How much CBD should I take?

One of the most common questions people ask about CBD is how much they should take. Here we explore how to find the correct dose for you.

From easing chronic pain to alleviating symptoms of PMS and menopause, CBD is fast becoming one of the most popular remedies on the market. 

But whatever your reason for use, like most medications, there are a lot of variables to take into account when deciding how much you should take. 

Giving yourself an adequate dosage is key – while there are few known side effects to taking too much CBD, by taking too little you could reduce the benefits of the remedy.

Start low, go slow

The best advice, however, is to start low and slow. If you’re not feeling the effect you desire, increase your dosage until you find the right amount for you. CBDology recommends starting with two or three drops, a few times a day and increasing very gradually over several days until you find what works for you. 

But, what other factors should you consider to determine your dose?

As with alcohol and many other medications, height, weight and metabolism are the biggest variables to take into account. In simple terms, the more you weigh, the more CBD you’ll need to consume to feel its effects. 

The role of the endocannabinoid system

CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, but before its benefits can be felt, it needs to travel around the rest of the body first. The rate and efficacy with which CBD is absorbed is thought to differ depending on our size. 

Similarly, age can have an impact on how our body makes use of and breaks down CBD. Our metabolism helps to split the components into smaller pieces to help it travel through our body – and age is a significant factor in our quickly our metabolism operates. The younger you are, the more CBD you’ll need to consume to benefit. 

Does CBD effect men and women differently?

While research is still in preliminary stages, early studies also suggest that there is potentially a difference in how CBD affects men and women due to hormonal and behavioural variations. 

The general summary is that it may show a more profound physiological impact in men, and a more profound behavioural impact in women. However, it’s important to remember that this isn’t proven and there are other elements which will have a bigger impact on dosage. 

Work out what’s best for you

Another factor to be aware of is previous experience. If you’re a total newbie and haven’t tried CBD before, it’s even more important to heed the ‘low and slow’ advice. Everyone reacts differently, and while the above elements have been shown to affect potency, it’s important to gauge how you feel personally before diving in headfirst. 

Those same rules apply even if you’ve been taking CBD for a while now – especially if you’re branching out into a new brand or format. Oils and capsules, for example, can have very different potencies, so be sure to take the time to readjust.

Essentially, there is no set dose when it comes to taking CBD. Before trying it, speak to a doctor or healthcare professional who may be able to recommend the right amount for you.

The best advice is, as we mentioned above, start with a low amount and regularly build up your dose. Write notes of how much CBD you’re taking and how you feel to track whether your symptoms are improving, until you feel the remedy is working for you and you can enjoy its benefits.