What’s the right amount of CBD each day?
You may have read tons of literature about CBD, researched different companies, and found the perfect product. However, you still may be a little unsure of exactly how much you’re supposed to take.
If so, you’re not alone.
CBD lovers across the world encounter this situation, especially when it comes to products like tincture oils. The main problem with this is people might believe their product isn’t working when, in fact, it does, and can be resolved by adjusting some aspects of serving methods.
We all know there are no specific serving guidelines set in place at this moment. Rather, each individual is responsible for experimenting a bit and figuring it out for themselves. Sounds serious and challenging, but don’t worry, it’s not.
In fact, the experimentation process is more rewarding than you might think.
How so? Because once you’ve found your sweet spot, you’ve done the needed groundwork to enjoy your CBD without the guesswork.
Haven’t you heard the saying, “Anything great is worth fighting for?”
In this case, you’re fighting to find your sweet spot!
Let’s talk about some of the other factors that play a part in figuring out the right amount of CBD for you.
Factors Surrounding the “Right Amount”
The “right amount” is a subjective notion because it can vary so much from person to person. Factors such as weight, the concentration of the product, metabolism, and individual body chemistry all play a role in determining how much CBD your body can absorb, and how effective it will be.
The “right amount” for your friend or co-worker may not be as sufficient for you based on the factors above. A general rule of thumb is to start with a small amount and work your way up. We’ve said this before, but haven’t given any examples of how this works with certain products.
We’ll start with tincture oils since they cause the most confusion with serving amounts. When you get your tincture, you’ll see the dropper is lined with measurements.
Most tinctures call for one drop under the tongue and work most effectively when you hold it there for 60 seconds before swallowing. This is the best way to start while increasing the number of drops until you reach the desired effect.
Generally, with the dropper, one drop equals 1mL. Still, if you find yourself with numbers a little different, here’s a simple equation you can use to always know how much is in the dropper.
Total CBD in the bottle ÷ General total amount in the bottle = Total mg of CBD in the dropper
It’s also helpful to write down the number of drops as you work your way up, so you don’t lose track. It’s not so much of an issue when taking CBD capsules or gummies because they’re premeasured.
Still, the same process applies—start with one and work your way up if needed.
Most capsules contain more CBD per pill than gummies, so you may only need one. For gummies, it depends on the amount of CBD per gummy.
While you’re going through the process of trial and error, take note of how effective each serving is, as well as how long it lasts (something else to pen in your CBD diary). You’ll need to be mindful of the effects and how it meshes with the demands of your day-to-day routine.
Optimize the Effectiveness of Your CBD
Now that we’ve got the big question out of the way, we can switch gears a bit and talk about making your CBD serving more effective.
CBD is a fat-soluble compound, while our bodies primarily consist of water. This presents a problem for absorption if you don’t address it.
Luckily, a good portion of CBD companies understand this and aim to formulate their products with some form of MCT oil, coconut oil, or another type of healthy fat the CBD can latch onto and absorb more easily.
Suppose your product doesn’t already include some type of fat. In this case, you can substitute this fat with a meal full of unsaturated fats like salmon, tuna, grains, avocado, and many other options. Not only will this help the absorption of your product, but it will also keep the CBD in your system for longer-lasting effects.
Another crucial factor in optimizing your CBD effectiveness is making sure you have a high-quality product. A few years back, it was harder to confirm your product’s purity and potency, but now we have third-party lab results.
Any reputable company putting out high-quality products will want to show off the composition of their products. That being said, in most cases, you can find these lab reports on the product page or on their own separate portion of the website.
This is where you can confirm the advertised amount of CBD matches up with the actual product. You can also make sure your product doesn’t contain any pesticides or harmful chemicals like mycotoxins, micro toxins, or heavy metals.
How Much Does Bioavailability Matter?
Since we’re speaking of absorption, it’s only right we delve into bioavailability since they’re so closely related.
Bioavailability is the amount of CBD your body absorbs into the bloodstream. This varies with different product types. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from specific product categories regarding absorption rates from highest to lowest.
- Vape Pens: Have the highest rate of absorption because they enter the bloodstream directly through the lungs. The effects are felt in a matter of minutes.
- Tincture Oils: This product category comes in second because it has some time to soak into the capillaries under the tongue when held there for 60 seconds before swallowing. The effects can be felt within 20 minutes up to a couple of hours.
- Edibles (capsules, gummies, etc.): This where the absorption rate takes a dip because the CBD has to travel through the digestive tract and loses some of its potency in the process. The effects are also felt anywhere from 20 minutes on up to 2 hours.
- Topicals: Products you rub into the skin work a little differently because they never enter the bloodstream. Instead, it travels through multiple layers of skin before reaching the distressed muscle in need. The onset time is the same as tincture oils and edibles, but it’s the preferred method for those seeking targeted relief.
Final Thoughts on the “Right Amount”
As you can see, there are many things to consider when trying to figure out the right amount of CBD.
It varies depending on a range of personal factors, and the process requires a little trial and error. Once you figure it out, you’ve got nothing but smooth sailing in your future. You can take your CBD and know you’ll reach the desired effects.
However, do keep in mind you’ll have to reassess the “right amount” as your tolerance increases. Do this when you see the effects start to dwindle.
Now, you’ve got everything you need to find your sweet spot and optimize your product for the effectiveness you’re looking for.
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