You’ve done your research and have finally decided to purchase a bottle of CBD, and now you’re wondering how many drops you should take.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to taking CBD oil, and the dosage is as unique as the person taking the product.
There are so many variables to consider, and it may even be beneficial to discuss dosage requirements with a health professional if there’s a complex medical history involved.
Should you take one dropper per day? How many mg of CBD is that? Is there a correct dosage for specific conditions?
This article provides a comprehensive dosing guide so you can make an informed and safe decision when it comes to trialling CBD.
Check out our article for more info on the best CBD oil.
CBD DOSAGE 101
There are a few different ways you can consume CBD oil, but in the end, it comes down to personal preference. Common methods of consumption include oil, gummies, vapes, wafers and capsules.
A discussion with your GP will be the best way to determine which is the best consumption method for your condition.
Start low and go slow
Everyone has unique factors that determine how they will feel after taking CBD oil.
The correct dosage for your friend may not be suitable for you.
Starting at a low dose of approximately 1-5mg of CBD allows users to monitor how they feel and titrate their dosage until they find the sweet spot.
There are a few things that can influence the effect CBD can have and should be considered when deciding on the correct dosage:
• Strength of the product
• Whether your CBD oil contains any THC
• Your unique biochemistry
• Prior experience with CBD
• Weight
• Metabolism
• Medical history
• Other medications you may be taking
Increase dosage until you find the sweet spot
When first starting, it’s essential to monitor how you feel when consuming CBD oil.
If you continue taking a dosage that’s too low for your requirements, it may not have the desired effect, and you won’t get the best therapeutic benefits. Conversely, a dosage that is too high may have unwanted side effects such as drowsiness.
Experts recommend increasing your dosage in small increments and monitoring how you feel.
A good way of doing this is keeping a diary and noting down when you take the CBD oil, how long it takes for you to feel the effects, how long the results last and how your body feels.
When you’ve reached the stage where you’ve had a noticeable impact from the CBD oil, you’ve likely found the right dosage for you for the time being.
How do I measure the CBD dosage?
Typically the dropper in a CBD oil bottle contains roughly 1ml of liquid. Still, it’s always important to measure your dropper capacity first.
Now, let’s get stuck into some simple maths to calculate the dosage:
[Total mg of CBD in the bottle] ÷ [Number of ml in the bottle] = mg of CBD in a dropper.
For example, let’s say you have a 40 ml CBD oil that has 1000 mg of CBD:
1000 ÷ 40 = 25 mg of CBD per ml or dropper
If you want to know more about taking CBD oil and driving, you can check out our article exploring whether you can drive after taking CBD oil.
CBD oil dosage for different conditions
There are a number of conditions that CBD oil has been shown to treat successfully. We’ll cover some of the most common conditions seen in scientific literature and anecdotal stories.
Anxiety/Depression
There’s a stack of evidence emerging that supports the use of CBD oil to improve symptoms of mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.
A 2017 scientific review explores the effect CBD oil has on panic disorders. Scientists found that a single 300mg dose of CBD caused a notable decrease in anxiety levels after a simulated public speaking test. [1]
Another study found that a single 600mg dose of CBD had a notable anxiety-reducing effect on people suffering from social anxiety. [2]
Notably, the 2017 review found that “because this compound [CBD] does not induce dependence, tolerance and abstinence symptoms, it can be, in the future, a good alternative as a substitute for high potency benzodiazepines and antidepressant drugs.” [1]
While these studies offer promising results for those dealing with anxiety, it’s important to note that these dosages were administered in a clinical environment and may not be suitable for everyone.
Pain
Pain can come in many forms and is driven by various underlying physiological factors.
Whether you’re dealing with a chronic lower back issue, neuropathy, or pain symptoms from an autoimmune condition, it can be frustrating and debilitating.
People are experiencing great results when utilising CBD oil for pain conditions, and the research is backing this up.
A study conducted in 2015 demonstrated that pain symptoms were reduced in 37% of trial participants, and the trial generated evidence to support the use of cannabinoids for the treatment of chronic pain and spasticity. [3]
Another study demonstrated that patients who used medicinal cannabis for non-MS related neuropathic pain were more likely to experience at least a 50% reduction in pain [4]
There’s also evidence to suggest that a CBD product containing slightly higher THC levels can be more impactful on pain symptoms. However, this type of product may not be suitable for everyone, and it’s worth discussing with a medical practitioner to assess suitability.
Sleep
Thanks to modern-day life stresses, more and more people are struggling to get a good night’s sleep.
Preliminary studies suggest that CBD can positively impact those who have Insomnia, also suggesting that CBD may be beneficial in improving sleep quality among patients with chronic pain.
In one study, participants were given 25 mg of CBD in capsule form, with results showing that sleep scores improved in 66% of the participants over one month. [2]
Final thoughts
As you can appreciate, there are many moving parts when it comes to finding the correct dosage of CBD oil for your condition, and what works for one may not work for another.
CBD oil is considered a very safe substance to consume for a range of conditions. However, it’s still important to consider discussing CBD consumption with a medical practitioner if you have a complex medical history or are taking other medications.
CBD can be a great ally, and when used appropriately, it can have profound effects on both mental and physical health.
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