The Ultimate Guide to Using CBD & THC

Heard about the many potential benefits of CBD and THC but aren't sure where to get started? We break down everything you need to know, including dosage, duration, legality, effects, how to find the best products, and much more.

Key Takeaways

• Millions of people use CBD and THC, both recreationally and as natural remedies.
• CBD is non-psychoactive, while THC produces psychoactive effects.
• Hemp-derived CBD and THC products are legal under federal law, but local laws may vary.
• It's important to get lab-tested products to ensure potency and purity.
• Experts generally recommend starting with a low dose and increasing as needed.

See More: Can CBD Make Me Tired or Groggy?

All About CBD and THC

Meredith Farrow, founder of Clean Remedies, says:

"CBD and THC have plenty of amazing potential benefits. To experience those, you need to know what kind of products to get and how to take them properly."

CBD and THC products are exploding in popularity. The majority of American adults have tried either CBD or THC at least once, and tens of millions use them regularly.¹

People use CBD and THC for sleep, pain, stress, and more. Many use them recreationally, enjoying their relaxing, uplifting effects.

If you want to dip your toes into the wonderful world of CBD and THC, it's important to get an idea of what awaits you. There are important factors, like product type and dosage, which you should consider before taking anything.

We'll cover all that and more to help you ensure your first experience is a great one.

And if you've already begun exploring CBD and THC and want to go further, we'll cover some unique products and tips for using them to take things to the next level.

How CBD Works

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a cannabinoid. It's naturally produced in hemp plants and cannabis plants.

As a cannabinoid, CBD is quite similar to certain signal molecules your body naturally produces. These molecules, called endocannabinoids, interact with cannabinoid receptors located throughout your body. Together, these receptors and signal molecules make up your body's endocannabinoid system.

Your endocannabinoid system is linked to many important bodily processes, like sleep, memory, pain, and mood. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system. That's how it produces many of its potential benefits.

CBD is not psychoactive. It has no psychoactive effects. That means it shouldn't get you high.

Potential Benefits of CBD

The potential benefits of CBD are wide-ranging. People take it for all kinds of reasons.

Some of the most common reasons people take CBD are sleep, pain, and stress. Research suggests CBD can support sleep and promote relaxation.

For example, one 2024 study found that CBD "was associated with tension and anxiety relief."²

Potential Side Effects

Like many natural compounds, CBD can cause side effects. Some people find it makes them drowsy. Others find it affects their appetite.

CBD can also interact with some prescription medications, especially those that are metabolized in the liver. Make sure to check with your doctor before taking CBD if you're unsure.

Taking CBD

There are many different ways of taking CBD:

• Inhalation: Smoking, as with hemp flower or a vape.
• Sublingual: Placing CBD oil or tincture under your tongue.
• Oral: Eating edibles, like CBD gummies, or drinking CBD drinks.
• Topicals: Applying topical CBD products, like creams or roll-ons, to localized areas.
• Transdermal patches: Steady, gradual release of CBD.

Safety

Research into CBD's long-term effects is somewhat limited. The FDA hasn't approved nonprescription CBD products.

Still, CBD is generally considered safe. For example, the World Health Organization stated that CBD is "generally well-tolerated with a good safety profile."

There's one important caveat. Studies have shown that many CBD products don't contain exactly what they say on the product label. Others even contain contaminants, like synthetic cannabinoids or toxic metals.

As you might expect, these products may not be safe.

One way to avoid this is to stick to products that have been tested by a third-party laboratory for potency and purity. The manufacturer should provide a certificate of analysis displaying the results of these tests.

Legality

The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp and CBD legal at the federal level in the U.S. Under federal law, hemp plants must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.

CBD products made from hemp plants are also federally legal. These products are called "hemp-derived" CBD products.

CBD might be legal under federal law, but state and local laws may vary. Laws also vary around the world. For example, in the UK, CBD products must contain less than 0.2% THC.

Dosage

How much CBD you take can play a large role in the effects you feel. The right dosage varies between individuals based on several factors, including your metabolism, tolerance, and even body weight.

It's generally a good idea to follow the recommended dosage provided by your product. For example, Clean Remedies' CBD oil comes with a recommended dosage of 25 mg per serving.

If you're unsure, start with a low dose. (For example, 1-5 mg of CBD three times per day.) You can gradually increase the dose if needed.

Moderate users often take 20- 40 mg of CBD daily. Experienced users might take over 150mg of CBD.

Duration

The onset and duration of CBD depend on several factors, including consumption method, dosage, and your individual body chemistry.

Inhalation generally leads to the fastest onset. Effects may not last as long as with other methods, though.

Sublingual application is also very fast, because the CBD can enter the many blood vessels located under your tongue. It can cause effects within 15-30 minutes after administration.

CBD edibles usually take longer to take effect because they need to travel through your digestive system first. CBD drinks often take effect quicker than other edibles because they're absorbed faster. Similarly, if you take CBD edibles on an empty stomach, they may take effect sooner.

Bonus: Is 10mg of THC Too Much for a Beginner?

How to Take Different CBD Products

One important thing to consider is whether you want your CBD product to contain THC.

As we mentioned, hemp plants may contain trace amounts of THC. Hemp-derived products that include all of the many natural compounds produced by hemp plants therefore include tiny amounts of THC. These are called "full-spectrum" CBD products.

There's good reason for this. The presence of THC is thought to make CBD more effective, a phenomenon called the entourage effect.

At these concentrations, the THC in CBD products shouldn't get you high. However, it may cause a positive drug test.

You can also get CBD products with the THC removed. These are called "broad-spectrum" CBD products.

If you want pure CBD and nothing else, you can also get CBD isolate.

CBD Oil and Tincture

CBD oil is perhaps the most well-known type of CBD product. One of the great things about CBD oil is how versatile it is. You can take it straight from the dropper, add it to your favorite drink, or use it to make delicious homemade CBD edibles.

The quickest way to take CBD oil is sublingually. Place a few drops of the oil under your tongue and let it absorb. High-quality CBD oils should come with a marked dropper to help with CBD oil dosage.

To make CBD oil, manufacturers usually mix hemp extract with a carrier oil, like hemp seed oil or MCT oil from coconuts. This carrier oil helps with absorption.

You should store your CBD oil in its original container, in a cool, dark place. Avoid exposing your CBD oil to heat, light, and air, as these can accelerate CBD breakdown.

A CBD tincture is similar, and many people use the terms tincture and oil interchangeably. Technically, tinctures use an alcohol base to extract the CBD.

You can get Full-Spectrum CBD Tincture and Broad Spectrum CBD Oil Tincture.

CBD isn't the only potentially beneficial cannabinoid. Others are also becoming more popular, like CBN and CBG. Some products also utilize these cannabinoids as well as CBD.

For example, Clean Remedies' CBG & CBD Optimal Wellness Tincture Oil blends CBD and CBG in a careful 1:1 ratio for a ritual of calm and clarity.

CBD Edibles (CBD Gummies, Chocolate, etc.)

Edibles are another popular way to take CBD. They're convenient and tasty, which is great for people in a hurry or those who don't love the natural flavors of CBD oil.

Many edibles come in pre-measured portions. For example, CBD gummies often come with a recommended dose of one gummy. That makes it easy to take your desired dose.

Clean Remedies' Relax & Calm CBD Gummies each contain 10 mg of broad-spectrum hemp extract.

CBD gummies are just one kind of edible. You can get chocolate, brownies, cookies, hard candies, and more.

You can also get CBD capsules. Capsules aim to provide a consistent dosage without any taste.

Some CBD edibles also blend in other supportive ingredients to emphasize certain effects.

For example, as we mentioned, many people take CBD for better sleep. Clean Remedies' Sleep & Soothe CBD Gummies combine full-spectrum hemp extract with GABA, L-Theanine, and CBN, a blend designed to calm both mind and body.

On the other hand, our Energy & Focus CBD Gummies combine broad-spectrum hemp extract with caffeine, vitamin B12, and L-Theanine for a steady, purposeful lift.

And our CBG & CBD Optimal Wellness Gummies blend CBD and CBG in a careful 1:1 ratio to bring clarity and calm.

CBD Isolate

Most CBD products use some kind of hemp extract. There's full-spectrum hemp extract, which contains all of the natural compounds produced by hemp plants. And there's broad-spectrum, in which the THC is removed.

You can also isolate the CBD almost completely. It's called CBD isolate. If you want nothing but CBD, this is what you should get.

One advantage of CBD isolate is that it can help with the precision needed for getting an ideal dosage.

Clean Remedies' CBD Isolate is a powder made from crystalline CBD that is 99+% pure.

CBD Topicals

You don't necessarily have to consume CBD in order to experience its potential benefits. Some CBD products are applied topically. They're called CBD topical products.

CBD topicals are applied to the skin. They usually aren't designed to be absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. They provide targeted, localized relief to a specific area instead of systemic effects impacting the whole body.

People use CBD topicals for muscle aches, joint pain, skin care, and more.

Research suggests CBD can help support sore muscles and joints. For example, one 2024 study found that participants who used topical CBD reported less joint pain and enhanced grip strength.³

How THC Works

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, also interacts with your body's endocannabinoid system. Unlike cannabidiol (CBD), THC is psychoactive. It's the primary compound responsible for cannabis' iconic high.

Potential Benefits of THC

Many people take THC recreationally, reporting positive effects like relaxation and euphoria.

Many others take it for things like chronic pain, poor sleep, and severe nausea. An increasing number of clinical trials are investigating THC's potential therapeutic benefits across a range of medical conditions and health issues, like multiple sclerosis.

Potential Side Effects

Like CBD and many other natural compounds, THC can produce adverse effects, especially if it's taken in higher doses. Some people experience dry mouth, stress, and impaired coordination. THC can also have a sedative effect, which is partially why so many people use it for restful sleep.

THC can also cause drug interactions. Make sure to check with a health professional to see if it might interact with any other drugs before you take it.

Taking THC

Safety

Research suggests that THC is generally safe.⁴ It's still important to stick to lab-tested products, avoid combining THC with other substances, and take your THC in a safe, secure place, especially the first time.

Legality

Hemp-derived THC products are considered legal under federal law as of September, 2026. However, the legality of THC varies widely by location. Make sure to check the laws in your area before purchasing or using THC products.

Kinds of THC

When people refer to THC, they usually mean Delta-9 THC. There are actually several different kinds.

One popular variant is Delta-8 THC. It's very similar to Delta-9 THC. The main difference is that people usually say Delta-8 THC has milder effects. It's why Delta-8 THC is sometimes called "diet weed."

Duration

As with CBD products, the onset and duration of THC depend on how much and what kind of product you take.

Inhalation is generally the quickest. Taking THC oil sublingually is also quick.

THC edibles take longer to kick in. Effects usually begin 30 minutes to 2 hours after you take the edible, peak after a few hours, and last 4-12 hours.

Dosage

Experts generally recommend starting with a small dose. You can always adjust your dose based on your desired effects.

A typical dosage recommendation is usually 5-10 mg. Beginners might even start smaller, with something like 2.5 mg.

In order to get your dosage right, you need to know how many mg are in your product in the first place. That's why it's so important to get lab-tested products.

All of Clean Remedies' CBD and THC products are tested by a third-party laboratory for potency and purity. You can see the results of these tests by viewing the certificate of analysis attached to a product.

Where to Get THC Products

As with CBD, gummies are one of the most common ways people take THC.

You can get gummies that use Delta-9 THC or Delta-8 THC, depending on which you prefer.

Some gummies, like our natural grape-flavored gummies, mix THC and CBD together for a balanced effect.

There's also THC oil, which has the same versatility as CBD oil. If you prefer to drink THC, grab a THC drink mix. And if you're more of a chocolate person than a gummy person, consider THC chocolate.

Conclusion

CBD and THC are rapidly growing in popularity, with millions of people taking them both recreationally and for specific purposes like sleep and stress. It's important to get high-quality, lab-tested products and carefully follow the dosage recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does CBD Do to You the First Time You Take It?

People often say that CBD produces a subtle, relaxing, uplifting sensation. It won't get you high, as THC might. In larger doses, CBD can cause unpleasant side effects. That's why it's important not to take too much CBD.

How Much Is 1 Dropper of CBD Oil?

That depends on the concentration of CBD in the oil and the size of the dropper. In some products, a few CBD oil drops are enough to reach a sufficient dose, while in others you might need to use the whole dropper. For example, a full dropper of Clean Remedies' CBD oil contains 1 ml or 30 mg of CBD, which is about twice as large as the recommended dose.

Is It Safe to Take CBD Every Day?

Research suggests that CBD is generally well-tolerated, even when taken daily.

Keep Reading: Can CBD Oil Make You Hallucinate?

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Sources

1. How Many Americans Use CBD? (Last updated: 2026) – Neurogan
2. CBD shown to ease anxiety without the risks that can come with THC | CU Boulder Today
3. An open-label feasibility trial of transdermal cannabidiol for hand osteoarthritis | Scientific ReportsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, repeated-dose pilot study of the safety, tolerability, and preliminary effects of a cannabidiol (CBD)- and cannabigerol (CBG)-based beverage powder to support recovery from delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) - PMC
4. Estimated Lethal Dose of Cannabis | Drug Policy Facts 

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Clean Remedies is a woman-owned, independent family business that uses clean and natural hemp extract to create products that are free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, and made in the USA, meant to benefit your well-being and meet our own high standards of efficacy. For CBD facts, product discounts, and more, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.