CBD is one of the biggest trends in the US. It’s a federally legal cannabinoid that is not only therapeutic but also easily available all across the market. You can find all types and forms of CBD products today that can easily be used for pain relief.
Now, while it’s easy to get your hands on quality CBD products, it’s not that easy to know how much CBD to take for the best effects.
Dosing CBD is one of the most important factors that determine the quality of its effects on the body. If you are using a low amount, the effects will not show up. On the other hand, a higher dose can deliver strong effects which may even be intolerable for some. So, you need to find a balance and a CBD amount that will give you the effects that you need.
Is There a Right CBD Dose for Pain?
If you are looking for a concrete answer, you are not going to find one in the books or on the internet. That’s because CBD doses are different for different people. There is no one-size-fits-all.
However, there is a way in which you can find how much CBD to take for your medical condition. It’s called the process of microdosing. It’s subjective to every patient and is effective in determining the right amount of CBD a person should take.
Don’t worry, it’s easy and simple. Let’s brief you on microdosing.
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is a process that decides how much and when you take CBD. The premise of the entire process is ‘going slow and small.’ In simple words, you need to start your CBD intake from the lowest dose and observe the effects. If it’s too strong, lower the amount. If the effects are too weak, you can go up by a very small fraction. This process continues until you find a dose that perfectly adjusts to your requirements.
Microdosing doesn’t take months or years. Whether you are a beginner or a regular consumer trying new products, it will take merely a couple of days to be done with the process and find a sweet spot with CBD.
Why do you Need to Microdose CBD?
Microdosing is a term that is generally accompanied with medical cannabis. But, it’s equally important in the case of CBD.
With cannabis, microdosing is essential because of its intoxicating nature which can become intolerable if you overdose. But CBD is not intoxicating which may leave many wondering about the need for microdosing.
Well, CBD may not be intoxicating but it definitely is psychoactive. So, it has the ability to alter brain functions and change your mood, perception, feelings, etc. Overdosing may not give you a couch-locking high but it can have effects that may not be tolerable like extreme drowsiness, fatigue, diarrhea, etc. But in any case, overdosing on CBD is not fatal which makes it a safer option than other pain medications or treatments.
So, all the therapeutic aspects that you hear about CBD only come when you take it the right amount.
Related: How To Use CBD For Back Pain?
How to Determine the Right Amount?
Determining the right amount of CBD for your body requires you to take some things into considerations. Since each person is different and may have different requirements, their dose will also be different.
So before you begin, you need to keep the following things in mind:
Set Your Priorities
The therapeutic properties of CBD are spread across a wide spectrum from being pain-relieving to promoting overall relaxation. But, you cannot feel everything at the same time. In order to be able to figure out if CBD is working for you or not, you need to understand the kind of effects you need or symptoms you wish to treat.
Whether it’s joint pain or a stressed-out mind, focus on the result you need with CBD.
Observe the Effects and Adjust the Dose
Once you are aware of the results you must expect, you can move on to the process of microdosing. Now, there are many online dosing calculators that can help you decide the starting amount but they might not really be accurate.
The CBD concentration and the type of CBD will determine your dosing amount. Generally, CBD has three types: isolate, full-spectrum and broad-spectrum. You may need a higher amount of isolates and a low amount of full and broad-spectrum CBD because of the presence of other cannabinoids and plant components.
It is best to consult a professional to access your condition and give you a starting point for microdosing.
After consumption, your job is to observe. CBD can be influenced by a number of factors that can change the way it affects your body. For starters, your individual factors like weight, sex, age, history of use, etc. can also greatly influence the way CBD interacts with your body. In addition to this, the CBD concentration, quality and type of CBD in your product also highly influence the final result.
You need to figure out your sensitivity to CBD. If you are highly sensitive, you might feel strong effects and have to shift to a lower dose. Otherwise, you might have to increase the amount. This type of hit and trial holds the essence of microdosing and will lead you to the sweet spot.
Tips to Increase CBD Absorption
You can definitely influence how much CBD is absorbed in your body. The primary aspect in this regard would be your method of administration. Each method has varying bioavailability. For instance, all methods involving inhalation like vaping and smoking have more bioavailability than edibles.
But when using edibles, you can increase the absorption rate by combining it with a meal that’s rich in healthy fats.
Sublingual methods like tinctures and sublingual strips are also highly bioavailable which makes them a potent as well as a quick way of administering CBD.
Can You Overdose on CBD?
Yes, you can overdose on CBD. You may end up taking more CBD than your body can handle which may lead to uncomfortable situations like an upset stomach, severe fatigue, disorientation, etc. But, in any case, a CBD overdose will not be fatal.
There are several kinds of research and studies conducted by experts in this regard proving that extremely large doses of CBD do not result in anything fatal. However, the side effects can be extremely uncomfortable.
Methods for Accurate Dosing
If you are new to CBD, you may feel immense pressure to microdose properly and find the right amount for your body. But, there’s good news for you. There are several methods of administration that allow you to be specific with the amount of CBD you consume.
Tinctures have a 1ml dropper with every bottle. You can check the labels to learn about the concentration of CBD in each dropper and dose accordingly.
CBD oil sprays, sublingual strips and transdermal patches are also a safe bet because each of these products only contains a specific amount of CBD in each dose. So you can track your intake easily.
Nowadays, even gummies come with specific amounts of CBD in each gummy thereby letting you be sure of the amount you ingest.
So, having gone through all the details, you can now find out how much CBD to take for pain. If you are not sure, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor or a professional for guidance before using CBD for pain.
