The right CBD oil dosage is different for everyone. Your ideal dosage will vary depending on the type of product you’re using, the strength of the product you’re using, your goals, and your unique body. With so many variables, it can be hard to figure out your perfect CBD dosage at first— but we’re here to help. In this guide, we’re going over everything you need to know to discover your ideal CBD dosage.

The Best Way to Figure Out Your CBD Dosage

The best way to figure out your optimal CBD dosage is to start with a very small dose, then slowly increase your dosage over time until you reach your desired effects. For example, you could start with a very low dose of 3 to 5 mg of CBD for your first week of using CBD. If you haven’t experienced relief by the end of that week, you could increase your dosage by another 5 mg. If you still don’t feel like you’ve found the right dose, you can keep inching your dosage up slightly until you figure out the optimal amount of CBD for you.

This “start low, go slow” approach to CBD dosing may take some time, but it tends to provide good results. Figuring out your perfect dosage requires you to carefully consider how your body feels when you’re using CBD. When you do the low and slow method, you can observe how your body responds to CBD much more easily than you could if you just tried random amounts of CBD. The low and slow method can also help you avoid taking more CBD than you actually need to reach your desired result.

Anyone can try this low and slow dosage method, but the right starting dose for this method can vary for everyone. The 3 to 5 mg of CBD mentioned above was just an example, but it’s often a good starting place for beginners. Other people may want to start with a higher amount of CBD depending on their goals and experience level.

Picking the Right CBD Oil Strength for Your Goals

When you’re browsing CBD oils, you’ll notice that they come in different strengths. Some oils have a higher CBD potency because they’re designed for people who need to take more CBD in order to reach their goals. If you choose a CBD with a potency that’s right for your goals, you’ll probably be able to find your optimal dosage more easily.

Wondering which CBD oil potency is right for your goal? Here are some potencies that are commonly used for these conditions:

• Anxiety: Medium Strength
• Arthritis: Medium Strength or High Strength
• Cancer Side Effects: Medical Grade or High Strength
• Chronic Pain: Medium Strength or High Strength
• Epilepsy: Medical Grade or High Strength
• Muscle Recovery: Low Strength or Medium Strength
• Nausea: Low Strength or Medium Strength
• Neurological Pain: Medium Strength or High Strength
• Overall Wellness: Microdose or Low Strength
• Sleep Issues: Medium Strength or High Strength

If you’re unsure what mg of CBD qualifies as a microdose, low strength, medium strength, high strength, or medical grade, consider these general dosage guidelines:

• Microdose: 5 mg or under
• Low Strength: 1 mg for every 10 lbs in body weight
• Medium Strength: 3 mg for every 10 lbs in body weight
• High Strength: 6 mg for every 10 lbs in body weight
• Medical Grade: Over 6 mg for every 10 lbs in body weight

CBD oils will also typically say how strong they are on their packaging, though wording may vary. For example, a bottle could say “extra strength” instead of “high strength.”

Dosing Different Types of CBD Products

To measure out your dosage of CBD oil, you can use your oil’s dropper bottle. Your CBD oil should have a serving size listed on its bottle that will let you know how many mg of CBD are in a certain number of drops.

CBD tincture dosage can be measured out in the same way as CBD oil. CBD tinctures are very similar to CBD oils, but they have an alcohol base instead of an oil base. They generally come in the same type of dropper bottle as CBD oils, allowing for the same ease of measuring.

CBD edibles are also usually quite easy to dose. Small edibles like CBD gummies and CBD mints can be dosed very accurately, since they have a consistent mg of CBD in each edible. Large CBD edibles may need to be cut up for you to take your optimal dose.

Some CBD products, like CBD vapes and CBD topicals, are harder to dose. It’s virtually impossible to inhale a specific amount of CBD when using a vaporizer. And unless you measure out topical products by weight before applying them to your skin, you probably won’t apply the same amount every time. Because these types of products are harder to dose, picking the right potency is particularly important. If your product has the right potency for your needs, measuring with perfect accuracy is less crucial.

CBD Oil Dosage FAQ

Q: How long will it take for my CBD oil dosage to take effect?

A: This can vary depending on your unique body chemistry and how you take your CBD oil. If you take CBD oil sublingually (by holding it under the tongue), your body can absorb it quickly through the blood vessels under your tongue. It’s common to feel the effects of sublingual application in around 15 minutes. If you eat or drink CBD oil, it will take longer to feel effects because the body absorbs ingested CBD through the digestive system. It can take around 1 or 2 hours to feel the effects of ingested CBD oil.

Q: How do I know if I’ve found my optimal dose of CBD?

A: If you use the low and slow method we went over above, you’ll know you’ve found your optimal dose of CBD once you reach your desired effects.

Q: Will CBD cause psychoactive effects?

A: No, CBD does not cause psychoactive effects. CBD is from the cannabis plant, which can also contain the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. But unless your CBD product was derived from marijuana and also contains THC, it will not cause psychoactive effects. Full-spectrum CBD hemp products may contain trace amounts of THC (up to 0.3%), but this is not enough to cause psychoactive effects.

Q: Is there an FDA recommended dosage of CBD?

A: No, the Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved any over-the-counter CBD products or recommended any dosages for over-the-counter CBD products.

Q: Should I talk to my doctor if it’s my first time taking CBD?

A: Yes, you should talk to your doctor before trying CBD or any other herbal product for the first time so that they can coordinate your care. Natural products that are sold over-the-counter can sometimes have drug interactions. Cannabidiol (CBD) happens to interact with CYP450 enzymes, which is the same enzyme grapefruit interacts with. Like grapefruit, CBD may make some medications more or less effective. Talk with your doctor before taking CBD so that they can provide you with accurate medical advice and the best possible care.

Q: How do I know if I’m taking too much CBD?

A: If you’ve taken too much CBD, you may experience mild side effects. CBD is generally well tolerated, but is more likely to cause side effects when taken in excessive amounts. Some common side effects of taking too much CBD include lethargy, drowsiness, nausea, and upset stomach.

Q: What is bioavailability?

A: Bioavailability is the extent to which something can become available in its desired area in the body. Essentially, it’s how much of a supplement or drug your body can actually use. CBD has a fairly low bioavailability rate. When ingested, CBD has a bioavailability of around 6% to 19%. When taken sublingually (held under the tongue), CBD has a bioavailability of around 13% to 19%. This difference in bioavailability means that your optimal dosage will vary depending on how you take your CBD. If you notice a difference in how you feel when you take the same amount of CBD oil orally versus sublingually, bioavailability is likely the culprit.

Final Thoughts on CBD Dosing

Figuring out the right CBD dosage for you can take some time, but making the effort to figure your optimal dosage is well worth it.