CBD Dosage Calculator: How much CBD should I take?
With an estimated 1.3million users in the UK alone, the popularity of CBD continues to grow exponentially, and with it so does our understand of this amazing natural product. Researchers are spending more time than ever before looking into the effects of CBD and how it treats such a huge range of common complaints.
One thing that can all agree on is that a one-size-fits-all dosage for CBD doesn’t exist.
It is a simple fact of life that everyone is different and what constitutes the ‘correct’ dose of CBD for an individual has many determining factors. These include height, weight, body mass, your immune system and metabolic rate. The same dose of CBD will have a varied impact on people who are different sizes or have a substantial difference in their metabolic rate.
Quite simple, it can be a bit of a minefield. Thankfully, those very clever researchers have come up with some general rules that, along with a little bit of trial and error, can help us determine what dosage of CBD we should be taking in order to treat the symptoms or conditions we’re looking to target.
What is considered an ‘average’ dose of CBD?
The optimal dose of CBD depends on your weight and the potency of the oil you’re using.
The most common dose of CBD is 20 – 40 mg per dose. Some people take much less (as low as 1 mg), others take much higher (up to 100 mg).
Depending on the strength of the product you’re using, this could be anywhere from a few drops to several millilitres of oil. It could also involve anywhere from 1 – 5 capsules or gummies per dose.
The ideal dose of CBD is different for everybody and it’s common for two people with identical weight to respond very differently to the same dose of CBD. One person may find the ideal dose for them is 30 mg of CBD, while the other responds better to just 10 mg.
The ideal dose of CBD for you depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Your size and weight
- The severity of the condition you’re treating
- Your tolerance to CBD
- Your individual body chemistry
- The potency of the CBD products you’re using
The best way to find the right dose for your body is to start with a very low dose (2 mg, for example) and increasing by 2-5mg per dose until you find what works best for you.
Understanding how much CBD is in the product will set you on the right track to deciding the right dosage. As with most substances, the higher your body mass (weight), the higher the dose you will require.
However, everybody is different and what works for you won’t necessarily work for the next person – even if they’re of similar size and weight and, as with a lot of conventional medicines, it can take a little bit of trial and error to figure out the dosage that is right for you.
We are all made up differently, therefore our body chemistry and the severity of the condition that you are trying to treat can also be contributing factors and, as a result, a degree of trial and error to find what works for you is required.
Our products differ in strength, ranging from 1000mg to the strongest at 3000mg. If you are just starting out with CBD, we would recommend the 1000mg strength and putting 2-3 drops under the tongue morning and night. From there, you can start to increase gradually until you reach a point where you feel the best results.
How much CBD should I take for anxiety?
The effective dose of CBD oil for anxiety or chronic stress usually falls on the moderate to heavy range of the spectrum. However, some people with anxiety disorders find they’re especially sensitive to CBD may only need a small dose.
When using CBD oil to manage anxiety levels, it’s best to start with a mild dose first to see how you respond. If you don’t see any improvement, move up to the moderate dosage next. Most people notice improvement with the moderate or heavy dosage according to their weight.
For best results, take CBD oil first thing in the morning, and repeat around lunch time. Many people will take a mild “booster dose” about 30 to 60 minutes before engaging in activities that trigger their anxiety.
How much CBD should I take for pain?
The dose of CBD oil for pain can vary significantly. For mild pain, such as low-grade arthritis, mild PMS pain, or low back pain — a mild or moderate dose of CBD oil will usually do the trick.
For more severe pain, nerve pain it’s likely you will need to use aa higher dose of a potent CBD oil.
Some people experience the painkilling benefits of CBD oil immediately, others need to take the oil for a few days or weeks before noticing any improvement. The time it takes to notice improvement depends on the underlying condition that’s causing the pain.
Inflammatory painor pain from conditions like PCOS and endometriosis can take a long time — while arthritis pain, digestive pain, muscle pain, and PMS pain usually improve within a few hours of taking CBD oil.
How much CBD should I take to help me sleep better?
CBD oil has been shown to improve both the quality and duration of sleep — but studies have shown the effective dose of CBD oil for sleep is higher than other conditions, which may mean you need a slightly higher dose than you might expect.
Low doses of CBD (less than 10 mg) can have a stimulating effect, while higher doses (20 mg or higher) are generally much more sedative. The more CBD oil you use, the stronger the sedative effect.
How much CBD will help with depression?
CBD oil is useful for managing symptoms of many mood disorders including depression however, finding the right dose of CBD oil for depression can take some trial and error.
The underlying processes that cause depression don’t happen overnight, and they won’t disappear overnight either. It can take several weeks or months of steady CBD oil supplementation — along with other lifestyle modifications — before you can expect any real improvement.
It’s best to start with a mild or moderate dosage of CBD oil for a few weeks before graduating to the heavy dose once you understand how CBD affects your body individually.
How much CBD should I take to feel less stressed?
Much like with anxiety, the dosage for treating stress with CBD usually falls on the moderate to heavy range of the spectrum however, many people find they only need a low dose to help them deal with the stresses of everyday life.
There have been many studies which identify the potential impact of CBD on mood, including its built-in anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects. A study published in 2018 in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that cannabis significantly reduced feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress in individuals.
And, in a 2019 study published in the Permanente Journal, researchers investigated whether CBD would improve sleep and anxiety. They provided CBD treatment to 72 adults and found that anxiety scores decreased in 79% of patients within the first month of use.
One of the most commonly reported side effects of people dealing with stress and anxiety is poor sleep, which causes its own mental and physical health issues. The same Permanente Journal study also looked at how CBD use could improve sleep – sleep scores improved in 67% of patients within the first month.
It’s believed CBD does this by tackling the root causes of your sleep issues and it goes without saying that the less anxious you are the better night’s sleep you a likely to get.
What strength of CBD oil should I use?
It goes without saying, the more CBD you take, the stronger the effects. The same goes with the potency of CBD oil. CBD oils come in a wide range of potencies. It helps to match the potency of the oil with the most likely dose you’re going to be using.
Most suppliers sell their CBD oil in several strengths and choosing the correct dose of the correct strength of CBD oil will be the key to successfully treating your condition.
At Noo-tropics, we sell our CBD oil in four strengths: 1000mg, 2000mg and 3000mg.
Some conditions require relatively strong CBD doses to offer any benefit — others may only need a low strength to provide notable results.
For example, you wouldn’t want to use an ultra-high potency CBD oil if you planned on using a low dose of just 5 mg per dose. Each drop of oil may contain more than your desired dose, making it easy to take too much.
Likewise, if your goal is to use a high-strength of CBD, buying a low-potency CBD oil (1000 mg or less) doesn’t make much sense because you’ll end up having to use a quarter of the bottle for every dose.
What strength of CBD do I need for my condition?
Anxiety: medium to high strength
Arthritis: medium to high strength
Chronic pain: medium to high strength
Colitis & Inflammatory Bowel Disease: medium to high strength
Epilepsy: high strength or pharmaceutical grade
General health: low dose
High blood pressure: medium to high strength
Migraine headaches: low to high strength
Muscle recovery: low to medium strength
Nausea: low to medium strength
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): low to medium strength
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS): low to high strength
Insomnia/lack of sleep: medium to high strength
Weight loss: low to medium strength
How to work out the potency of my CBD oil
Usually, the manufacturer of your chosen CBD product will tell you the concentration of CBD per millilitre of oil on the bottle. However, if this isn’t provided there is a simple formula you can use to work it out.
You’ll need to know:
1. The bottle size (in millilitres)
2. Amount of CBD listed on the bottle (100mg, 2000mg, 3000mg, etc.)
Then pop those numbers into this formula:
[CBD IN MG] ÷ [BOTTLE SIZE IN ML] = [CBD IN MG/ML]
Now that you know how potent the oil is, you can determine how much you need to get a specific dose.
How many drops of CBD should I take?
The numbers of drops of CBD oil you take each day will be determined by two things, the potency of the CBD oil you are using and your desired dose. The below is a guide based on some average dosages. It’s important to note that this is a guide based the potency of Noo-tropics own CBD oils:
1000mg CBD oil
5 mg CBD dose — 1000mg CBD oil – 2 drops
10 mg CBD dose — 1000mg CBD oil – 4 drops
15 mg CBD dose — 1000 mg CBD oil – 6 drops
2000mg CBD oil
20 mg CBD dose — 2000 mg CBD oil – 4 drops
25 mg CBD dose — 2000 mg CBD oil – 5 drops
30 mg CBD dose — 2000 mg CBD oil – 4 drops
3000mg CBD oil
40 mg CBD dose — 3000 mg CBD oil – 4 drops
50 mg CBD dose — 3000mg CBD oil – 5 drops
60 mg CBD dose — 3000mg CBD oil – 6 drops
If not using Nootropics CBD oil, determine potency of your chosen CBD oil and desired dose.
If in doubt, start with a low dose
Unless your doctor recommends a specific dose, start by taking 10 to 20 mg a day. Take it for a week to ensure tolerance and absence of adverse reactions or allergies.
If the current dose isn’t effective, increase gradually by 5mg per week until reaching the desired amount.
In studies, amounts vary from as low as 20 milligrams per day to up to 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day. The World Health Organization reports that dosages in clinical research studies typically range between 100 and 800 milligrams per day.
Other ways to take CBD
Topical creams
Topical creams are another popular way of taking CBD. In addition to acting as a pain management tool and reducing anxiety, they are also particularly effective at treating skin conditions, for example reducing irritation and de-stressing the senses.
Note that this method may have slower onset due to low bioavailability, requiring generous application for desired effects. A topical CBD cream is available to purchase on our website.
Edibles
The marketplace is filling up with CBD edible products, from gummy bears to coffee. Some prefer this method for its convenience, integrating CBD into their daily routine alongside other vitamins and medication.
Consider that capsules may have less impact than oils since they’re absorbed in the stomach, subject to digestive and metabolic factors. One study showed that only 13-19% of the CBD consumed through edible capsules reached the bloodstream.
Other things to consider before taking CBD
As CBD gains popularity and the market expands, confidence in purchases from reputable sources becomes crucial for consumers. Some things to think about are:
Has the CBD product been 3rd party laboratory tested?
Lab reports are the key to knowing whether the product is safe to use. A company that publishes its 3rd party lab reports allows for full transparency and accountability for each of their products. Absence of ISO accreditation leaves uncertainty about product contents and risk of harmful contaminants, undermining product reliability. Before purchasing any CBD product, make sure that you have seen the Certificate of Analysis.
How do I know that the lab report is reliable?
Check if the report is from an ISO-accredited laboratory, ensuring adherence to international standards for reliable results. This means that you know the lab is regulated by a governing body and adheres to the high standards required. You should also check the date that the report was published. A company prioritizing quality should ensure regular product testing and consistent report production to maintain credibility and reliability. Goods with reports over 8 months old may raise safety concerns, questioning their suitability for use. Verify that the listed cannabinoid content closely matches the lab report results to ensure product accuracy and consistency.
To see an example of a fully verified and reliable lab report, visit the lab tests section of our website.
Does the product meet government regulations to be legal?
CBD is not listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and is not considered to be a controlled drug by the UK government. However, there are certain regulations that the product must adhere to. In the UK, the product must contain less than 0.2% THC to be considered safe to use. For more information, take a look at our blog on “Is CBD legal?”.
What is in each product?
Before using any product, you should be 100% confident in knowing exactly what is in it. Before purchasing, you should make sure that all the ingredients are listed. With some research, unfamiliar ingredients can be vetted for safety, ensuring they pose no harmful effects.
Where is the hemp sourced from?
Our hemp is sourced from licensed farms in Colorado, known for nutrient-rich soil, ensuring the highest hemp quality. Low-priced products often sacrifice quality. Quality should be prioritized over price to ensure product effectiveness and safety. An increase in price could mean that premium ingredients have been used or that the company has a high reputation. .
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