Cannabidiol or CBD is a naturally-occurring chemical compound found in the hemp plant. Along with tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, it is the most studied and understood. But, both compounds offer relief from pain and illness. The main difference is that THC still has psychoactive elements that will get you high. CBD helps ease symptoms without the high. Because of this, CBD is quite popular among those who want a natural treatment for a lot of chronic health issues. Most patients especially opt for CBD oil. If you are interested in CBD oil, you want to get the most out of it. Here’s how:
Know the Right Dosage
While there are basic dosage guidelines for using CBD, these do not consider your specific needs and things like your age, current conditions, body weight, or any nutritional deficiencies you may have. Also, you must look at whether you already have a medication plan or starting a new one. For every 100 pounds of weight, 25mg per day is a good starting point. You can just adjust, depending on your body fat versus lean muscle. For instance, if your body tends to have more lean muscle, you can take a higher dose.
Moreover, you must also take into account how you are taking your dosage. If you take it orally, only 5% to 15% of the CBD enters systemic circulation. The ideal way to take CBD oil is sublingually or under the tongue. This has to do with the presence of more nerve endings and receptors under the tongue that let you feel the full benefit of every dose.
Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
To ensure CBD oil works best, use it with a healthy, organic diet without processed foods. This ensures the food you consume does not counteract the effects of the CBD, rendering it less potent. Make sure to eliminate fats and sugars from your diet, and increase your intake of organic fruits and vegetables, along with nuts and grains.
Also, you must stay physically active. This will help improve your mood and reduce or maintain your weight, which is a part of determining the correct dosage for you.
Consider Cannabinoid Receptors
The body’s endocannabinoid system has CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors. CB14 is in the lungs, liver, and kidneys; however, mainly in the central nervous system. CB2 is in hematopoietic cells and the immune system. Over time, such pathways can slow down or even stop, compromising the functions of your body’s receptors. In turn, this impacts how you get medicine. CBD can help slowly heal such receptors. If your body has more receptor sites, you may need a higher dose to feel any effects.