How to find the proper CBD dosage for you, according to medical cannabis experts

• How much CBD you should take depends on your weight, body chemistry, and condition.
• For example, CBD dosages for anxiety range from 400 to 600 mg a day.
• Determining your CBD dosage will take some trial-and-error and you should discuss it with a doctor.

CBD is one of more than 60 active compounds found in the cannabis plant. It's used to treat childhood epilepsy, but is also being studied as a way to manage and treat conditions including anxiety, schizophrenia, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

However, how much CBD you need for these conditions, or otherwise, is unclear. That's because CBD is not regulated by the FDA and therefore lacks any official dosing guidelines.

That said, preliminary research provides a basic understanding of how much CBD can be effective for certain conditions and groups of people. Here's what researchers know so far about CBD's dosage and effects.

Important: Unlike THC - another common compound in marijuana - CBD is non-intoxicating and won't make you feel "high."

How to determine CBD dosage?

Related Article Module: What's the difference between CBD and THC? Understanding their health benefits and side effects

How much CBD you should take depends on multiple factors like body weight and genetics. Usually finding the right dose comes down to good, old-fashioned trial and error.

However, before experimenting with different CBD doses, you should talk to your doctor since there are no regulated dosing guidelines. Plus, studies on CBD's effects include a wide range of doses, from "lower" doses of 10mg to 100 mg to "higher" doses of 100 mg to 1,500 mg, making it even more difficult to determine the proper dose on your own, says Anthony Ferrari, PhD, the Chief Science Officer of Your CBD Store, a nationwide CBD retail and research company.

How much CBD is in a drop of CBD oil? CBD oil typically comes in dropper bottles with a single drop containing about 0.05 ml. A product's packaging will tell you how much CBD is in the bottle, which can help you determine how much CBD is in a single drop. For example, if a 20 ml bottle containing 2,000 mg of CBD contains 400 drops, then each drop would contain around 5 mg of CBD.

Further muddling the dosing equation is the fact that some CBD products, known as isolates, contain only CBD, while others are "full-spectrum" and contain other cannabinoids, like THC. The additional cannabinoids in full-spectrum formulas might modulate CBD's effects, thus altering how much you need to take, Ferrari says.

Factors that influence how much CBD you should take include:

• Bodyweight: Studies examining CBD's effects use different doses depending on their body weight. These doses typically range from 5 to 20 mg per kilogram of body weight.
• The condition being treated: "We suggest a lower dosage for ailments such as anxiety and a higher dosage for ailments such as sleep, chronic pain, and cancer," Ferrari says.
• Your individual body chemistry: Individuals respond differently to varying dosages of CBD due to their individual genetics and brain chemistry, says Jordan Tishler, MD, president of the Association of Cannabis Specialists and CEO of medical cannabis practice inahleMD. For example, a dose that might make one person feel slightly drowsy might cause unmanageable fatigue in another.

CBD dosage based on conditions

Clinical trials on CBD are limited and existing studies use a wide range of doses to treat various conditions. Here's what we know so far:

Anxiety

Studies examining CBD's effects on anxiety use varying doses, typically ranging from 400 mg to 600 mg per day. In a small 2017 study, test subjects reported reduced anxiety after taking a 300 mg dose of CBD.

Schizophrenia

In a couple of small studies, CBD doses ranging from 600 mg to 1500 mg per day were shown to reduce some symptoms of psychosis due to schizophrenia.

Can you take too much CBD?

CBD is generally considered to be safe and well-tolerated in doses up to 1500mg per day. While there's a real risk of fatal overdose when using drugs like opiates or alcohol, taking too much CBD is more likely to result in sleepiness and perhaps an upset stomach.

Side effects are typically mild and include:

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Diarrhea
• Nausea

In rare instances, CBD could cause liver damage. A 2019 animal study found that liver damage occurred when mice were given high doses of CBD - the human equivalent of 200 mg of CBD per kilogram of body weight. It's not clear if these findings are applicable to humans.

Related Article Module: Why you should never use weed during pregnancy even if it's an edible

"If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking any other medications, you should discuss your CBD journey with a primary care physician, Ferrari says. "Everyone experiences the effects of CBD differently and you should always monitor your body's reactions."

Warning: Taking CBD in addition to other medications that cause drowsiness - like benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, or alcohol - may lead to increased drowsiness, accidental falls, or accidents while driving.

Insider's takeaway

Emerging research suggests CBD is a promising and low-risk treatment for a number of conditions - but like all medications, you need to be cognizant of dose. Because there are no regulated dosing guidelines, it's especially important to talk to your doctor before starting a CBD regime.

"Maintaining open communication with your physician is the key to overall success when first incorporating CBD into your routine, especially for those with complicated health issues," Ferrari says.

What's the difference between CBD and THC? Understanding their health benefits and side effectsScience-backed health benefits of CBD and how to use it safely and effectivelyEverything you need to know about THC including 4 health benefits, potential risks, and how long it stays in your systemConsidering medical marijuana? How to get a card and potential uses