What are CBD oil Benefits? What CBD Oil Strength Should I Use?
If this is your first time shopping for CBD Oil, we have to warn you, it can be challenging to know what to buy. CBD oil labels these days talk about either the CBD oil strength or the CBD oil benefits. If you have never used CBD oil before, it could be tough finding out what strength will work best for you.
We like to say that people don’t take CBD oil for fun, they are all trying to solve a problem. But, where do you start? What is the connection between CBD oil strengths and benefits. If you are just starting out, the numbers don’t really mean much. Milligrams and percentages printed on labels and on websites don’t exactly answer the most important question; Which CBD oil is right for me?
In this article we will help you understand all of it so that you can make the most informed choice possible and take the guesswork away. We will explain:
- What the difference is in CBD oil strengths.
- CBD oil concentrations and what they really mean.
- Why the concentrations matter.
- How the benefits relate to the CBD oil Strengths.
- And how you can use this information to find the perfect CBD oil for you.
So let’s get started! After this, you will be able to pick a CBD strength that offers you the benefits you’re looking for.
CBD Oil Strengths: A Full Explanation
If you look at our CBD oil product page you will see that we stock a number of different strengths. But if this is your first time, these numbers don’t mean anything other than one product is stronger than another. We’ve tried to help our customers by giving the products names like “5% Calm and Balanced” or “10% Full Spectrum Balanced” but without more context, people will not know if “balanced relief” will be strong enough for them.
To fill in the gaps, I think it is important for us to run few a couple of the most common questions. We’ve also published a very handy CBD Percentages Guide which gives further details on how to calculate the percentage of any product. You can download it onto your phone and use it anytime. Now let’s begin.
What Does the Large Number Mean On CBD Packaging?
When you are shopping for CBD oils in the UK, you should always read the label carefully. You want to make sure how much CBD is actually in the product so that you know how much to take and that you’re getting value for your money.
As an example, if you are looking at our 1000mg Full Spectrum CBD oil, the “1000 mg” refers to how much CBD is in the entire bottle. So this number will tell you how much CBD you would take if you used the whole bottle in one go. But, we completely advise against that as it would be wasteful and not very beneficial in helping your needs.
The key takeaway here is that the largest number on the packaging refers to the total amount of CBD in the bottle. To be clear, that does not mean what strength the product is; we’ll get to that in a moment. But first, it is important to know that many companies will try to trick the consumer by giving misleading information when it comes to that large number.
In example, I’ve seen companies use numbers like 20,000 mg which would seem like an insane amount of product. But, if you read carefully, it actually says 20,000 mg per liter. I’ve come across these types of products while visiting retail locations studying our competitors. It’s really deceptive. Needless to say, be sure that the large number which refers to total CBD content is genuine and not a ratio.
How to Calculate CBD Percentages
Using the 2000mg product mentioned above, let’s have a little fun. Let’s say instead of 1000mg, they were 2000 marbles. Now, I know this sounds funny, but it will help you I promise!
If you put 2000 marbles into a paint can and then filled the rest of the paint can up with water. The chances are everytime you put your hand in the paint can and scooped up, you would have a good amount of marbles. Now, what if you put the same 2ooo marbles into a large bin and filled it up with water. When you scooped your hand in, you would have far fewer marbles. This is how we can visualise CBD percentage.
CBD percentages are calculated using the large number described earlier and the size of the bottle used for the product together. Typical bottle sizes can range but the most common are 10ml (like our products) and 30ml.
We purposely use the smaller 10ml bottles because it gives our customers more clarity when selecting a product. What I mean by that is, for every 1000mg of cbd inside a 10ml bottle, that would equal 10% of potency. So, 2000mg in a 10ml bottle would mean the product is at 20% potency.
In a 30ml bottle, the same 2000mg would mean 6.6% potency. Because the bottle got bigger, the potency dropped; remember that marble explanation? Well it’s exactly that same principle. In other words, the CBD is diluted more.
Are the Milligrams Referring to Pure CBD?
Yes and no. Yes it refers to the amount of actual CBD. But that’s where quality starts coming into the equation. There is a difference between pure CBD and good CBD.
Pure CBD can mean two different things and while that sounds confusing, it’s actually pretty simple once explained properly.
Pure CBD can either mean 100% chemically pure or pure CBD extract. Now, many people just starting out would think that a chemically pure product would be best and normally they would be right.
But in this case, you’d want the extract. Extracts contain other components of the hemp plant which are better when considering overall CBD benefits. So while extracts are not chemically pure and include a mix of different components found in the hemp plant, they are better.
More Info on the Different Types of Pure CBD
In the UK, there are companies that use CBD isolate for their products. They are the chemically pure type we mentioned above. CBD isolate products have been proven not as effective when compared to extracts like a full or broad spectrum product.
Some companies outright advertise that their products contain “extra” things like CBG and CBC which can be added to isolate products. We call these CBD cocktails. Personally, we find adding things back into a product that were there to begin with is bad practise. Why would you remove it? One answer: profits and usually profits means low quality at maximum price for you.
CBD isolates lack CBD terpenes and cannabinoids like CBC, CBG and CBN. These additional cannabinoids help CBD interact with the body and provide additional therapeutic benefits. Companies will try to add them back in to products to low success.
Having a full hemp plant extract as the base for CBD oil is best. All of the products we sell here start as full plant extracts as we’ve found this to provide the highest quality products right from the start. We use precise lab equipment to accurately measure the potency of every batch we create so that we can confidently say on the bottle how much pure and extracted CBD is inside.
To recap, the milligrams on the labels of our products refer to the amount of CBD in the bottle. All of the extra terpenes and cannabinoids included are just the benefits of using a full plant extract.
To have a look at everything our products offer, you can view our CBD lab reports which shows the exact cannabinoid content including the CBD percentage.
What are the Delivery Methods for CBD Products?
We don’t mean how the CBD you order will be delivered. Instead, we mean how the CBD will enter the body and start to work. There are three ways CBD oil can be delivered to the body. Each delivery method can have a profound impact on CBD oil strength and its relation to CBD benefits.
The three ways CBD oil can enter your system are: absorption through a mucous membrane, swallowing and absorption through the skin. In each method, some of the pure CBD concentration gets broken down before it can actually get to your bloodstream. The percentage of the CBD that makes its way into the bloodstream determines the oil’s bioavailability.
Precise bioavailability really depends on your own metabolism, but here is a general guide:
Absorbing CBD Through a Mucous Membrane (Like under your tongue)
Absorbing CBD through the mucous membranes like under the tongue is the most common way to take CBD oil. We always recommend this delivery method as it is the most effective and really boasts bioavailability. To achieve the best results, place the drops under your tongue and hold them there for 2 to 3 minutes.
Using absorption through the mucous membranes has the highest bioavailability which means you will absorb more of what you paid for, the CBD. Also, once the CBD enters the bloodstream this way, it tends to be present for hours.
Ingesting CBD
Taking CBD by ingesting it is becoming a more popular method. People like the convenience of just taking a capsule. You may also put a few drops in a cup of tea or water and drink it as normal.
Swallowing CBD is not recommended by our team here at Pure Organic CBD. When you swallow CBD oil it gets broken down in the gut. Studies have shown that you are only absorbing about 7% of the CBD this way. Although there is a big loss in Pure CBD absorption, some people prefer swallowing CBD because it lasts for at least 7 hours. In our opinion, You may only want to use it this way if you have a problem with the taste of CBD oil.
Using CBD Oil as a Topical
Using CBD oil as a topical is a very common way of taking advantage of some of the benefits CBD oil provides. Topicals do not enter the bloodstream but they do engage the endocannabinoid receptors located on the skin. Our CBD pain relieving gel helps calm pain locally by reducing inflammation and redness. It also works great for acne.
All you have to do to make your own CBD topical is add one or two drops of CBD oil to your favorite cream or gel. Mix it up and apply as you normally would. We know you’ll love the way our oils make your skin feel silky and smooth, pair that with the benefits of CBD oil and you’re sure to be happy.
What Strength CBD Oil Should I Use?
This is probably the most important question and unfortunately, there is not a single answer that works for every person. The best way to answer this question is by telling you to go with your gut instincts. Common sense would tell you if you’re a large person or have chronic pain, a low potency may not be best. Also, if you’re using CBD oil for minor aches and pains, our strongest CBD oil may not be suitable.
To dive deeper into the subject, here is a short list of considerations when selecting a CBD strength to get the benefits you want:
Your Body Size Matters When it Comes to CBD Oil Potency
CBD works in the same way as most anything else you consume. The bigger you are, the more you usually need to have an effect. We purposely keep our pet CBD oils at lower amounts like 300 mg CBD oil for cats or, for large dogs, 600 mg. Pets are usually pretty small when compared to human proportions and therefore do not need a high dosage. On the other hand, a human that is over 100kg will benefit from a stronger potency like our 2000mg 20% Full Spectrum CBD oil.
Our CBD Oil Potency Options
- Lower-Potency Pets CBD Oil (300mg to 600mg) As mentioned above, pets generally do not need large amounts of CBD. That is why we’ve formulated our Pet CBD oil at 300 mg and 600 mg. Our Pet CBD oils are flavoured with Salmon Oil and delicious for any household mammal.
- Lower-Potency CBD for Humans (500 mg) Our 5% 500mg CBD oil is perfect for smaller people under 120 pounds. It is also great for people who are especially sensitive to medications or CBD if they’ve tried it. For anyone who is looking to use CBD for general wellness, mild anxiety or mild sleep issues, our 500 mg CBD is perfect.
- Middle to Strong Potency (1000-2000 mg) This is usually the sweet spot for most people that take CBD. Our 10% and 20% CBD oil products are our bestsellers for a reason. This range is perfect for people who weigh a bit more or need a little more CBD per dose to realise the effects.
- High-Strength CBD (4000 mg) We carry the strongest CBD oil on the market in the UK. Our 40% strength combines high-strength with excellent value. If you are not sure which camp you fall into, we suggest you start low and go slow. Work your way up in 5 mg increments until you find the CBD amount that works for you. Here we will break down how much CBD is in each drop of our products.
CBD potency index for Pure Organic CBD products.
- 300 mg – 1.5 mg of pure CBD per drop (pets)
- 500 mg – 2.5 mg of pure CBD per drop
- 600 mg- 3 mg of pure CBD per drop (pets)
- 1000 mg – 5 mg of pure CBD per drop
- 2000 mg – 10 mg of pure CBD per drop
- 4000 mg – 20 mg of pure CBD per drop
For Some People, CBD Results Can Take a Bit of Time
Moving on to the next section, we look at another thing we do know about how CBD interacts with the body. CBD accumulates in our body and stores itself in fatty tissue. The longer you take CBD, the more of it you will have stored. There are some people ( the lucky ones) that notice CBD’s effects after just one dose. There are others that may need to continuously take CBD for a week.
This is the primary reason why we recommend people just starting CBD oil to go low and slow. You may have noticed that the lower the concentration, the lower the price. If you feel the effects from a low concentration, you could save yourself money as well. Most people start with a 1000mg product. This seems to be the right balance of cost and pure CBD. We recommend taking drops in the morning and the evening and to monitor how you feel. Gradually increase or decrease the amount of drops as needed.
In all fairness, you should notice benefits after your first month. You have to give the CBD oil a chance to saturate the body and store up in quantities that are useful. The most important thing to realise is that CBD in the beginning takes time. Please, do yourself a favour and be patient. Allow the CBD to take its natural course and stick to it. Remember, consistency is the key.
Starting Your Own Daily CBD Habit
An important factor to consider when you start taking CBD oil is why you are taking it. What CBD oil benefits you want influences what product you should choose. Factors in your life like stress or pain can also influence your outcome. We recommend having a daily CBD regimen so that you stay on track and give the CBD oil a fair chance. A tip to know is during times of increased mental or physical stress your usage may increase. It is important to try and taper it down again over time.
Best Known CBD Oil Benefits
Here is a list of some of the best known CBD oil Benefits and a brief overview for the main topics like wellness, anxiety and sleep.
- General wellness
- Better sleep
- Help feeling tired at night around bedtime
- More Calmness throughout the day
- Help manage stress and anxiety
- Help with pain from strenuous exercise or over exertion
- To soothe or moisturize the skin.
CBD Oil for General Wellness
The best way to create a daily CBD routine is to implement your CBD oil dose into habits you already have. Personally, I take CBD oil right after I brush my teeth. We all brush our teeth at least twice a day and surly right after waking up and right before bed. I found this method perfect because I don’t forget to take CBD oil and I am taking it at the right times for my needs.
We have a great article about implementing CBD oil into a perfect morning routine designed to help you conquer you days with more focus and energy.
*Pro Tip: When you take CBD oil after brushing your teeth, you are allowing the CBD to enter the bloodstream quickly. When you brush your teeth, you rough up the gums and create microscopic cuts on the surface. Applying CBD at this time allows the CBD oil to take advantage of this environment and get into the bloodstream easier. Try it yourself!
CBD Oil for Exercise or Muscle Recovery
If you’re leading an active lifestyle, or trying to improve your physical health through activity or exercise, CBD oil is a great choice. If you are just in pain or have arthritis, keep reading as the benefits do all overlap. CBD oil works with the body and the mind to relieve chronic pain. If you are targeting pain and looking to use CBD oil, consider using a stronger potency like our 1000mg Full Spectrum CBD or our 2000mg Full Spectrum CBD oil. Both options are great for relieving pain in joints and muscles.
If you’re thinking about using CBD for sports recovery, we’ve written an article you may like CBD and Muscle Gains.
As mentioned earlier, you must consider your weight. If you are more than 100kg, you will be better off starting with a stronger product like the 2000mg CBD oil. If you find that just a few drops works great and would like to step down to a lower concentration, be sure to factor in any cost savings you may be missing out on choosing a lower concentration. We’ve designed our prices to be discounted on the higher strength oils.
CBD Oil for Sleep
There are numerous reasons why a person’s sleep pattern may be in bad shape. The most popular are stress, worry, anxiety and physical pain. Taking CBD oil can help your circadian rhythm and restore your restful cycle.
Most people find that CBD oil enhances their sleep. The great thing is, if you are taking CBD oil for pain an improved sleep pattern is an extra benefit. If you really think about it, most sleep related issues stem from other issues like stress, worry or anxiety. Breaking the cycle in one of these ailments can help you in other ailments.
We recommend a modest strength CBD oil for sleep. Usually, if all you want is better sleep and general wellness, our 500 mg 5% Full Spectrum CBD is perfect. Again, if you are a bit bigger, try stepping up to the 1000 mg 10% CBD oil.
We’ve written a number of articles on this topic: CBD oil and sleep and CBD oil for Insomnia.
Talk to Your Doctor and Friends about CBD Oils in the UK
At Pure Organic CBD, we can only give you general advice about CBD oil, their strengths and the benefits. If you would like more personal advice and a one to one chat, you can contact us via our chat widget on the bottom of the page or, if it is after 5:00PM, leave us a message by email.
For any medical concerns about starting CBD oil, we always insist that you speak to your doctor first. CBD can interact with some medications and you can read about them here.
We love to hear from our customers so we encourage you to leave reviews, ask questions and give us your feedback!
Conclusion
CBD strengths have a direct relationship to CBD benefits, but to understand what the strength of a product is, you need to learn the basics.
To recap, strengths are determined by the total amount of CBD inside of a bottle in a given ratio. Companies will sell products based on percentages or by total amount of CBD (large number). Be extra careful if packaging is not clear or deceptive in conveying information.
Not all CBD is created equal with extracts being more effective than isolates. Check lab reports before buying any product to ensure that the content of the product follows these basic principles.
To have the best chance of success with your product, be sure to buy the appropriate strength. Weight, metabolism and benefit goals are factors to consider before buying a product.
It is important that you take CBD consistently to get the most out of it so try setting a routine. And remember, always buy organic CBD oil, it will ensure that you’re getting the best of the best.
We hope we’ve been helpful to you on your journey, for any questions, be sure to contact us; we’d love to hear from you!
