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What dose of CBD should I start with?

Rachael Rapinoe

October 20, 2022 3 min read

Get Started Product Benefits Science

What dose of CBD should I start with?

Figuring out how much CBD to start with can be confusing. We’ve all heard of the many health benefits of CBD, but knowing how much to start with and take consistently to feel those benefits can be puzzling. 

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of over 110+ different cannabinoids found in the hemp and cannabis plant. These active compounds known as cannabinoids, or phyto-cannabinoids (found in plants), affect our body in many different ways. Our bodies naturally make endocannabinoids, but oftentimes we need to supplement with phytocannabinoids found in hemp and marijuana plants. CBD has anti-inflammatory, pain relief, energy boosting properties, but  studies also show it can have a positive effect to help relieve stress and anxiety, and some depression related symptoms.  

Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), another cannabinoid in the hemp plant, CBD is non intoxicating and  non-psychoactive. This means it won’t get you “high.” As you’ve probably seen, CBD oil can be featured in many different types of products, including CBD massage oil, salve, lotions, bath salts, gummies, capsules, oil tinctures and beverages. 

No matter what ailment or condition you are trying to solve for with CBD, giving yourself an adequate dosage is key– or you might not feel anything. The dosage journey can be tough, as CBD isn’t currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and there are no official recommended dosages. However, here’s what you need to know about how much CBD to take. 

What the CBD research says

Over the past several years, hemp derived CBD has been the subject of a lot of discussion and research. This  2017 review shows a great deal indicating that taking CBD is a relatively safe treatment. While this study didn’t show there’s one universal dosage of CBD recommended for all, it does indicate that different people (and, in the animal studies, different animals) respond to different dosages of CBD. Most of the human studies use dosages between 20 and 1,500 milligrams (mg) per day in order to feel the full range of benefits. Don Moxley, the past Director of Applied Sciences at Ohio State University for 35+ years, found in his four million data points of research that 1 mg of CBD per 1 lb body weight is the optional range of dosage per day. 

It’s worth remembering that there’s still a lot about CBD that we don’t know. As the cannabis industry grows, researchers will likely conduct more studies on cannabis, including marijuana and hemp, and its derivatives.

What is the right amount for you

The ideal dosage of CBD typically depends on a range of factors, such as: 

  • Body weight
  • The ailment you are attempting to treat
  • Your individual body chemistry and composition
  • The concentration of CBD in each pill, capsule, oil, gummy, etc. 

CBD gummies, capsules and oil tinctures are ingested orally (CBD oil tinctures should be used sublingually by dropping the oil under your tongue), we recommend starting with a baseline dose of 15-25mg of CBD per serving size, then gradually increasing your dosage as necessary for your needs. CBD gummies and CBD capsules can be felt within 30-45 minutes and can last up to 4-6 hours. 

CBD oil tinctures are highly concentrated blends that you can dose specifically to suit your needs. We recommend taking a serving size (10-60mg of CBD) dropper, drop under your tongue, let it sit for 30 seconds or up to 2 minutes, then swallow. The effects can be felt almost immediately, within 15-20 minutes, lasting up to 4-6 hours. 

It is always recommended to go low and slow with CBD ingestibles, building up your dosage as needed. Please consult with your doctor if you are taking other medications, prescriptions or have more in depth questions regarding the interactions of CBD with your body or symptoms you are feeling. CBD topicals do not enter the bloodstream, we recommend applying these products as needed. You will start to feel the effects of topicals within 15-30 minutes, lasting up to 2-3 hours per use. 



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