If there’s one excellent thing that came out of CBD’s rapid rise in popularity, it’s that more people are open to trying it and even more are making CBD a part of their regular supplement regimen. A common question that new users seem to want to know, however, is what's the best time to take CBD oil. Scientists who are well-versed in the world of CBD believe that the time you take a product, as well the CBD oil dosage, has a significant impact on how well your body works with the CBD.
Why are People Taking CBD in the First Place?
People have many reasons for taking CBD. While some take it as a way to help support their wellness, others use CBD with different health goals in mind. But regardless of why you’re taking CBD, the fact still remains that everyone has an endocannabinoid system that it will work with. The endocannabinoid system, or ECS as it’s sometimes called, is responsible for helping to regulate and balance various bodily functions and systems. Additionally, CBD is packed with other nutrients that the body likes in general. Full- and broad spectrum oils in particular contain:
- Vitamins
- Trace Minerals
- Phytonutrients
- Essential Fatty Acids
- Minor Cannabinoids
- Chlorophyll
- Flavonoids
- Terpenes
When to Take CBD Oil: What's the Best Time of the Day to Take CBD?
There is no particular time of day when CBD oil is best taken. It's very much about what works best for each individual. Finding the right time to take CBD in your day has more to do with your personal schedule, what feels most effective for you, whether it's something you want to get checked off the list or something you want to look forward to, among other considerations. Overall it's best not to take CBD at the same time as food or drink, just to give the body some time and space to focus on incorporating your CBD into the right places without the distraction or other elements in the mix.
Benefits of Taking CBD in the Morning
When CBD is taken in the morning, you are giving your body an infusion of cannabinoids to interact with in the first part of your day. If you wake up feeling like you need some help, then taking CBD in the morning is probably good for you. The great part of taking it earlier in the day is that you are probably less likely to forget it, and so you can more easily stay on your regimen without those accidental skip days.
Benefits of Taking CBD in the Evening
If you wake up feeling fresh as a daisy and ready to take on the world, then you might be someone who benefits from taking your CBD later in the day. Do you find yourself dragging halfway through work, or do you struggle to make it home at the end of the day without some support? Those of us who start flagging as the day progresses may benefit from taking CBD in the afternoon or evening. It's usually best to take your CBD around the time when you know you need some extra help. A benefit of taking CBD later in the day is that you get to look forward to it while you're at work or at the gym. It can be like a little homecoming ritual that helps set you up for a more rejuvenating evening.
Is There a Better Time to Take CBD Oil and Other Products?
Different CBD products are broken down by your body in different ways. For example, CBD oils tend to work faster because they are absorbed directly into your bloodstream without having to first go through your digestive tract like a CBD gummy. Therefore, you may want to take that into consideration when thinking about when you’d like to take a specific product.
CBD Oil
As we just said, CBD oil is best taken under your tongue and held there for about 60-seconds before swishing it around in your mouth and swallowing. This allows the cannabinoids, terpenes, and phytonutrients to be absorbed into your bloodstream through the thin membranes under your tongue and in your mouth. Most people typically feel CBD oil working within about 30 minutes or so. Therefore, because it’s faster-acting than gummies, you can take it either first thing in the morning or right before you go to bed at night. Most people find that they like using CBD oil once or twice a day, and some may even use it up to three times a day if they feel the need. Remember, everyone’s body is unique, so a dose or a time that works best for you might not work that great for someone else. Therefore, it’s safe to say that using CBD oil is a unique experience.
CBD Gummies and Soft Gels
Any type of CBD product that needs to be chewed and/or swallowed and then digested is considered to be a slow-release product. Therefore, you’ll need to think about how long it takes your unique body to feel the effects of these products and then gauge when it is best for you to take them. For example, if you want to take a specially formulated nighttime gummy before you go to bed at night, then you should plan to take it at least an hour or so before bedtime. Typically, it can take around 40 minutes to one hour before you’ll feel the effects of a gummy or a soft gel kick in. So, if you prefer taking CBD gummies or soft gels to start your day over oil, then you’ll need to allow for the time it will take for your body to break down and digest the products before you’ll begin to feel their effects.
CBD Topical Cream and Salve
CBD topicals like creams and salves are used on localized areas of discomfort. Therefore, for these types of products, you don’t really need to decide when will be the best time to use them. Instead, you’ll simply massage creams and salves into your skin whenever you’re particularly noticing your muscles and joints.
How Many Times Can You Take CBD Oil in a Day?
The number of times you can take CBD oil largely depends on factors that are unique to you as well as what your goals are. People who regularly take CBD on a daily basis typically take it once or twice a day. But, depending on what the product is, the serving size, as well as other factors that impact absorption, you can feel the effects of CBD in anywhere from five to 90 minutes.
The length of time that CBD can stay in your system depends on:
- Your percentage of body fat
- Your total body weight
- How potent the product is
- How often you use the product
While most people take one dose of CBD once or twice a day, others find it easier to break up their dosage into smaller amounts that they can take throughout the day. This method ensures that the person is receiving a steady and constant dose of CBD all day long.
Why is it Important to be Consistent When Taking CBD?
While everyone metabolizes CBD differently, it’s still imperative that you’re consistent with your dose. Taking CBD at the same time(s) every day will ensure that you’re getting the most out of everything that the CBD has to offer. One reason why people don’t experience their desired results is because they aren’t taking their CBD product consistently. If you’re worried that you might forget to take your product, then taking it first thing in the morning and/or right before you go to bed are great ways to practice consistency.
If you really want to be specific about it, you can also set a timer to help remind you to take your CBD at the same time(s) each day. Another great tip to help you with consistency is to leave the product in an area where you’ll be reminded to take it. For example, if you’re using CBD soft gels, then you can place the bottle next to your other daily supplements. Or, if you prefer oil, you can always keep a bottle in the bathroom so that you can grab your dose before or after brushing your teeth.
What’s the Best Dosage of CBD Oil to Take?
The first thing to remember when it comes to CBD dosage is that everyone’s body is different. Therefore, a dose that works well for one person might not work that well for the next. Dosage also depends on your weight, body chemistry, the form of CBD (gummy, soft gel, or oil), as well as your wellness needs and goals.
Doses of CBD are measured by milligrams. They can be as low as 1mg and go as high as 300mg per day, depending on the situation. How effective your dose is depends on how the CBD is administered. As an example, CBD oils are more bioavailable than gummies or soft gels simply because oils enter into your system quicker. However, the effects of CBD gummies and soft gels can be felt longer because the products must be broken down by the digestive system. Once this happens, the CBD is slowly released into the bloodstream.
The way to find out your best dose of CBD is to start at a low dose and then slowly increase over time. So, if you’re using CBD oil, you’ll want to use half a dropper-full once a day and then stick with this dose for about one week. While you’re trying to find the best dose for your body, it helps to keep a journal so that you can track how you’re feeling and what’s improving or not improving while on a specific dose. After a week has passed, you can now move up to half dropper-full twice a day. Stay with this new dose for another week before deciding if you need to increase again. Keep in mind that you may need to increase the potency of your oil over time as well.
Important Points to Remember: When is the Best Time to Take CBD Oil
While it may be tough to determine when the perfect time of day is to take your CBD, you can still use the information in our guide to help you find the best type of CBD product for your needs, your most optimal dose, and how to best schedule taking your CBD throughout the day.
Overall, you should be open to trying different doses and taking your CBD at various times during the day. This is why keeping a journal is an important part of the process. In your journal, you should document how you’re feeling after each dose along with anything else you feel is important. Finally, if you’re looking to buy any CBD products at all, make sure that you do your research so that you can be sure you’re buying top-quality products from reliable and trustworthy brands.
