In today’s day and age, Cannabidiol (or CBD) can be ingested through many different ways. Everyday, researchers learn more about the medicinal potential of CBD oils and supplements, especially when treating conditions like insomnia, depression, or pain relief.
Therefore, when considering CBD as a possible treatment, it is wise to first know how high of a dosage of CBD you should be self-administering.
As different CBD products possess different concentrations, it’s best to familiarize yourself with each product’s total dosage before committing to purchase. And to consult a doctor.
In the meantime, here are some things you should know about dosing CBD: what are the recommended doses of CBD? Which products yield more effective dosages? And is there such a thing as too much?
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What Dosage of CBD is Recommended?
In 2019, the South African Minister of Health declared that cannabidiol could be legally sold and administered. This is under the condition that only CBD (not THC) occurs in products, and the concentration is within the legal limit.
Today, complimentary medicinal CBD-products are regulated nationwide according to a maximum daily dosage of 20 mg of CBD. Meaning these products cannot exceed a total of 600 mg of CBD concentration per sales pack.
This also means that processed CBD products made from the raw plant for ingestion cannot contain more than 0,0075 % of the cannabidiol found in the plant’s natural quantity.
While it is always good to keep these regulations in mind, you should also be aware that your dosage of CBD need not reach the 20 mg daily limit. Your daily intake also depends on things like:
● body weight
● the specific condition that requires treatment and,
● your overall body chemistry
How Do I Calculate My Starting Dose of CBD?
It’s best to start out small and feel out what your body can handle. Some products contain different concentrations of CBD per individual helping, so some are suited for a better paced dosage than others.
If you were using CBD oil from a 30 ml dropper bottle with a 600 mg CBD concentration, where each drop amounts to about 0,05 ml.
This would mean that the bottle contains about 600 drops. So would one drop contain about one mg of CBD. If you wanted to reach the 20 mg limit, your dosage would be 20 drops.
This can be a bit much, especially if you are starting out. So start with smaller amounts and steadily increase your intake, say by five drops every week, until you reach your desired dosage.
CBD oil dosages do come in smaller bottles, where the calculations are roughly the same, unless otherwise stated on the product label. For other products, like gummies or capsules, the CBD concentration will usually be stipulated on the packaging.
However, these products are not as easily broken up into smaller doses (gummies are particularly difficult to ration) unless they are manufactured with smaller measurements.
So remember, always pick what you – and your doctor – think will work best for your specific needs.
Products For CBD Dosing
Some CBD-containing products are made to be ingested, either orally or through inhalation, and some products are not. Each product’s effectiveness depends on what you’re looking to treat and what you’re most comfortable using.
Some of the options include:
● Oil/Tinctures: Treats conditions like anxiety or insomnia and are dosed as a drop under the tongue. These usually take effect within 20-40 mins and last about five hours.
● Gummies/Edibles: These can be eaten like any other food (but might taste a lot greener) and are great for pain relief. However, these usually take longer to start working as they have to first be digested.
● Vape Juices: These are designed specifically for e-cigarettes and liquid vaporizers and come in both CBD-only and THC-included varieties. However, the juice can be more expensive than other CBD products.
● Capsules: Here, the CBD concentration is extracted into individual, tasteless tablets or capsules. They do, however, take longer to dissolve than other products like oils but do last for a while.
Can I Take Too Much CBD?
Overdosing from CBD supplements is a difficult feat to accomplish. In fact, researchers have found that a user’s highest dose of CBD can reach 1,500 mg without drastic side-effects. You will, however, be a bit drowsy and slightly peckish.
You should also be mindful that some cheaper CBD products contain synthetic cannabinoids, which can be harmful. You should always thoroughly check what products you are purchasing and where they are sourced from.
Read here for more tips on how to avoid contraband CBD products.
A helpful indicator is to check for the product’s South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) certification, which should be indicated on the product’s packaging. If it has not, then the product is probably a dud and could cause a negative reaction.
Final Thoughts on the Dosage of CBD
The first step in deciding your dosage of CBD, oils or elsewise, is to decide what works best for you. As we know, CBD products are not cure-alls. While they certainly help encourage our body in its natural healing processes, the products themselves only work as good as you allow them to.
Remember, you are working with your body, not standardized results. Follow the guidelines and measurements as best as you can, but remember that everyone reacts differently. Give your body what it needs, but at a pace that it can comfortably adjust to.
Careful consideration of your correct cannabidiol dosage is key.
