How Much CBD Oil To Dose For Sleep Issues
It is estimated that nearly 35% of Americans experience some form of short or long term insomnia in their lives. A chronic lack of sleep can not only lead to worse personal health and well-being but could also impact your ability to function on a daily basis.
Luckily, insomnia and related sleep disorders may be treatable with CBD.
While CBD can’t cure these disorders, it can help people fall asleep faster and even improve the quality of sleep they get overnight.
But how much CBD should you take for insomnia? And how much CBD is too much?
Keep reading to find out!
Understanding CBD Dosing For Insomnia
Knowing exactly how much CBD to take in order to alleviate certain symptoms can be difficult. Especially since CBD is believed to produce different effects at different dosages.
When consumed at lower doses of between 5-20 mg, CBD is more likely to produce stimulating effects more appropriate for daytime use. Many people find that doses of this size can improve their focus and concentration throughout the day.
However, when consumed at larger doses of 20mg+, CBD is more likely to produce sedating and relaxing effects. Carefully experimenting with your dosage can help you find a dose that produces the specific effects you are looking for.
Additionally, an individual’s ideal CBD dosage will also depend on other factors such as their body weight and the way that the CBD is consumed.
Individuals in the 70-100 lb weight range can sometimes experience stimulating effects with doses as low as 8 mg, and sedating effects with a dose as low as 15 mg.
Meanwhile, someone in the 250-300 lb range may find that they require doses as high as 25 mg for stimulation, and 40 mg for bedtime sedation.
Simply put, the heavier you are, the more CBD you will need to experience its therapeutic effects. Ideally, it is recommended that you consume somewhere between 1mg-6mg of CBD per 10 lb of bodyweight.
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Bioavailability – Why Your Method of Consumption Matters
The method of consumption will also affect how much CBD is required in order to experience certain effects. This is because different methods of consumption have different bioavailability ratings.
When it comes to CBD, ‘bioavailability’ refers to the amount that actually reaches systemic circulation (your bloodstream) and produces effects. Because there are so many different ways to consume CBD, regular users should carefully consider which one may be best for them.
For instance, inhaling cannabis vapor or smoke has been shown to be one of the most effective ways of consuming CBD. Joints are believed to have bioavailability ratings of around 30%.
However, with the right vaporizer, the bioavailability of inhaled CBD can reach as high as 50%-80%. A study from 2016 found that vaporizing CBD was the best way to take advantage of its many therapeutic effects.
Sublingual CBD oils and tinctures are the next-best way to make the most of CBD. When consumed sublingually, CBD is believed to have a bioavailability rating of between 40%-50%. Sublingual CBD bypasses the liver entirely, quickly entering the bloodstream without losing too much of its potential.
When consumed in the form of an edible, CBD and THC can have bioavailability ratings as low as 4%-5%. This is primarily due to metabolism’s first-pass effect which filters out much of the compound before it has the chance to work and produce effects.
It is also believed that some of the compound may be lost as it makes its way through the digestive tract. Despite the low bioavailability of edibles, many people still prefer them due to the fact that their effects typically last longer.
Those looking to take advantage of specific therapeutic effects are encouraged to start low and explore with their dose. Try moving your regular dose up and down to see if the effects you are looking for are still being produced.
Moreover, trying different types of CBD through different consumption methods is also recommended. What works well for one person or one symptom may not for others.
How Long Do The Effects of CBD Last?
When taking CBD for insomnia or other sleep problems, it is important to consider how long you need CBD to work for. For example, people having trouble falling asleep may only require CBD’s effects to work for long enough until they are actually asleep. Meanwhile, those struggling with disturbed or inconsistent sleep may require longer-lasting effects.
Similarly to how your chosen method of consumption can affect the potency of your CBD (bioavailability), it can also affect how long CBD’s effects last for. Also similarly to bioavailability, these differences occur because of the way that the body processes CBD.
When inhaled as smoke or vapor, CBD’s effects typically only last for between 2-3 hours. However, when vaporized or smoked, CBD’s effects can be felt immediately. As such, people who have trouble falling asleep, or people who require immediate relief from sleeplessness would be better suited to vaping or smoking CBD.
Similarly, when consumed in the form of a tincture or sublingual oil, CBD’s effects last for about 2-4 hours. And just as vaping CBD gives it a direct pathway into circulation through the lungs, applying it sublingually allows it to quickly enter the bloodstream through nerve endings in the mouth.
Sublingual CBD oils are an excellent alternative for people looking for immediate relief without having to ingest smoke or vapor.
When ingested orally in the form of an edible, CBD’s effects can last for anywhere between 4-6 hours. This is because fully digesting a CBD edible can take some time, leading to more of a slow-burn of effects than an immediate wave.
Despite the fact that edibles take longer to produce effects than other forms of CBD, this longer timeframe gives them a clear advantage when it comes to length.
People seeking relief from troubled sleep or who may just find themselves waking up too many times overnight would be best suited by the longer-lasting effects of edibles.
Lastly, it is important to note that some people may not immediately experience CDB’s beneficial effects as they relate to insomnia. Continuous use is recommended in order to gain the most from CBD.
What CBD Strain Is Best For Sleep?
CBD isolate and CBD-infused concentrates are both excellent options when vaping CBD. However, nothing beats the real thing. Those who really appreciate the cannabis experience may be wondering: What CBD strain is best for sleep? Here are just a few strains that will have you climbing under the sheets in no time.
1. CBD SHARK
CBD Shark functions great as a sleep aid because of its heavily indica-dominant genetics. Not only will this strain’s high CBD content relax you, but its potent indica properties will envelop you with a strong body buzz. This strain is especially useful for those whose insomnia is related to physical pain.
2. CANNATONIC
Cannatonic is a high-CBD strain that is evenly balanced with 50/50 sativa and indica effects. This strain delivers both cerebral relaxation and physical sedation. Cannatonic does a great job of alleviating stress and anxiety, making it an ideal option for those whose insomnia is anxiety-related.
3. HARLEQUIN
Due to a healthy mix of CBD and THC, Harlequin is one of the most popular CBD strains on the market. When grown under ideal conditions this strain features a 5:2 CBD:THC ratio, giving you a robust mix of both cannabinoids. The uplifting clearheadedness and mild euphoria that Harlequin produces will have you relaxed and ready for bed in no time!
Where Can You Buy CBD Products?
Right here at Great CBD Shop! Check out our shop for a selection of CBD products, including CBD infused with melatonin for maximum nighttime effectiveness!
