The powerful therapeutic properties of CBD have been touted far and wide. With progressions both inside and out of the clinic, mounting evidence suggests that CBD could relieve stress and anxiety, soothe pain and inflammation, improve sleep, and reduce the symptoms of countless other health conditions – all without the intoxicating buzz of the cannabis plant’s mind-altering molecules.
Seeing CBD on the shelves of major health and wellness stores is now the norm, but there’s not yet much guidance on how and when to take your daily dose. Are you keen to try CBD products but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place; this is your CBD dosing 101.
When do I take CBD?
One important thing to remember is there are no strict rules regarding how to take your CBD, but there are little things you can do to optimise your dose. We advise having a little think about what you want out of your daily dose. Whether it's to soothe anxiety, relieve pain, or improve sleep, the best time of day to take your CBD will be dependent on these needs.
Some people prefer to get their dose in bright and early to feel the effects throughout the day. Others may wish to hold off until they feel they need it, perhaps to reduce stress levels at work or because they feel CBD improves their focus and productivity.
Alternatively, some users may wish to save their dose until the evening, using it to unwind after a stressful day or to switch off before bed. Since CBD is famed for its calming properties, this option may be especially useful for those keen to get a better night’s sleep.
Avid gym-goers may also prefer to take their CBD dose after their workout. Why? Because its anti-inflammatory properties have shown to be pretty effective in reducing muscle soreness and improving sports recovery1.
A rule of thumb for those taking other medications – after checking with your doctor, of course – is to space out your dosing throughout the day. This is because CBD has shown to have some mild drug interactions. To avoid any unwanted effects, it is therefore wise to wait at least 4 hours after taking other meds before using CBD.
What is the best way to take CBD?
Your dosing preferences may also change depending on what CBD product you use. To make things a little clearer, let’s run through three of the most popular ways to take CBD, how much CBD each product offers, and how they work in the body.
CBD drinks
Every Goodrays CBD drink contains 30 milligrams (mg) of all-natural, Colorado-grown CBD. They’re also 100% vegan with no added sugar or nasties. Plus, we’ve packed in a daily dose of Vitamin D, which helps to keep our immune system, bone health, and blood pressure in check.CBD, when consumed in a liquid solution, needs to pass through the digestive system to be absorbed into the bloodstream. This takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, so the benefits of CBD drinks aren’t felt immediately. That said, there is evidence to suggest that CBD consumed orally has longer-lasting effects than other methods2.
This is something to keep in mind when deciding what time to kick back and enjoy your CBD drink. We think they’re suited to any point throughout the day, whether that be a refreshing addition to your packed lunch, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a relaxing evening tipple.
CBD gummies
When you buy a pack of our mixed CBD gummies, you get 30 doses of 25 mg each. We recommend eating between 2 or 3 CBD gummies per day to really reap their health benefits.Being another form of oral CBD, they work in a pretty similar way to CBD drinks. One top tip for gummy-lovers, though, is to take them with food. Research has shown that consuming CBD alongside a meal rich in healthy fats increases its absorption 3-fold3. That’s 3 times more bang for your buck than if you were to eat them on an empty stomach.
CBD oil
CBD oil is often administered sublingually, meaning a few drops are placed and held under the tongue before swallowing. This way, the CBD bypasses the liver and digestive system, getting into the bloodstream within about 15 minutes. This speedy absorption is best for those who want fast-acting effects, perhaps for immediate pain or anxiety relief.At Goodrays, we offer CBD oils for both day and night, so this makes your decision about when to take your dose a lot easier. Our Night drops and Zen drops each contain 1000 mg of CBD per 30ml, so you’re getting about 30 mg per 1ml dose. We recommend taking this dose up to twice a day, depending on how much CBD you feel you need.
How much CBD should I take?
Always speak to a healthcare professional before adding CBD to your supplement regime. If you have any concerns, they should be able to talk you through any risks and help you determine your optimum dosage. In the meantime, we’ve taken a look at current evidence and guidelines surrounding CBD to help you make informed decisions about your dosing.Clinical research into the effects of CBD has used incredibly varied doses. There is evidence to suggest that doses up to 1,500 mg are safe and well tolerated in humans, but the Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that users take no more than 70mg of CBD a day.
Very few human studies have investigated the effects of CBD doses under 20 mg, so you’re not guaranteed to feel its effects on a lower dosage. Unlike other CBD-infused drinks on the market, Goodrays offers a hearty 30 mg of CBD – the ideal daily dose to get its full wellness benefits.
If you’re still not sure about your perfect dose, we would advise starting with a single dose of CBD CBD oil, CBD gummies or a CBD drink . The beauty of the oil dropper is that you get to decide just how much you want, whether that be 5 or 50 mg. This way, you can start low and gradually increase your daily dose until you feel that it’s working properly.
Then, when you’ve fallen in love with CBD (because we know you will), you can add some CBD gummies or CBD drinks to your routine for a more consistent dose – and to incorporate some delicious flavours. Keen to try? Visit the shop, here.
REFERENCES:
- Hatchett A, Armstrong K, Hughes B, Parr B. The influence cannabidiol on delayed onset of muscle soreness. Int J Phys Educ Sport Heal. 2020;7(2):89-94.
- Xu C, Chang T, Du Y, Yu C, Tan X, Li X. Pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous cannabidiol and its antidepressant-like effects in chronic mild stress mouse model. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2019 Aug;70:103202.
- Millar SA, Stone NL, Yates AS, O'Sullivan SE. A Systematic Review on the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Humans. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1365.