If you find yourself on this page, there is a good chance you’ve tried CBD in the past and have been frustrated with the results. Perhaps you’ve heard friends and family rave about the results, but you haven’t noticed any change after starting your own CBD routine.
First and foremost, you’re not alone. Many people try CBD and don’t notice the result they expected. Sometimes a different format may suit you better; sometimes the product simply may not give you the experience you hoped for. It can also help to check the product strength, how you’re using it and what you expected from it.
If CBD isn’t working for you, there are so many reasons this could be the case. Since 2016, we have been supporting customers as they discover CBD for the first time. We’ve learned a lot in this time, particularly from individuals who don’t have the experience they were expecting. Based on anecdotal evidence from our customers, we’ve compiled this list of the most common reasons CBD might not be working for you.
Before we delve into why CBD might not be having the desired effect, it’s important to remember that CBD is not a medicine intended to treat or cure any condition. If you have been sold CBD on a wild promise, then you should prepare for disappointment.
It isn’t a medicine, so it cannot be used to treat or cure any particular condition. While you might find anecdotal evidence of individuals using CBD for specific concerns, this is not a guarantee that it will produce the same effects for you. With this in mind, here are some common reasons CBD might not feel like it is working.
CBD is sometimes described as biphasic, meaning different amounts can produce different effects in research. That does not tell you what amount to take, and a lack of noticeable effect is not a reason to keep increasing it.
A lower-strength product contains less CBD per drop or unit. Check the label rather than assuming that a lack of noticeable effect means you need more.
A common approach has been to start with a small amount and increase gradually. The Food Standards Agency advises healthy adults to limit their total CBD intake from food to 10 mg a day as a precaution.
Continuing for longer does not guarantee that you will notice an effect. Consider what you expect from a product rather than assuming that it must eventually work.
The amount in a bottle and the quantity used determine how long it lasts. Not noticing an effect does not by itself mean you should increase your CBD intake.
CBD is absorbed and then metabolised by the body. Continuing for longer does not guarantee that you will notice an effect.
There are a few reasons your CBD oil might not contain any cannabinoids.
It’s difficult to know if the company you are dealing with is reputable, particularly if they will go as far as faking lab reports. It’s also possible that you could have purchased a counterfeit product which looks similar to a reputable brand. If in doubt, go to a well-known retailer, and be sceptical if the price seems too good to be true.
If you have opted for CBD isolate, this might not be as effective as a broad-spectrum or full-spectrum CBD product. While CBD isolate is great in topical products, it’s less effective when taken orally. This is because it does not contain the full spectrum of beneficial cannabinoids and plant compounds that contribute to the entourage effect.
CBD is not a miracle cure, and it won’t fix everything overnight. It’s easy to fall for the marketing hype, and this will leave you with unrealistic expectations of what you can achieve.
As we have mentioned countless times before – in this article and in others – CBD is not a medicine. We simply don’t know enough about the endocannabinoid system and CBD to be able to test if it is working or not.
And if you have unrealistic expectations of what it will feel like when you take CBD, then you’re unlikely to continue, because it’s really quite an unremarkable experience. A bit like taking your morning vitamins.
It’s possible that the CBD oil is doing exactly what it is supposed to do and providing support to your endocannabinoid system, but you aren’t aware of any significant changes. The effects aren’t always noticeable, but your body is experiencing support on the inside. Give it time and learn to tune into your body.
Everyone will have a different experience with CBD depending on your body composition, metabolism, the product you use, the serving size, and your individual chemistry. Even what you ate that day could have an impact on your experience with CBD.
But it's not just physical; your lifestyle and mental habits will also influence the effectiveness of CBD and any other supplements.
Some people do not notice any change when using CBD and choose not to continue. An individual experience does not establish a benefit for everyone. Not noticing an effect does not by itself mean you should increase your CBD intake. Check the amount in each serving and the current FSA advice before changing how much you use.
If you’re unhappy with the results of your CBD product, don’t give up just yet. This checklist will help you to decide your next steps so you can continue your journey of CBD discovery.
It’s tempting to dismiss CBD oil if it doesn’t have an immediate and profound impact on your health but try not to be so hasty. CBD isn’t a miracle cure; it should be treated like an everyday health supplement. When taken consistently, trust that it will support your endocannabinoid system, perhaps in ways that aren’t immediately obvious to you.
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Laura Howarth
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