Although CBD is federally legal, the Federal Drug Administration does not regulate the use of CBD. CBD is not classified as a supplement and cannot be marketed as such. It is always best to consult a doctor with experience in CBD administration to determine the best dosage for you.
Finding A CBD Dose For You.
Using the CBD Dosing Chart is an easy way to approximate a good starting dose for an individual. The chart below shows micro dose, standard dose, and large dose based on a persons weight. It is often recommended to start with a lower or standard dose and increase your dosage as needed.
Because CBD is a fatty acid it can be stored in the body for up to several weeks. Once peak accumulaton of the cannabinoid is reached in the body the most effective stimulation of the endocannabinoid system is achieved. This compounding effect may take some time to accumulate in the body. Therefore the desired effect of CBD may not be achieved immediately. Consistent dosing over time is the most effective route for administration.
Overcoming the Bell Shaped Dose Response of Cannabidiol
CBD dosage depends on each individuals unique biological chemistry, weight, and tolerance. Depending on the individual, increasingly larger doses may be taken until the desired effect is achieved. It is important to note that Isolate CBD is not as effective as Full Spectrum CBD especially at high doses. Studies conducted using rats at the University Of Jerusalem in 2014 discovered a bell shaped curve associated with CBD isolates effectiveness on inflammation based on dose. In contrast full spectrum CBD extract showed consistent effectiveness on inflammation as dose increased.
The same study was conducted to demonstrate CBDs effectiveness on pain. This study produced similar results showing that larger doses of isolate CBD did not produce the same result as full spectrum CBD.
The graphs below show a bell curve correlating the tolerance of pain in the rats modeled in this experiment compared to dosage of CBD. The bell shaped curve associated with isolated CBD shows clearly a decline in pain tolerance as dosages increase. Whereas the correlation between Full Spectrum CBD pain tolerance continues to become more effective as dose increases.
It should be noted that the effectiveness of Full Spectrum CBD extract does not trend exponentially as dose increases. Studies have shown that because the human body has a limit of how much CBD it can absorb, doses above 400mg of CBD in a 6 hour period are not fully utilized by the endocannabinoid system.
Dosing Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
When ingesting THC the user is often more concerned with the psychoactive effects experienced from this active cannabinoid. Depending on the ingestion method and individual, effects may not be immediate. Onset can take as long as 90 minutes in certain individuals when ingesting THC. Effects may reach their peak in several hours and can last anywhere between four and twelve hours. For most users psychotropic effect can be reached by ingesting a 20mg dose of THC. Individuals with slower metabolism may experience greater effects for a longer duration than those with faster metabolisms.
Bioavailability of CBD and Cannabis Products
Both THC and CBD effectiveness depend of the bioavailability of the method used for consumption. This includes any additives and ingredients in a product. Fatty acids and nutrient dense meals can increase the absorption rate of cannabinoids by up to 400%. Medium Chain Triglycerides especially are used in a lot of CBD oil Tincures to increase the solubility in the gut, making them more bioavailable. See Blog on Cannabinoid Bioavailability.