Updated CBD THC Dosing Guide February 2023

An Easy-To-Follow CBD THC Dosing Guide

Everyone is Different

When it comes to dosing with cannabinoids like CBD, THC and HHC, everyone is different. There are many factors that play a role in how a particular dose of CBD, THC, or HHC will affect you. One of the biggest factors is your weight and metabolism. Those of us that are heavier may require a higher dose to achieve the desired effects. Another factor is your tolerance to the cannabinoid. That’s why we created a CBD THC dosing guide to help those that are confused on this topic!

The more often you use THC, the higher dose you will need. On the other hand, CBD does not produce a tolerance with consistent use. The amount of pain or anxiety you have can also play a big role. Those with high levels of pain or anxiety may benefit from higher doses. When you last ate can also change how a dose affects you. An empty stomach usually means the effects will take place more quickly and could be more potent.

You can relate this to drinking alcohol on an empty stomach versus a full stomach*. To summarize, there are a lot of factors at play which makes it difficult to give an exact answer for how much you should take. The process is really up to you to find a dose that works best for your personal needs. We always suggest reading our CBD THC dosing guide throughly and starting with a low dose and then slowly working your way up. We will get into some more specifics later on in the CBD THC dosing guide article.

CBD THC Dosing Guide: Type of Product Used

One of the biggest factors that affects how a particular dose of CBD, THC, or HHC will affect you is how you took that dose*. For example, when smoked, cannabinoids enter the lungs which have a lot of direct access to the bloodstream. Therefore, the cannabinoids will begin taking effect pretty much instantaneously. When ingested like with an edible, cannabinoids must travel through the digestive system before taking effect. All these application methods will be explained in this CBD THC dosing guide.

This slows things down quite a bit. When taken in an edible, cannabinoids can take up to 3 hours to fully take effect. The type of product used can also change how long a dose lasts. The effects from smokeables generally wear off faster than edibles do.

This means that 5mg from a joint can be a different experience than 5mg from an edible. As we have said before and will definitely say again, start with a low dose, and build up slowly. Wait at least 3 hours before taking another dose. 

CBD THC Dosing Guide Including HHC

As we talked about above, this question requires you to consider several factors before arriving at an appropriate answer. Factors such as your weight, metabolism, levels of pain or anxiety, tolerance, when you last ate, and the type of product used all play a role. We always suggest beginning with a low dose and then slowly working your way up. 

For smokeables like joints and vapes, it would be best to begin with just a couple inhales. Wait around 30 minutes before taking another inhale. The effects from inhalation can be felt almost instantaneously, but the full effects may take a half hour to set in.

Here is an example; A single gram of flower may contain 20% THC. This means that in that gram there are 200mg of THC. This is a large amount for most people and that is why we suggest beginning with just a couple inhales from your joint or glass pipe.

Edibles are usually dosed between 5mg and 100mg per piece. This is quite a large contrast. As we have mentioned, we urge you to start with a low dose and slowly build up. Wait at least 3 hours before taking another edible dose.

The effects from an edible may take up to 3 hours to travel through the digestive system and to begin working. For example, Thrive Flower Delta-8 THC Gummies contain 25mg of Delta-8 THC per gummy. A good place to begin is ½ of the gummy. This equates to 12.5mg of Delta-8 THC.

For CBD products, you can generally take higher doses than you would with THC. For example, Thrive Flower Delta-9 THC Gummies contain 10mg of Delta-9 THC and 100mg of CBD to form a 1:10 ratio. Starting with half of a gummy would get you a dose of 5mg of Delta-9 THC and 50mg of CBD. This dose of CBD is equal to the 50mg of CBD in every one of the Thrive Flower Vegan CBD Gummies.

HHC products are considered to be equal potency to Delta-9 THC products. So, Thrive Flower HHC Gummies and Delta-9 THC Gummies have similar doses. We suggest starting with half a gummy at a time. If you are using the vape, begin with just a couple inhales.

Here are a few charts to help you on your CBD THC dosing guide journey. Remember, start low and build up slowly! Please feel free to reach out to us for 1-on-1 dosing support

What is the Difference Between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC?

Effectively dosing can differ depending on the type of THC you use. Consumer reports suggest that Delta-8 THC is about 75% as potent as Delta-9 THC. This means that 10mg of Delta-9 THC would produce a stronger effect than 10mg of Delta-8 THC (which is equivalent to 7.5mg of Delta-9 THC).. This information is entirely based on user reports and not scientific studies so it is best to take this information with a grain of salt.

Is HHC The Same As THC?

HHC is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid produced from THC. The extra H refers to a hydrogen atom that has been added to naturally occurring THC. This additional hydrogen atom changes the legality of otherwise illegal THC to being fully legal under federal law. User reports suggest that HHC is equally as potent as Delta-9 THC. Delta-8 THC is considered to be about 75% as potent as HHC.

How Long Does CBD, THC, and HHC Take to Start Working?

The answer to how long it takes for a dose of cannabis to begin taking effect lies in the type of product you used and when you last ate. Products that you inhale take effect almost instantaneously. Edible products can take up to 3 hours before fully taking effect.

Taking cannabis products on an empty stomach usually means the effects will set in more quickly*. If you find that your dose does not produce the desired effects, you may just need to try a higher dose. Just be sure to wait at least 30 minutes after inhaling or 3 hours after ingesting before taking more.

How Long Do the Effects of CBD, THC, and HHC Last?

Generally, effects last about 4-8 hours. This is dependent on your metabolism, your tolerance, and the type of product you use. Those with a faster metabolism may feel the effects fade more quickly. The effects felt from using a smokeable wear off faster than those felt from using edibles.

Can You Build a Tolerance to CBD, THC, or HHC? 

Consistent THC or HHC use will result in a built up tolerance. This means that you will need higher and higher doses of THC and HHC to achieve the same effects. CBD does not build any tolerance and has even been shown to possibly be reverse tolerance forming so you would need less and less as time goes on.

What Happens if I Take Too Much CBD, THC, and HHC? 

There is no such thing as an “overdose” when it comes to cannabis. Yes, you can take so much that the effects are uncomfortable, but it won’t kill you. This is much more common when taking THC compared to CBD because CBD does not produce a psychoactive high.

If you find yourself in the position of having taken too high a dose, just remember that it will come to an end and you will sober up. This could take several hours so be patient. It is important to hydrate as well. If you can, it can be helpful to eat. Many people have gone through the same experience so trust that it will be ok when the effects wear off.