The Benefits of Low Dose CBD
Finding the right CBD dose is key, but bigger isn't always better. Is a low dose of CBD the right choice for you?
With high-strength CBD products advertising CBD dosages in the thousands of milligrams, it's easy to mistakenly assume that higher doses mean better results. But for some conditions, lifestyles, and (most of all) budgets, a low dose may be the better option by far!
In this article, we go into the benefits of staying small, with tips for finding the appropriate dose for your needs, choosing the right type of CBD product, and more.
So let's dive into the wonderful world of CBD with this guide to staying small!
Low Dose CBD Benefits
Sometimes, a little goes a long way.
Taking a low dose of CBD offers several benefits, including:
- Reduced cost. If you're using CBD every day, the cost can add up. Smaller doses mean your supply goes longer, and your wallet stays fuller.
- Lower possibility of side effects. CBD side effects like drowsiness and stomach upset are generally mild, even at very high doses. But a low dose helps you avoid any potential unpleasantness at all!
- Easy to use. Depending on the type of product you use, it may be more difficult to take high doses of CBD. With CBD capsules, for instance, very high doses could have you taking handfuls of pills throughout the day.
Further, certain symptoms might react better to low doses than to high ones. These include
- Mild pain
- Mild drowsiness
- Stomach upset and nausea
However, for more severe or chronic symptoms, you may be better off with a moderate to high dose of CBD. If that's the case, it's probably best to talk to your doctor before beginning to use CBD regularly.
Important Note: Bioavailability
Not all CBD products are created equal. Depending on the type of product you use, you may require a different CBD dose to get the effects you're looking for.
This is due to the varying bioavailability of different ingestion methods. Simply put, the body has an easier time absorbing certain forms of CBD than others. In general, CBD products follow this general rule:
- CBD vapes have the highest bioavailability (but it is very difficult to measure a target dosage)
- CBD oils (taken sublingually) have high bioavailability
- CBD edibles, capsules, and beverages have moderate bioavailability
- CBD topicals have very low availability (and it can be difficult to measure dosage)
Certain other factors may affect the bioavailability of your CBD. For instance, products made with "nano CBD" (also known as water-soluble CBD) may have meaningfully higher bioavailability.
If one type of product is working for you, consider trying a different type. You may be surprised by the difference between a low dose CBD oil vs a low dose CBD edible!
The Right Dose for You: Factors
How much CBD you should take depends on several key factors. These include:
- Bodyweight
- Body chemistry
- The condition being treated
- The type of CBD product used
The best way to find your starting dosage is to talk to your doctor about CBD and the condition you wish to treat. That's especially true if you're using Epidiolex or another CBD-based drug to treat serious medical conditions like epilepsy, but it's always a good idea to get a physician involved.
But if your doctor doesn't give you a target dosage, there are some good guidelines.
Finding the Right Low Dose CBD
The process is reliable but will take a bit of trial and error and time. To find the right low dose CBD for your needs, do the following:
- Start small, with 20mg total CBD per day or less.
- Consider breaking the total dose into multiple doses, taken regularly throughout the day.
- Continue at this dosage for ~1 week.
- If you don't feel the dose is adequately treating your symptoms, increase daily dose by 5mg.
- Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you find a dosage that is appropriate for your needs.
Giving yourself a week to test each dosage is important, as the effects of CBD are subtle and may take some time to be noticed. That's especially true of low dose CBD, so don't try to speed up the process!
Once it's complete, you'll have a tailor-fit dose of CBD that's perfect for your unique needs. What's more, sticking to this dose will help keep your tolerance low and both your supply and your wallet full!
Low Dose CBD, In Closing
High doses of CBD may be the talk of the town, but sometimes good things come in small packages.
Low dose CBD can work wonders for several conditions, including mild pain and anxiety, and it's the undeniably better option for keeping costs low and your supply full.
If you're looking to start a new CBD regimen, it's always a good idea to talk to a knowledgeable doctor about CBD for your specific symptoms. If your physician issues dosage recommendations, then always stick with that. If not, then starting with approximately 20mg a day is a great target.
Be sure to choose the right type of CBD product! Products like vapes and oils will allow you to get the most out of your CBD dose. Edibles are also a great option, but they're slightly less absorbent, so you may need to take a slightly higher dose than when you use a sublingual CBD oil.
