Countless thousands of people around the world have experienced almost unbelievable levels of relaxation after trying cannabidiol (CBD) — a simple, non-intoxicating compound found in the hemp plant. If it’s true that CBD helps you relax, how much of the cannabinoid do you need to take to enjoy this intended effect? There’s no known danger of overdose when it comes to CBD, but still, choosing an optimized dose is best for both your body and your finances.
Over the course of this guide, you’ll learn how much CBD you need to relax, taking into account:
- Individual factors & differences between CBD product types
- Various consumption methods
- Your specific desired effects
- Overall dosage tips
- & much more!
By the end, you’ll know exactly how much CBD to take when you want to relax and put your cares behind you. Let’s dive in.
Does CBD Help You Relax?
Yes, CBD generally helps you relax. Don’t take that as a guarantee — CBD affects everyone slightly differently, and more than a decade later, the FDA still hasn’t ruled on what CBD can and can’t do from an official, legal perspective. But, overall, and across thousands (if not millions!) of individual testimonies, CBD is widely known as a substance that helps you relax with practically zero negative consequences.
For some people, CBD is so relaxing that it makes them fall asleep. Others might just feel slightly happier or at ease. A lot of this variance has to do with the dosage chosen, but there are many other factors that can impact how much CBD relaxes you as well.
Factors That Influence CBD Dosage for Relaxing
Some examples of variables that might alter the relaxing effects of CBD include:
Individual Factors
Each person’s body responds differently to CBD based on a combination of factors including body weight, metabolism, age, and overall sensitivity to cannabinoids. Health conditions, including chronic anxiety and stress, can change how strongly CBD affects you, as can the presence of other medications, which can impact CBD metabolism.
CBD Product Potency
One of the most commonly overlooked factors affecting CBD’s relaxing power is the comparative dosage of different products. 25mg CBD gummies will provide 2.5x the relaxing power as 10mg gummies, for instance, so consider choosing a higher-dose product if CBD doesn’t provide the relaxing effects you expected.
Consumption Method
Taken orally, CBD might not kick in for 30-45 minutes, potentially making you believe at first that you didn’t ingest an effective dose. It’s also a common misconception that topical CBD products are relaxing too — applied topically, CBD doesn’t reach your central nervous system, so CBD lotions and creams won’t have a relaxing effect.
- To make oral CBD kick in faster, try a tincture (CBD oil)
- Hold the oil under your tongue for 30-60 seconds before swallowing
- This provides better bioavailability and faster activation times
Desired Effect
It’s hard to understand exactly how CBD will affect you if you’ve never used it. You might expect CBD to offer a more-intoxicating effect, similar to other cannabinoids you’ve tried. The effects of CBD can also be so subtle that you might not even notice you’ve become relaxed at first — try asking the people around you if you seem more calm, and keep using CBD for a couple of days, looking out for a cumulative effect.
How Much CBD Should You Take to Relax?
While it’s nearly impossible to take too much CBD from an overdose perspective, it’s a fact that each human body responds best to a particular dosage of CBD. If your goal is to relax throughout the day without falling asleep, for instance, keeping within this ideal dosage range is absolutely critical.
- 5-10mg: Best for beginners or those seeking very light relaxation
- 25mg: The average dose for both CBD newbies and experts seeking reliable relaxation
- 50mg+: Generally excessive; might cause sleepiness
- 100mg+: Only appropriate for long-term CBD users with a tolerance
Best CBD Products for Stress and Relaxation
As you’ve learned so far, which CBD product is best for relaxation depends on both personal preferences and physiological parameters. Keeping that in mind, Colorado Botanicals has developed four different stress-beating CBD products, each with their own unique attributes:
Stress-Free CBD Gummies
Our Stress-Free CBD Gummies blend a slightly lower dose of CBD with various natural nootropics and adaptogens for an overall solution to stress that naturally induces relaxation.
- 15mg CBD per gummy
- Features Ashwagandha, L-Theanine, Magnesium, & Lemon Balm
- Also boosted with Safr’Inside™, a patented bioavailable form of saffron
- Full-spectrum CBD extract
- Perfect for stress and relaxing
Happy Mood CBD Gummies
Colorado Botanicals Happy Mood Gummies combine 15mg CBD with a blend of natural ingredients designed to boost your mood, helping you feel more relaxed in the process.
- 15mg full-spectrum CBD per gummy
- Includes Ashwagandha, Rhodiola Rosea, 5-HTP, L-Theanine, Magnesium, and Vitamin D
- Features Safr’Inside™, offering similar results to prescription anti-anxiety medications
- Perfect for improving mood and reducing stress
CBD Oil for Calm
Our Calm CBD Oil includes a higher dose of CBD and is boosted with a whole medley of minor cannabinoids, naturally extracted from hemp.
- Features 750mg full-spectrum CBD per bottle
- Also 30mg each CBN and CBDV, which have shown to have sedative and muscle relaxing effects
- Additional cannabinoids: CBG, CBC, CBDV, CBT, CBL, and CBE
- Rich in natural terpenes and flavonoids
- Mint & Unflavored flavor options
Original CBD Gummies
For some people, plain CBD does the trick the best when a little extra relaxation is exactly what the doctor ordered. Colorado Botanicals 25mg CBD Gummies are a tasty and beneficial treat to take anytime of day.
- 25mg CBD per gummy
- Broad-spectrum CBD extract — 0.0% THC
- Minor cannabinoids include CBG, CBC, CBN, CBDV, CBT, CBL, & CBE
- Orange Burst & Strawberry Splash natural flavors
- No corn syrup, preservatives, or artificial flavors
CBD Dosage Tips for Relaxing
As you gain experience in using CBD for relaxation, you’ll naturally fall into a healthy rhythm. To get you started, here are some general CBD dosage guidelines to follow:
Starting Point
- Start with a low dose. 5-10mg per day is ideal for CBD beginners
- Gradually increase the dose by 5mg every few days until you experience the desired effects
General Dosage Ranges
- For slight relaxation without sleepiness, try 10-20mg per dose
- For both relaxation & stress relief, try 20-50mg per dose
- For powerful relaxation that also might cause sleepiness, try 50mg or more per dose
- Consult with a doctor for doses of 50mg or above
Dosing by Weight
- Calculate CBD dosage by weight for pinpoint effects
- Generally, 1-2mg CBD per 10 pounds of body weight provides mild relaxing effects
- If you weigh 150 pounds, for instance, a dose of 15-30mg CBD is likely appropriate
Timing and Frequency
- Take oral CBD around 30 minutes before you’re likely to experience stress
- Enjoy CBD in the evening for overall relaxation and relief from daily stressors
- Ingest oral CBD every 3-6 hours or so for continuous effects
Monitor Effects
- Using your phone or physical paper, keep a dosage journal to track how much CBD you use and its effects
- Adjust your dose over time based on the results you collect
- Share your dose journal with a doctor if you experience negative effects
How to Choose the Right CBD Product to Relax
Over the last decade, the CBD market has become flooded with products. Some of them are excellent, but other CBD products could be ineffective or even dangerous due to their low quality. Follow these 5 simple steps to make sure you end up with a winning CBD product that suits your needs:
Product Focus
- Some CBD products are specifically designed to be relaxing
- Keep an eye out for keywords like “Relax,” “Stress, and “Calm” when sorting through the names of CBD products
- Certain CBD products for stress even introduce CBN for a synergistic effect
- CBD can also synergize with non-hemp compounds like ashwagandha or saffron
- Even standard products with only CBD can be very useful when they’re pure and high-quality
Buy Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum
- Isolate CBD, which only includes the CBD molecule, has mostly been phased out
- Broad-spectrum is a newer alternative, which features 0.0% THC but keeps the other beneficial compounds in hemp intact (minor cannabinoids, terpenes, etc.)
- Full-spectrum CBD may be more effective due to the presence of trace amounts of THC, but it can be problematic for drug testing purposes
Check the COA
- While not mandated by law, COAs (Certificates of Analysis) allow CBD manufacturers to assure customers that their products are safe and high-quality
- A complete COA includes information on cannabinoids, terpenes, and common contaminants
- Research the lab that provided the COA to ensure it is reputable and independent
Read Reviews
- Customer reviews often tell you more about whether a CBD product is right for you than product descriptions
- Reviews on a CBD brand’s website can be manipulated, however
- That’s why you should also look for reviews on independent sites like Trustpilot
Brand Reputation
- In addition to reading reviews, check the CBD brand’s reputation in other ways
- Start by checking sites like Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- You can also try reaching out to the brand directly by phone or email
- How they respond will tell you a lot about the company and how seriously they take CBD
Conclusion: Taking CBD to Relax
The right CBD dose for relaxation depends on the person, and it also depends on the CBD product. Instead of trying CBD blindly and expecting specific results, use the tips and tricks provided in this guide to scientifically choose the best dose for your particular needs.
All over the world, people with sleep disorders, daily stress, and other mental health issues have described incredible improvements after using CBD. What’s truly remarkable is how CBD helps without harm — unlike so many modern treatments for stress, CBD has a nearly non-existent side effect profile.
Tired of taking prescription medications to relax? Research suggests CBD might be just the alternative you were looking for. Start enjoying the therapeutic benefits of CBD today, and consult with a doctor if you need more assistance pinpointing the correct dose of this incredible, natural cannabinoid.