There are perhaps thousands of CBD brands operating in the United States CBD market. This doesn’t necessarily make it easy for CBD users to narrow down their choices when looking for quality products that are going to get them the results they are looking for.

We know it can be easy to feel frustrated when your CBD isn’t working. There are many proven instances where CBD can offer tremendous health and wellness benefits to those who use it. The best CBD products are made by companies that work hard to make sure their products are made according to industry standards and will provide the relief their customers need.

After finding a quality brand, there are still things to consider if your CBD doesn’t seem to be doing much. These could range from issues like quality, as mentioned above, your body type, the dosage of CBD you are taking, and even how you are taking it.

When it comes to CBD, it’s all about what works best for you. Below are a few considerations to make if you are finding that your CBD isn’t quite doing the job.

You aren’t using quality CBD products

CBD is not a tightly controlled market in many aspects. This means it is relatively easy for companies more interested in turning a profit than making quality products infiltrate the market and endanger consumers with shoddy CBD. Even more unfortunate is the fact that many first-time CBD users will gravitate towards these products because they are generally less expensive than quality CBD, and are easy and convenient to find.

As with many other consumer products, that old adage of “you get what you pay for” applies to CBD as well. If you are looking for the best results, take your time and look for reputable companies who clearly invest in the latest harvesting methods, and create non-GMO organic products. Ask the staff at your local dispensary for recommendations on quality. They should typically be quite happy to help and point you in the right direction.

You aren’t taking the right dosage of CBD

This can be a tough one and sometimes it requires great patience to find your best dosage. The right amount of CBD to take depends entirely on your body’s unique chemistry, and each of us will respond differently to the amount of CBD we are using.

As a general rule of thumb, we typically recommend starting with smaller doses. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 mg to 10 mg is usually a good starting point. A popular method of taking CBD is to find a dosage and take it once or twice daily in an effort to make sure CBD is in the body as much as possible. Others prefer to simply take CBD when they feel like it’s needed. There are really no right or wrong answers here other than to be sure you are not taking too much, which could have some negative side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, or heavy fatigue.

Consider keeping a dosage journal to help keep track of the among of CBD you are using, noting the volume and effectiveness, and adjusting it if need be.

You need to try a different method of CBD consumption

Your bioavailability, or the amount of CBD reaching your bloodstream, may be different based on the type of CBD product you are using. For instance, CBD gummies need to be completely digested before your body absorbs them. This means the CBD winding up in your bloodstream might be by the time it gets there, having been aggressively processed beforehand. Oils and tinctures, however, can reach the bloodstream quicker since it is absorbed via capillaries under the tongue.

One of the great things about CBD products is the variety of formats they are available in. There is virtually something for everyone, and it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. If you have been using CBD oil in your morning meal, for instance, consider eating a gummy (or two, or three) in the middle of the day. It’s easy to mix things up, so don’t get discouraged if after a couple of weeks what you are taking isn’t quite working out how you’d hope.

You’re not letting CBD build up in your system

Don’t be surprised if the first time you use CBD it feels like a giant waste of money. Yes, you’ve been promised relief from pain, better concentration, relaxation, the list goes on and on. However, nothing will likely happen right away because this is a brand new substance in your body, and it will need time to cover the ground necessary to start working. This isn’t true for everyone. Some people may feel some instant effects, but very typically, some time is needed to feel the full effects. 

In fact, it may take a few days or perhaps even a week. Give your body time to let the CBD accumulate in your body, and begin to react to it as it settles down in your endocannabinoid system. If some time passes, perhaps two or three weeks, it might be time to consider trying another CBD product or brand altogether.

Because CBD isn’t regulated as tightly as most other natural health supplements and pharmaceutical compounds, there are many, many competing products available that are not all made to the same standards. Take special care to always ensure the CBD you are buying is produced as locally as possible and is organic and non-GMO. If you have been using one brand of CBD that no longer seems to be working well for you, consider doing some research and trying another one.

Another reason your CBD may not be having the desired effect is that the dosage you are taking simply isn’t the right amount for your body. Using CBD effectively requires patience, experimentation, and close observation in order to make sure you are getting the most from your CBD products.

Don’t give up on CBD completely until you have gone through the steps above, asked other CBD users, and perhaps even have consulted with your medical doctor about it. CBD has changed the lives of millions of people for the better, and it is very likely that you could be one of them with a little time, patience, and thoughtfulness.