CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory and can be therapeutic for a number of medical indications. I’ve seen great results in patients with anxiety and sleep disorders, adrenal issues, and inflammatory and pain conditions like UC, Crohn’s, RA, fibromyalgia and even simple back pain.
Here are five things you should know about taking CBD, which is well tolerated, safe enough to try yourself and available and legal without a prescription in tincture form.
1. Get the timing right…
CBD is actually activating in the short term, so if you’re using it for sleep take it 4 – 5 hours before bed. If you’re taking it for a medical indication it may be more effective to dose it throughout the day in divided doses than to take it once per day. Three or four doses may give you the best coverage for pain and inflammation.
2. Figure out your dose…
The effective dose of CBD is quite variable from person-to-person, so it may take some trial and error to find your sweet spot. With oil-based formulations (most of the tinctures on the market) the effective dose ranges from 5 to 100 mg per day for different people. The range is tighter for water-based formulations – between 5 and 25 mg per day. I recommend starting with 5 or 10 mg per day and increasing the dose to your tolerance.
3. Be aware of the “Entourage Effect”…
CBD is most effective when mixed with even a small amount of THC, so whole-plant extractions from flowering marijuana (not from hemp) will be the most effective. The increased binding to cannabinoid receptors that is observed when many different cannabinoids are present is called “the entourage effect.:”
THC containing preparations are only available in Colorado or California without a prescription. They may be available in other states with a medical marijuana prescription.
4. Study for your drug test…
CBD may cause you to test positive on a drug test, so if you are tested for work get a note from your doctor or avoid it entirely.
5. CBD won’t make you fat…
Both CBD and THC use are associated with smaller waist circumference. This is the most confusing association I’ve ever read in a medical journal. Perhaps it can be attributed to confounding factors, but nevertheless, CBD is a powerful anti-inflammatory which could have positive effects on body fat. CBD won’t give you the munchies, but higher doses may make you feel relaxed or drowsy.
