How to use CBD for the first time
CBD is a fantastic natural resource to introduce into your daily lifestyle. If you have been curious about how to implement it and unsure where to start here is a first timer’s guide.
How does it work?
CBD affects the endocannabinoid system which is responsible for helping maintain balance within the body. Although the body produces cannabinoids, they can diminish over time so taking CBD helps replenish this loss.
How much should I take?
It is recommended if it is your first time to start with a lower dose and gradually work your way up. Unlike it’s THC counterpart, you will not experience psychoactive results. In fact many users don’t describe a specific feeling at all. It is more so the lack of negative symptoms that people are alleviated from. The most common being anxiety.
In order to understand your dosage it is first important to understand how your body chemistry will tolerate CBD. Refer to our “How to Dose CBD” post for more specific information.
There are many forms to ingest CBD, the most common being:
Capsules
Oils and tinctures
Edibles
Vaping
Creams and lotions.
It is important to know that capsules and edibles can also take longer to kick in than a spray or tincture.
What can you use it for?
People use CBD to treat everything from nausea to arthritis pain. What you’re using it for matters when deciding how much you should take.
For instance, the Arthritis Foundation recommends starting slowly with just a few milligrams of a sublingual form of CBD twice a day and increasing the dose by the same amount after a week if you don’t get enough pain relief.
When should it start working?
It depends on how you take it. For example edibles, have to travel through your digestive tract before absorption, so the amount of residual CBD may be on the lower end of the spectrum. Whereas a tincture that you take sublingually (under the tongue) will absorb directly into your bloodstream, causing you to feel the effects much faster.
Here is a breakdown of how long it generally takes to feel the effects of different forms of CBD:
Edibles: up to 2 hours
Tinctures sublingual sprays: 15 to 45 minutes
Topicals: 45 to 60 minutes
Vape products: 15 to 30 minutes
What if I dont feel anything?
What if I don’t feel anything?
It is important to remember that taking CBD is not meant to result in drastic effects. It is more so meant to alleviate negative symptoms. The effects are subtle and intended for ease in day to day life. Re-dosing is a very common reason why people end up taking too much of anything, although CBD is well tolerated, at higher doses it can result in diarrhea or fatigue.
We suggest starting low, allowing ample time for the CBD to work before taking more. It is recommended to stick with a dose for around a week before increasing it.
How long does it last?
Typically the effects last between 2 - 6 hours, depending on how you administer it, your dose and your tolerance. It is a good idea to take some notes while using it so you can track how your body reacts to it. Some points to cover would be:
How much you consumed and what format it was in.
When you started to feel effects.
How strong the effects were from 1-10
How long the effects lasted for.
Knowing this information allows you to understand how much to take next time and how your body reacts to it.
When to use it
We suggest taking it before bed time when you’re first introducing it into your lifestyle. Drowsiness is one of the more common side effects, so taking it towards the end of your day or a day of rest is the best. It’s always a good idea to see how your body reacts to it so you can gauge your dosage.
CBD can be a great ally in your day to day routine with many beneficial health benefits. Before introducing anything into your health regime it is important to first research. If you believe CBD can help you start low and slow and work your way up.