You've heard us talk about all of the great benefits CBD has to offer. Whether it's chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or other afflictions, many people are now turning to CBD products to relieve their various symptoms. And better still, cannabis is becoming increasingly legal in many states (and Canada!). This means the government is listening to medical experts about the potential benefits of Cannabis and its cannabinoids – including CBD.

But is CBD ideal for you? Is there such a thing as "too much" CBD? What happens if you take too much? While we aren’t medical experts, we can help answer some of these questions and provide you with a tool to get you started, even if you're new to cannabis.

Note that you should always follow your doctor’s recommended CBD dosage if you have a medical prescription.

How Can I Understand How Much CBD I Should Take?

The right amount of CBD for you depends on a variety of factors. These factors include your weight, your age, the condition you're looking to treat, the potency of the oil you’re using, your unique body chemistry, your tolerance to CBD, and more.

The best way to carefully discover the optimal dosage for you is to slow your way into the routine. You can later increase your intake until you feel the effects you're looking for. Start with something like 2 mg per dose and then increase it by 2-5 mg per dose until you feel the desired effects.

Now, let’s talk about the factors that affect CBD dosage in different people:

Weight and General Health

There may be a slight change in the dosage depending on your body weight and health state. The usual dose is between 20 and 40 mg a day, but some people with lower body weight may require a different dosage.

CBD Usage Method

How CBD is taken may affect the dosage. As an example, when inhaled, CBD may take effect very fast, but if eaten it takes longer to show results.

Reasons For Using CBD

Another point to consider would be the reason you turned to CBD. There are many reasons why people buy CBD products, including partial relief from stress, insomnia, and anxiety. If you suffer from insomnia, you could take CBD products in higher doses after speaking with your doctor. And for those with depression, it’s generally recommended to start with a low dose of CBD and gradually increase over time.

Gender

Studies have shown that men's and women’s bodies may react differently to CBD. The hormonal differences between men and women may be the reason behind this. For example, cannabidiol’s effects on energy and food intake may be more noticeable in men than in women.

CBD’s Potency and Purity

A person's CBD dose will also depend on their CBD’s quality and potency. You can choose a CBD dose with a low, medium, or high potency. Some people prefer stronger doses right from the beginning, even though it's recommended to start slow.

Dosage Calculation

Some CBD products are easier to dose since they have pre-determined amounts in each serving. Products such as CBD gummies, capsules, or pills are in this group. For example, a CBD capsule bottle might indicate that each capsule contains 5 mg of CBD.

CBD oil, on the other hand, comes in dropper bottles. Depending on the packaging, CBD drops may contain a certain amount of CBD. That’s how you can calculate the number of drops you should use.

In some cases, it can be difficult to determine just how much CBD is in one drop since the packaging specifies the amount of CBD in the entire bottle, not what will be in one drop.

It takes about 0.05 milliliters (mL) to make one drop. This means that a single drop should be used for each serving.

In other words, a bottle of CBD oil containing 10 ml will contain 200 drops. Similarly, a drop containing about 5 mg of CBD will contain about 1,000 mg of CBD if the packaging says the bottle contains 1,000 mg of CBD. Therefore, four drops of CBD oil will give you 20 mg.

CBD For Sleep - Dosing

Not all sleep deprivation and insomnia are created equal. For many, the inability to hit the hay is tied to psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Consuming CBD oil before bed not only works on your body’s physical ability, but it can also help unwind your brain, putting stress, worry, and other symptoms at ease.

If you want to start taking CBD before sleep, start with a modest dose, such as 20 to 40 mg per day. As you become more comfortable, increasing this gradually by 5 mg each week will bring gradual and consistent relief from your symptoms.

Can You Take CBD Oil And Melatonin Together?

Another popular natural sleep aid, melatonin, is often consumed by insomniac people. According to Mayo Clinic, “Melatonin is generally safe for short-term use. Unlike many sleep medications, with melatonin, you are unlikely to become dependent, have a diminished response after repeated use (habituation), or experience a hangover effect.”

For those that want to benefit from a mix of natural sleep aids for better rest, mixing CBD and melatonin can seem like an appealing solution. But can you take CBD oil and melatonin together? The answer is yes!

The two sleep remedies can be mixed relatively safely. That being said, everybody’s different, so it’s important to always be mindful of the dosage and to ensure that this blend is right for you.

Final words

We can't tell you the exact amount of CBD you should take because dosages vary from person to person. The right dosage often requires some experimentation and adjustment. To achieve the desired effects, it is best to start with a low dose and gradually increase it until you reach the desired outcome.

Dosage Chart

Weight Under 45 lbs.	Weight 46 to 80 lbs.	Weight 81 to 150 lbs.	Weight 151 to 240 lbs.	Weight over 240 lbs.
Mild 5 mg	Mild 7 mg	Mild 12 mg	Mild 17 mg	Mild 25 mg
Moderate 7 mg	Moderate 12 mg	Moderate 17 mg	Moderate 25 mg	Moderate 30 mg
Strong 9 mg	Strong 17 mg	Strong 25 mg	Strong 30 mg	Strong 50 mg

This calculator can help you find the approximate dose that may be right for you. It takes body weight and desired strength into consideration, which are key factors in determining a healthy dosage. Keep in mind that these suggested dosages are estimates. If you've never used CBD before, do not begin with the higher strength CBD dosage recommendation. Again, start low and grow the amount depending on how you feel.

Potency of the CBD oil you're using is a huge factor in determining how much oil you should be taking. To determine the potency of the CBD oil you have, you need to take into account the bottle size in mL (ex. 30 ml), and the amount of CBD listed on the bottle (ex. 600 mg). The CBD in mg divided by the size of the bottle will give you your CBD potency in mg/ml. (Ex. 600 mg ÷ 30 ml = 20mg/ml). When you’ve worked out how potent the oil is, you can determine how much you need to get a specific dose. For example, if you want a dose of 20 mg CBD, take 1 ml of oil. If you want 10 mg, take half a dropper, and so on.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I TAKE TOO MUCH CBD?

While CBD is generally safe, there is a reason we're telling you to start with a low dosage if you’ve never tried it before. Taking too much CBD for your body can result in five typical side effects: low blood pressure, dry mouth, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and tiredness. While these effects are short-term and only last while the CBD is in your system, it’s best to avoid them by taking it easy, and taking the time to work up to the dosage that's right for you.

Try our Fusion CBD oils and find the one that's right for you! We're also here if you have any questions about our oils.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CBD Legal?

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp was excluded from the definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act, making hemp-derived CBD products with lower than 0.3% THC legal in the United States. Despite this, CBD products containing more than 0.3% THC are still illegal under federal law as marijuana. If you are traveling, check state laws about CBD, especially if you live in a state that has legalized CBD. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

Is It Possible to Take Too Much CBD?

There is evidence that even 600 mg a day is safe, but one study suggested that 1,500 mg per day may also be safe. It's essential to remember that CBD research is in its infancy, and experts still do not fully understand the potential long-term impacts of CBD use. That is why you should consult your doctor before using CBD. To avoid taking too much, start with a low dosage and gradually increase it.

What Is The Best Way to Start Taking CBD?

When starting with CBD, try to start small and gradually increase the dosage. This is generally good advice for any supplement you are taking for the first time. Start with the lowest dose available for your weight and condition, usually between 20 mg to 40 mg. If your doctor or pharmacist does not recommend you against it, you can slowly increase the CBD dosage. If you feel no side effects after a week, continue until you feel positive effects.

When Does CBD Begin to Work?

Depending on how CBD is administered, the time it takes for it to start affecting your body can vary. When smoking or vaporizing, the effects will be felt the fastest (within minutes of smoking). It is also easy to feel the effects of CBD when it is applied topically. Another fast-acting method is to administer the drug sublingually (15 - 60 minutes for onset of effects). When taken orally (such as edibles and oils), the effects are delayed but more long-lasting.

Can CBD Get Me High?

Cannabidiols such as CBD are considered non-psychoactive cannabinoids, so you won't get high like with marijuana (THC). Some users report a very slight feeling of relaxation or mental clarity after taking CBD. Despite not being sedative on its own, CBD may be effective for insomnia because of its relaxing effects.

Does CBD Allow Me to Drive?

It is safe to drive because our CBD products contain no psychoactive ingredients. High-quality CBD products with less than 0.1% THC are unlikely to show up on drug tests. Nevertheless, low-quality CBD products may contain more THC than claimed, making a screening sensitive to this drug. Our recommendation is to use an isolated THC-free CBD product if you are taking a higher dosage than recommended.

CBD DOSAGE CALCULATOR: HOW MUCH CBD SHOULD YOU TAKE