We hear stories like this from time to time — You bought some CBD oil but it didn’t work. You made a purchase, started using it, and… nothing. If this has happened to you, you’re not alone.
Your friends are all raving about their experiences with CBD oil. Maybe even your doctor recommended it to you. But for you, it just didn’t happen. Are they all rubes?
Before you decide that CBD is just another snake oil, consider some of the reasons that CBD might not be working for you:
- You need to give it more time.
- You’ve chosen the wrong delivery method.
- You need to change your dosage.
- It’s an inferior product.
- It’s just not your thing.
#1: You need to give it more time.
With CBD, patience is key. Immediate results with CBD are not all that common. You shouldn’t expect instant relief from your issues. Many people take CBD for several weeks before they see a difference. It’s not the same as drugs like aspirin, where you can feel the effects a few minutes later. It’s only on rare occasions that you will get anything like “instant gratification” with CBD.
#2: You’ve chosen the wrong delivery method
You can get CBD in a myriad of delivery methods these days. The most common forms to take CBD are:
- CBD Oils
- CBD Capsules
- CBD Gummies
- CBD Creams
- CBD Balms
Each form of CBD delivery has different levels of bioavailability — how much of the CBD makes it into your bloodstream. For example, capsules and gummies must first travel through the digestive system before they’re absorbed into the bloodstream. That means they may lose some potency along the way. Oils taken sublingually, on the other hand, are absorbed directly into the bloodstream, so this method will likely show more immediate results.
#3 You need to change your dosage
Recommended dosages are just that – recommended. They are good starting points. Start with a low dose, about 25 mg, and increase it over time.1
Keeping a consistent time of day for your daily dose is important. You can always “boost” your dose with another one at different times if you feel your daily dose wearing off. The daily dose is your “base” dose. The extra doses are considered your “load” doses.
Until you’ve found the right dose for you, keep a record of your dosage, the time of day that you take it, and how you feel. This will help you know what works and what doesn’t work.
#4 It’s an inferior product
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t yet approved full spectrum CBD products as dietary supplements. In this vacuum, some scam artists are taking advantage of the lack of regulations. They sell low-quality products that are inaccurately labeled that they try to pass off as the real deal. If it’s priced too-good-to-be-true, it probably is. Here are some things to look for when shopping for authentic, high-quality CBD products:
- Look for third-party lab tests.
- Look for FAQ’s and customer reviews.
- Seek out CBD products that are USDA certified organic. Only 5 percent of all CBD companies in America are USDA organic certified.2
#5: It’s just not your thing
For some people, CBD just doesn’t work. It could be that your metabolism doesn’t process CBD in the way you’d expect. It could be that you’re a frequent cannabis consumer so your tolerance is just too high. It could also be genetic.
Ensuring that your CBD is working for you takes patience, research, and time. Try different brands, read research and reports, and make deliberate decisions about when and how much CBD you are taking. If you have access to an expert, ask questions.
REFERENCES
- “CBD Dosage: Figuring Out How Much to Take.” Healthline. August 1, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/health/cbd-dosage
- “We Analyzed 520 CBD Companies — Here’s What We Found Out.” CBD Oracle. September 16, 2021. https://cbdoracle.com/cbd/cbd-companies-list/
