Cannabidiol (CBD) is available in a variety of formulations, including creams, tablets, oils, and gummies. These can vary in ingredients and dosage, and there isn't much research into what dosages are beneficial or safe to treat specific conditions.
CBD is the second most abundant cannabinoid in marijuana. Unlike tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD has no psychoactive effects. Interest in the use of CBD for health purposes has increased significantly in recent years.
CBD is thought to have a variety of positive effects on physical and mental health. Because of this, it has become an increasingly popular way to alleviate everything from anxiety to sleep disorders.
To decide if CBD is right for you, it's important to consider the available research on CBD's potential benefits, side effects, and safe dosages.
How much should I take?
Dosages used in studies vary, and there is no consensus on how much should be used for specific conditions. If you decide to try CBD, it's also important to note that there is no universally agreed upon dosage. Research shows that different people may respond differently to different doses, so the right amount for your needs may vary.
CBD dosage
Dosages used in research studies for various conditions include:
Anxiety: 300-600 mg Bowel disease: 10 mg per day Cancer-related pain: 50-600 mg per day Parkinson's disease: 75-300 mg per day Sleep deprivation: 25 mg per day Psychosis: 600 mg per day mg
One research review conducted in 2020 found that participants showed improvement in anxiety levels after taking a single dose of CBD in the range of 300 to 600 mg. These results indicate that CBD may hold promise as a treatment to alleviate symptoms of acute anxiety.
caveat
It is important to remember that if you have symptoms of a serious mental or physical health condition, you should always consult your doctor before using CBD. CBD may worsen your symptoms or interact with other medications you may be taking.
It may also be helpful to review the dosage information for FDA-approved CBD products. Epidiolex is an FDA-approved cannabis-derived drug used to treat seizures in people with certain types of epilepsy, with a starting dose of 5 mg per kg of body weight that can later be increased to 5 mg per kg of body weight twice daily. can. day.
Other CBD products are not regulated by the FDA and do not have officially recommended dosages. This can make it difficult to determine how much you need, but there are a few things you can consider.
Assess your sensitivity to CBD: Your personal tolerance to CBD also plays an important role in determining the amount you need. If you are very sensitive to the effects of CBD, you should take small amounts. For some people, the effects of the substance are not so noticeable that they may need to take a higher dose to experience any beneficial effects. Consider individual factors: Many factors need to be considered. These include the formulation and concentration of the capsules, oil drops, or gummies you are taking, the condition you are treating, your age, gender, weight, and overall health. Generally, heavier people need to take a little more to get the same effect. Men may need a higher dose, while older adults may need a lower dose. Consider the condition you are treating. The condition you're trying to alleviate can also affect the amount of CBD you need to take to see results. In one study, participants who took 25 mg of CBD daily had improved sleep quality, but the results were inconsistent. However, lower or higher doses may be needed to treat other types of symptoms. Try a dose calculator: Researchers say the variety of dosing strategies and regimens makes it difficult to determine efficacy, but researchers are using an online “dose calculator” (mydosage) designed to help people choose the correct dose. .com, etc.). It's difficult to evaluate the accuracy of such calculators, but it may be a good place to start.
Before trying CBD, discuss your plans with your doctor. They may recommend dosages and help you better understand any potential risks, complications, side effects, or interactions you may experience.
Many possible benefits of CBD
CBD is just one of hundreds of different compounds found in the cannabis plant. Although cannabis has been used in holistic medicine for many years, researchers have only recently begun to explore some of the medical purposes of CBD and other cannabinoids.
Although more research is still needed, there is some evidence that CBD may have beneficial effects on mental health. These include:
Reducing depression: Some research shows that CBD may help treat depression. Research suggests that this cannabinoid may influence the brain's response to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in mood. People with depression may have low levels of serotonin, so CBD may help the brain utilize available serotonin more effectively. Improved sleep: Although the reasons are not fully understood and more research is needed, CBD also appears to have potential as a treatment for sleep issues. For example, one study found that people who took CBD also reported improved sleep quality. Anxiety Reduction: Anxiety is one of the most common types of mental health conditions, affecting nearly 20% of American adults each year. Research suggests that CBD may help reduce acute symptoms of many anxiety-related conditions, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and social anxiety disorder.
In addition to mental health benefits, CBD may also have therapeutic benefits for a variety of other conditions. The World Health Organization suggests that CBD may have beneficial effects in the treatment of:
Alzheimer's disease Arthritis Cardiovascular disease Diabetes Infection Inflammation Multiple sclerosis Nausea Pain Psychosis
It is important to remember that these benefits have not yet been conclusively proven. Further research is needed to determine the role CBD plays in treating various disorders and health conditions.
What does the research show so far?
There is a wealth of research suggesting that CBD may have a variety of uses for physical and mental health. However, more research is needed to better understand the potential uses and possible long-term side effects of this substance.
A comprehensive 2019 review published in The Lancet Psychiatry examined previously published research. The review ultimately concluded that there is little evidence to support the use of CBD for mental health purposes, and further research is needed to substantiate its use for treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia. suggested it was necessary.
It's important to remember that this doesn't mean CBD isn't effective. Many of the studies included in the review were small, had few participants, and were not randomized controlled trials.
Suggestions for future research
This means that further studies involving larger numbers of participants and well-designed studies will be needed to better understand if, how, and why CBD works. suggests that it is necessary.
Although its effectiveness is still up for debate, one 2017 review found it to be a relatively safe option. It's important to remember that there's still a lot we don't know about CBD and its effects, but it's worth giving it a try to see if you experience any benefits.
Start with a low dose
Start with 10 to 20 mg daily unless your doctor recommends a specific dose. Take it for a week to ensure that it is well tolerated and that no unwanted effects or allergic reactions occur.
If this dose does not produce the desired effect, try increasing by 5mg each week until the desired amount is reached.
In studies, the amount varies from as low as 20 mg per day to up to 1,500 mg per day. The World Health Organization reports that doses in clinical studies typically range from 100 to 800 mg per day.
Is it possible to overdose?
So, what is the maximum amount of CBD you can take? Researchers have found that 600mg per day appears to be safe, while one study suggests doses up to 1,500mg per day are safe and well-tolerated.
However, it is important to remember that research is still in its early stages and experts do not yet fully understand the potential long-term effects of CBD use. Therefore, you should always discuss the use of CBD with your doctor.
Starting with a low dose and gradually increasing to the amount needed may be the best way to avoid overdosing.
How to take CBD
The amount of CBD in a product may vary depending on a variety of factors, including formulation and method of administration. CBD products are available in a variety of forms, including oils, capsules, tablets, nasal sprays, and gummies.
One of the most common ways to consume CBD is as an oil. Such products are made by combining CBD with some type of carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Recently developed products include nutritional supplements, foods, beverages, lotions, ointments, and cosmetics.
The type of CBD product you choose will depend on what you are treating. If you're looking for an overall mood improvement, nutritional supplements may be a good option.
If you're targeting specific symptoms of your condition, taking oils, capsules, or gummies may be a better way to get a more concentrated dose.
Topical applications may have local effects, but this is not the same as having mental health benefits.
What should I take?
It's also important to remember that many products contain more than just CBD. There are three types of CBD available:
Isolates contain CBD and only CBD. Broad spectrum contains CBD and other cannabinoids, but no THC. Full spectrum contains CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids.
Research shows that CBD's effects may be most beneficial when taken in combination with other cannabinoids, a phenomenon known as the entourage effect, so taking a broad-spectrum product may be helpful. CBD can also help reduce some of the effects of THC.
Are there any side effects?
Although CBD is generally well tolerated, this does not mean that it does not experience any side effects.
Some of the most common side effects people experience when taking CBD include:
Changes in appetite Diarrhea Dizziness Nausea Nausea Upset stomach Weight changes
Recent research has raised concerns about the safety and possible long-term effects of CBD. One study involved giving mice doses equivalent to the maximum dose of the CBD drug Epidiolex, which is used to treat certain types of epilepsy. The results showed an increased risk of liver damage and concerns about interactions with other drugs.
Are CBD products safe?
It is also important to remember that CBD products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Some manufacturers make unproven claims about the uses or effectiveness of their products. There are also concerns about the quality and safety of the products themselves.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that many people are experiencing unwanted side effects from CBD products containing synthetic CBD. However, the product was not labeled as containing such ingredients.
Errors in labeling seem to be a fairly common problem with CBD products. One study found that 70% of CBD products sold online contained significantly more of the psychoactive ingredient THC than indicated on the label.
Federal law prohibits the sale of CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC. State laws also vary, so you should always check with your state before purchasing CBD products online.
final thoughts
If you decide to take CBD to relieve acute or chronic symptoms, keep in mind that the amount you take will depend on a variety of factors. Finding the right dosage often requires experimentation and adjustment. The best approach is to start with a low dose and gradually increase your intake until you achieve the desired effect.
