The Challenge of CBD Consumption: Concentration, Dosage, & Consistency

CBD consumption can confuse consumers, but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t let confusion with dosing and methods stop you from enjoying the wellness benefits of the popular plant extract. To understand it better, think of it as the three C’s of CBD—consumption, concentration, and consistency.

The Multiple Methods of CBD Consumption

There are several ways to use CBD. The most common are tinctures and edibles, followed by topical applications. Additionally, many consumers prefer to vape CBD juice. The right CBD dosage depends on why you’re taking it, and other factors such as weight, tolerance, and potency. CBD dosing isn’t like traditional supplements. There isn’t one dose for everyone based on age and condition. Another factor to consider is the severity of the symptoms. Many consumers take a daily dose of CBD for consistency. A maintenance dose usually is lower than amounts for pain, sleep, and similar issues.

Oils: All CBD products begin as an oil. Manufacturers infuse the compounds from the hemp plant into an all-natural carrier oil for the best delivery option. Cannabinoids are fat soluble and absorb into the bloodstream with an oil. To use these, place the full dose under your tongue for fast absorption. Tinctures start working in about 10-15 minutes and last between 4-6 hours.

Some consumers micro-dose CBD oil throughout the day rather than as one lump serving in the morning or evening. Micro-dosing is when you take a small dose, most often a quarter or less of the full amount.

Gummies: Edibles are infused with CBD oil. These work after going through the digestion process. These will take longer to work, roughly 45-90 minutes, depending on your digestive system. Similar to tinctures, they last 4-6 hours. These are often made with natural flavors to enhance the flavor.

Balms: Topical applications don’t need to absorb into the bloodstream to work, which makes CBD dosing with this method difficult. To use a lotion or ointment, massage it into the area in question. For example, rub the balm into sore calves following a long run or apply it to your aching feet after a hard day at work. It will begin working in about 20 minutes, and you can reapply as needed.

Vape Juice: Smoking is an effective way to use hemp for CBD, but it’s not as safe as vaporizing. Choose a CBD e-liquid for fast results. Vaping works in a minute but only lasts 60 to 90 minutes.

CBD Dosage for Oils, Edibles, & Capsules

As mentioned, determining the best CBD dose isn’t simple. It varies by reason, and the methods often correspond with these factors. For example, vaporization produces a low dose of CBD quickly that can reduce anxious feelings in a minute or less. Consumers usually keep a vape pen nearby for fast relief.

However, this method isn’t always possible. You can achieve longer results with a tincture. Peter Bongiorno, ND, LAc, writes about cannabinoids and dosing for his practice. In his in Psychology Today article, CBD Oil for Mental Health—Should You Take It Too? He explains,

“I usually recommend that patients start with 15mg of CBD once or twice a day. This oil is best taken with food.”

You can use the same dose for gummies and other CBD-infused foods and drinks that you choose. We offer 10mg EZlief CBD gummies infused with a phytocannabinoid-rich (PCR) hemp oil. If you take 30mg at night before bed, you must eat three gummies.

Another option that’s not as tasty but works the same and contains a higher dose of CBD is EZlief softgel capsules. These include 25mg of PCR hemp oil with 1mg of melatonin to aid with sleep. The higher dose is more indicative of helping consumers fall asleep faster. 25mg pills are also a better option if you need a higher dose, such as 50mg at night.

CBD Dosing and Vape Juice

Vape juice dosages are much more challenging to measure. However, technology is changing, and finding the right serving for inhaling CBD is getting easier. Until researchers perfect the process, it’s easiest to gauge these doses with puffs. When you vape CBD, it works in seconds. If one puff doesn’t work, you can keep taking more every few minutes until you hit the best results.

Choosing the Right CBD Concentration

No, all CBD products aren’t equal, which is why you see such a variation in price. This difference helps with the wide variety of reasons consumers take the popular hemp extract. It’s available in various strengths, and there isn’t a universal chart. Instead, different brands and sales items can include anywhere from 5mg per serving to 50mg or more, each depending on the concentration of CBD in the oil.

Most hemp tinctures come in a 30ML bottle. Common potencies for CBD include 250, 500, 1000, and 1500mg per container. A 1ml dose of 250mg oil includes 8.3mg of CBD. If you’re new to hemp products or micro-dosing, you can take ¾ of a dropper every few hours. However, for higher doses, such as 25mg for sleeping or muscle relief, you’ll need about three full droppers.

The Benefits of High-Strength CBD Oil

If you don’t want to take three full droppers of hemp oil once or twice a day, consider a high-potency CBD oil with 1000mg or more per bottle. A 1ml dose of a 1500mg tincture contains 50mg of quality CBD. For 25mg, you’ll only need a half of a dropper.

The cannabinoid oil is all-natural and can boost your wellbeing. However, the plant taste isn’t pleasant for all consumers. You can choose an oil with natural flavorings, such as peppermint, lemon, and orange. But most consumers prefer a higher CBD concentration to reduce how much they have to take for each dose.

Another benefit of a high-potency oil is that you may experience fewer side effects. Some consumers report excess drowsiness, irritability, and stomach upset with large doses. By increasing the concentration, you reduce how much oil you ingest.

The Importance of Consistency: A key for effective CBD consumption

As part of the three C’s of CBD, consistency is vital. Along with CBD consumption and concentration, you need to consider CBD consistency. For the hemp extract to be most effective, consumers should take it daily at the same time. When you get in the habit of taking the wellness supplement every day, even twice or more daily, you keep a consistent balance in your body.

CBD may help you fall asleep faster, relieving sore muscles, and reducing anxiety. Plus, a daily dose of CBD has the potential to help you maintain a healthy endocannabinoid system. Also known as the ECS, the system is in the bodies of all mammals.   The multiple methods and strengths involving CBD consumption can indeed be confusing. Please don’t let that stop you from buying CBD tinctures and other vital wellness products. The different methods and strengths are available to help consumers and offer them more choices. Get started today with our EZlief phytocannabinoid-rich, premium-grade hemp oil that’s THC-free