Cannabidiol (CBD)

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    Last Updated: March 5, 2025

    Like THC, CBD is a cannabinoid (a compound in cannabis). Unlike THC, CBD won’t get you high, but it shows promise as a treatment for epilepsy, anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, cancer, and more. Unfortunately, as of 2022, human trials are still few.

    Overview

    Dosage information

    The only CBD product approved in the U.S. is an epileptic drug: Epidiolex® is a solution (100 mg of CBD per milliliter) taken orally, preferably with food. The starting dosage is 2.5 mg per kilogram of body weight twice per day (so 5 mg/kg/day). The maximum dosage is 10 mg/kg twice per day (so 20 mg/kg/day). In people with hepatic impairment, the dosage is reduced.

    Since (i) dosages in studies are all over the place, (ii) a CBD product’s label will very often overstate or understate this product’s CBD content,[1][2] and (iii) high-fat and high-calorie meals can greatly increase CBD absorption,[3] properly dosing CBD products is very, very difficult.

    Frequently asked questions

    Research Breakdown