Understanding CBD Dosing & How to Calculate Your Optimal Daily Dose

What does the mg dose actually mean? How much should you plan to be taking in the first place? What’s the right way to calculate a consistent daily serving? 

If you’re asking these questions, you’re not alone. We’ll admit that the standard labeling practices for liquid extract supplements are a bit confusing. So, we created this guide to help you understand how to calculate and measure your optimal dose of CBD. 

Your Formula For Measuring the Correct Milligrams

The key for all CBD products (not just ours) lies in the total milligram amount of CBD and the number of servings per container. 

To figure out how much CBD you’re getting in each dose, you’ll need to divide the total milligrams by the number of servings. For example —

1500mg ÷ 60 servings = 25mg per serving.

That’s easy enough. But what about when your doctor recommends 30mg twice daily? In this case, you’ll need to do some math. 

There are approximately 200 drops of CBD per 10mL of CBD Oil. If you have a 10mL bottle that contains a potency of 1,000mg of CBD, then each drop will contain about 5mg of CBD. So, if your doctor wants you to take 30mg, you would measure out six drops. 

1,000mg CBD (per 10mL bottle) ÷ 200 (the number of drops per 10ml) = 5mg of CBD per drop

But How Much CBD Do I Need?

There are quite a few variables that go into figuring out how much CBD you need, so it’s nearly impossible to give a fail-proof formula for this. Factors that affect how you metabolize CBD generally include:

• Weight
• Age
• Body chemistry 
• Gender

But there are other things to consider too. What are you using CBD for? Is it a daily wellness supplement, or are you using it for extra support for a health issue? What’s the form and potency of the CBD you’re taking?

The most important thing to remember is that it is completely okay (and recommended!) to adjust your daily serving size according to your needs and your body. But, here are some guidelines that can help get you started…

Follow the Advice of Your Doctor

If you’ve been given specific serving size recommendations by your doctor or health professional, start there. This is especially important for those that are also taking prescription medications or who are struggling with serious health issues. 

Always talk to your doctor or a pharmacist before taking CBD if you suspect you have or are currently treating a serious medical condition, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are taking prescription medications. 

How Do You Usually Respond to Drugs or Supplements?

If you are consistently very sensitive to substances, you’ll probably need a lower dose to start. For example, if you’re the sort of person that breaks an aspirin in half or gets an upset stomach from taking a multi-vitamin, you will likely be more sensitive to CBD as well. We’d recommend that in this case, start with half the recommended serving size.

For those of you who usually find themselves needing higher doses of over-the-counter medications, you may want to start with a higher dose than the recommended serving size. 

Consider Your Variables 

If you’re a big guy with lots of muscle, you’re likely going to need a higher dose taken over a long period of time before you see results. 

If you’re a young, light-weight woman with a high metabolism, you’ll probably need a smaller dose and see benefits more quickly.

If you have a serious health issue or age-related discomfort, don’t be discouraged if it takes several weeks to show results. You’ll likely also benefit from higher potencies of CBD taken several times daily. 

Just like anything and everything else in life, we’re all built a little differently. What works well for some may not be the best dose for someone else. That’s okay — experiment until you’ve found what works best for you, and don’t get discouraged!

You Can (And Should) Adjust Your Dose According to Your Needs

Wherever you start with your dosing, feel free to increase or decrease that amount according to how you feel it is helping you hit your health goals. 

For example, if you’re struggling with pain, you may start out at 40mg, twice daily. After a week, you may find you need to increase that to 45mg, then 50mg. Stop when you find that your pain has decreased to a comfortable level.

Feeling like you’re taking too much or are experiencing unpleasant side effects? Simply back down on the dose until you feel better. 

Still Struggling? We’re Here to Help

If you’re struggling to find the right dose or have questions about what product is best for you, we’re here to help. Just reach out to our team.