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CBD dosage & application
CBD oils are extremely popular and many promise relief from various ailments such as anxiety, inner restlessness, headaches and migraines, skin problems or inflammation. However, when it comes to the correct dosage, a lot of different information is circulating. Many users are therefore unsure, which is why the following article deals in detail with the topic of CBD dosage.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a chemical substance, more precisely a cannabinoid from the hemp plant. Various studies, primarily experiments on animals and cell cultures and only a few clinical studies on humans to date, suggest that CBD has therapeutic potential for the treatment of various ailments. However, research in this area is still in its infancy. Sufficient scientific evidence does not (yet) exist. It is important to point out at the outset that there are major differences between CBD oils that can be purchased over the counter and pharmaceutical-grade CBD.
CBD dosage: differences between CBD oil and medicinal CBD
Manufacturers obtain the CBD for over-the-counter CBD oil from low-THC industrial hemp plants. Depending on the extraction method and carrier substance, the quality can vary considerably. In contrast, medicinal CBD is extracted from THC-rich cannabis plants that are grown and processed under strictly controlled conditions.
By comparison, industrial hemp contains around 4 to 5 percent CBD and only small traces of THC. In contrast, specially cultivated medicinal cannabis plants can have a CBD content of 10 percent and more. The THC content is also much higher, which is why CBD oil cannot be produced from it for sale. When the pharmacological effect of CBD is investigated in research, scientists do not use over-the-counter CBD oils for this purpose, as they are not standardized and have a much too low CBD content. For example, CBD is used as a pure substance or in a synthetic form in very high doses.
CBD dose according to body weight
Some recommend dosing CBD oil according to body weight, although it is unclear on what basis or scientific evidence these recommendations are based. The following dosage recommendation is often given:
| 2mg CBD per 10kg | low effect |
| 7mg CBD per 10kg | medium effect |
| 13mg CBD per 10kg | strong effect |
Based on the above example of a person weighing 65kg, the doses would be 13, 45.5 and 84.5mg CBD. This would therefore be a slightly different dosage recommendation to the micro, standard and macro doses.
What role do CBD concentrations play?
Most manufacturers of CBD oils state the CBD content as a percentage. The conversion is simple:
| Percentage | Amount per 10ml |
| 2 percent | 200mg |
| 5 percent | 500mg |
| 10 percent | 1000mg |
| 15 percent | 1500mg |
| 20 percent | 2000mg |
For example, two drops of a 5 percent CBD oil contain approximately the same dose of CBD as one drop of a 10 percent oil. This raises two questions:
1. does a higher percentage CBD oil produce stronger effects?
No, higher percentage CBD products do not automatically trigger stronger effects. A large number of users opt for a high-percentage product because the taste of the oil is more pleasant. This is due to the fact that CO₂ extraction alone is not sufficient for CBD oils above 5 percent. Other methods are used to increase the CBD content. Depending on which method the manufacturer chooses, important ingredients such as cannabinoids, terpenes and secondary plant substances are lost. Accordingly, it would no longer be a full-spectrum oil and the entourage effect would most likely be lost.
In addition, when buying CBD oil, it is important to check what the percentage refers to. Is it really just cannabidiol or is its "precursor" cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) also included? If the CBDA content is too high, the product is of inferior quality. This is because CBDA does not have the same effect as CBD.
Reputable manufacturers provide their customers with analysis reports from independent laboratories . Various values, such as CBD, CBDA and THC content, can be read from these reports.
2 How important is the percentage on the oils anyway?
Ultimately, the CBD concentration of a product is irrelevant. Even if the CBD oil dosage often includes a table showing which concentration is suitable for which symptoms, this is not relevant. This is because the effect and its strength depend on other factors.
Taking CBD: What does the effect depend on?
The interaction of the active ingredients from hemp and the effects on the human body is very complex. Research is still in its infancy, meaning that there is still no clear evidence of the effects on various diseases and symptoms, nor are there any standardized dosage guidelines.
Basically, every person reacts differently to the substances they are given. This also applies to phytocannabinoids and other hemp ingredients. In this respect, the spectrum of effects depends on very individual factors. Experience has shown, for example, that three drops of CBD oil with 5 percent can have an effect on one person and not on another. On the other hand, there are people who feel no effect at all after taking ten drops of a 20 percent oil. Still others report positive experiences when they take two drops of a 10 percent oil. This alone shows the difficulties involved in dosing.
Recommendations for CBD dosage
Everyone who chooses CBD products in oil form needs time and patience to find their own personal dosage range. Beginners should start with 2- or 5-percent oils and follow the manufacturer's instructions. As a rule, manufacturers recommend a dose of one to three drops in order to first observe your own body and wait to see how it reacts.
It can take 60 to 90 minutes for an effect to occur and the duration of action can be eight hours. If there is no effect, the dose can be repeated the next day or increased to four to five drops. Even then, it is important to wait and observe the body. If there is again no effect, it is also possible to try the next higher percentage oil - of course with a low dose at first.
In this way, users can approach their personal dosage step by step.
Disagreement on the maximum daily amount
How many mg of CBD per day? This is a question frequently asked by users. Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question either. In the search for an answer, users come across a wide variety of information on maximum daily amounts.
While some set the maximum daily amount at 50mg CBD, others recommend not exceeding the maximum daily amount of 200mg. Others even set the maximum amount at 1500mg or higher. On the other hand, the manufacturers of the products are much more cautious with the maximum dose and state that no more than six to eight drops should be taken per day. That would be around 10 to 20mg.
How dangerous are high doses of CBD?
Just because the substance is of natural origin does not automatically mean that it is harmless and safe to take. CBD can also trigger side effects and interactions. In studies in which high doses were used, the following side effects were observed:
- Drowsiness
- dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Dry mouth
- headaches
- Gastrointestinal problems
In addition, high doses of CBD are suspected of causing toxic liver damage. These statements refer to very high doses of CBD, which are not found in our products.
CBD high - does it exist?
The fact is that CBD is by definition a psychoactive substance. The term psychoactive refers to a substance that acts in the central nervous system and influences certain brain functions. Although CBD does not have the same effects as THC, it can still cross the blood-brain barrier and bind to the receptors in the central nervous system. In one study, researchers found that a dose of 400mg CBD vaporized via a vaporizer led to a dissociated state.
The test subjects described a feeling of alienation from their own person, a feeling of unreal surroundings and an altered inner and outer perception. As a result, the researchers state that medium to high doses can trigger a kind of intoxication when ingested, although the exact mechanisms are still unclear.
What does this mean in relation to the maximum daily dose? In fact, there are still many unanswered questions.
Tip: For this reason, it is particularly important to use CBD responsibly. Uncontrolled intake can pose risks. For this reason, users should monitor their body and its reactions very closely.
The basic recommendation is to always follow the manufacturer's dosage instructions.
FAQ
How much CBD per day?
There is a great deal of disagreement regarding the maximum daily amount. It should be noted that although CBD is a natural substance, it should not be taken uncontrolled and without hesitation. Studies have shown that medium and high doses of around 400mg can impair perception, although not to the same extent as THC. In addition, high doses are suspected of causing toxic liver damage. For this reason, users should always follow the manufacturer's dosage instructions or consult a doctor if necessary.
How many mg of CBD per kg?
In scientific studies, pharmaceutical-grade CBD is used in very high doses. The dosage is based on body weight. Such schemes are not transferable to freely available CBD oils. It is therefore advisable to follow the manufacturer's dosage instructions.
How much CBD for beginners?
Each manufacturer provides dosage specifications for their products, which users should always follow. For people who have not yet had any experience with CBD, the recommendation is to start with a two or five percent CBD oil and a maximum of three drops. If this does not produce any effects, it is possible to slowly increase the dose. Manufacturers also provide information on this.
ALPINOLS Author: Alexandra Latour
After ten years as a freelance author for renowned health portals and online magazines Alexandra Latour took over as deputy editor-in-chief of Leafly Germany, one of the best-known information portals on the subject of medicinal cannabis, in 2017. After closing the German branch of Leafly, she continued to work as a medical editor and consultant in the cannabis and CBD industry and, as editor-in-chief of an agency, took over the quality control of high-quality content on the topics of medical cannabis and CBD.