Why Dosing Hemp Is Different
Hemp does not work like a paracetamol where one standard dose fits all. Effective doses vary by a factor of 10 or more between individuals, depending on body weight, metabolism, the condition being treated, and individual endocannabinoid system tone.
The good news: CBD has a wide therapeutic window — meaning the range between "not enough" and "too much" is large and forgiving.
The Low-and-Slow Method
The golden rule for hemp dosing: start low, go slow.
- Begin at 10–15mg CBD per day
- Maintain that dose for 5–7 days and note any changes
- If insufficient effect, increase by 5–10mg
- Repeat until you reach your effective dose
- Once found, maintain consistently — daily dosing works better than as-needed for most conditions
General Dosage Guidelines
| Condition | Starting Dose | Typical Effective Range |
|---|---|---|
| General wellness | 10–15mg/day | 15–30mg/day |
| Anxiety | 15–25mg/day | 25–75mg/day |
| Sleep | 25–40mg/day | 40–150mg/day |
| Chronic pain | 25–40mg/day | 50–150mg/day |
| Inflammation | 20–35mg/day | 50–100mg/day |
| Epilepsy (clinical) | Doctor supervised | Up to 20mg/kg/day |
Delivery Method and Bioavailability
The same dose hits your system very differently depending on how you take it.
| Method | Bioavailability | Onset | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sublingual oil | 20–35% | 15–45 min | 4–6 hours |
| Capsule / edible | 6–19% | 60–120 min | 6–8 hours |
| Vaporised | 35–56% | 2–5 min | 2–3 hours |
| Topical | Local only | 15–30 min | 3–5 hours |
Sublingual is the best balance of bioavailability, onset speed, and duration for most people.
Side Effects to Be Aware Of
CBD is generally well tolerated. Potential side effects, mostly at higher doses:
- Dry mouth
- Mild drowsiness
- Loose stools / diarrhoea (especially at high doses)
- Temporary drop in blood pressure
- Mild changes in appetite
These are dose-dependent and typically resolve by lowering the dose.
Drug Interactions — Critical
CBD is metabolised by CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 liver enzymes. It can inhibit these enzymes, raising blood levels of drugs processed by the same pathway. This is the same "grapefruit effect" you see on many medication labels.
Always consult your doctor if you take any of the following:
- Blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban)
- Antiepileptics (clobazam, valproate)
- Statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin)
- Immunosuppressants (tacrolimus, cyclosporine)
- Antidepressants (SSRIs, tricyclics)