Potency and Dosage
Demand for cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp far outweighs that of THC derived products and medical marijuana. Consumers look to CBD and other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes for their benefits in health and wellness. However, a lot of new consumers do not understand CBD potency or how to determine it when it comes to their CBD oil. While the CBD industry is thriving, the lack of standardization and regulation makes selecting the ideal CBD product a little confusing for consumers. It can be hard to know exactly what makes CBD oil weaker, stronger, or better for different applications and ailments. You can make more informed decisions about your CBD product purchases by knowing the impact of potency.CBD (in mg) ÷ bottle size (in ml) = CBD strength (in mg/ml)
General Recommended Product Strength by Condition
Several conditions have been helped by using reputable CBD products. Below is a brief summary of conditions with typical product strength. This information should be confirmed by your doctor and not taken as scientifically determined:
STRENGTH |
|||
Condition |
Low | Medium | High |
Anxiety | X | X | |
Arthritis | X | X | |
Cancer* | X | ||
Chronic Pain | X | X | |
Colitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) | X | X | |
Epilepsy* | X | ||
General Health | X | ||
High Blood Pressure | X | X | |
Migraine Headaches | X | X | X |
Muscle Recovery | X | X | |
Nausea | X | X | |
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) | X | X | X |
Insomnia | X | X | X |
Weight Loss | X | X |
General Dosage Chart by Body Weight and Strength (in mg).
This information should be confirmed by your doctor and not taken as scientifically determined:
Weight (pounds) |
Condition Severity |
||
Mild Symptoms | Moderate Symptoms | Heavy Symptoms | |
100 | 10mg | 30mg | 60mg |
125 | 13mg | 38mg | 75mg |
150 | 15mg | 45mg | 90mg |
175 | 17mg | 52mg | 105mg |
200 | 20mg | 60mg | 120mg |
225 | 22mg | 67mg | 135mg |
250 | 25mg | 75mg | 150mg |
Confusion on Strength
Measuring the amount of CBD and the strength of the CBD oil is not as cut and dry as looking at the bottle’s label. You can have two different 1000 mg CBD oil products with totally different concentrations due to there being no standard industry measurement. For instance, a 1000mg – 1oz bottle of oil has twice the strength (potency) per dose as does a 1000mg – 2oz bottle.
Some makers of CBD list purity while others list percentage by volume. The ingredients might list CBD strength per bottle, but not tell you the potency of the CBD by volume. Knowing how much CBD is in the bottle does not tell you the exact amount per serving since there is no industry standard for measuring potency.
Laboratories do strength tests and provide test results at various stages of CBD oil development, as well as identifying other compounds in each sample such as CBN, CBC, or other cannabinoids. Credible brands list the concentration of CBD and other complimentary cannabinoids as a percent on their product’s labels. These percentages are also found in their independent third-party test reports along with other valuable information.
Knowing the potency of a product is important because everyone is different. A CBD oil dose that works for one individual may be completely ineffective for another individual. The difference is in your metabolism and body.
Determining Potency
Potency can be defined as the total amount of cannabinoids you get per serving (dose) from a container of product (tincture dropper, capsule, etc.). For instance, a 10,000mg – 4oz tincture will have the same potency as a 2,500mg – 1oz tincture per serving since the concentration of the two products is the same. In another example, a 5,000mg bottle of 100ct capsules will have twice the potency as a 2,500mg bottle of 100ct capsules. Potency can be simplified into three categories: Low, Medium, and High.
1. Low Potency (approximately 250-500 mg per 30 mL)
Low potency formulas are at one end of the spectrum and are approximately 250-500 mg per 30 ml. They are suggested for people new to CBD. Every individual has a unique endocannabinoid system (ECS) that impacts their CBD oil sensitivity. Low potency formulas are also used for controlling stress levels and enhancing overall health and well-being. A low dosage could be considered taking 1mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. For example, a 100-pound person would take 10mg of CBD in a single dose.
2. Mid Potency (approximately 500-1000 mg per 30 mL)
Mid potency CBD is an ideal fit for individuals needing to take several doses of low potency formulas every day or for people who do not experience the symptom relief they desire from low strength options. 750 mg per 30 mL would be considered a mid-strength oil. Mid potency CBD oils are ideal for managing pain like arthritis or for conditions like anxiety. A mid-dose could be considered taking 3mg of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. For example, a 100-pound person would take 30mg of CBD in a single dose.
3. High Potency(1000+ mg per 30 mL)
At a potency of around 1000 mg or more per 30 mL, high potency oils are typically reserved for those experiencing things like:
- Intense pain conditions
- Sleep problems
- Daily high levels of anxiety or stress
- Migraines
If this is your first time using CBD, you might be wary of going straight for a high potency strength until you are used to CBD and its effects. A high dose could be considered taking 6mg or more of CBD per 10 pounds of body weight. For example, a 100-pound person would take 60mg or more of CBD in a single dose.
If not listed on the label, strength can be determined by doing a little math: