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This guest column is from Scott Mazza, co-founder of Buffalo-based Vitality CBD. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of NY Cannabis Insider.
How much CBD is too much CBD? It’s a good question with an answer that’s eluded the industry and scientists for years – until now.
Last month, the journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology published a study that collected dependable data from multiple peer-reviewed studies and crunched the numbers.
For the first time, the researchers report the maximum daily dose for “healthy” adults is up to 160 milligrams (mg) of CBD. Meanwhile, those trying to conceive, are pregnant, or breastfeeding should not exceed a daily upper limit dose of 70 mg.
This is a big step in moving the industry away from dosage “guesstimates” and toward science- and health-informed decisions, especially as the compound becomes an integral dietary supplement for millions in the United States.
Let’s explore.
The question of CBD dosage
It’s important to remember that CBD is still in its nascent years. The compound has only been available in the mainstream for about five years and there simply aren’t long-term health studies to inform regulators, scientists, and medical professionals.
It’s for this reason we have vague dosage guidelines. For example, the accepted rule of thumb is to “start low and go slow.” In general, the industry recommends that consumers start with the lowest dosage and increase by 5 mg over time to find the right personal dose.
However, with millions of people taking CBD for perceived mental and physical health benefits, and millions more expected to turn to the compound over the coming decade, this isn’t good enough. A serious medical industry requires serious medical advice. Specifically, consumers need to know what, if any, risks are involved and how much they should aim for on a daily basis.
What science says
This is exactly what scientists set out to answer.
After extensive examination, the recent study – funded by Canopy Growth Corporation and Charlotte’s Web, Inc. – put forward a recommended daily CBD intake limit for the general population. The “acceptable” daily dosage is 0.43 mg of CBD per kilogram of body weight. To put this in practical terms, a 150-pound adult should aim for a daily intake of approximately 30 mg. It’s important to note that this daily limit encompasses all age groups, including sensitive populations such as children, over an entire lifetime.
Further, the research outlines specific “upper limit intake” recommendations for different kinds of people.
For instance, considering the potential reproductive effects observed in animal studies, adults who are actively attempting to conceive, are pregnant, or lactating are advised to limit their daily CBD intake to no more than 70 mg. For adults who may be at risk of liver injury, the study recommends an upper limit set at 100 mg per day. Finally, for adults not deemed at risk for liver injury, a maximum daily intake of 160 mg is considered safe.
In short, the guidelines give pause for thought to those with liver issues or looking to have children. While CBD is neither toxic, addictive, or lethal, some animal and human studies show adverse reactions for these groups.
For example, elevated liver enzyme levels have been associated with CBD, potentially posing a risk of liver damage. However, this occurrence is typically associated with the consumption of exceptionally high doses, which underscores the importance of adhering to the daily upper limits proposed in this study.
Meanwhile, other studies suggest that CBD may lead to developmental and reproductive toxicity in animals. Again, the study sets an important guardrail for this population to mitigate these potential side effects.
A step in the right direction for CBD
This kind of information is well overdue. As I’ve written previously for NY Cannabis Insider, science and society are taking the compound evermore seriously. As they should. Maximum dosage limits are another step in the right direction to leveraging the compound in health and wellness.
Additionally, it’s exciting to think that producers and consumers can now make better-informed choices. Who knows, perhaps products will soon display suggested daily doses on labels with clear purity and potency details.
The truth is that no one size fits all when it comes to CBD dosage. Tolerance, weight and height mean that what works for one person might not for another. Additionally, the “why” also affects dosage. If, for example, your reason for taking CBD involves painful or uncomfortable symptoms, then you’ll more than likely require a higher dose than others.
This is not an exact science, at least not yet, but this insight into maximum daily doses offers a much-needed safety net for varied populations.