CBD use, like the use of many other natural wellness tools, is a personal journey. Everyone has their own unique response to CBD, and there are no one-size-fits-all products or doses. However, there is a singular approach to CBD that has shown to be the most effective, and allows each user to find their own sweet spot while giving the body time to adjust. This article breaks down the logic behind starting with a low dose and building up, why it works, and simple tips for starting your CBD journey.
More CBD isn’t always better
When you have a headache, you may take an ibuprofen, and if it’s a bad headache, you might take two, as the highest safe dose is typically more effective. CBD, unlike many pharmaceuticals and natural supplements, does not work this way. It cannot be considered a quick fix as it’s a long-term wellness tool that requires consistency to be effective. CBD is also not automatically more effective at higher doses, and taking too much can actually result in diminishing returns. So, the logic of “if it’s not working, I must need more,” or “my area of concern is severe so I must need a higher dose” doesn’t work for CBD, and is in fact a common misconception. There is no better or more effective dose than your own sweet spot.
Understanding your sweet spot
As CBD works on a bell curve, too little won’t give you any noticeable effects, too much can lead to reduced efficacy, and the right amount will feel most effective. Therefore, CBD is at its strongest when taken in the dose that suits your body and your individual endocannabinoid system. This dose is known as your CBD sweet spot, and it’s completely unique to you. It can be anywhere from a very low to a very high dose, and the slow build up process helps you find it. Some users find theirs at a low dose and from a single product, while others may need multiple high dose products to feel the same effects. Regardless of where your sweet spot ends up being, starting low and slowly growing is the best way to work it out.
Building up slowly
Building up slowly with CBD takes a combination of patience and consistency. It can take up to eight weeks before any effects become apparent, making patience vital in the early stages of the process. Being consistent in your routine allows CBD to build up gradually while giving your endocannabinoid system time to adapt to and interact with the cannabinoids entering your system. A slow build means your body has the opportunity to adjust to your new routine, makes it easier to notice how different doses affect you, and helps you avoid increasing too quickly and accidentally overshooting your sweet spot.
Example: We recommend starting with a low dose, such as one drop of low strength CBD oil three times per day. Then, you can slowly increase by one drop per interval per week as needed. This means you’d take two drops three times per day on week two, and so on. Once you begin feeling the effects, stop increasing and stay consistent.
Why is this approach often the most successful?
At Simply CBD, we have found that approaching CBD gradually, patiently, and consistently is the most effective way to find the dose that works best for your body. Users following this method typically get more out of their CBD journey than those who dive in head-first. Building up also makes it easier to build a sustainable routine you can stick to, as this is the key to getting the most out of CBD long term once you establish your sweet spot. Plus, finding the right dose is simple when you slowly build to it, rather than working backwards. Building up, or starting low and slowly growing, encourages users to be thoughtful about CBD use, allowing for more informed decisions regarding dose, suitable product types, and usage frequency.
Tips for the building-up process
Here are some simple tips to remember when you’re starting the building up process:
- Start with a low serving size
- Slowly grow as needed to find your sweet spot, following our guidelines
- Once you find your sweet spot, stop increasing your dose and remain consistent
- Focus on finding your own balance rather than rushing to take more
- Reach out for support if you have any questions
- Be patient, effects can take up to eight weeks to start showing while your body adjusts
- Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s
- Be consistent, as CBD is a long-term cumulative tool for wellness rather than a quick fix
Final thoughts
Here are the key points to remember about the “start low and slowly grow” method for using CBD:
- More CBD isn’t necessarily better or more effective, and too much can cause diminishing results.
- Finding your sweet spot is the most important part of your CBD journey, as it will be what you base your ideal dose on going forward.
- Building up slowly makes it easy to find your sweet spot, while also giving your body time to adjust and encouraging a mindful approach to CBD.
- Patience and consistency are essential for a successful CBD journey, both during the building up process and beyond.
