Beginner's Guide to CBD Dosages

Cannabis provides many different benefits to people, ranging from a pick-me-up after work to an option for relief from severe pain, which is why the legalization trend is ticking upwards. For those who rely on cannabis for medicinal purposes, the quantity of THC in a gram of good bud is usually less important than its CBD content. Some recreational strains have little or no CBD, while others are so top-heavy in CBD that they are more potent than your typical schwag. If you are a beginner in the cannabis scene, what should you know about CBD dosing?

Wonder Drug

Cannabidiol, or CBD, produces no psychoactive effects, meaning you cannot get high off it, even if you take a huge quantity. Instead, CBD dosages provide a variety of therapeutic qualities, including anti-inflammation, anti-anxiety, and improved sleep. Depending on where you live, you do not necessarily need a prescription for a CBD dosage: it may be as easy as checking out what strains and products are available at your nearest dispensary.

These different products may be the first point of confusion. CBD products include regular cannabis but also raw hemp, edibles, oils, and creams. You can even find CBD-infused pet treats if you want to give your fluffy friend a bit of relief from their own issues. Yet the different products have different dosages, and the CBD dosage should depend on your own personal and medical needs.

Science Says

While research into many aspects of cannabis remains hamstrung by federal law, scientists have nevertheless been able to draw many conclusions about how CBD affects the human body. A 2017 study concluded that CBD is a safe treatment with few or no adverse health effects. However, this study did not specify a dosage value: while there are standard dosages for other medications, like aspirin, it is not yet clear whether there is a universal CBD dosage for pain or other concerns. With dosages in the study that ranged between 20 and 1500 milligrams, there is quite a bit of uncertainty. Is 25 mg a lot for CBD? Not necessarily - and certainly nowhere near "a lot" at 1500 milligrams.

Numbers Game

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Like many other aspects of cannabis, different people respond differently to CBD dosages. Your body weight will be one of the primary factors that determines dosage, along with the specific treatment you intend to use the CBD for and aspects of your body chemistry along the receptors that CBD affects. Finally, check the individual CBD product carefully to determine what dosage is available in a single serving or container. If necessary, measure it to avoid going above or below a specific number. Remember that all dosages are for adults: there is no set CBD dosage for children, and it remains unclear what CBD (or THC) exposure can do to children.

CBD for Sleep

Insomnia is no joke, as anyone who has spent the night tossing and turning can attest to. However, a CBD dosage for insomnia is usually lower overall than some other conditions because CBD can act relatively quickly to improve sleep. One study on CBD found that two-thirds of people felt they had improved sleep cycles with a dosage of just 25mg - or the equivalent of just one or two gummies. The CBD dosage for sleep can be ramped up as needed, but it may not be necessary if a light touch does the trick.

CBD for Mental Health

It is no secret that a puff of a joint will help to make you feel more relaxed about life's many problems. Both CBD and THC play a role in this, although some persons with mental health issues may prefer to retain a clear head by cutting out THC. CBD dosage for depression does not need to be strong: 20 to 30 mg of CBD has been shown to alleviate depression symptoms. Likewise, some 80% of participants who took a 25mg CBD dosage for anxiety reported feeling fewer symptoms. Remember that you can plan ahead for stressful events by taking edibles ahead of time and using a tincture as needed for faster relief.

CBD for Pain Relief

Cannabis has been a major boost for persons suffering from chronic pain, allowing relief without needing to turn to stronger medication like opioids. CBD for pain is highly personal; some people may be able to get by with a small amount, while others may need to apply creams or topicals to an area frequently. Here, higher doses may be needed. A CBD dosage for inflammation of up to 40mg is recommended, while a dosage for chronic pain may need to be up to twice that amount. Exceeding this amount may require a doctor's advice, given that this dosage amount has demonstrated success in all but the most extreme patients.