How Much CBD Should You Take? Your Short Guide to CBD Dosage

Many people are interested in experiencing the benefits of hemp products, but they don't know very much about CBD oil basics – including what dosage they should start with. Many don’t even understand what differentiates CBD from other marijuana-related products.

First things first: CBD does not contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and won’t get you “high.” Legal CBD products contain less than 0.3% THC, and studies indicate CBD has not shown any potential for abuse or dependency (regardless of dose).

Still, consumers have a wide variety of CBD products to choose from. Determining the right dose is an individual decision, and a little knowledge about hemp products can really make a big difference.

At Foliage Wellness, we understand that taking CBD is a personal journey. We’re going to share the CBD oil basics so you can make the best decision about dosages and use. Let's talk about the different types of products and how your body absorbs them.

Calculating Your CBD Dosage

The correct dosage of CBD is critical to its effectiveness. However, different doses are recommended for different users, depending on a range of factors.

To determine what CBD dosage is right, you’ll need to account for:

• Your weight
• Your age
• The condition you’re treating
• The strength of the oil, softgel, or gummy

Most people taking cannabidiol for the first time will want to begin with a lower dose (around 20 to 40 mg), then consider increasing the dose once they understand how CBD affects their bodies. This is typically considered a “normal” CBD dosage for most kinds of products, although some doses can be higher.

For a strong starting point, you can refer to the CBD dosage chart below:

Of course, it’s always recommended that you speak with a doctor before taking any supplement, including CBD.

When you begin taking CBD, start with a smaller dose and gradually increase it. We suggest taking 20 mg a day at first. After a week, increase it by 5 to 10 mg. In order to find your effective CBD dose, take it slow and pay attention to how you feel.

Differences Between CBD Product Types

Our bodies absorb different kinds of CBD products at different speeds. In the industry, this is referred to as “bioavailability.”

Some CBD products, such as CBD oils, have a higher bioavailability than other products, such as CBD gummies. However, it really comes down to personal preference as to how you like to consume CBD. To be clear, there is no wrong way. Some like the ease of just swallowing a tasteless softgel or chewing a delicious gummy. Others enjoy CBD oil drops to be able to adjust their dosage easily.

If you’re looking for the fastest effects of CBD, CBD oil drops, also called tinctures are your best bet. Most users will begin to feel the effects of the hemp oil (in any dose) within 15 minutes of placing it on their tongues.

However, gummies are a close second choice for users who are looking to relax at the end of the day or with chronic issues and would like to tailor their dosages as needed. CBD gummies and softgels typically begin to work within an hour of ingestion, but they also make it easier to adjust dosages with precision.

For example, Foliage’s FoliBites CBD gummies are 10mg each. If you want to start slowly, you can enjoy one gummy a day for your first few days. Then, if your pain worsens or you need something stronger the next week, you can easily increase your dosage to three or four CBD gummies – without trying to measure or ballpark the CBD amount.

Using CBD for Pain vs Sleep

Personal features and product type aren’t the only factors that determine adequate dosage. How much CBD you should take also depends on the condition you’re treating.

For example, you’ll likely want a different dosage of CBD for pain management than for stress. Dosages may also differ if you’re trying to improve your sleep quality

Research by the National Institutes of Health found that 160 mg of CBD led to subjects sleeping significantly better. On the other side, another study published in the Journal of Cannabis Research says that in most cases, the ideal dosage for chronic pain is 40 mg per day.

When treating pain, the dosage will vary depending on the level of your discomfort. For conditions such as arthritis, PMS pain, headaches, or some types of back pain, the dosage might be higher. A lower dosage of CBD might be good for someone who is just trying to decompress at the end of the day or get a good night’s sleep.

This is why it’s important to know the basics of CBD oil, the delivery method (drops, gummies, cream, etc), and what you are treating. Dosages will be different for everyone, depending on their unique preferences, metabolism, and reasons for taking CBD Oil.

Can you overdose on CBD? How much is too much?

One question that frequently comes up when discussing CBD dosage: is it possible to take too much, or even overdose on a CBD product?

The simple answer is no – most people do not need to worry about overdosing. Although research is ongoing, studies have shown that CBD is well tolerated, even in high dosages. Still, like any supplement product, CBD should be taken only after talking to your doctor about CBD oil basics.

It's also important to use lab-tested CBD oils so you can be sure the products you’re putting into your body are pure and safe from harmful substances. Foliage Wellness CBD products are produced according to the highest internationally recognized manufacturing practices. You can trust that they are natural, non-GMO, plant-based, paraben-free sulfate-free, silicone-free, and cruelty-free.

Tips for Using CBD Oils

At Foliage Wellness, we want to help everyone feel their best and want to help you start your CBD journey on the right foot. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Find YOUR Optimal CBD Dose

To learn more, check out our CBD resources and find important recommendations on how to get started. You’ll want to start with a small dose and then gradually increase the dosage until it starts improving your symptoms. Remember that age, weight, medical condition, and the strength of the CBD product can all affect your dosage.

2. Choose How You Want to Consume CBD

Do you want to use CBD gummies, no-taste softgels, or quick-acting oils? Deciding which CBD product is right for you depends on your preferences and what conditions or symptoms you want to treat. Don’t forget, for on-the-spot pain relief, you can even apply a CBD topicals.

3. Select High-Quality CBD Oils

The quality of your CBD oil has a great deal to do with CBD potency, which can also affect the dosage. Choose a product that has CBD extract in it and has been tested in a lab to ensure purity and quality.

You’ll also want to look for full-spectrum CBD rather than broad-spectrum. Full-spectrum CBD uses all of the phytochemicals found in Cannabis sativa, including cannabidiol, terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids. As a result, it typically allows consumers to experience the “entourage effect” - a series of benefits that occurs when cannabis compounds work together. Don’t worry, there is still no psychoactive effect.

4. Pay Attention to What Your Body Needs

Everyone is unique. Start with low doses, but also buy from a company you can trust – like Foliage Wellness.

Weight fluctuations, hormones, and even activity levels are all things that can impact the effectiveness of CBD. You’ll need to continually assess your feelings and adjust your CBD use and dosage accordingly.

5. Be Consistent

Consistency is key, especially when using CBD to help with chronic symptoms. Many people stop using CBD prematurely when they don’t see immediate results. This is often because the user was not consistent or patient enough to see significant improvements.

Once you find a dosage that seems to work for you, stick with it for at least a couple of weeks before making adjustments or giving up. If you still haven’t seen effects after consistent use, you may want to question the quality of your CBD product and dosage. Not all brands create equally effective or trustworthy products.

Learn More About How Much CBD to Take

When beginning your journey with your hemp oil dosage and use, the amount of information out there can be overwhelming. We know that – and we want to help.

Foliage Wellness wants you to have as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision about how to begin your journey. We will strive to be your trustworthy partner and help you find CBD products for pain, sleep issues, or stress reduction.

At the same time, we want to help customers find natural, plant-based alternatives to over-the-counter medications. Living a healthier life starts with what we put into our bodies, and we work hard to ensure our CBD products are 100% natural and good for you.

Ultimately, our goal is the same as yours: for you to feel better. Contact us so that you can feel healthier than ever and integrate daily CBD dosages into your life.