Taking CBD for the very first time
Feeling your best starts with the right CBD dose.
How much CBD you need comes down to these key factors:
- Body weight
Heavier bodies require higher doses of cannabidiol (CBD) to experience benefits. - Individual cannabinoid tolerance
Your sensitivity to CBD and other cannabinoids affects how strongly you feel a given dose. - Your primary wellness goals
Goals like everyday relief, inflammation support, deep relaxation, and sleep balance call for different CBD dosage ranges.
Of the three, body weight shapes your dosage needs the most, so we’ll start there.
How much CBD to take
Body weight is the most reliable starting point for determining your CBD dose.
Clinical research shows that cannabinoid response follows predictable dosage ranges, making weight-based guidance a practical and dependable way to simplify CBD dosing.¹
Choose a dosing strength—starter, average, or maximum—then find your weight and recommended dosage:
All CBD dosage recommendations fall within established safety margins, grounded in clinical research that examines effective dosage thresholds and evaluates reported side effects across different intake levels.²
Get an even more personalized approach. Calculate your own CBD dose using the same clinical dosage ranges applied in research studies. Our step-by-step guide shows how to customize dosage strength using real-world examples of CBD users.
How often to take CBD
Consistency matters more than precision when it comes to CBD results.
Taking CBD once or twice daily provides steady support for most people. Others prefer to divide their recommended daily amount into smaller doses taken throughout the day.
Regular use helps maintain more consistent CBD levels in your system over time. This steady exposure is what allows many people to experience more reliable short-term benefits and improved results with ongoing use.
When to expect CBD benefits
How quickly you feel the benefits of CBD and how long they last depend largely on the delivery method you choose.
Some delivery methods act fast but fade quickly, while others take longer to kick in and provide more lasting effects. This is known as CBD bioavailability, which measures how much of your dose is actually absorbed and used by the body.
Compare the five most popular CBD delivery methods to decide which one feels like the right fit for you:
Compare CBD Delivery Methods |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Method | Bioavailability | Onset Time | Peak Effects | Total Duration |
| Vaping Inhale |
31%–56% Higher absorption |
Less than 1 minute | Peaks in 10 minutes or less | About 2 hours |
| Sublingual Hold under the tongue |
13%–19% Moderate absorption |
Within 20–30 minutes | Peaks within 1–2 hours | 4–6 hours |
| Oral Take by mouth and swallow |
5%–19% Moderate absorption |
Within 30–60 minutes | Peaks within 2–3 hours | 6–8 hours |
| Topical Apply to target areas |
5% Lower absorption |
Within 30–60 minutes | Peaks within 1–2 hours | 4–6 hours |
| Internal Suppository use |
5% Lower absorption |
Within 30–60 minutes | Peaks within 1–2 hours | 4–6 hours |
Which type of CBD oil should I try?
Choosing the best CBD oil starts with understanding what it’s made of.
There isn’t one type that’s universally better than the others. Each has its own unique benefits and tradeoffs.
Cannabidiol—or CBD for short—is the active ingredient in CBD products. But it can come in full spectrum, broad spectrum, and pure isolate varieties.
Let’s break down the three types of CBD to help you decide with confidence.
Full Spectrum
Delivers the richest cannabinoid profile.
Full spectrum CBD oils are made with minimally processed hemp extract, so they contain a wide range of cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids. They also have trace levels of THC that are within federal legal limits and too tiny to make you feel intoxicated or high.³
Research suggests these beneficial plant compounds may work better together, amplifying each other’s individual effects, a natural phenomenon known as the entourage effect. For some users, this can enhance how CBD makes them feel.
Best if you’re looking for a full spectrum of entourage effects and don’t mind a small amount of THC with their CBD oil.
Broad Spectrum
All the benefits of a rich cannabinoid profile without THC.
You’ll find many of the same cannabinoids in our broad spectrum CBD oils, but any traces of THC are filtered out until they are undetectable according to standard lab assays.
For many users, the experience with our full spectrum vs broad spectrum products feels identical, so it’s a perfectly suitable replacement for people avoiding THC altogether.
Broad spectrum products are best if you want many of the same benefits of full spectrum extracts without any psychoactive compounds.
Pure Isolate
99.7% pure cannabidiol (CBD) with no THC.
CBD isolate is a highly purified form of hemp extract that’s pharmaceutical-grade. It’s ideal for people who don’t like the <BLANK> flavor of full and broad spectrum CBD, or those avoiding psychoactive cannabinoids.
Isolate is best if you want absolute purity, minimal taste, and—verified by independent labs—absolutely no THC (Delta-9 or Delta-8).
Compare CBD types at a glance
Use the chart below to see how full spectrum, broad spectrum, and CBD isolate differ in a side-by-side comparison.
CBD Comparison Chart: Full Spectrum / Broad Spectrum / Pure CBD Isolate |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Full Spectrum CBD | Broad Spectrum CBD | Pure CBD Isolate | |
| Contains CBD | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minor Cannabinoids (CBN, CBG, CBC) |
Yes | Yes | No |
| Terpenes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Flavonoids | Yes | Yes | No |
| THC | Yes (less than 0.3%) |
THC-Free (0.0%) |
THC-Free (0.00%) |
| Aroma | Natural Hemp | Natural Hemp | Odorless |
| Taste | Natural Hemp | Natural Hemp | Flavorless |
| Color | Gold / Amber | Gold / Amber | Clear |
| Base Extract | Full Spectrum Distillate | Broad Spectrum Distillate | Pure Isolate Powder |
| CBD Oil Tincture | Full Spectrum CBD Oil | Broad Spectrum CBD Oil | CBD Isolate Oil |
| CBD Softgels | Full Spectrum CBD Softgels | Broad Spectrum CBD Softgels | - |
| CBD Gummies | Full Spectrum CBD Gummies | Broad Spectrum CBD Gummies | - |
Best time of day to take CBD
You may take CBD in the morning, afternoon, evening, or before bed — anytime you feel the need for another dose. Wait between four to six hours between doses unless you are microdosing CBD.
Your CBD dosage schedule will be unique to you based on factors including your individual tolerance to CBD and the type of wellness concerns for which you are taking it.
First-time CBD users should always start low and go slow, especially when taking high-potency products with more than 3,000 mg CBD per bottle. The process of gradually increasing and moderating your CBD intake until you find the most effective daily dose is called titration. You may need to titrate for a few days to up to two weeks, depending on your individual response to CBD.
Take note that full spectrum CBD products contain very small amounts of THC. While not psychoactive in such minuscule doses, THC may still cause pronounced effects in hypersensitive users. Exercise basic precautions during the initial stages of titrating, such as using caution before working with heavy machinery, driving a car, or performing strenuous activities.
Choosing the right CBD oil strength
We discussed the three main CBD product types for first-time users and calculated the perfect CBD dose step-by-step in our guide above. Finding the right bottle of CBD oil will be a breeze.
Remember that the numbers displayed on your CBD product label calculate its total strength in milligrams (mg). Scroll through the following reference chart to review the most common CBD product strength concentrations. We break down the total strength per bottle into 1 mL dosage strengths and single drop dosage strengths.
CBD Chart: Common CBD Oil Product Potency and Dosage Amounts |
||
|---|---|---|
| Total CBD In Bottle (30 mL / 1 oz) |
CBD Per Dose (1 mL dropper) |
CBD Per Drop (30 drops per mL) |
| 100 MG | 3.33 mg | 0.11 mg |
| 250 MG | 8.33 mg | 0.27 mg |
| 500 MG | 16.67 mg | 0.56 mg |
| 750 MG | 25 mg | 0.83 mg |
| 1000 MG | 33.33 mg | 1.11 mg |
| 1500 MG | 50 mg | 1.67 mg |
| 2500 MG | 83.33 mg | 2.78 mg |
| 3000 MG | 100 mg | 3.33 mg |
| 5000 MG | 166.67 mg | 5.56 mg |
| 6000 MG | 200 mg | 6.67 mg |
| 10000 MG | 333 mg | 11.1 mg |
| 12000 MG | 400 mg | 13.33 mg |
(*Important Note: Dropper openings may vary slightly due to manufacturing variables. The number of drops per milliliter dose may range from 25 – 40 per dropperful. We’ve used 30 drops per milliliter to make the calculations in this chart.)
CBD Safety Profile
Adverse reactions are rare when taking CBD as directed in this guide.
You have less than a 0.5% chance of experiencing side effects after taking CBD, which may include dry mouth, increased thirst, an increase or decrease in appetite, stomach upset, or drowsiness.
Talk to your doctor before taking CBD oil if you have a history of food sensitivity or if you’ve experienced an allergic reaction to any prescription drug or over-the-counter medication.
CBD clinical trials and dosage strengths
CBD clinical research is ongoing with many different types of wellness concerns currently being explored by scientists.
Dosage amounts in CBD clinical trials vary considerably depending on the type of wellness concerns being studied. CBD dosage ranges in clinical trials range from 25 mg up to 1,200 mg per single dose. Average CBD dosages in research trials are between 300 mg to 600 mg CBD taken once or more times daily.
The duration of CBD clinical trials also differs significantly. Some CBD clinical trial participants have reported benefits or displayed positive results in study metrics after just one high-potency dose while others saw benefits over a period of multiple days or weeks of use.
CBD toxicity investigations show that it is a very forgiving natural medicine. In some cases, clinical trial participants ingested up to 35 times the recommended CBD dose based on their body weight with only mild to moderate side effects reported.
Is it possible to take too much CBD?
CBD is safe, non-toxic, and non-psychoactive when used as directed. It will never cause you to feel euphoric or “high” after taking it, even if you take more than the recommended CBD dosage. There have been no reports of CBD overdose attributed to taking excessive amounts of CBD.
Toxicity investigations show that CBD is a very forgiving natural medicine. In some clinical trials, participants ingested up to 35 times the recommended CBD dose based on their body weight, with mild to moderate side effects reported.
Recommended CBD dosages range from 50 mg to 1,200 mg and are well-tolerated by healthy users with significant differences in body weight.
Do not take more than the recommended CBD dose for your body weight without adequate supervision by a qualified medical professional.
Can I take CBD with other cannabinoids like CBN and CBG?
Any high-quality full spectrum or broad spectrum CBD already has very small amounts of major and minor cannabinoids. Adding extra cannabinoids like Cannabinol (CBN), Cannabigerol (CBG), or Cannabichromene (CBC) may even boost the effectiveness of the CBD you are taking through a natural phenomenon called the entourage effect.
Review the CBN Dosage Chart and CBG Dosage Chart to learn how much of these cannabinoids you should take when combining them with CBD oil.
Can I take CBD with herbs, supplements, and other natural medicines?
CBD is not known to interact with other dietary supplements, so you may safely combine it with other herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
Consider adding natural medicines used for stress relief, mood balance, energy, and sleep difficulty to complement the benefits of your favorite CBD formula!
Make sure you check with your doctor before making any changes or additions to your wellness plan.
Can I take CBD with my prescription medication?
CBD is metabolized by the liver using the exact same enzyme many prescription drug treatments use, too. Taking CBD with other prescription medicines may interfere with their breakdown and absorption. This interaction may reduce the effectiveness of one or both medicines, leading to decreased effectiveness over time.
You should always consult with your doctor before adding CBD to your wellness plan if you take any prescription medication or over-the-counter drugs.
Summary
It’s easy to figure out how much CBD to take by following a few sensible guidelines.
First and foremost, remember to start low and go slow when you are beginning CBD. But don’t be afraid to go all the way! CBD is not psychoactive and will never cause you to feel euphoric or “high” after taking it, even if you take more than the recommended CBD dosage.
Titration is the process of gradually increasing and moderating your CBD intake until you find the right dose for you. Titration may take just a few days to a couple of weeks depending on your individual response to CBD.
How much CBD you take will vary based on a number of factors, including how much you weigh, your individual tolerance level, as well as how you take your CBD (e.g., vape, sublingual, oral, or topical application). Body weight is the primary factor on which first-time users should base their beginning dose. Our CBD dosage chart at the top of this article is recommended to calculate the most effective dose for you.
It’s safe to take CBD in the morning, afternoon, evening, or before bed — anytime you feel the need for another dose. How long CBD stays in your system depends on multiple factors that include how much you take, your diet, metabolism, body weight, dosage frequency, individual tolerance level, as well as how you take your CBD (e.g., sublingual ingestion, oral ingestion, topical application, or vaping).
On average, CBD lasts between four to six hours per dose. You should take CBD regularly (i.e., at least once daily) because it allows for the buildup of CBD serum levels in your blood. Regular use will maximize the therapeutic benefits of CBD in the near term and improve your overall results in the long term.
Recommended CBD dosages range from between 50 mg to 1,200 mg and are well-tolerated by healthy users with significant differences in body weight. You should not take more than the recommended CBD dose for your body weight unless you have adequate supervision by a qualified medical professional.
Full spectrum and broad spectrum CBD contains very small amounts of major and minor cannabinoids. Adding extra cannabinoids from CBN oil and CBG oil can help to further boost the effectiveness of your CBD through a natural phenomenon called the entourage effect.
CBD maintains an excellent safety profile which leaves quite a bit of wiggle room for you to experiment safely while you find the optimal dose. Side effects when you take CBD as directed. Reported side effects (less than 0.5% chance of occurrence) are typically mild and similar to placebo. They may include dry mouth, thirst, appetite increase or decrease, stomach upset, and drowsiness. Allergic reactions are not commonly reported when taking CBD, but you should talk to your doctor if you are unsure.
You should always consult with your doctor before adding CBD to your wellness plan if you take any prescription medication or over-the-counter drugs.
Do you still have questions about how much CBD you should take? Get in touch with a Cannabiva CBD team member to get answers.
