As a first-time CBD user, it’s worth knowing that there are a range of simple mistakes people often make at the start of their CBD journeys. These mishaps can negatively impact your overall CBD experience. Understanding what not to do can help you get the most out of your CBD journey over time. This article highlights common beginner pitfalls and how to avoid them.
1. Not reading the label properly
CBD labels can feel confusing at first, and misunderstanding them can cause various issues for your use of CBD. For example, if you were to muddle up the meanings of mg, ml, and % concentration, you would likely take the incorrect dose for your needs. For reference:
- “mg” is the total milligrams of CBD in the product
- ml is the total volume of the product (including the carrier oil)
- Percentage concentration (%) shows what portion of the total product volume (ml) is made up of the CBD content (mg).
Make sure to always check the total CBD as well as the concentration of CBD in each serving to understand the accurate dosing info of your chosen product.
Read More: CBD Terminology Guide
2. Taking too much at once
When you start your CBD journey, try to take a measured approach to avoid overloading your system. While you may be eager to feel the effects, taking a higher dose right away isn’t the way to get there. CBD works on a bell curve, so taking too much can lead to diminishing results, which is the opposite of the desired effect. It’s advisable to start with a low dose and slowly build up over the course of around eight weeks or until you find your CBD sweet spot (the dose that provides desired results). Everyone’s sweet spot is different and unique to them. Yours may be as low as your starter dose or much higher, but the best way to find it is following the gradual building up process with patience and consistency.
3. Being inconsistent
If there were one word to describe a successful CBD journey, it would be consistency. CBD takes time to build up in your system, often up to eight weeks from your first dose. This is essential for feeling the effects of CBD. In order to support this building up process and help your endocannabinoid system ‘wake up’, you’ll need to take your CBD consistently. Skipping days, taking irregular doses, or taking doses at random times can all produce inconsistent results. To ensure CBD can build up effectively in your system, try to take your CBD at the same time(s) every day. You can work this around your schedule to ensure it's tailored to your needs and daily routine, making it easier to remember and stick with over time.
4. Choosing the wrong product type for you
Your CBD sweet spot is unique to you, as is the product type(s) that will work best for your needs and preferences. Overlooking the importance of understanding each product type and what it has to offer can lead to unrealistic and unfulfilled expectations of unsuitable products. For example, it would be a mistake to select a topical product (like a balm) expecting systemic results as topical products don’t enter the bloodstream and can only provide localised benefits. In this case, patches would be more suitable, as they’re still applied to the skin but work transdermally to enter the bloodstream and provide overall wellness benefits in addition to localised support. It’s important to pick a product type that suits your daily life and routine as well as your CBD goals, as this will make it easier to incorporate on a consistent basis.
5. Poor storage or handling
Properly storing and handling your CBD products is essential for maintaining their quality, potency, texture, and flavour, all of which contribute to your overall CBD experience. A cool dry place out of direct sunlight is ideal. The mistakes occur when people leave them in direct sunlight or expose them to extreme temperatures. Additionally, improperly sealing the packaging, whether it be an oil bottle or a pack of gummies, is crucial for preventing issues caused by moisture and oxygen. It also helps avoid accidentally wasting some of the product with spills or leaks. To keep your CBD products in top quality condition for longer, ensure they are properly sealed following use and kept somewhere cool, dry, and dark.
Key takeaways
Here are the key points to remember about common first time CBD user mistakes:
- Being aware of what not to do can help you have a more successful CBD journey.
- Ensure you read the label properly and understand the terminology used so you can use the product correctly.
- Avoid taking too much at once and instead aim for a gradual build up to your sweet spot.
- Be as consistent as possible with your CBD usage to allow it to build up in your system and provide ongoing support over time.
- Select a CBD product that suits your needs, preferences, lifestyle, and CBD goals.
- Ensure you always properly seal your CBD products and store them in a cool, dry, dark place (away from direct sunlight and moisture).
