Using CBD products, like CBD oil, can help some people manage chronic joint pain symptoms. The initial research that’s being conducted on CBD to treat pain looks encouraging. CBD products may very well be a viable alternative to other pain-relieving substances, like opioids or other medications with harsh side effects (like immunosuppressants), that are often used to manage pain. No matter what ailment you want to treat with CBD, taking an adequate dosage is essential, or it may not work for you. Since CBD isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yet, it can be tough to figure out how much to take since there are no official recommended dosages. Here’s what you need to know to figure out how much CBD you’ll need to manage your pain:

To figure out how much CBD you’ll need to treat your pain, you should start by buying your CBD from a manufacturer that can prove that the product they’re selling really is what they say it is. Start by looking for CBD that’s made by a company that provides a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Certificates of Analysis show exactly what’s in the product you’re buying and will confirm that the product is free of unwanted elements such as heavy metals, pesticides, and molds.

You should also consider the potency and the type of CBD you’ll be buying (full vs broad spectrum). Check the ingredients list to see if the CBD has any other ingredients that may support pain relief. You’ll also want to check the company’s references and see if the product has any complaints with the Better Business Bureau or the FDA. Be careful too if the company you’re considering has made any wild or unsubstantiated claims about their products. With all that said, and if you’re comfortable with the brand of CBD that you’ve purchased, it will help to know how CBD works to combat pain.

You’ll want to consider your body weight (more weight usually means more CBD), the strength of the pain you’re experiencing and what your individual body chemistry is like. Are you one of those people that gets high on an aspirin or do you feel like you need to double your dose of Advil for your aching joints? Keep in mind the type of person you are as well as the magnitude of your pain.

CBD works with a person’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Some research shows that CBD interacts with your body’s immune system via the ECS receptors. Studies are showing that when CBD is taken, the ECS receptors produce an anti-inflammatory response that reduces pain and inflammation which translates to CBD working to reduce both acute and chronic pain.

There are currently many ongoing studies to determine exactly how much CBD to use for pain. A study conducted by the British Pharmacological Society determined that studies that used higher doses tended to have better therapeutic outcomes compared to lower doses overall. It’s pretty impressive when you read that the Journal of Pain Symptom Management found that THC plus CBD is effective in relieving pain in patients with advanced cancer pain that are not fully relieved by using strong opioids. A 2016 study found that just 6.2 mg of a topical CBD gel per day helped decrease joint pain and inflammation in rats with arthritis. The optimal CBD dosage for people with chronic pain ranges between 2.5–20 mg of oral CBD (with or without THC). Some people might need more, especially people with a greater body mass.

If your doctor doesn’t tell you what to take it may be better to start with a lower dose and work your way up. Start with 2.5 to 20 mg a day (or if you’re the high-pain individual that needs more of everything to work, your starting dose can be as high as 40 mg). Increase your doses by 5 mg at a time and continue until you feel that it’s helping your pain.

If your pain is severe, you’re the “high-tolerance type” or you’ve taken CBD before and felt that it didn’t relieve your symptoms, you might start off with a higher dose (start with as much as 40 mg per dose). If that’s not working for you after one week, you could increase your dose to 45 mg for the second week; if you’re still not getting the pain relief you need, you can increase your dose to 50 mg per dose. At this point, you will most likely start to feel some relief.

Keep track of how much CBD you’re taking by keeping a “CBD Diary” and keep some notes about your dosages, your symptoms and if your pain is getting better or not. There is no better way to figure out the dosage of anything than by keeping a dosage/result diary. Keep checking back to our blog for ongoing articles about the latest studies and reports about CBD and how to best use it for pain relief. Also please consider checking out our education page where you can get your questions answered or take a class about your particular ailment and CBD. For help selecting the right CBD type and dose for you, , please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via our “Contact Us” page on our website.