Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for a variety of health conditions. CBD is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in cannabis plants and it does not cause the “high” feeling often associated with cannabis. While research on CBD is still in the early stages, it has shown promise for helping with anxiety, pain, inflammation, seizures and more.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is extracted from cannabis plants like hemp. It contains high concentrations of CBD but very low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound responsible for the high caused by marijuana. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate various functions like mood, pain sensation, immunity and more.
There are several different types of CBD oil depending on the carrier oil used. Some common carrier oils are coconut oil, hemp seed oil and MCT oil. CBD oil can be taken orally in the form of drops, capsules or edibles. It can also be applied topically. The concentration of CBD varies widely between products.
Benefits and Uses of CBD Oil
Here are some of the conditions CBD oil may help with:
- Chronic pain: Studies show CBD can reduce pain and inflammation.
- Anxiety: Research indicates CBD can reduce symptoms of anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Insomnia: CBD may help improve sleep quality.
- Epilepsy: FDA approved CBD oral solution called Epidiolex for treating seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome, two rare forms of epilepsy.
- Cancer-related symptoms: CBD may help relieve common cancer symptoms like pain, nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.
- Acne: Early research shows CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce acne.
- Neurological disorders: CBD is being studied for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
- Substance abuse and addiction withdrawal: Some research indicates CBD may help reduce withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapses in opioid, cocaine and psychostimulant addiction.
CBD oil is most commonly used orally but can also be applied topically, vaporized or used intravenously. The optimal delivery method depends on the condition being treated and onset time preferred.
Factors that Determine CBD Oil Dosage
There is no universal CBD dosage due to a lack of large-scale clinical studies. The optimal dosage depends on several individual factors:
- Concentration of CBD: Higher concentration CBD oils will have a stronger effect. The concentration is measured in milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL).
- Body weight: Larger individuals may need a higher dosage to experience the same effects as someone smaller.
- Desired effects: The dosage should match the symptom severity. Mild anxiety/pain may only need a low dose, while more severe cases may need a stronger dose.
- Tolerance: Frequent CBD users may develop a tolerance over time and need to increase their dosage to achieve the same effects.
- Delivery method: Bioavailability differs between CBD administration methods. Vaping and sublingual methods provide faster, more potent effects compared to edibles.
It’s best to start with a low dose of CBD oil and gradually work up to find the minimum effective dosage. Never exceed the maximum recommended dosage on the product label.
CBD Oil Dosage Chart
This CBD dosage chart provides general guidelines based on your weight and desired strength of effects:
| Body Weight | Mild Effects | Moderate Effects | Strong Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 lbs or less | 5-10 mg | 10-20 mg | 20-45 mg |
| 101-200 lbs | 10-15 mg | 15-30 mg | 30-60 mg |
| 201-300 lbs | 15-20 mg | 20-45 mg | 45-90 mg |
| 301 lbs or more | 20-30 mg | 30-60 mg | 60-120 mg |
Start on the low end of the dosage range for your weight group and desired effects. Gradually increase the dosage over time until you find the optimal amount for symptom relief.
CBD Oil Dosage Calculator
You can use this simple calculator to determine a starting CBD dosage based on your weight and CBD concentration. Ideally start with 1-6 mg of CBD per 10 lbs of body weight based on the desired effects.
CBD Oil Dosage for Specific Conditions
Here are some general dosage guidelines based on research for certain health conditions:
- Chronic pain: 2.5-20 mg of CBD by mouth for up to several weeks have been shown to reduce pain in studies. Higher doses of 20-100 mg daily may be more effective long-term.
- Anxiety: For mild anxiety, a single dose of 15-25 mg CBD by mouth has been shown helpful. Chronic anxiety may respond better to daily doses of 20-100 mg.
- Epilepsy: Clinical trials studied doses of 2-5 mg CBD per kg of body weight, taken twice daily, for treating epileptic seizures. This equates to a range of roughly 150-600 mg per day for most adults.
- Insomnia: Up to 160 mg CBD before bed appears to improve sleep time and quality. Lower doses around 40-80 mg may be sufficient for milder sleep issues.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms: Doses of cannabinoids up to 130 mg daily seem to reduce spasticity and pain in MS patients. Sativex oral spray combining CBD and THC is approved in many countries.
Note that higher doses around 600 mg daily have been studied without serious side effects. However, always start on the low end of dosage guidelines and gradually increase as needed.
CBD Oil Dosage for 5% CBD Oil
The dosage amount will depend on the total CBD concentration in the oil. Let’s take a look at how to calculate the CBD dosage for a common strength:
- 5% CBD oil contains 50 mg CBD per 1 mL of oil
- To find your dosage in drops, divide your total CBD dose by 50
- For example: To get a 5 mg CBD dose, you would take 5/50 = 0.1 mL of oil, which equals 10 drops based on average drop size
So here is a dosage chart for a 5% CBD oil based on the above calculation:
| CBD Dose | Drops (0.05 mL/drop) |
|---|---|
| 5 mg | 10 drops |
| 10 mg | 20 drops |
| 15 mg | 30 drops |
| 20 mg | 40 drops |
| 25 mg | 50 drops |
| 50 mg | 100 drops |
To get an exact dosage, it’s best to use an oral syringe or dropper that measures milliliters. Start low at 5-10 mg and increase slowly as needed.
How to Take CBD Oil
Shake the bottle well before use to ensure even distribution of the CBD. Place the desired CBD oil dosage under your tongue using the dropper and hold it for at least 60 seconds before swallowing. This allows the CBD to absorb sublingually into the bloodstream for faster effects.
CBD oil can also be taken with food or drinks by adding a few drops into things like smoothies, yogurt, tea, coffee and more. However, this may slow absorption and decrease bioavailability compared to sublingual use.
If adding CBD to food or drinks, be sure to wait until it cools down slightly to avoid losing any potency from heating. Avoid adding CBD oil to hot food or drinks like soups, stews or beverages.
The bottle should come with a recommended CBD oil dosage chart based on the concentration. Follow the chart to stay within the moderate to mild dosage range for your weight as you get started. Gradually increase every few days until you notice optimal benefits.
Consistency is key when using CBD oil. Try to take it at the same time each day for the best effects. You can set a daily reminder to help you remember your CBD dosage if needed.
CBD Oil Side Effects and Safety
CBD oil is generally very safe and mild side effects are rare. Some potential side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Appetite and weight changes
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
Higher doses of CBD oil can exacerbate side effects and may cause drowsiness. Very high single doses of 700-1500 mg have been studied without severe side effects, but extended daily use at these high levels may increase risk of toxicity.
CBD oil can potentially interact with some medications through the CYP450 enzyme system. Specifically, CBD affects the CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes. Check with your doctor about potential medication interactions before using CBD oil.
Avoid using CBD oil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding since safety has not been established. Speak to your doctor first if considering using CBD oil for a child or pet.
Conclusion
The optimal CBD oil dosage depends on the concentration of CBD in the product along with your body weight and desired effects. A good starting point is 1-6 mg of CBD for every 10 lbs of body weight. Increase slowly from there as needed.
For mild effects, use a low dose like 5-10 mg. Moderate effects may need 15-45 mg, while strong effects may require up to 100 mg or more. High doses up to 600 mg have been well tolerated in studies.
For 5% CBD oil specifically, each 10 drops (0.5 mL) contains approximately 5 mg CBD. Use the CBD oil dosage calculator to estimate your starting dosage. Begin with just a few drops under the tongue for at least 60 seconds and increase gradually as necessary.
Monitor side effects and adjust your dosage to minimize them. Talk to your doctor about potential medication interactions or concerns. Be consistent, use CBD oil daily at the same time for best results.