A non-intoxicating cannabis compound that acts on the body's stress, pain, and inflammation signaling. Its one proven effect is reducing seizures in rare, severe epilepsy. For calmer anxiety, better sleep, and everyday aches the evidence is mixed. Generally safe at consumer doses, but high doses can strain the liver and alter levels of other medicines. Many products are mislabeled. (Full Review)

Protocol

Starting Dose

10–25 mg

Once or twice daily; titrate up every 1–2 weeks

Wellness Range

25–75 mg/day

Higher regimens reserved for clinical use under supervision

Timing

Daytime or pre-bed

Daytime for anxiety; 30–60 min before bed for sleep. Take with food

Time to effect

Acute Anxiety

30–90 min

After a single oral dose

Sleep & Mood

1–2 weeks

Judged after consistent daily use

Steady State

Several days

Accumulates with repeated dosing

Benefits

High: Reduction of drug-resistant seizures

Medium: Reduction of anxiety

Low: Improved sleep quality, reduced psychotic symptoms, chronic pain relief

Speculative: Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, neuroprotection, reduced substance use

Contraindications

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Moderate-to-severe liver impairment (Child-Pugh B or C)

Narrow-therapeutic-index drugs without medical supervision

Key Interactions

Anti-seizure medications (clobazam, valproate)

Blood thinners and CYP2C9 substrates (warfarin)

CYP3A4 substrates (simvastatin, calcium-channel blockers, benzodiazepines, tacrolimus)

CYP2C19 substrates (citalopram, omeprazole)

Over-the-counter medications (diphenhydramine, melatonin, dextromethorphan)

Supplement interactions (St. John's Wort, grapefruit, sedating botanicals)

Additive-effect supplements (melatonin, valerian, kava, magnesium, high-dose ashwagandha)

Other interventions (alcohol, cannabis containing THC)

Risk & Side Effects

High: Hepatocellular injury, drug–drug interactions, somnolence and sedation, gastrointestinal effects

Medium: Product mislabeling and contamination

Speculative: Possible male reproductive effects, unknown long-term effects of chronic use

Monitoring

Marker	Target	Why
ALT	10–25 U/L	Primary marker of liver-cell stress from cannabidiol
AST	10–25 U/L	Complements ALT to confirm liver involvement
GGT	10–30 U/L	Sensitive to hepatic and oxidative/detoxification stress
Total bilirubin	0.3–1.2 mg/dL	Reflects overall liver clearance function
INR	Per indication (only if on warfarin)	Detects increased bleeding risk from raised warfarin levels

Cadence: Baseline, then ~1 and 3 months after starting or a dose increase, then every 6–12 months

Qualitative Assessment

Sleep quality: ease of falling asleep, night wakings, morning refreshment
Daytime anxiety and stress reactivity: subjective calm and resilience
Energy and sedation: whether daytime alertness is maintained or dulled
Cognitive clarity: focus and mental sharpness, watching for fogginess
Pain and recovery: perceived aches and post-exercise recovery

Cannabidiol for Health & Longevity

Protocol

Benefits

Risk & Side Effects

Monitoring

Qualitative Assessment