There are many scientific studies and even more personal anecdotes which show CBD’s healing abilities for many chronic diseases, as well as its aptitude for treating conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, acne, and insomnia, to name a few. However, using CBD for medical purposes is still in its infancy stage. Many people want to know how CBD works, how to use it, and how much they should take.

As a first-time user it's essential to understand correct dosing guidelines. Currently, however, this is no universally agreed upon dosage. This is because the FDA has not yet created a Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) for CBD. Additionally, most medical schools do not yet cover CBD/cannabidiol therapy in their pharmacology courses, as this curriculum revolves primarily around substances that can be patented, which leaves CBD out of this category.

Because there is no official recommended dosage this information is intended to serve as a guide only and should not be considered medical advice. A good thing to keep in mind is that it is always best to start small and work your way up. Luckily, there is no known harmful dosage of CBD- however if too much is taken it can cause fatigue and headaches in some people.

Everyone is Different

Regardless of what the companies selling CBD or your friends tell you, the truth is that there are a few critical factors that need to be taken into account to determine proper CBD dosage. These include the concentration of CBD in the product being used, an individual’s weight, body chemistry and, and the specific condition that’s being treated.

Keeping that in mind that there is no “one size fits all” dosage, there will likely be some trial and error involved when determining your own proper dosage. Which is why it’s a good idea to start with a small dose, take CBD at the same time every day, and keep notes on its effects. This way you can adjust your dosing accordingly over time until you find the perfect dosage that works for you.

CBD Drug Interactions

CBD is a very safe substance, but it does have the potential to interact with many common pharmaceutical drugs. It can alter how we metabolize painkillers, statins, blood thinners, insulin, and more. Because of this we recommend consulting your physician if you have any concerns.

How to Determine CBD Dosage Based on Body Weight

As a general rule of thumb, you can determine correct CBD dosage by taking 1-6mg of CBD for every 10 pounds of body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 lbs., it would be best to start with 15-25mg. If you weigh 200 lbs., 20-33mg would be a good starting point.

CBD Dosage for Specific Illnesses & Conditions

The Mayo Clinic suggests CBD dosages below based on scientific research for treating specific illnesses and health conditions: 

• Loss of Appetite in Cancer Patients: 2.5mg of THC, with or without 1mg of CBD for six weeks.
• Chronic Pain: 2.5-20mg of CBD orally.
• Epilepsy: 200-300mg of CBD orally daily.
• Sleep Disorders: 40mg-160mg of CBD orally.
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) symptoms: Cannabis plant extracts containing 2.5-120 milligrams of a THC/CBD combination daily for 2-15 weeks. Patients typically use eight sprays within any three hours, with a maximum of 48 sprays in any 24-hour period.
• Schizophrenia: 40-1,280mg oral CBD daily.
• Glaucoma: A single sublingual CBD dosage of 20-40mg (more than 40 mg may increase eye pressure).

How to Take CBD

There many types of CBD products on the market. These different products offer various concentrations and ways for your body to absorb CBD, so you can feel its effects and gain its benefits.

Gold Standard CBD offers the following products and recommended dosages for each:

CBD Vape Cartridges

Inhaling CBD oil using a vape cartridge and vape pen is one of the fastest ways to feel CBD’s effects. These effects usually happen within a minute or two after inhaling and will last for a few hours. Draw on unit for 5 seconds, hold breath for 5 seconds, then exhale. Each draw provides approximately 3 mg of CBD. We recommend taking 2 - 4 draws per serving, and 2 - 3 servings per day for optimal benefits.

Gold Standard CBD Vape Cartridge & Adjustable Voltage Battery Kit is an excellent product for beginners who are new to vaping. It combines our two best-selling products into one affordable and ready to go starter kit.

CBD Hemp Flower

Smoking CBD hemp flower works similar to inhaling CBD oil. As with vaping, smoking hemp flower causes the smoke to pass through your lungs and into your bloodstream, bringing near-instant relief and strong effects. It’s important to note that even though hemp flower looks like marijuana, its THC levels are well below .3% which makes it 1) legal in all 50 states and 2) not potent enough to get you high. Gold Standard CBD Hemp Flowers come available in bags which contain 500mg, 1000mg, 2000mg, or 4000mg of CBD. Therefore, based on the average 25mg recommended dosage, a 500mg bag would provide 20 servings of CBD.

CBD Hemp Stix

Gold Standard CBD Hemp Stix include organically-grown CBD hemp flower blended with mugwort, mullein, and coltsfoot. Hemp Stix are identical in shape and size to a cigarette but are tobacco and nicotine-free. They are sold individually or as a pack of 10. Each individual Hemp Stix contains 75 mg of CBD, which offers three 25mg servings.

CBD Honey Stix

Gold Standard CBD Honey Stix are a great alternative for consuming CBD if inhaling is not for you. Made of 100% pure USDA-certified organic honey and THC-free CBD distillate, our edible Honey Stix are the perfect on-the-go CBD treat. Each one contains 15 mg of CBD, which provides a perfect dose for those who are new to trying CBD.

Learn more about CBD and the many health benefits it offers, while remembering to start small, monitor your body’s reactions, and increase or decrease your CBD dosage accordingly.