Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a component of cannabis that has several potential medical benefits. Cannabis has existed for an extremely long time, but products containing CBD have only recently become available. As a direct consequence of this, evidence-based dosing guidelines are not yet available.
If you’ve never used CBD before, the vast majority of industry professionals agree that it’s best to begin treatment with the smallest possible dose and gradually increase it from there. Before you try CBD for the first time, here is some information that you should familiarize yourself with.
It is Dependent on a Few Different Factors
To begin, the degree to which you are able to tolerate CBD depends on factors such as your body mass and the unique chemical makeup of your body. The amount of CBD that you should use is also influenced by the following additional factors:
How People Can Take CBD
CBD can be utilized in a variety of distinct manners. When considering how much of the medication you should take, how your body will absorb it, and how quickly it will start working, the form plays an important role.
The following are some of the various forms:
- Oils and tinctures
- Ointments and lotions
- Electronic cigarettes
Different forms have different doses. CBD gummies, for instance, typically contain about 5 milligrams (mg) of the compound per candy, whereas tinctures and oils typically contain about 1 mg of the compound per drop. It may take longer for a spray or liquid to take effect than for a capsule or edible to take effect.
What You Intend to Do With It
CBD oil is used for a variety of medical conditions, ranging from nausea to the pain of arthritis. When determining how much you ought to take, the purpose for which you will be using it is an important factor. For example, the Arthritis Foundation suggests starting slowly only with a few mg of a sublingual form of CBD twice a day and ramping up the dose by the exact amount within a week if you aren’t getting enough pain relief. This can be done if you have arthritis. If you are using CBD for something other than the condition mentioned here, the recommendation may change.
Different Pharmaceuticals
If you are taking any other prescribed medication, you must have a thorough understanding of exactly how much CBD, if any at all, you should be taking. CBD is typically well accepted, but there is still a lack of data from Trusted Sources regarding how it interacts with other medications. There is some proof that CBD may interact with blood thinners, drugs that inhibit the immune system, and antidepressant medications. CBD could also alter the way a drug is digested. Before beginning to use CBD, you should consult your physician if you are currently taking any other medications.
When is It Supposed to Begin Working?
It all varies depending on how you choose to look at it.
Before they can be absorbed by your body, consumables like gummies and other candies have to pass through your digestive tract. By the time this may occur the quantity of CBD that makes it into your system will be relatively low. A further form, such as a tincture that you take under your tongue, is absorbed directly into your bloodstream, which means that it begins to work much more quickly.
CBD’s Time to Reach Peak Effects
The following is a rundown of how long it typically takes for various forms of CBD to begin exerting their effects:
- Up to two hours for consumables
- Sprays placed under the tongue and tinctures: 15 to 45 minutes
- Topical: forty-five to sixty minutes
- Products utilized via vaping: fifteen to thirty minutes
I’m Not Feeling Anything. Do You Recommend That I Take More?
Hold up a second! Among the most typical reasons why individuals end up consuming excessive amounts of anything is because they re-dosed themselves. It is possible to experience unintended side effects if you take a higher dose too quickly.
Taking more than the recommended amount could lead to:
- Changes in weight
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Appetite
Recent research conducted on animals demonstrated, among other things, that CBD in high doses may be harmful to the liver. Begin with a low and steady dose, and ensure that you give the CBD adequate time to take effect before increasing it. It would seem that a good rule of thumb is to maintain a low dose for approximately one week before moving up to the next level.
How Long Will the Effects of CBD Last?
Overall, the effects of CBD can last anywhere from two to six hours, but this can vary greatly based on how you consume it, how much you use it, and how well your body tolerates it. Whenever you use CBD, it’s a good idea to jot down a few general notes about your experience, including the following things:
- The quantity that you took as well as the manner in which you took it when you first began to feel its effects.
- How powerful the effects were and how long they continued to be present
You can use this information to determine when and how much to take the next time, as well as how much to take the next time.
Tips for The Complete Novice
Are you prepared to take your first baby steps into the world of CBD? Following these guidelines will help to ensure that your experience is as pleasant, risk-free, and productive as it possibly can be:
Be a Savvy Shopper
In the United States, CBD products are not subject to a lot of government oversight. Problems include incorrect labeling and inadequate quality control, as well as significant differences in potency and undeclared levels of THC, which stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. Make sure the dispensaries you shop at are reputable and licensed.
Inquire With a Trained Expert
If you need guidance regarding how much CBD you should be taking, the best person to consult is a general practitioner who is familiar with your medical history. No matter how well-informed the sales staff may be about CBD products, they are not qualified to provide medical advice or treatment. Your best option is to seek advice from both of them.
Use It Prior to Going to Bed
Among the most common negative effects of cannabidiol, or CBD is drowsiness. Utilizing CBD before going to bed, or when you have time to relax if you feel the need to, is a great idea, at least until you learn how your body reacts to it. This is true even if your health professional advises you otherwise.
Avoid Vaping
Although it is not entirely clear how or why vaping is connected to severe lung infections and even death, the link has been established. The majority of government health agencies advise abstaining from vaping until further information is available, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source is currently researching the dangers of vaping.
The Bare Essentials
CBD is generally safe to use and well-considered acceptable, but it is not a solution that can be applied universally. The amount that you must use and how frequently you should use it is contingent on a number of different factors. Talking to your healthcare professional is your best option until industry professionals develop clinical guidelines. This is especially important to do if you are using CBD to treat a particular diagnosis.
