Understanding CBD Oil Strength: A Complete Guide

CBD oil is an increasingly popular therapeutic supplement in the UK. According to a recent survey data, almost 6 million British people have tried CBD. And, 1.3 million use the popular wellness product daily. 

With the surging popularity, you might want to try it for yourself! Yet, it’s good to be cautious. Like any compound, CBD has different effects on different people—and in different concentrations. 

What’s the best way to get the effects you want from CBD? One step to take is to determine the right CBD oil strength for you.

In this guide, you’ll discover how CBD oil works, what options are available, and how to find the right concentration. Read on, and learn to make smart CBD choices. 

How Does CBD Oil Support Wellbeing?

CBD is cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is an active compound in cannabis, a plant initially native to Asia. Today, botanists derive CBD oil from hemp. 

CBD does not have psychoactive effects. Instead, people seek out CBD for its therapeutic impact. 

Endocannabinoid System

The human nervous has many neurotransmitters and receptors. Some of these receptors are cannabinoid receptors.

The endocannabinoid system in our body interfaces these receptors to our endocrine system. Studies have determined this system works to regulate involuntary physiological processes, including:

Mood
Tactile sensation
Memory
Appetite

When THC molecules in cannabis plants bind to the receptors, it impacts those physiological processes. This binding has many effects, including the euphoric feeling of “getting high.”

However, research has determined that CBD molecules do not bind to the receptors. Instead, CBD compounds modulate the receptors. This alters how the receptors communicate with the endocrine system.

Thus, CBD affects our bodies’ central nervous system and endocrine system in ways scientists are still discovering. While it cannot get you high, it is this interfacing that enables CBD compounds to support wellbeing.    

Types of CBD Oil

Before buying CBD oil, know that there are three types. In the United Kingdom, botanists categorize these oils as follows:

Purified CBD oil
Mono-spectrum CBD with terpenes
API-grade CBD

Each type of oil is processed differently. This can grant different therapeutic effects. 

Purified CBD Oil

Growers extract purified CBD oil precisely. The process cleanly cuts away almost all other molecules and compounds from the final substance. 

To purify the CBD, growers target the hemp plant. Then, they begin the extraction process.

First, they extract the compound with a carbon dioxide process. Then, they distil what’s left by steaming. After that, the compound undergoes carbon and lipid extraction. 

To ensure purity, growers repeat this process multiple times. 

Purified CBD oil is almost entirely CBD. A very small percentage of other cannabinoid molecules may still mix with the oil. This mixture is unlikely to impact the effects of the CBD oil on your body.

Mono-Spectrum CBD With Terpenes

Mono-spectrum CBD with terpenes is much less purified. Other Cannabinoid molecules are included in this mixture. Mono-spectrum CBD oils typically include some CBC, CBN, CBG, and CBD-A molecules.

Terpenes are non-cannabinoid compounds in hemp. Instead, they’re aromatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are responsible for plant fragrances. 

Terpenes do more than improve the smell of CBD oil. They mediate the therapeutic effects of CBD on the endocannabinoid system. Terpenes also impact physical systems directly.

Scientists call the dual effects of terpenes and CBD “entourage effects.” Some have been well documented, while others are unstudied. 

These entourage effects alter the therapeutic impact of CBD oil. For some people, the alteration makes CBD oil more tolerable and effective, even at lower strengths.

For others, the alteration is unpleasant. It is wise to consider how you have reacted to similar substances before choosing CBD with terpenes. 

API-Grade CBD 

API-grade CBD is similar to purified CBD. But, for API-grade CBD, growers push the purification process further. They refine the CBD until the molecules crystalize.

The crystallization discards all non-CBD compounds to the greatest extent possible. As a result, API-grade CBD is the purest option on the market. Less than 0.05% of API-grade CBD compound is anything other than CBD. 

When considering the strength of your CBD oil, check its purity as well. Purer oils will have more predictable effects, regardless of potency. 

Safe Dosage: What Does MHRA UK Say?

MHRA UK has not released an official statement on the safest strength or dosage options for non-medical CBD use.

CBD oils that are used to treat medical conditions must be classified as medicines. Those products are subject to MHRA regulations. 

That said, for many, CBD products are not medicine by MHRA standards. Instead, most people take CBD as a supplement to improve overall wellbeing.

World Health Organization Input

The World Health Organization has released some strength guidelines for people who wish to take CBD.

In the same 2018 report, WHO notes that CBD is typically “well-tolerated,” and it’s safe for most people, regardless of dose.

Typical CBD Strength Options (Oil)

CBD strength is measured in milligrams per millilitre. That tells you how many milligrams of active CBD compound are in one millilitre of oil. Before you buy CBD oil, calculate the potency of your purchase.

Calculate CBD Strength

CBD UK bottles are typically 15mL. So, to determine the strength of a 100mg CBD oil in a size 15mL bottle, you divide the two measurements. That looks like this:

100/15 = 6.67

1mL serving has 6.67mg CBD. This is a CBD potency of 6.67%. Typically, experts consider oil under 10% CBD low potency. 

Start Small

It’s wise to start with the lowest possible dose whenever you start a new supplement or compound.

If this dosage still seems high, dilute your CBD oil with another oil, like coconut oil. This dilution lets you ingest less CBD in one go.

Remember that CBD oil is not water-soluble. You can’t dilute it in water. You can use a smaller dropper, like a 0.25mL dropper, to select a smaller dose without diluting. 

Low Potency (<10%)

The lowest concentration of CBD available on the market is, typically, a 300mg/60mL tincture. This contains only a 5% concentration of CBD.

Manufacturers typically consider the following sizes low-strength:

300mg/60mL
300mg/30mL
600mg/60mL

These sizes contain 10% CBD or less. This is a popular daily dose for those who want to supplement a healthy lifestyle.

It’s wise to start with the lowest viable dose. That said, you may need a higher dose to get the results you want. 

Medium Potency (11%-30%)

Moderate-strength tinctures contain CBD at a concentration of 11%-30%. So, most consumers consider a 600mg/30mL oil to be moderately strong. That nets you 20mg CBD per serving.

Manufacturers typically consider the following sizes to be medium-strength:

300mg/15mL

600mg/30mL
600mg/50mL
1000mg/50mL
1000mg/60mL

People who want to feel less overwhelmed may seek out medium-strength CBD oil. Medium-strength CBD oil has therapeutic, analgesic properties. This can help people tolerate strenuous physical demands. 

Strong Potency (31%-60%)

Strong tinctures contain CBD at a concentration of 31%-60%. This is often the highest potency product you’d see on the shelf.

Most consumers consider 1000mg/30mL to be a strong dose. That gets you 33mg CBD per serving. Manufacturers typically consider the following sizes to be strong:

1000mg/30mL
2000mg/50mL

2000mg/60mL

Generally, people seek out CBD at this potency for specific therapeutic effects. Strong CBD may maintain a healthy sleep cycle, improve your cognition and awareness, or cultivate a sense of balance. 

Stronger CBD products have a significant impact on neuro-biological substrates. Scientists are still studying these effects.

Botanists recommend you only use strong CBD if you are heavier than average and seek specific therapeutic effects. They do not recommend strong CBD for daily use. 

Ultra-Strong Potency (60%+)

Ultra-strong tinctures are not often sold in dispensaries. These vials contain CBD at concentrations of 60% or higher. 

Typically, people seek ultra-strong CBD oils after they’ve built up a tolerance to more common oil strengths. Manufacturers typically consider the following sizes to be ultra-strong:

1000mg/15mL
2000mg/15mL
2000mg/30mL

Ultra-strong CBD oil has similar therapeutic effects as strong CBD oil. The difference is, ultra-strong CBD continues to provide wellness after your body builds up a tolerance to strong CBD.

Metabolic tolerance counteracts the wellness effects. 

CBD Oil Strength: Personal Considerations

CBD has a different impact on different bodies. It’s important to factor in your weight and biochemistry when deciding on the right dose of CBD for you. Here are some ways to unpack these factors. 

Weight

The more a person weighs, the higher CBD dosage they’ll want to take to benefit from its therapeutic effects. Metabolism is one element that affects how a body takes in CBD.

Many different botanists argue for weight-based calculations. The most popular equations are:

Low therapeutic effect: [(Your body weight in kg)/10] x 2 = (best CBD strength in mg)
Medium therapeutic effect: [(Your body weight in kg)/10] x 7 = (best CBD strength in mg)
Strong therapeutic effect: [(Your body weight in kg)/10] x 13 = (best CBD strength in mg)

So, a person who weighs about 68kg, who wants a strong therapeutic effect from CBD, would calculate like this:

[68/10] x 13 = 88.4 

They would take 88.4mg of CBD. 

But, note that other growers recommend different calculations. Another equation encourages you to multiply your weight in pounds by 0.25. A 150-pound person, then, would take 37.5mg of CBD.

Biochemistry

Your biochemistry impacts how CBD will affect you. The important things to know about your biochemistry are:

Do you have a high CBD tolerance?
Do you take any other medications or supplements?
Are you neurodivergent in any way?
Do you have a fast or slow metabolism?

Please talk to your doctor before taking any CBD supplements.

If you are neurodivergent in some way, start with a lower dose of CBD than a typical person. You can always increase the strength if you find no negative effect at low strength.  

CBD Oil at the Strength You Want

Know the right CBD oil strength for you? You might be ready to give it a try. Explore Impact Sports’ collection of CBD oils today. 

Our premium oils are held to high standards. Shop now!