If you are one of the millions of people who have turned to CBD in the hopes that it will help ease a condition from which you suffer, you are right to be doing a little research first. CBD has been touted as a miraculous cure for dozens of different problems, and there is plenty of science to back all of that up; however, does this mean it is right for you? Will it help with your particular condition? How can you judge CBD effectiveness for yourself? And if so, how do you figure out which products to buy, and how much you need?

This article will seek to guide you when assessing CBD effectiveness for yourself. Here are a few of the things you should look for, and what to note when you are researching taking CBD for the first time:

What Is CBD?

Since this article is meant to serve as an introduction for people new to CBD, we should get the most basic question out of the way first: what is CBD?

Simply put, Cannabidiol – better known as CBD – is the active compound in the hemp plant. It is extracted from the plant in any one of several ways. Supercritical CO₂ extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide to isolate the oil which contains CBD. High-quality grain alcohol can also be used to extract CBD from the hemp plant, or olive oil is sometimes used.

Once it is extracted, it can be consumed in a number of ways. It is often used as a sublingual oil. Placed under the tongue, the oil is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, where it can take effect. The oil can also be vaped, or made into an edible product such as a capsule or gummy. CBD is also packaged in topicals such as balms, creams, and lotions.

When the product is consumed, the CBD it contains binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the human body. In this way, it is thought to have the potential to reduce inflammation and help the body to reach a state of homeostasis. Individual users report effectiveness at treating many different conditions; among them are depression, anxiety, alcoholism, acne, arthritis, nausea, motion sickness, menstrual cramps, cancer, epilepsy, insomnia, and many others. If you suffer from any of these conditions, CBD may be worth a try.

Make Sure You Get The Best Product

If you’ve elected to try a CBD product, you need to make sure that you select the best product available to you. Unfortunately, not all CBD products are created equal, and there are plenty of low-quality products out there that will simply not produce the desired effects. Some of them may even contain impurities that render the product unsafe. Before buying any CBD containing product, get online and do some research. Find out where the product was produced.

Where was the hemp grown? Is it the best quality available? How about the extraction process? Was it done in a laboratory? Or just in someone’s basement? Has the product been tested for impurities? Are you able to request those test results? Does the product contain any THC? If so, how much? Rooted Hemp Co. sells locally grown CBD products, and provides complete lab results right on the product page.  This is the best way to be transparent.

Trying CBD For The First Time

Discovering the proper dosage to use for CBD is somewhat a matter of trial and error. Finding the exact right amount can be a bit of a challenge, because what that amount is can vary significantly from person to person. Your weight, tolerance, and the effect you are trying to achieve are all factors in the dosage you need to take. Start by simply using the directions on the product you have; whether it’s a tincture, topical, or edible. Figure out how much product is recommended based on your weight and condition. If you are just using the product to treat a mild case of pain or anxiety, you won’t need much. On the other hand, if you are dealing with a more severe case of chronic pain, or a more severe case of anxiety, you will need more product.

Start with the smallest recommended amount of product. If, for example, you are using a sublingual CBD oil, use just one drop to begin. After you have taken the product, you will need to wait. How long the CBD takes to take effect will depend upon how you have consumed it. Vaping is usually the quickest method to take effect; on the other hand, if you are consuming edibles, they must be digested and absorbed into your bloodstream before they can start working. This can take over an hour; so be patient.

Observe The Effects

Once you have taken the product and waited for it to take effect, begin to observe what is happening. You may even want to get a notebook and write down anything you observe. If you suffer from chronic pain, is it still there? Is it lessened, or gone entirely? Do you feel calmer? Do you feel awake, or drowsy? Try to think about all of the effects it is having upon your body, and write them all down.

The next day, after you have allowed the effects of the CBD to thoroughly wear off, try some more. This time, slightly increase the dosage; and, once again, wait. As you notice the CBD beginning to take effect, take your notebook and again start to write some notes. Does the slightly increased dosage have a different effect? Or is it the same?

Do this again, several times, over the next few nights. Try to make sure that you keep all other conditions the same. For example, if you didn’t have coffee on the first night, don’t drink it on any of the others. It could affect your anxiety level and interfere with understanding the perfect dose. Eventually, you will come upon the amount of CBD that works best for you.

What Next?

Once you have found the dosage that works for you, you can incorporate it into your regular routine. Occasionally, you may need to make changes in the amount you are taken; you will build up tolerance over time and might need to increase the dose. Eventually, if you pay attention, you may notice a marked improvement in your sleeping, health, and quality of life.