How Much Cannabidiol (CBD) Should I Take?
By James Tindall, PhD
Hemp-extract therapeutics can be accurately termed personalized medicine. One of the problems with this type of medicine, due to inadequate synergistic research, is finding how much of the product you should take. The proper treatment regimen depends on the individual – due to biochemical individuality – and the medical condition being treated.
To get the maximum therapeutic benefits, you need to choose a product that has undergone the alcohol extraction process and that is full-spectrum. It has been noted that one should choose the products you use that include both cannabidiol (CBD), which is non-intoxicating, and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis. Both CBD and THC, interact to enhance each other’s therapeutic effects. A patient’s sensitivity to THC is apparently a key factor for determining the ratio and dosage of CBD-rich medicine.
However, you will not normally be able to determine this ratio, i.e., both compounds, unless you live in a state that allows the sale of recreational and medical THC. But, you will be happy to know that the greater healing properties are by far, concentrated in cannabidiol and, that is what you should focus on. By determining your proper dosage rate, you have entered the first phase of effective treatment.
Find Your Rate!
You should be keenly aware that marijuana, federal law bans the main source of THC, i.e., marijuana (cannabis), however, dosed cannabis medicine, particularly CBD, is currently available in the form of concentrated oil extracts, infused sublingual sprays, ointments, and other products. Due to federal law, hemp-extract oil(s) (often called cannabis oil or CBD extracts) have varying concentrations of CBD. For example, a 1-ounce bottle is generally a one month supply with an average recommended dosage rate of 1 mL per day. But, within the industry, concentration and price vary widely and, it is likely that demand will soon begin to outstrip the supply and cause a cost increase in all of these types of products.
There is a huge amount of anecdotal and even significant research (mostly from Israel) that illustrate the value of cannabidiol extract oil(s) for anxiety, depression, spasms, and pediatric seizure disorders, autism, and many other maladies. If you were to mix both CBD and THC, many patients find they do best with about a 10:1 ratio of CBD:THC but, THC is not usually the best therapeutic option. For cancer, neurological disease, and other ailments, patients may benefit from a balanced ratio of CBD and THC. As a matter of fact, extensive clinical research has shown that a 1:1 CBD:THC ratio is effective for neuro-pathic pain. However, the author suggests that optimizing your therapeutic use of cannabis will entail a careful, step-by-step process; this means to begin with a small dose of CBD-rich product (non-intoxicating), and observe the results – gradually increasing the amount until you find the best dose rate. Essentially, to self-administer, gradually increase the dose rate of CBD-rich product so that you are comfortable with the results. Note: this is not medical advice; performing self-administration of a drug may always create a risk thus, seek advice if you are uncertain about how much or if you should self-administer.
The Bi-phasic Effect
Most do not think of Cannabis, hemp, or cannabidiol as a drug, but as compounds. That said, these compounds have distinct bi-phasic properties, which means that low and high doses of the any of them can produce opposite effects. For example, small doses of cannabis (THC) generally stimulate, while large doses sedate and, too much THC, while not lethal, can amplify anxiety and mood disorders. Conversely, CBD has no known adverse side effects at any dose rate, although not enough scientific research has been done to date. However, drug interactions can be problematic such that an excessive amount of CBD could be less effective therapeutically than a moderate dose. Thus, the adage, ‘more is better’ is generally not the case.
Dosage Guidelines – Averaged across the Industry
• Decide how you want to ingest CBD, which is available as an oil is tinctures, sprays, capsules, and other products. Also, there are topical products that you will not ingest such as face cream, salves, lip balms, etc. For the latter, a dosage rate is not of concern; it is what you ingest orally that is the concern;
• Find your rate. Discover the proper ratio for yourself. For example, begin first with about a ¼ mL dose during the morning; this is a low dose – start low first then, slowly increase. This ¼ mL is a small dose: ingest it 2-3 times the first day, about 3-4 hours apart – this is what anecdotal evidence suggests.
• Use the same dose for several days. Observe how the product affects you, i.e., feel or recognize these effects and if necessary adjust the ratio or amount.
• Don’t overdo it. Adhere to the ‘less is more’ adage for this type of therapeutics. Remember, there are over 100 compounds in these products that are synergistic with your endocannabinoid system and whose affects are not well known.
• Be aware of possible side effects. Unlike Oxycontin and many other drugs, CBD’s are generally safe and forgiving medicine. Too much could amplify anxiety and mood disorders. Other possible side effects are dry mouth, dizziness and faintness; however, these are typically from THC, rather than CBD.
• Consult your health counselor. Proceed cautiously; if you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness, or are pregnant or breastfeeding you must discuss this with your physician.
• The average dose rate. Across the industry, the average dose rate of CBD in the form of a liquid such as a tincture, is 1 mL per day. Once your find your dose rate, ingest beneath the tongue in droplets and talk ½ of it about 2-3 hours before bedtime and the remaining half just as you go to bed. Many people have found this works well, but it is very individualistic.
Note: none of the above should be construed as medical advice. The use of such products is done at the readers risk and therefore, it is recommended that you discuss such use with your doctor/physician before self-administering these type of products, especially for oral ingestion!