One question people invariably have when starting out with CBD is: How do I figure out how much CBD I am actually getting from this bottle, gummy, etc.?
Edibles such as gummies are generally easy to figure out. If the label on a package of gummies says 15ct x 25mg, then each gummy should contain 25mg of CBD.
Topicals may, like tinctures and vapes, tend to be marked as higher strength. This is because if you have say a 5oz. bottle of balm, then all five ounces will make up the entirety of the milligram strength. So a 5oz. 500mg bottle would break down to 100ml per ounce. A half ounce would be 50mg, etc.
Sublingual tinctures and vape liquids are similar as they generally come in 30oz. bottles. Big Heart sells its vape liquid in 30oz. bottles for instance. The breakdown is as follows:
| 100mg / 30ml | = 3.33mg per milliliter |
| 250mg / 30ml | = 8.33mg per milliliter |
| 500mg / 30ml | = 16.66mg per milliliter |
| 1000mg / 30ml | = 33.33mg per milliliter |
Remember, the daily amount required for CBD to be effective differs from person to person. Generally the more you weigh the more intake you require. But beyond that a lot depends upon your particular metabolism and physiology. Finally, the type of CBD you consume — isolate, broad spectrum, full spectrum or whole plant — may make a difference. Below are some guidelines. But remember too these are just guidelines. It is best to start with a lower amount and work your way up. Here’s a chart from our friends at Hemp Lively:
When it comes to CBD, or really any supplement, it matters the delivery method! When determining how much CBD you’re taking in keep in mind the uptake efficacy of your preferred method. Below is a chart of general uptake for different CBD products:
| Edibles/Gummies | 5-15% |
| Sublingual Tinctures | 20-30% |
| Topicals | 35-40% |
| Vapes | 40-50% |
Basically, all this means is that you’ll have to do a little more math. For example:
Let’s say you have a 30ml bottle of 500mg vape juice. How much CBD are you actually taking in?
500mg / 30ml = 16.66mg
So if you vape one milliliter you’re taking in 16.66mg of CBD. But to understand how much of that is actually getting into your bloodstream you need to calculate further:
16.66mg in one milliliter of vape juice x 50% uptake = 8.33mg per milliliter
So there you have it. As a method of delivery vape has the highest rate of uptake. Whether or not it’s the way to go remains a matter of personal choice.
The good news is that there are a lot of options. It just takes some experimentation to determine which method of delivery, strength and type of CBD is best for you.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of this product has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.