CBD has become a very popular cannabinoid and an increasing number of people have started using it in various ways – some use CBD tinctures in their morning coffee, while others massage their muscles after a strenuous workout with topicals, like lotions and balms. CBD is everywhere, and we’re not complaining.
However, hemp oil is still at the top of the most used CBD products, and today we’d like to talk more about hemp oil and what daily dosage of CBD you should take. If you’re thinking about trying this product but are confused about dosing, this article will surely be useful.
Why Is Hemp Oil So Popular?
Hemp oil seems to be everywhere these days as hemp is finally making a big comeback after centuries of lying low. The market is flooded with hemp oil and cannabis enthusiasts and even non-users are falling for it. The reason? The health benefits of CBD.
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of the main cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, the other being THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychotropic compound. However, CBD doesn’t have psychotropic properties. Instead, it has therapeutic effects which make it beneficial for a variety of symptoms and medical conditions.
In fact, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has approved the first CBD-derived medicine for the treatment of two rare forms of childhood epilepsy.
CBD has been observed as highly beneficial for:
- Stress
- Anxiety disorders
- Depressive symptoms
- Insomnia
- ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)
- Chronic pain
- Inflammation
- Muscle recovery
- Arthritis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Are Hemp Oil and CBD Oil the Same Thing?
The terms hemp oil and CBD oil are used interchangeably and they refer to the same thing – CBD extract dissolved in a carrier oil, usually olive oil or MCT oil. The CBD is extracted from the flowers of the hemp plant (Cannabis Sativa L.), which is a type of cannabis plant that naturally contains a high concentration of CBD and a low concentration of THC.
You can find three types of hemp oil, or CBD oil, on the market today:
- CBD isolate oil, which doesn’t contain any other cannabinoids but CBD;
- Broad-spectrum CBD oil, which contains all cannabinoids naturally found in hemp, except for THC;
- Full-spectrum CBD oil, which contains all cannabinoids, including THC in small concentrations.
When buying hemp oil, you have to make sure that you’re getting a high-quality oil whose manufacturer lists all the relevant information on the packaging, including a claim that the oil has been tested for quality and purity.
CBD Dosage – How Much Hemp Oil Can I Take Per Day?
Due to CBD’s unique way of interaction with the body as well as the fact that it’s very well tolerated by most people, there really isn’t a standard CBD dosage for everyone. The general rule of thumb is to start with a low dose if it’s your first time taking CBD to allow your body and your cannabinoid system to adjust.
It’s strongly recommended that you stick to the lowest effective dose and only increase it if you feel like it’s not working anymore. For some people, the lowest dose may be 1 mg of CBD, while for others it may be 10 mg of CBD. If taking larger doses, it’s recommended to spread your doses throughout the day.
Besides this general guideline, there are also some individual factors you will need to consider in order to accurately gauge how many mg of CBD you’ll need, such as:
- Body weight;
- The medical condition you’re treating or general wellness;
- The severity of the symptoms;
- Your individual tolerance level;
- Medications you might be taking;
- Your body chemistry.
How to Estimate the Amount of CBD Oil You Need
Dosing CBD oil is tricky because it doesn’t come in serving sizes like other CBD products, such as CBD gummies, CBD capsules, or CBD lozenges, where you have the mg of CBD premeasured. However, there is a way you can measure your daily dose of CBD.
Most bottles of hemp oil come in 30 ml glass bottles with a dropper. One full dropper holds approximately 1 ml of hemp oil, and it equals about 20 drops. Manufacturers normally disclose the amount of CBD in one bottle, but they don’t specify how much you’ll get per drop, so you’ll have to calculate it.
The way to do this is to multiply the number of milliliters (ml) of the bottle by 20, which will give you the number of total drops contained in the bottle. Next, divide this number by the total number of milligrams (mg) of CBD in the bottle, and you’ll get the mg of CBD per drop.
So, for example, if you have a 30 ml bottle of CBD oil that contains 300 mg of CBD, the equation would go like this:
- 30 (ml) x 20 (drops) = 600 (drops in the entire bottle)
- 600 (drops in the entire bottle) ÷ 300 (mg of CBD in the entire bottle) = 2 (mg of CBD per drop)
You can use this formula to roughly calculate how much CBD oil you’ll be ingesting. If you’re a beginner, we strongly recommend that you record your CBD dosage in a journal so that you have a guide on where to go next depending on how your body is responding.
How Do I Know My CBD Oil Dosage Is Correct?
If you’re taking the correct CBD dosage for your unique needs, you’ll definitely feel more comfortable and your symptoms should be improved. If you’re not experiencing any side effects or discomfort, and feel better overall, then the CBD is definitely working.
How Long Does CBD Oil Take to Achieve the Desired Results?
Unlike the effects of THC which are noticeably felt, the effects of CBD are a bit more understated and may take a few days to really feel the change. With CBD oil you’ll start feeling subtle changes after about 15-45 minutes at most. After a few days, and as more days and weeks pass by, the biggest difference you’ll feel is the absence of symptoms. CBD has a unique way of adapting to the body’s needs, so you may feel better overall.
Are There Any Side Effects of CBD Oil and Can I Take Too Much?
CBD oil is incredibly well-tolerated, but at high doses, or at individuals who are sensitive to CBD, it may cause some side effects, such as nausea, appetite changes, and drowsiness. The issues are usually resolved by reducing the dosage.
However, it should also be noted that CBD reacts with some classes of prescription medications by either reducing their effectiveness or increasing it to a fault. That’s why you should consult your healthcare provider and always look for the grapefruit warning on meds because many of them also react with CBD.
As for taking too much CBD, it’s been observed that the human body can comfortably tolerate up to 1,500 mg of CBD per day, which is quite a lot. Therefore, taking too much CBD is an unlikely feat.
Bottom Line
The use of CBD oil has been steadily increasing as a very effective CBD product. CBD is popular because it has numerous health benefits. Thanks to its therapeutic properties it can be used for a variety of symptoms, including consumption for general wellness.
There is not one standard dosage for CBD, but it largely depends on what you’re trying to treat and how severe your symptoms are, as well as your body weight. Therefore, each person will need different amounts of CBD daily, but you can easily calculate approximately how much CBD you’ll be ingesting by using a simple formula. It’s recommended that you track your progress, especially if you’re a beginner, so you’ll know what adjustments to make.
