CBD oil dosing for pain can vary as patients can respond differently to the hemp extract, so follow this regimen for starting patients with CBD
The global cannabidiol (CBD) market is projected to increase 22.2% annually over the next few years. This high growth rate is partly because of recent government approvals, like the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing industrial hemp, the plant from which CBD is extracted. But it is also attributed to an increased consumer interest in using this substance to attain higher levels of health and wellness, including CBD oil dosing for pain.
For example, some studies have found that CBD can assist with the treatment and/or management of chronic pain, especially when combined with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Other pieces of research note that evidence “strongly supports” using CBD for anxiety and stress-related disorders.
While CBD offers patients one more avenue for treating or managing a variety of conditions, the ability to purchase these products doesn’t come without its challenges. One of those challenges is there are few dosage recommendations because CBD is not currently regulated.
CBD regulation issues
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that, as of early 2020, the agency has only approved one product containing CBD. This product is Epidiolex, a medication that can be used for two difficult-to-treat forms of severe epilepsy: Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Though the FDA is working to learn more about CBD’s safety and efficacy — which will likely lead to future regulation and usage guidelines — until this occurs, the door remains open for unsavory manufacturers who are more interested in profit than consumer health and safety.
A 2019 article published in the journal Pain and Therapy reiterates this concern, indicating that not all CBD products are safe for use. Some are mislabeled, with a few containing no CBD at all. Others are unsafe because of the other substances they contain, such as those manufactured in China that include the addition of dangerous hormones.
For this reason, finding a CBD dosage that is both safe and effective begins with choosing the right product. What does this type of product look like?
Choosing a reputable CBD product
Consumer Reports shares that it is important to choose a product that says how much CBD it contains. In addition to revealing how much it has overall, it should also clearly state how much CBD you can expect to receive in each dose.
Knowing how much CBD you are ingesting makes it easier to identify the amount required to achieve a desired effect. This publication further suggests selecting a CBD product that openly offers its test results. These results can be used to verify a product’s CBD amounts, but are also good for revealing other substances that may also be included in these products, such as contaminants. Ideally, the lab should say that it meets ISO 17025 standards.
A red flag that a particular CBD product should probably be avoided is if it makes amazing health claims. Until more research can be completed to better determine not only CBD’s effects but also what the dosage recommendations should be for specific health issues, citing these claims violates regulations as set forth by the FDA.
Factors impacting CBD oil dosing for pain
Once a CBD product has passed these standards, the next step is to determine how much to take. The answer to this question varies as people can respond differently to this hemp extract.
Some people are able to naturally tolerate higher CBD doses, whereas others may notice bothersome side effects even with relatively small doses. The Mayo Clinic reports that these side effects can include dry mouth, diarrhea, and fatigue. In some cases, CBD can also potentially interact with prescription medications like blood thinners.
Another factor impacting CBD oil dosing for pain is product type. A CBD isolate, for instance, contains only this one cannabinoid. Yet, a full-spectrum CBD includes a variety of other cannabinoids (of which THC is one, less than 0.3%), flavonoids, and terpenes. Together, these create a synergistic effect which can increase CBD’s effects.
Different products also contain varying concentrations of CBD. On the lower end of the scale, you can find CBD products that offer 250 mg of this cannabinoid per fluid ounce. This is much different than taking a CBD product that provides 1,000 mg per fluid ounce, or more.
The form of CBD can impact dosage too. A patient may benefit from taking a certain dosage of CBD oil, yet need more or less if using a salve or lotion, for instance.
Tips for effective CBD dosage
Because so many factors are at play, most CBD experts recommend starting with a very lose dose, somewhere in the neighborhood of 10-20 mg, to see how the body responds. This can help negate any negative effects and give the body time to acclimate to this substance. If the CBD oil dosing for pain is well-tolerated, they can slowly increase their dosage over time.
Taking a slow approach also enables patients to find the minimum dosage needed to achieve the desired results. This provides cost savings since products with higher concentrations of CBD are typically more expensive. It also keeps them from taking too much until scientists can learn more about CBD’s long-term effects.
