Anyone out there who has ever purchased a CBD or hemp-based product before has likely read the label carefully to make sure to know exactly what it is that they are taking, and the proper method for taking it. All CBD products should come with instructions according to FDA regulations, which means that whether you have got a vape oil, a tincture, an edible, a topical or a different hemp product altogether, that label should tell you what the proper serving size is, and how it’s best to consume it.
One crucial bit of information on any CBD package is the dosing guideline, which is what we will be covering today. Maybe you’ve wondered how crucial it is that you stick to the exact amount listed on the product’s label. Well, allow us to answer all of your questions.
What is a Dosing Guideline?
A dosing guideline simply refers to the dosage amount listed on a product’s label, as determined by the manufacturer. Some dosing guidelines are more complex than others. For instance, a bottle of CBD oil may simply suggest that you take a dropper’s worth at a time. Meanwhile, an edible’s label may suggest that you take a certain number of pieces according to your body weight, or your specific reason for taking CBD.
Keep in mind that this is a guideline, meaning, that its purpose is to provide guidance. This means that it’s not a hard rule that you have to take the exact amount as recommended by the manufacturer. This is just a standard dose that seems to work well for most.
Dose vs. Milligram Strength
Let’s quickly break down the difference between dose and milligram strength, because many people get these two things confused. The dose is the amount of product you take per serving. The milligram strength, meanwhile, is the concentration of CBD in the product’s formula. Therefore, a standard dose of, say, a 100mg tincture will be much less potent than a standard dose of a 1000mg tincture.
Why Companies Provide Dosing Guidelines
Companies provide dosing guidelines for two reasons. One is that it is required. Two is that companies want you to have a successful experience with hemp, and their team of experts know what the general dosage amount is to ensure that success.
What Customers Should Know About Dosing Guidelines
The thing is that in many cases, dosing is a bit more complicated. For one thing, a few factors determine which dose is ultimately right for you. One is your body weight. The more you weigh, the higher your dose should be.
The other factor is your particular needs. For instance, let’s say you’re taking CBD for stress. A small dose may be great if you are dealing with some temporary, minor stress following a long day at work. But that same dosage may not do the trick if you’re having a full-blown panic attack and want something that will help you quickly calm down.
Furthermore, we are finding that everyone has their own inherent tolerance to cannabinoids. Therefore, a standard dose may work for your best buds, but for you it barely does anything. Or a standard dose may make you feel sleepy because of a sensitivity that you have to CBD.
Finally, the form you take CBD in matters:
- Gummies and capsules have specific cannabidiol dosages.
- Tincture dosage depends on the volume.
- Vaping CBD is a bit trickier because of the method being used, inhalation. Due to vaping’s higher bioavailability, it is best to start with a low milligram strength, take a single hit from your device, inhale gently for 8-10 seconds, then exhale slowly. Because the effects can be felt within minutes, give yourself about 15-20 minutes before taking another pull/dose.
- When using flower, that’s all about volume as well as the method being used in order to feel the effects at a certain rate.
- Topicals are applied to the skin. Therefore, there is no dosage level requirement. It’s simply using as much as need be when it comes to localized relief of pain and soreness in those muscles and joints.
So, what does all of this mean?
It means that when examining the dosing guideline of a product, you should also consider these other factors before committing to it. The good thing about CBD is that it’s nontoxic. Therefore, you can increase your dosage without risk of toxic overdose due to the cannabinoid content.