CBD What Dose and How Long To Take Effect

[2islandboy]

Hi, 2400mg 4,6,8,10:00 Gabapentin is no longer controlling my RL. I started 30mg gummies four days ago and no help, until last night, no RL??? How long does it take for CBD to take effect and how much are people taking? I also had two iron infusions 8 and 7 weeks ago, with (sadly) no joy. I've been of Mirapex for over a year. Also, per Sue's medication list, I take no problem drugs.

[2islandboy]

PS: My CBD only has 0.3mg THC. Is the THC necessary? A higher percentage is illegal in NH.

[SueJohnson]

Since gabapentin did work but is no longer, then I suggested switching to pregabalin so you could increase the amount since obviously you don't want to take any at 2:00. Did you try that? Since it did work an increased amount should work. You can switch directly. The equivalent amount is 400 mg pregabalin.

And since Dr Winkleman is your doctor can he prescribe a low dose opioid or is that a problem since he is not in new Hampshire. Yes THC makes a difference. They should start working in 30 minutes to 2 hours.

If at some point you decide to come off gabapentin or pregabalin you need to do so very slowly to avoid withdrawal effects. Reduce by 100 - 200 mg gabapentin or 25 mg pregabalin every 2 weeks. If you do so you will have very few or no withdrawal effects. If you do have any, slow down even further, In very very rare cases you still might have withdrawal effects

[2islandboy in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue. I will message Dr Winkleman's assistant and ask for Pregabalin. I do have to be seen in Boston before he will prescribe an opioid. His last suggestion was for Methadone. It's probably time for me to see how I react to Methadone, it is a solution for many people on the Blog. I was so hopeful that my two iron infusions would be as helpful as they were two years ago. Maybe it's still too soon, 7 and 8 weeks?

[puzzler1]

I thought iron infusions took about 8 weeks to start working but I’m happy to be corrected on this if I’m wrong.

[SueJohnson in reply to puzzler1]

They can start working before 8 weeks but one shouldn't test their ferritin again for 8 weeks as it will be artificially high.

[RLScure]

You need THC, not CBD. In addition, CBD and / or CBN will only detract from the effect. Melatonin will make your RLS worse, so avoid those gummies with Melatonin. You need a pure Indigo strain. I take 2.5 mg (piece of gummy) at a time and it takes up to 1.5 hours to take effect, but your legs will relax when you are stoned and then you can sleep. Alcohol works the same way but will make RLS worse when the stoned effect wears off.

[2islandboy]

Thanks RLSCure. I'll get the proper gummies tomorrow. Somehow, I escaped the fun 60's without getting stoned, so this may be fun in my old age!

[RLScure]

Here is more information on what and how to take it:

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I have had good results from THC in gummies. However, you must try several kinds to find one that works as I have noticed a great deal of variation on the effects, even in the same batch.

Sometimes I don't feel it at all and other times it seems that I need only a little bit. In general, I think that the THC "submerges" the RLS so that you can sleep. I am averaging 5-9 hours sleep a night. Since I don't often have to get up early, and I get my best sleep after 5 am in the morning, if I count only the hours before 5 am, I get up to 5 hours of sleep a night if I take gummies and go to bed at midnight.

This summer, I started with 5 mg THC gummies but now I use 10 mg ones (better buy). I found that CBN and CBD seem to inhibit sleep instead of helping so you want to avoid those at least in the beginning to see if THC works for you without any other stuff.

The cool thing is that I am well-rested in the AM, not groggy, and I don't get the munchies at all at night.

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Here are some guidelines for anyone wanting to try this. It is only my experience but it is definitely worth it.

• Buy gummies with Indica THC from a small manufacturer: I was told that a smaller manufacturer rotates their cannabinoid sources so you don't get habituated to one strain.

• You need the Indica type, not Sativa. Most Indica strains are berry flavored (the dispensary told me this is the industry practice)

• Make sure that your gummies are solventless. They sometimes use industrial solvents to extract the THC and this can have negative effects on the body.

• Don't buy chocolate edibles as chocolate can make RLS worse.

• Make sure that the gummies don't have CBN or CBD in them, as this can interfere with the effects of the THC and with your results. I tried edibles with both of these first and didn't think that they worked. If I had stopped there I might not have known that THC alone works for me.

• Avoid gummies for sleep that include Melatonin which can stimulate RLS.

• Another possible idea is to find a solventless, Indica tincture. A tincture is a liquid solution (eye-dropper) that you put in your mouth under your tongue. I found one that comes from the same manufacturer as my favorite gummies, and have discovered that the tincture can take effect faster than a gummy. Plus no sugar in the tincture which is an advantage when you are taking small amounts every time you awaken.

---------- How to take the gummies ----------

• Try half a gummy (or less) about an hour before you go to bed.

• Allow it to dissolve in your mouth, don't chew it.

• It takes a while to kick in. I find the effect will go through a bit of a bell curve, slow to begin, relaxation, then high (a gentle high, but be careful—you can get a bit dizzy), and then soon after the high it abates.

• I often take another piece of the gummy at bedtime because RLS can set in and I want to continue the effect so the high from the second half can come in while I am sleeping and before the first half has worn off.

• I often wake up at night so if I need it I will take more.

Last night I took only a quarter gummy on the second round and it lasted me all night! Also, on sale right now are Galaxy gummies which at 25 mg are strong but you can always cut them down. Keep a record of everything you are eating and taking, especially at night.

If anyone has questions, just let me know.

[2islandboy in reply to RLScure]

WOW !! You are fantastic. I was really lost about what to take. Where do you buy your THC. I am somewhat limited locally, rural NH.

[2islandboy]

I just learned that THC can not be mailed. Road trip coming.