Your CBD dosage guide for inflammation

Before we go any further, let’s be crystal clear on one point. CBD does not provide the same level of symptom control at the same dose for everyone. 

Why? 

Your individual response depends on your physiology, your symptoms, and the type of CBD (or medical cannabis) product you take.

Why do individual responses to CBD dosage for inflammation vary?

It’s simple (but potentially slightly confusing) at the same time. Most of us are used to conventional treatment options with very clearly defined doses, but that's just not the way that cannabis-based treatment options always work. 

Sure, there are guidelines, which we go into in great detail further down this write-up, but keep in mind that your ideal CBD dosage for inflammation depends on your physiology (weight, metabolism, etc.), your individual endocannabinoid system tone, your symptoms and the type of CBD or prescribed medical cannabis product you choose. 

These differences mean that two people with the same health condition and symptoms may still need very different CBD doses.

For a full explanation on how medical cannabis (including CBD) may help reduce inflammation, head to Medical cannabis for inflammation: evidence, treatment options, and safety (Updated)

Key factors that affect CBD dose and efficacy for inflammation

How you choose to take your CBD has a big impact on how quickly you may feel the effects and how long the effects last. 

• Your metabolic speed influences how quickly CBD is cleared from your system, which can affect how long any benefits last.
• Differences in liver enzyme activity affect how CBD is processed in your body, leading to variation in how it is absorbed among people using similar doses.
• Body composition, including weight and body fat, can influence how CBD is distributed and how long it remains in your system.
• How long and/or how serious your individual inflammation pattern is can influence the dose you find most comfortable or effective.
• Prior CBD exposure can affect tolerance, although if you have not taken CBD for a few days, your tolerance for CBD should usually reset.
• The way you absorb orally administered CBD can vary depending on whether you take it with food, especially meals that contain some fat.
• When CBD is taken orally and swallowed, some of it is lost during digestion and first-pass metabolism, which can increase the amount needed compared to other formats.
• Some prescription medicines can alter how your liver processes CBD, which may change the dose that feels right for you.
• The regulatory oversight that governs ‘over-the-counter’ CBD products is far less stringent than that placed on UK medical cannabis products, meaning products that you are used to, and may not offer the predictable strength or stability needed when you are trying to find a comfortable dose.

How to choose the right starting CBD dose for inflammation

A typical starting CBD dose for inflammation is between 10 and 30 mg per day, increased slowly by around 5 mg per week until you notice a meaningful change. 

Unfortunately, and as we have been discussing above, there is no universal rule when it comes to finding the correct CBD mg dose for inflammation (or any other health concern, for that matter). Every person responds at least somewhat differently to CBD, but there are some rough guidelines, which all begin with Titration. 

What is CBD titration?

Titration refers to starting with a low dose, and slowly increasing (by about 5 mg per week) until you begin to notice a positive response in your inflammation symptoms. 

We recommend that you keep notes explaining your CBD dosage levels and how it affects your symptoms, perhaps using a 1 to 10 rating system. This gradual approach helps you find the ideal CBD dose for pain and inflammation, one that offers the most consistent support for your symptoms long term. 

But where do you start? 

CBD dosage ranges for inflammation

If you decide to go down the ‘over-the-counter’ route, keep in mind that different CBD products have different levels of CBD.

CBD titration timeline (example guide)

Note: These ranges reflect general guidance rather than confirmed clinical dosing. Clinical supervision is recommended for higher doses or complex symptoms.

How clinicians determine starting ranges

This is where it becomes quite apparent why there is such a stark difference between general CBD advice and what happens when you reach out to a medical cannabis clinic. Only doctors on the GMC Specialist Register can legally prescribe medical cannabis products in the UK, and before they do so, there are many steps and checks they must take to ensure that medical cannabis treatment is right for your health needs. 

Here at Releaf, we have a truly world-class clinical team, which includes not just our prescribing specialists but also highly experienced GPs, nurses, and clinical support staff who are there to help support the specialist team and guide you through each stage of treatment. 

Together, they review your medical history, symptom patterns, and your day-to-day function and challenges before they prescribe any medical cannabis products and starting dose. 

If you are interested in accessing a legal UK medical cannabis prescription, so you can purchase your CBD from fully regulated sources, feel free to head to our medical cannabis eligibility checker. It costs absolutely nothing, takes just 20 seconds to complete, and will help you understand whether medical cannabis treatment may be suitable for your symptoms.

How do product types affect CBD dosing for inflammation?

The first thing we need to talk about here is the range of bioavailability (which is the level of any substance that enters your bloodstream) that comes with different CBD formats. The following is a general outline of the bioavailability levels of CBD products:

• Topical CBD: less than 1%
• Orally administered CBD: 5 - 15%
• Sublingual CBD oil: 30%
• CBD vapes: more than 50%

But what does that mean? 

A higher percentage means more CBD becomes available for your body to use, and a lower percentage means more is lost during absorption. This is why two products with the same mg amount can feel very different once you take them

• Topical products (CBD creams and balms) have a very low bioavailability because they are applied to the surface of your skin, which means very little of the CBD ever enters the bloodstream. 
• If you swallow your CBD (CBD oil, gummies, drinks, etc.), only a portion actually makes it through to the bloodstream. It has to pass through the liver and digestive system, where some of the CBD is broken down in a process called first-pass metabolism. 
• Sublingual CBD oil (taken under the tongue and held for 60 to 90 seconds so the oil can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream) partially bypasses the digestive system, which will increase the proportion of CBD in your system.
• Inhaled CBD has the highest bioavailability of all consumer formats because it enters the bloodstream through the lungs. This is why vaped or prescribed inhaled CBD can feel more noticeable at a lower mg amount, although the effects do not last as long as oral or sublingual options.

What safety considerations matter when taking CBD for inflammation?

In the vast majority of clinical trials and real-world studies, CBD is well tolerated, but that doesn't mean there are zero important considerations to keep in mind.

CBD can interact with some prescribed medications, mostly those that work through the same metabolic pathways in the liver. That is not to say you can’t take CBD at all if you do take these types of conventional medications, but it does make clinical guidance especially important. 

Medicines that may interact with CBD

• Anticoagulants
• Antiepileptic medicines
• Benzodiazepines
• Certain antidepressants
• Macrolide antibiotics
• Calcium channel blockers
• Immunosuppressants

CBD side effects

Most side effects reported are mild and usually settle once you have your dose dialled in and your body get used to having CBD regularly. The more common side effects include dry mouth, digestive discomfort, drowsiness, changes in appetite or occasional lightheadedness.

Taking your CBD at the same time as you eat, reducing the dosage, and splitting the dose across a few hours can help you manage any issues that may pop up. 

FAQs on CBD for inflammation

How much CBD should I take for inflammation?

That depends on a wide range of factors, but a normal starting dose is usually 10 to 30 mg of CBD. Take this level for a few days, and if you don’t notice any improvements, you can try adding 5 mg each week to your daily dosing routine. Only increase by 5 mg per week 

How long does CBD take to work?

Again, that depends on many factors, including CBD product type and strength, the condition/symptoms being targeted, and your own physiology. Some patients feel noticeable improvements within minutes, while others need a few days or weeks of regular CBD administration before they experience noticeable effects. 

Onset varies by format, with inhaled CBD working within minutes, sublingual oils around 15 to 45 minutes and oral products often taking 45 to 120 minutes.

Can CBD interact with my medicines?

Yes, CBD can interact with some conventional medications. If you are currently taking any medications, it is best to have a consultation with a specialist medical cannabis prescriber before you start taking any CBD. 

Can I overdose on CBD?

There is no evidence of life-threatening overdoses with CBD in clinical studies, even at high doses. A study from 2017 found that participants who were taking a very high dose of 1,500 mg of CBD per day showed no signs of serious side effects. 

That said, it is still important to follow recommended dosages and consult with a medical cannabis prescriber if you have any concerns or experience any negative reactions while taking CBD.

Will I need THC as well as CBD?

Potentially. THC has been shown to offer higher levels of pain relief than CBD alone, and also comes with a list of other potential therapeutic benefits that CBD simply does not offer. 

The CBD oil vs medical cannabis oil debate rages on online, but it is safe to say that prescribed medical cannabis oil options can offer more targeted, higher-strength formulations backed by specialist clinician supervision and a much higher level of regulatory oversight compared to ‘over-the-counter’ CBD options.

If you would like to learn more about the potential benefits of fully regulated and legal UK medical cannabis options that include both CBD and THC, head to Releaf’s UK medical cannabis eligibility checker.

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