How to Take Your Correct CBD Oil Dosage?
Table of Contents For This Article:
- Background of cannabis
- How should CBD be taken?
- The suitable CBD dosage and formats for you
- Being clear about your goals
- The target of CBD
- The suitable time frame
- The suitable dose for you
- Increasing absorption of CBD
- Methods of taking CBD
- Sources and quality of CBD
- Can I take CBD?
- Taking too much of CBD
Everything you need to know about taking CBD
These days, you can find a new ingredient in every other product. Whether you check out the health food stores or the corner markets, it is quite hard to miss. You must have noticed the label carrying the mention of hemp extract or CBD as ingredients in quite a lot of products, items which are expensive compared to the rest. CBD sex oil, tinctures, balms, and even ice-creams are available. Companies claim that these products offer a variety of health products. While there is a lot of hype, you can not find much guidance.
The question is what the reality of CBD is. How should it be taken? What quantity of CBD is safe? What are actually the benefits of CBD and what is merely hype?
Background of cannabis
You can find documented evidence of cannabis Sativa being used for medicinal purposes from thousands of years ago. Cannabis leaves are depicted as medicine in the royal tombs and ancient scrolls of ancient Egypt. Medicinal uses of cannabis for different conditions are also mentioned in Greek texts that date back to 200 B.C. Persian, Korean, Indian, German and Chinese societies; all carry illustrations of its uses across centuries. Indeed, it is known that Queen Victoria too used to take a prescribed cannabis dose monthly to alleviate menstrual cramps.
It was in the 20th century when alcohol was prohibited that cannabis started being viewed as a dangerous drug alone. A war was waged on drugs, and as a result, cannabis faded away. Its presence became restricted undergrounds wherein it was cultivated in high-intensity lights and combined with synthetic compounds. Cannabis was then bred with increased content of THC to increase the profit that could be acquired from it per pound.
However, the truth is that in its natural state, this plant has been benefiting humanity for a long time. An interesting paper was published by Dr. Ethan Russo, which explained the gynecological and obstetric uses of cannabis across 10,000 years with its use spread from childbirth to menstrual cramps.
It has only recently gained attention just how synergetic cannabis is with human physiology, especially with the body of females. Around fifty years ago, when Raphael Mechoulam was research on the reason cannabis affects the human body that the Endocannabinoid system was discovered. The system comprises of cell receptors and related molecules in our body, which interface with various cells. Exogenous cannabinoids that are cannabinoids originating outside the body also affect these receptors, explaining why cannabis affects us.
So what is the use of ECS? It is a communication system, interlinking our body systems and organs for regulating homeostasis along with cellular healing. Furthermore, it also plays a role in immune modulation and is significant in understanding the connection between mind and body.
The body is viewed as a whole woven system in functional medicine. The root causes of any imbalances are determined, and the healing power of the body is supported via both ancient as well as modern modalities, which could improve body and overall health. Thus, it is quite beneficial to have a plant which is so highly synergistic with one of the systems in our body which is responsible for regulating healing and homeostasis.
One particularly interesting fact is that breast milk is rich in endocannabinoids, the purpose of which is to support the immune and nervous system of the baby. It also stimulates the release of Anandamide, the bliss hormone, along with inducing huger and deep sleep. Indeed, the system is quite a useful one for a variety of reasons.
How should CBD be taken?
There are a lot of ways of enjoying and taking what your body needs. Tea, juice, edibles, tinctures, suppository, CBD vaporizers all can serve as a means of taking in what you need enjoyably.
Considering how the industry is progressing and how everyone has started compromising on ethics and purity for profits, it is vital to select brands that can be trusted and use products that are high quality and are pure. It is worth the effort to look for those brands that offer organic hemp, which is free of pesticide and grown in the sun. Several varieties can be found of CBD oil or distillate. They can be categorized as a broad-spectrum which contains multiple cannabinoids without THC and full spectrum which contain cannabinoids along with some THC.
It is advisable to refrain from using CBD isolates. Anything which has not been tested for solvents should be avoided. Staying away from products that have fillers or any chemical ingredient in them is better. Business models with multilevel marketing should also be avoided as they tend to compromise on quality and potency for the sake of cutting costs.
The suitable CBD dosage and formats for you
Once you are sure that you want to use cannabidiol or CBD like many others to acquire relief in your symptoms of pain, anxiety, insomnia or any other health issues, you need to decide how you would take it. How much of it would be suitable for you?
The wide variety of CBD products can be quite overwhelming, which often tends to confuse people. Every method has a different way of delivering CBD to your body. It depends on why you want to use CBD and how often you will be taking it. Furthermore, everyone has a different response to CBS. Thus, there is no recommendation that is suitable for everyone. To make it somewhat simpler, we will present you with a guide which would enable you to come up with a plan of using cannabinoid for treatment which is suitable for your health. You will find it helpful when deciding on the first CBD product you would use and in the optimization of your current routine as well.
Being clear about your goals
CBD has over 65 targets throughout the body. It has a remarkable number of therapeutic properties. If you focus on one or a couple of properties, it will be easier for you to determine what would be the suitable produce and dose for you.
Think about it. What do you want CBD to do? Is it emotional support you are looking for? Are you suffering from arthritic pain? Perhaps you merely want to know if it would have a positive outcome on your life somehow.
Tracking your progress is beneficial. A scoring rate can be used wherein you either rate the symptoms or write about the experiences. A baseline record will ensure that you are able to gauge the effect of the CBD treatment in a better manner.
The target of CBD
If the molecule has to show positive results, it needs to get where it is required. If you figure out the location of the target of CBD, it will become a whole lot easier to reach the health goals you are looking for.
For instance, if the target is close to the skin or mucous membrane, such as the vagina, using a localized product such as a suppository or topical, can be helpful. This will ensure that the highest concentration of the molecule is delivered to the required area.
The other route of CBD is travelling via the bloodstream to reach its target. It would be to any location, including the immune system or brain. Oral products and vaporizers can be helpful for this.
The suitable time frame
The duration that CBD works in the body depends on how it is consumed and how quickly the body gets rid of it. A quick and sharp peak of CBD is delivered by some methods. On the other hand, other methods offer you a steady and slow concentration of hemp.
If you want to acquire a prompt and immediate relief, inhale products such as vaporizers will be most suitable for you. However, if you wish to make sure that steady levels of CBD are maintained throughout the day, oral products will be ideal for you.
The suitable dose for you
The efficacy of different methods is different for everyone. Various factors influence the outcome, and thus, dosing varies from individual to individual
It is advisable to start CBD with a low dose. This allows you to ensure that your body does not react negatively to any of the ingredients present in the product. If you use a vaporizer, a tiny puff will do. A couple of drops of oral formulation would suffice for the purpose.
Give CBD time to peak and leave your system before increasing the dose. An hour would be enough for vaporizers while in case of an oral formula, you might have to wait for more than six hours. You have the option of taking CBD sooner. However, in this case, the effects you experience will be a combined result of both the doses.
Increasing absorption of CBD
While you might be aware of the amount of CBD you have in every serving, this value represents the optimal amount that enters your body. A lot of CBD does not reach its target or your bloodstream.
Certain tricks can play a role in increasing the amount of CBD that is absorbed by your body.
Experimenting with different techniques of inhalation before increasing the frequency of vaping
If you use oral formulation, you can hold it under the tongue or swish it around in the mouth before you swallow it.
Methods of taking CBD
Oral formulations which have to be swallowed:
Examples include CBD oil, edibles, powder, capsules, and tinctures
Route taken: when you ingest CBD, it makes its way via the digestive tract. It is then absorbed into the bloodstream, travelling throughout the body.
Time: this is perhaps the slowest route that CBD can go through to reach its target. However, it also offers the most prolonged period that CBD can remain active. The peak levels of CBD in the bloodstream can be for one to six hours. Thus, this route is ideal for long term use.
Some points to consider
Food: food interferes with absorption of CBD in the body. Full stomach leads to more absorption of CBD. Since CBD is fat-soluble, ingestion of more healthy fats can significantly increase CBD amount that finds its way to your bloodstream. This is why MCT coconut oil is offered by Foria Basics.
The amount of THC: the liver metabolizes the products you swallow before they circulate in the body. This is called the first-pass metabolism. In case you use a full spectrum CBD which contains THC, it might be converted to a potent intoxicant, 11-hydroxy THC. A lot of people feel that CBD counterbalances the high which THC brings. However, if you do not respond well to THC, you might want to use CBD that is derived from the hemp plant.
Drug interactions: CBD can affect the processing of some drugs via cytochrome p450. Cytochrome p450 is present in the most concentration in the liver. Thus, inhaled CBD is less likely to cause drug interactions compared to ingested CBD.
Remember, everything that we have mentioned above is applicable when you immediately swallow CBD. If you let is remain in the mouth, it might directly be absorbed into your bloodstream.
Oral formulations for the buccal or sublingual route
Examples include CBD oil and tinctures
Route taken: the area underneath the tongue, cheeks, and gums are enriched with capillaries. CBD can directly be absorbed into your bloodstream from these areas. Thus, first-pass metabolism is avoided, and it circulates throughout your body instantly.
Time: via this route, CBD finds its way to your bloodstream faster compared to swallowing. Sublingual is quicker compared to the buccal route. However, since a lot of CBD is eventually swallowed, the peak levels in bloodstreams are somewhere within the range of half an hour to five hours.
Some points to consider
Food: when an oral spray was being evaluated, it was discovered that there is a significant increase in the amount of CBD absorbed if you have eaten recently. Blood flow to the mouth is increased via chewing, which might increase the rate of absorption.
Increase in surface contact: It is recommended that CBD oil is kept for a few minutes in the mouth before swallowing. Absorption can be significantly increased during this time if the oil is swished vigorously around the mouth and between the teeth. The surface contact between the capillaries and oil is increased owing to this.
Inhalation
Examples include dabs, vape pens, and high CBD cannabis
Route taken: CBD passes to the lungs when it is inhaled. It rapidly makes its way to the bloodstream via the lungs and thus is not subjected to the first-pass metabolism.
Time: this is perhaps the quickest way via which CBD circulates in the system. However, it also remains effective for the least amount of time. The peak levels in the bloodstream are not more than 10 minutes.
Some points to consider
Techniques of inhalation: as per studies related to THC, 2 to 56% of CBD can find its way to your bloodstream via inhalation. Using the vaporizer for the first half of inhalation and finishing with a deep breath of fresh air can get the molecules quite deep. This also minimizes the irritation which can occur if the vapor is too hot as it is mixed with cooler air. Any vapor that you can see after exhalation is lost. Therefore, starting with partial exhale until vapor is seen is advisable before inhaling all the way in. Repeat this till less vapor is seen on exhalation.
Vapor pen: do not use disposable vape pens which are cheap. Stay away from those that have propylene glycol as their ingredient. Use high-quality vape pens that are equipped with heating elements as clean vapor is then acquired.
Topical
Examples include lotions and creams
Route taken: local targets such as pain-perceiving nerves and inflammatory cells are reached as topical CBD diffuses through the skin. Minimal amount enters your bloodstream.
Time: depends on the target
Some points to consider
Pairing: topicals are highly suitable for arousal and on the spot treatments. However, if you want to reach long-term goals of health, it is best to pair the topical items with inhaled or oral CBD supplements.
Anal and vaginal
Examples include sprays and creams in applicators and suppositories
Route taken: application of CBD to the mucosal tissue of anus and vagina can lead to quite string effects locally on the nerves, cells, and muscles. However, since these areas have a lot of capillaries, CBD can also be absorbed into the bloodstream in this case.
Time: Suppositories (CBD/THC) and vulva spray (Kava and CBD) which are used for local targets to deal with menstrual cramps or to get sexual pleasure get active in a few minutes, sometimes an hour after they are applied. Bloodstream absorption is variable. It is mostly seen with rectal application in which case it can peak in two to eight hours.
Some points to consider
Differences in the vagina: your age, ph. of the vagina and your menstrual cycle all influence absorption across your vaginal wall.
Anal placement: it is variable as to whether rectal suppositories would deliver CBD to your bloodstream. It the suppository also includes THC, placing it into the lower rectum avoids the first-pass metabolism. Risk of stoned feeling is also avoided.
The association of health and CBD
A lot of people use a combination of various methods of delivery. Let us give you a few examples.
- A combination of daily oral supplement along with vape pen as required can be used to deal with anxiety issues.
- If you are looking for relief in arthritic pain, you can use topical as required along with daily oral supplements.
- If you have insomnia, an oral supplement taken a few hours before your sleeping time might be helpful. Keep in mind that low doses energize while high doses invite sleep.
- Topical vulva spray as per desire can be used for sexual pleasure.
- You can use vaginal suppository as per your requirement for menstrual cramps.
Sources and quality of CBD
Once you have determined the right CBD dosage and method for yourself, you need to be a little cautious before switching products. Not all manufacturers are trustworthy. Therefore, different effects might result with different sources of CBD.
So the question that you need to ask is what would be the best type of CBD for you. According to recent research by scientists, broad-spectrum CBD extracts which are derived from hemp plants or cannabis is more effective compared to the pure CBD isolates. As per these researches, the broad spectrum extracts are better as they comprise of various molecules, similar in shape and size to CBD, working together synergistically.
Can I take CBD?
We lead quite fast-paced lives. Dealing with stress, thriving on processed foods, disconnection from nature, and living with environmental toxins are all parts of our lives. As a result, we suffer from nutritional deficiency and phytocannabinoids and no different in this regard.
Researchers have started finding links between many conditions, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Alzheimer, Autoimmune diseases, and Fibromyalgia, among others and the Endocannabinoid deficiency syndrome or EDS. There is no doubt that EDS sounds like quite a fascinating theory, but one needs to be a bit wary of any new condition that is used as a setup for using a pill.
Therefore, while it is true that all the testimonials and research regarding the use of cannabis is fascinating, it is vital to not fall into the trap with eyes closed. Refrain from turning to hemp or cannabis as the main solution to different diseases and ignore the signs that something is amiss. Similar to all other substances that alleviate symptoms, it is quite easy to seek relief from the problem instead of trying to find out the cause of it. It is essential to know why you are feeling sick or are in pain.
Let us take a look at some basic factors that support the effects of the endocannabinoid system, alone or in association with CBD supplementations.
- Essential fatty acids are the foundation of this system. Thus, it is vital that our diet comprises of a balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which would lead to the synthesis of endocannabinoids along with other fundamental processes of the body. Therefore, it is crucial to include items like wild fatty fish, raw nuts and seeds, profound quality omega-3 supplements and pasture-raised eggs and meat in our diet.
- If your diet comprises of whole food from nature and is enriched with dark leafy vegetables along with herbs and spices, you will get the diverse phytocannabinoids and other nutrients that your body needs.
- Natural endocannabinoids are also increased as a result of exercise and movement. Yoga, meditation, orgasm, massage, and deep breathing can all be beneficial in this regard. Therefore, it is crucial to take time out of your busy schedule for some self-care.
- Various factors for our overall wellbeing and health support the quality of life and ECS as well. Thus, if we eat, sleep and live a balanced lifestyle, and then experience a health crisis wherein some support is required, we will find consuming this plant to be highly beneficial.
Taking too much of CBD
It is natural to wonder whether you are taking an excessive amount of CBD. You need to know that according to clinical trials, the dose of CBD could reach to 1200mg daily for many months without any significant side effects. This amount is more than CBD present in a whole Foria Basics bottle.
However, it would be a good idea to seek the assistance of a medical professional before you start using CBD.
While CBD is found to be safe on the whole, it does lower blood pressure. It can also interfere with how your body processes some drugs. For instance, cytochrome p450 is inhibited by both grapefruits and CBD. Therefore, you need to be cautious while using CBD if you are already using a medication which carries a warning of not to be eaten with grapefruit. This interaction can be minimized with inhaled and topical products.
Everything related to cannabidiol is complicated. It is still being studied, and thus, there are no established rules or guidelines you can find on how CBD can be used most effectively. You should be prepared for a unique experience with ample experimentation. Hopefully, your journey will be a successful one.
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