If you are asking yourself when is the best time of day to take CBD, you’ve come to the right place. So, let’s dive into the how CBD works in our bodies so you can best understand this amazing compound and how you can use it to achieve optimal results at various times in your schedule.
The Science Behind CBD
CBD does its thing by interacting with the natural endocannabinoid system inside our bodies. This system plays a major role in helping regulate important functions. Some of which are sleep, mood regulation, and appetite.
Researchers first discovered the endocannabinoid system in the 1990s. We now know that it is extremely important for our ability to positively respond to environmental changes like physical and mental stress.
Endocannabinoid receptors are present throughout our entire body, even on our skin. The more we learn about this system, the more complicated it becomes. It plays a part in much more than originally thought. Memory, immune system, and reproductive function are all tied to this system.
Your body naturally produces its own endocannabinoids to carry out the functions within this system. But just like with any nutrient, you can end up with an endocannabinoid imbalance that makes your health and wellness suffer.
The phytocannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, like CBD, also interact with our endocannabinoid systems. But CBD does not bind to receptors like other cannabinoids found in cannabis. Instead, CBD blocks the breakdown of our own endocannabinoids. This gives our bodies more time to use up what it is naturally producing.
It also directly activates the receptor responsible for serotonin production in our brains. CBD also changes the shape of CB1 receptors. THC binds to these receptors and can overstimulate them, causing anxiety or paranoia. But this happens less if you use a balance of THC and CBD, as the CBD keeps the CB1 receptors from being overstimulated.
Best Time To Use CBD
Finding out what is the best time of day to take CBD can vary from person to person. It depends largely on what you want to get from your product.
If you want to have a nice day with less stress, you may want to take CBD in the morning.
If you do just fine during your day but want something to help you relax after you log off from responsibilities, then you may want to take some CBD at the end of your work day or when you get home in the evening.
And if you want help with sleeping soundly then you may want to take some CBD about 30 minutes before you plan to doze off to sleep.
So you see, there really is no best time of day to take CBD that is universal to everyone. You just need to consider what you want from your CBD and find the way to best fit it into your routine.
You can even take it in the morning and in the evening if that is what works for you. The main thing is deciding on a delivery method that matches how fast you want to feel the effects.
Taking CBD In the Morning
Although each person will have their own optimal time for taking CBD, researchers have foundthat things like dosage and time of day can have a slight impact on the way things work.
For instance, taking CBD in the morning may help with enhancing focus. It has the potential to quiet the mind, which can in turn improve concentration and reduce stress. Experts also think it may help with keeping healthy sleep-wake cycles, which may help you be more productive when awake.
It may also help with dealing with stress. It seems that many people experience some anxiety before work days, or when we have an important life event on the horizon. CBD in the morning is thought to help our bodies remain relaxed as the stress builds. Since CBD keeps our natural endocannabinoids around longer we can feel more content for as long as possible.
It also plays a part in our GABA receptor activity, which is responsible for reducing hyperactivity in our brains. So if you are dealing with stressful time of life, it may be worth your while to try CBD in the morning to help you cope better throughout the day, compared to taking CBD to relax at night after you have already let the stress affect your body and mind.
Taking CBD in the morning may be able to help with relaxing your muscles. Our body needs time to relax and recover just like our minds. CBD is thought to help with stiffness or soreness. If this a concern, one idea would be to start your day off gently with a routine that includes CBD and stretching to warm your body up.
Similarly, taking CBD in the morning may also be able to improve your morning workout routine. If you like to get up and move around first thing in the morning, CBD could be a great way to fuel up your body to take on the day. Take a full-spectrum gummy or oil as you get your gym bag ready or grab a topical for warming up your muscles. You can even apply them post-workout to help with recovery.
Taking CBD In the Evening
CBD is great for helping people unwind after a busy, strenuous, or stressful day. It can be hard to let the stress of the day go when it has been building up in your mind and your muscles all day long.
If you want a little support with unwinding, try taking some CBD before you start your at-home tasks like cooking dinner or cleaning up the dishes.
Taking CBD in the evening is also a good way for people to get some help with falling asleep and staying asleep. When it comes to falling asleep, it may be able to help us feel relaxed and tranquil so we can have fewer thoughts keeping us awake at night.
In addition to helping with maintaining healthy sleep-wake cycles, it may have an impact on our stages of sleep too. Studies have looked at its ability to reduce REM sleep disorders like tremors, abrupt body movements, and vivid dreams. It has also shown promise in helping people sleep better who suffer from conditions like PTSD and nightmares.
Best Use of Different CBD Products
There are different ways to take CBD, and the delivery method you choose will have a different effect on your body. The time to kick in will vary, and the strength can even vary. By knowing how each delivery method will impact you, you can best plan the time you want to take your products.
Here are the most common ways people take CBD and when:
Best Use for CBD Gummies and Other Edibles
CBD gummies, capsules, and other edibles have slow onset times but a longer duration of effects. They are a great way to keep consistent levels of cannabinoids in your system.
If you are taking a CBD edible, you will want to take it at least an hour before you really want it to kick in. If you are taking it to help quell anxiety during the day, it may work best to take it in the morning so it can begin to work its way through your body before you get to the stressful parts of your day.
With CBD edibles, the effects usually last around one to six hours depending on things like your tolerance, the potency of the product, and dosage amount. It is also effected by your digestive system, so it can help if you take it when you have some food in your stomach. There is more about this in the section “take CBD gummies with food”.
If you are looking for more nighttime support, like help with falling asleep, then it may be best for you to eat a gummy or take a capsule up to two hours before your usual bedtime.
Best Use of CBD Oils and Other Sublinguals
CBD oils, tinctures, and sprays are absorbed quickly through the sublingual tissue beneath the tongue. It passes through sublingual membranes in the mouth and reaches the bloodstream faster than when taking oral products. They also have a higher bioavailability than edibles as your liver doesn’t break any of the THC down.
You will want to plan ahead when taking CBD sublinguals, The onset of effects usually happens around 30 minutes after delivery. The peak bloodstream levels are usually found around 1 to 5 hours after that. This is a good product option to take if you want long-term effects. The onset time is relatively fast and the effects will last hours.
Best Use of CBD-Infused Topicals
CBD-infused lotions, balms, and other topicals are applied directly to the skin. You can rub them into the spot you want to feel the effects. Topical CBD won’t reach your bloodstream unless you are using a transdermal product. Otherwise, it will simply diffuse across your skin to support specific areas like muscles and joints.
Since they are meant to help with specific areas of discomfort they can be applied as needed, at any time of day. The effects can take anywhere from several minutes to an hour to really take effect, although most people recognize effects almost instantly.
Use of Inhaled CBD products
CBD can be inhaled using a number of methods. Vape pens, concentrates, and CBD flower are all popular options for people who prefer to take CBD through inhalation. It offers the fastest route for the onset of effects since it doesn’t include the first-pass metabolism that takes place when you put CBD through your digestive tract.
But it also has the shortest duration of effects. CBD levels in the bloodstream peak at around just 10 minutes and can be fully dissipated within two hours.
These type of products have other concerns and considerations as well. So if you choose this route, be very certain to get a high quality, safe product that is certified to be free of toxins and that contains no harmful chemicals.
Of great concern, inhaled products can cause serious issues for the lungs and trigger coughing and wheezing. They often contain things like propylene glycol, which is not good for your lung health. Also, you have to invest in the appropriate equipment to take your products. Cheaper pieces of equipment, like disposable vape pens, are often made with low-quality products like plastics.
People that choose to inhale CBD still often use another method of consumption to keep the effects lasting throughout the day. Inhaling it provides fast and intense effects and taking a gummy or some oil can maintain those effects after the peak of smoking or vaping has worn off.
How Often Should I Take CBD?
The frequency of when to take CBD depend on things like the delivery method, the dosage amount, and more. Some people like to use a variety of products, like a gummy in the morning, a topical throughout the day, and oil at night.
People who take CBD multiple times throughout the day, often take a smaller amounts each time. On the other hand, some people prefer to use one potent option like a full dose of oil in the morning, and that’s it.
Really, it is up to what works best for you. We recommend starting with the smallest serving size listed on the label. Once you have personal insights into how it works for you, you will feel more empowered to make adjustments to get the effects you want.
Conclusion
By understanding how CBD works in your body and how different delivery methods will impact your experience, you can tailor your CBD routine to fit your needs.
The best time of day to take CBD ultimately is up to you. Consider your personal goals and experiment with the products to find a routine that makes the most sense to you.
Remember that quality is the most important consideration for your CBD success. Find a brand you can trust. We invited you try our popular Yummy CBD gummies and oils! Enjoy your CBD journey!