New users of cannabidiol (CBD): if you are just exploring the world of CBD, you’ve probably asked yourself how much CBD should a beginner start with. Valid question, and we totally understand.
You want to have the best possible experience and take a dose that’s both healthy and complete, instead of feeling nervous or unwell during your experience.
Not to worry. We’ve got your back.
If you’ve been wondering how much CBD a newbie should start with, you’re in luck. In this article, week answer that question by exploring the following related topics:
- Three factors that affect how much CBD to take
- Understanding when CBD’s effects kick in
- When to take and pause taking more CBD
- How long do CBD’s effects last
- The importance of finding a CBD distributor you trust
Let’s dive in!
CBD dosages depend on three factors
Knowing how much CBD to take depends on a few key factors. Your body weight and individual body chemistry will affect how much CBD you should take.
With that being said, three other factors are critical in understanding how much to portion out during your cannabidiol experience:
- The form of CBD you prefer taking
- The reason you’re taking CBD
- Whether the CBD will interact with other medications in your system
1. The form of CBD you are using
Form matters.
When determining how much CBD you should take, the form of the CBD plays a large role. The following list includes some of the most common forms of CBD in today’s market.
- CBD oil
- CBD gummies
- CBD capsules
- CBD creams
- CBD lotions
Dosages vary among each form, so you want to be familiar with the directions on the back of each CBD product. For example, a standard dose of our CBD gummies or chewies are 25 milligrams (mg) per gummy.
On the flip side, tinctures and oils contain about one mg per drop. Finally, note that capsules, gummies, and chewies tend to take longer to kick in than CBD oil or CBD tinctures.
2. The purpose of its use
Equally as important to how you use CBD is why you’re using CBD. For instance, some users report that low doses of CBD may contribute to general comfort and ease, though research is ongoing and individual experiences can vary.
The reason you’re choosing to use CBD matters when deciding how much CBD you should take. Some people choose to begin with a low amount and gradually adjust over time to suit their needs. We always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before adjusting intake.
So long as you start low and go slow as the saying goes, you should have a great experience with your cannabis, cannabinoid, and hemp-derived experiences.
3. CBD’s interaction with other medications
Being mindful of drug interactions with CBD, CBC, CBG, CBN, and other cannabinoids is very important when understanding how much CBD you should take.
With that being said, some users report that low doses of CBD may contribute to general comfort and ease, though research is ongoing and individual experiences can vary. What’s more, limited clinical data and research exist on drug interactions, so more research is needed.
Furthermore, CBD may interact with certain medications, as it is processed by enzymes in the liver. For this reason, it’s best to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before introducing CBD into your wellness routine.
If you’re taking prescription medications or other drugs, we always recommend reaching out to your doctor, primary care physician, or trusted healthcare professional.
They will be able to give you advice as to whether CBD may interact with the medication you’re taking.
Understand when the effects of CBD start kicking in
When does CBD start kicking in? You might wonder. The answer depends on in what form you’re taking the CBD.
For example, gummies and chewies go through your digestive tract before they’re absorbed. By the time the absorption process begins, you’re only taking in a small amount of CBD into your body’s systems.
In contrast, when taking CBD oil, the oil is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The result?
The CBD kicks in faster.
Different forms of CBD are associated with different onset times. Some of the most common onset times for various forms of CBD are as follows:
- Gummies and chewies: up to two hours before you feel the effects of CBD
- Oils and tinctures: 15 to 45 minutes before you feel the effects of CBD
- Topical creams and lotions: 45 to 60 minutes
Understand when to take (or not take) more
Should I take more CBD? The short answer is: not right away.
If you take more CBD too soon, you could end up feeling unwanted effects. With that being said, CBD tends to be well-tolerated, even at high doses, but this fact doesn’t mean that large doses are harmless.
Taking large quantities can result in common side effects such as diarrhea, fatigue, and appetite changes. As such, start with low, small doses.
You want to make sure you give the CBD time to work in your body before deciding to take more. Also, consider taking a small dose and then increasing it little by little each week until you reach the desired effects.
How long do CBD’s effects last?
We talked about how long CBD takes to kick in, but once CBD is in your body, how long do the effects last? The answer depends on several factors.
In general, the effects of CBD last from 2-6 hours, depending on how you use it, how much you use, and the tolerances you’ve built up to CBD and other controlled substances.
To best understand how your body reacts to CBD, you may want to take note of the following when using CBD:
- The amount you took, and in which form you ingested it
- When you started feeling the effects
- How strong the effects were, and how long they lasted
Having this information in mind will help you make a more informed decision about CBD in the future.
CBD tips for beginners
If you’re considering CBD, THC, hemp, or other cannabis-based products for you, your pet, or other animal friends, these tips can help set you up to enjoy a comfortable, safe, and effective CBD experience.
When you’re looking for your next CBD, you will want to note the following:
- Top-quality CBD: Many CBD providers are unregulated in the United States. As such, not many providers offer labels on their products, or significant discrepancies may exist between the strength and potency of the substance they’re providing. What’s more, some products include tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabis-based substances that weren’t written on the product label. For quality CBD, We recommend shopping at suppliers that have a National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) certification, as this certificate denotes a company that holds high standards for quality, safety, and transparency.
- Reach out to your trusted healthcare professional: Your healthcare team knows you best, so they can recommend whether CBD is right for you, as well as how much CBD to take. While CBD specialists may be very knowledgeable, we recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before making your final decision.
- Consider using CBD before going to sleep: One of the more common side effects of ingesting CBD is drowsiness. If you’re trying to determine how much CBD is right for you, using CBD before bedtime can give you a better idea of how you’ll feel, that is, until your body understands how to respond to the CBD.
CBD tip for beginners: for your horses
If your horse seems overly stimulated before a run, some owners find that Winner’s Choice Oil helps support a sense of calm. As always, consult your veterinarian before introducing new supplements to your animal’s routine.
One dropper an hour out, and you’ve got a horse that’s in the game, not out of their mind.
This isn’t about taking the try out. It’s about giving them a real chance to show it.
For more helpful CBD tips for your equine friend, your canine pal, and you, check out our Tuesday Tips Instagram page here!
Above all, find the right CBD distributor for you
Fun fact: the market size for broad-spectrum CBD oil is valued at $8.32 billion and is expected to grow over the next decade (ProMarketReports.com, 2025).
That’s alotta CBD.
The question is: do you know where your CBD is coming from, and are you choosing a quality CBD distributor?
For example, all of our CBD is grown locally, 100% organic, all-natural, and non-GMO. That’s right: all of our CBD horse treats, supplements for dogs, and CBD products are third-party, lab-verified, and are free of heavy metals and pesticides.
The trick to knowing how much CBD you should take as a beginner starts with picking the right CBD distributor. That way, if you choose a higher dose, opt for a CBD gummy or edibles, or decide you’re ready for full-spectrum CBD, you will have peace of mind knowing your product comes from a trusted source, carefully formulated with quality and transparency in mind.
If you’re thinking about beginning your CBD journey, we invite you to explore our extensive collection of all-natural hemp-derived CBD products. All of our CBD products are formulated to support your well-being.
To learn more about CBD products for beginners, don’t hesitate to contact us today. We’d be happy to chat with you!
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
PhytosanaCBD: Providing Helpful CBD Education and Products for Beginners!