The powerful therapeutic properties of CBD have been touted far and wide, both inside and outside the clinics. Mounting evidence suggests that CBD can relieve stress and anxiety, soothe pain and inflammation, improve sleep, and reduce the symptoms of countless other health conditions. All, without the intoxicating buzz of the cannabis plant’s mind-altering molecules.
Seeing CBD on the shelves of major health and wellness stores is now the norm, yet guidance on how and when to take your daily dose remains sparse. Are you keen to try CBD products but don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place; this is your CBD dosing 101.
WHEN TO TAKE CBD
While there are no strict rules regarding how to take your CBD, there’s a couple of little things you can do to optimise your experience.
First, have a think about what exactly you want out of your daily dose. Are you looking for a CBD dose for anxiety or to improve sleep? This can help you decide the best time of day to take your dose.
Some prefer to get their CBD in bright and early, so they can feel the effects throughout the day. Others may wish to hold off until they feel they need it, perhaps to reduce stress levels at work or to improve their focus and productivity. Alternatively, some may prefer to take their dose in the evening, using it to help them unwind after a stressful day or to switch off before bed. This option is especially useful for those keen to get a better night’s sleep .
Next, think about the effects CBD has on your body and mind. Are you looking to use CBD for workout recovery or for pain management?
Avid gym-goers may prefer to take their CBD dose after their workout. Why? Because its anti-inflammatory properties have shown to be pretty effective in reducing muscle soreness and improving sports recovery 1 .
A rule of thumb for those taking other medications – after checking with your doctor, of course – is to space out your dosing throughout the day. This is because CBD has shown to have some mild drug interactions. To avoid any unwanted effects, it’s therefore wise to wait at least 4 hours after taking other meds before using CBD.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO TAKE CBD?
Your dosing preferences may vary depending on the CBD products you use. To make things a little clearer, let’s run through three of the most popular ways to take CBD, including how much CBD is in each product, and its effects on the body.
CBD DRINKS
Every Goodrays CBD Drink contains 30 mg of all-natural, Colorado-grown CBD. They’re also 100% vegan with no added sugar or nasties. Plus, we’ve packed in a daily dose of Vitamin D, which helps to keep your immune system, bone health, and blood pressure in check.
When CBD is consumed via a beverage, it needs to pass through your digestive system to be absorbed into the bloodstream. This takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours, so the benefits of CBD drinks aren’t felt immediately. That said, there is evidence to suggest that CBD consumed orally has longer-lasting effects than other methods 2 .
Keep this in mind when deciding when to kick back and enjoy your CBD drinks. We think they’re ideal at any time of day, perhaps as a refreshing addition to your lunch, an afternoon pick-me-up, or as a relaxing evening tipple.
CBD Drinks fact sheet:
30 mg CBD
100% vegan
50% RI Vitamin D
0% THC
No added sugar
Onset: 30 minutes to 2 hours
CBD GUMMIES
With our Mixed CBD Gummies , you’re getting 30 doses of 25 mg each. We recommend enjoying between 2 to 3 CBD gummies per day to fully experience the health benefits.
Like CBD drinks, gummies also work by being absorbed through the digestive system. One top tip for gummy-lovers, though, is to take them with food. Research has shown that consuming CBD alongside a meal rich in healthy fats increases its absorption 3-fold 3 . That’s 3 times more bang for your buck than if you were to eat them on an empty stomach.
CBD Gummies fact sheet:
25 mg CBD
100% vegan
0% THC
Gluten-free
Onset: 30 minutes to 2 hours
CBD OIL
CBD oil is typically taken sublingually. A few drops are placed and held under your tongue for about a minute before swallowing. This way, the CBD bypasses the digestive system and liver, getting into the bloodstream within 15 to 30 minutes.
If you are looking for a CBD product that acts fast, our CBD Oils provide the speediest absorption, ideal for immediate pain or anxiety relief.
At Goodrays, we offer CBD oils for both day and night, making your decision about when to take your dose a lot easier. Our CBD Night Drops and Zen Drops each contain 1000 mg of CBD per 30ml, so you’re getting about 30 mg per 1ml dose. We recommend taking this dose up to twice a day, depending on how much CBD you feel you need.
CBD Oil fact sheet:
30 mg CBD per 1ml dose
100% vegan
0% THC
Gluten-free
Onset: 15 to 30 minutes
HOW MUCH CBD SHOULD I TAKE?
To help you make an informed choice about what CBD dose to take, we’ve taken a look at current scientific evidence and guidelines.
Clinical research into the effects of CBD has used incredibly varied doses. There is evidence to suggest that doses up to 1,500 mg are safe and well tolerated in humans, but the Food Standards Agency (FSA) advises that users take no more than 70 mg of CBD a day.
Very few human studies have investigated the effects of CBD doses under 20 mg, so you’re not guaranteed to feel its effects on a lower dosage. Unlike other CBD-infused drinks on the market, Goodrays offers a hearty 30 mg of CBD – the ideal daily dose to get the full benefits.
If you’re still not sure how much CBD to take, we advise starting with a single dose. If you’re taking our CBD Oil, use the handy pipette to measure a 1ml dose. The beauty of the oil dropper is that you get to decide just how much you want, whether that be 5 or 50 mg, that’s why we recommend it for new starters.
Then, once you’ve fallen in love with CBD (because we know you will), you can add some CBD gummies or drinks to your routine for a more consistent dose – and to incorporate some delicious flavours. Keen to try? Visit the shop .
Before adding CBD to your routine, it’s advisable to speak to a healthcare professional. If you have any concerns, they should be able to talk you through any risks and help you determine your optimum dosage.
REFERENCES
Hatchett A, Armstrong K, Hughes B, Parr B. The influence cannabidiol on delayed onset of muscle soreness. Int J Phys Educ Sport Heal. 2020;7(2):89-94.
Xu C, Chang T, Du Y, Yu C, Tan X, Li X. Pharmacokinetics of oral and intravenous cannabidiol and its antidepressant-like effects in chronic mild stress mouse model. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. 2019 Aug;70:103202.
- Millar SA, Stone NL, Yates AS, O'Sullivan SE. A Systematic Review on the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Humans. Front Pharmacol. 2018;9:1365.