for promoting feelings of relaxation. Topical products, like massage oils and soaps, are typically low-dose, too.
Nano-emulsions are the wildcard, as these manufacturers claim vastly faster uptake of CBD, but recommend lower doses thanks to this increased efficiency. Try keeping a log of different dosage amounts and recording your reactions to determine what works best for you.
Available Resources
For a deeper dive, try CBD Dosage Calculator, a “crowd-sourced CBD dosage resource,” though this site does require giving personal information. ID Weeds also has an information-rich dosage calculator. Typical single doses of CBD range from 25–50 milligrams. But people hoping to treat specific medical ailments sometimes consume much more.
The most common side effect — and the desired effect for some — is drowsiness and feelings of lethargy. And for some users, that equates to relaxation.
Keep in mind that while there is no known lethal dose of CBD, toxicology is a real thing! Don’t be a fool and slam an entire bottle of CBD.
As always, if you’re really sick or in pain contact your primary care provider and get expert medical advice.
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