Decoding CBD Strength: Is 500mg Strong Enough for Your Needs?

According to the results of a 2019 CBDistillery® survey of 1,900 customers, most CBD users report overwhelmingly positive results using our hemp-derived products for relaxation, mild or temporary anxiety, pain and stiffness after physical activity, and better sleep. Most report achieving their best results within 7-14 days of consistent use, regardless of the overall strength of their favorite products. 

Like most reputable CBD brands, the labels on our hemp-derived products reflect the total amount of cannabidiol in each bottle or jar. Our CBD oil tinctures, for example, have concentrations ranging from 500 to 5,000mg. Is our 500mg bottle strong enough for your needs? Yes, it probably is. But you may want to move on to something stronger once you've identified your ideal serving size. We'll explain how to decode CBD strength to reduce your overall cost of daily use. 

Understanding the Factors That Could Influence Your CBD Strength Needs  

Most experts credit CBD's impressive list of possible benefits to the cannabinoid's interaction with multiple molecular targets.¹ According to decades of research, CBD (cannabidiol) activates serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, helps increase the amount of dopamine in your system, and asserts its influence on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors CB1 and CB2. Most experts believe supporting ECS function with CBD promotes homeostasis when internal and external stressors threaten essential balance.^2,3  

But no two CBD users are exactly alike. You may discover that you need significantly more or considerably less CBD than the standardized amounts printed on product packaging. That's why most experts recommend starting with a partial serving of about 5 to 10 milligrams. If a partial serving doesn't have the effect you're hoping for, increase the amount of CBD you're using gradually in small amounts. The following factors can have a significant impact on where your ideal CBD strength needs could land. 

Body Composition and Metabolism 

Cannabinoids are lipophilic substances – meaning they're attracted to, dissolved by, and stored in fat. A person with more body fat could need more CBD per serving than someone with more lean muscle, depending on how their system processes and stores the cannabinoid.⁴ Your age, activity levels, sleep habits, and other factors influencing metabolic function could also impact your needs. People with a slower metabolism tend to experience a more gradual release of CBD into their bloodstreams. They often require more CBD per serving to achieve their best results.^5,6 

Your Wellness Goals  

Your reason for using hemp-derived CBD products can also impact how much CBD you need per serving. As you get further into your journey, you could easily find that the amount you typically prefer for relaxation or better sleep might not be ideal for something like pain, stiffness, or inflammation after physical activity or post-workout recovery. In other words, your body's response to CBD can differ according to the specific concern you want to address. That's something you can adjust for easily by either increasing the amount of product you're using or purchasing something stronger. 

Individual CBD Sensitivity    

CBD targets the endocannabinoid receptors in your body and brain to initiate a response that helps restore balance. Genetic factors (and several other variables) can influence the density and distribution of the ECS receptors.⁷ People with fewer ECS receptors may need more CBD per serving than those whose systems have higher concentrations. CBD sensitivity can also be impacted by stress. The stress hormone cortisol contributes to the downregulation of the ECS receptor CB1, which can temporarily reduce the efficacy of ECS signaling and increase the amount of CBD you might need for relief.    

Frequency and Duration of Use  

The ideal product strength for your needs could be influenced by frequency and duration of use. CBD enthusiasts using hemp-derived cannabinoids "as needed" tend to require more CBD per serving than those who prefer supporting ECS function with consistent daily use. Although CBD is not habit forming and most experts believe building a tolerance to the cannabinoid is unlikely, some CBD users report needing larger serving sizes or products with higher concentrations of CBD over time. Whether their observations reflect changes in tolerance or suggest a placebo effect remains unclear.⁹

Extract Types: What You Need to Know Before Purchasing a 500mg CBD Product 

The best 500mg products are made by brands that invest in third-party batch testing to ensure their formulations are as potent as indicated and screened for heavy metals, pesticides, and other potentially harmful substances. While you're shopping, be sure to confirm any and all claims of third-party testing by viewing a certificate of analysis (COA) – a document not provided by all CBD brands. Of the 75% of brands labeling their CBD as "third-party tested," only 13% batch test at least 90% of their products.¹⁰  

When you choose CBDistillery® hemp-derived CBD, confirming our commitment to providing rigorously tested products is easy. We print a QR code on every product label linked to a certificate of analysis. We also offer three distinctly different 500mg products – a selection that makes it easy to align your purchase to your needs, preferences, and lifestyle.   

CBDistillery® ahhh distilled Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tinctures  

CBD oil tinctures are great for beginners because of the ease of making serving size adjustments. CBDistillery® ahhh distilled 500mg Full Spectrum CBD Oil Tinctures deliver the many additional minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients produced in hemp flower trichomes. The 25-30:1 CBD to THC ratio significantly lowers the risk of intoxication. Experts believe Full Spectrum extracts are the more potent option because of the "entourage effect" credited to their cannabinoid and terpene interactions.¹¹

CBDistillery ahhh distilled Broad Spectrum CBD Oil Tinctures  

CBDistillery® ah distilled 500mg Broad Spectrum CBD Oil Tinctures have many of the same cannabinoids and terpenes as our full spectrum products, but we reduce the naturally occurring THC to non-detectable levels – 0.01% or less. They're most often favored by people who want the potency-optimizing potential of an entourage effect but prefer avoiding the 0.3% THC in full spectrum CBD. Some CBD users, however, feel that removing THC from the equation compromises overall potency.¹²  

CBDistillery® oooh distilled 500mg CBD Balm  

Topicals like CBDistillery® oooh distilled CBD Balm provide fast-acting, targeted relief where you need it most. Simply apply a liberal amount to clean, dry skin for effects that can last up to 6 hours. You can use our expertly formulated balm on its own or to complement the effects of our tinctures, gummies, and softgels. The CBD, wintergreen, and eucalyptus help soothe your body. The shea butter and coconut oil nurture your skin. 

A Deeper Dive: Decoding Product Strength to Expand Your Options  

Many first-time CBD users start with a 500mg purchase. Since reputable product manufacturers base their price points on the amount of CBD per unit, testing the waters with something that costs $35 (or less) makes a lot of sense. You may, however, want to consider moving up to products with higher concentrations once you've identified your ideal serving size. 

To illustrate that point, let's assume you've been using a 500mg tincture and determined that your ideal serving size is 30mg of CBD. At that rate, a 500mg bottle will cover about 16 servings and last just over two weeks. To calculate your cost per milligram, divide the purchase price by the total amount of CBD in the bottle. At $35, you're paying $2.18 per serving. 

When you know how to calculate the amount of CBD in each drop of CBD oil, you have the option of adjusting your serving sizes to take advantage of significant savings. Simply divide the total amount of CBD per 1 ml dropper by 20, the average number of drops. A one-dropper serving of a 1000mg CBD oil tincture, for example, has 33mg. That breaks down to 1.65mg per drop (33 ÷ 20 = 1.65). Now each 30mg serving requires about 18 drops (30 ÷ 1.65 = 18.18).  You'll pay less per milligram, your purchase will last twice as long, and at $60 per bottle, you'll be paying $1.81 per serving. With 2,500 and 5,000mg CBD oil tinctures, the cost of daily use is even lower. 

Discover If 500mg CBD Is Strong Enough for Your Wellness Needs  

Many CBD users start with 500mg products because experts typically recommend starting with a small amount of cannabidiol. At 17mg per serving, a 5-10mg starting point requires only 6-12 drops of a 500mg CBD oil tincture. Once you've identified the smallest amount of CBD you need to achieve your wellness goals, knowing how to calculate the amount of CBD per drop makes it easy to reduce the cost of daily use by purchasing products with higher concentrations of cannabidiol. 

If you're leaning towards trying CBD but not quite sure where to start, visit CBDistillery® to schedule a personal consultation. Our products are made with 100% clean ingredients, rigorously tested, quality assured, and backed by our 60-day satisfaction guarantee. 

References  

1. Elsaid S, Foll B. (2020) The Complexity of Pharmacology of Cannabidiol (CBD) and Its Implications in the Treatment of Brain Disorders. 45 Neuropsychopharmacol 229-30 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-019-0518-1 

2. How CBD Works: CBD and Neurotransmitters (2019) The CBD Insider. 

3. Sallaberry C, Astern L. (2018) The Endocannabinoid System, Our Universal Regulator. 34(6) JYI 48-55. https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator 

4. Child R, Tallon M. (2022) Cannabidiol (CBD) Dosing: Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Accumulation in Skeletal Muscle, Liver, and Adipose Tissue. 14(10) Nutrients 2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102101 

5. Child R, Tallon M. (2022) Cannabidiol (CBD) Dosing: Plasma Pharmacokinetics and Effects on Accumulation in Skeletal Muscle, Liver, and Adipose Tissue. 14(10) Nutrients 2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14102101 

6. Naya N, Kelly J, et al. (2024) An Overview of Cannabidiol as a Multifunctional Drug: Pharmacokinetics and Cellular Effects. 29(2) Molecules 473. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29020473 

7. Broselid S. (2023) Decoding the Symphony: Genetic Variations in the ECS and Their Impact on Health. Aurea Care Medical Science Journal. 

8. Morena M, Patel S, et al. (2015) Neurobiological Interactions Between Stress and the Endocannabinoid System. 41(1) Neuropsychopharm 80-102. doi: 10.1038/npp.2015.166. Epub 2015 Jun 12. PMID: 26068727; PMCID: PMC4677118 

9. Vazquez A. (2022) Can You Build a Tolerance to CBD? CBD Nerds. 

10. Wilkins T. (2022) What Is the Entourage Effect? How This Enhances CBD Effects. Marijuana Takers. 

11. Nahler, G, Jones T, et al. (2019) Cannabidiol and Contributions of Major Hemp Phytocompounds to the "Entourage Effect"; Possible Mechanisms. J Altern Complement Integr Med 70(5) PDF download 

12. Wilkins T. (2022) What Is the Entourage Effect? How This Enhances CBD Effects. Marijuana Takers.