As alternative medicines continue to gain popularity, the use of CBD is expanding rapidly. Since the Cannabis Act was passed only recently in 2018, we’re still trying to fully understand how much CBD is needed, and for what. Quite often, questions about dose are some of the first things people ask about when wanting to get into CBD, though unfortunately, the answer isn’t super clear.

For many, 10mg is considered to be a standard dose. This makes sense when you consider that many products label themselves in 10mg increments. This number has also been set as a sort of regulatory benchmark, especially with THC products.

However, in terms of CBD dosing, this number doesn’t often make sense. Most of the current research available promotes the use of much larger amounts; sometimes well into hundreds of milligrams.

So what does a functional dose of CBD look like? It depends.

Impacting Variables

When trying to establish what a functional dose looks like, there’s a lot to consider. Bodies operate differently. Variables like weight, diet, genetics, and medical conditions can make a big difference.

Currently, research has shown that an effective CBD dose can depend on the type of health condition being treated, with studies quoting numbers ranging from 10mg to 600mg across several different health categories. If taking other remedies or medications, it is also important to consider how CBD might interact with them to impact your overall health and body chemistry.

Referring to and discussing these variables with your doctor should always remain a priority when aiming to address health concerns.

Dosage will also depend on the way you’re consuming CBD, and bioavailability. Different methods are known for being more bioavailable than others, which means that more CBD will be absorbed into your body. That’ll directly impact how much CBD you need to take. Additionally, when taking anything Full Spectrum, it’s important to note that there is some THC present. Although it might look like a small amount, some people have THC sensitivities. So for example, our new softgels have 2mgs THC in them, which isn’t a super small amount for those who aren’t used to THC. As such, it’s particularly important to start low and go slow.

Additionally, things like the type of product being consumed or the company that produces it can also have an influence. Not all CBD products are sold through the regulated market. This means that even if a product claims to be organic, have a certain level of CBD content, or have no additional additives, this isn’t always the case. A 2017 sample trial found that many companies misrepresented the CBD content in the actual product, with the vast majority of goods either under or over labeling themselves. With this in mind, it’s important to buy your products from a trusted, reputable source.

When it comes to dosage, there’s also the matter of THC to CBD ratios. This, however, is a big topic and one that we’ll explore in a future post. Again, everyone’s body is different, and some people report being more sensitive to THC than others, even in small quantities.

Current Research

Although numbers in the hundreds of milligrams might look large, studies have indicated that these levels of CBD are relatively safe. Within the research that had been conducted, the vast majority of participants showed little to no side effects, even when taking substantial amounts of CBD. What side effects have been noted, however, have been mostly benign, including things like drowsiness, digestive issues, and mood changes.

However, the research is still limited. While preliminary studies have been conducted, nothing has been substantiated yet. A compilation report outlining the research done so far has claimed that studies have shown bias but promise. More recently, an animal trial conducted in 2019 found that CBD might have a negative impact on the liver, though this idea is still heavily debated

Currently, the only fully researched and explored CBD dosage calculation is through the FDA approved epilepsy drug, Epidiolex, and the Canadian approved drug, Sativex. Hopefully, as time continues, we’ll continue to develop a better understanding of CBD dosages.

What This Means For You

Taking all this into account, what does a functional dose look like? Simply put, we don’t entirely know yet. As the push for research continues, we’re hoping to have a clearer understanding in the next few years. What we can say is that the general recommendation is to start low and go slow, paying attention to how your body reacts.

While dosage calculators are available online, as with all remedies, always make sure to discuss medical concerns with your doctor. If mixing medications, they will be able to better inform you about interactions, effects, and potential issues. They will also have an understanding of your personal health needs and can help you establish initial dosages and monitor reactions.

TL;DR

While there has been some research done into establishing what a functional dose of CBD is, we still have a long ways to go. At the moment, studies have shown high amounts of CBD are relatively safe, which means there’s some room for experimentation. While we’re hoping to know more in the future, we’ll continue to make CBD products affordable enough for you to find out.