Various studies show that cannabidiol can provide much-needed relief from certain ailments such as anxiety, sleeplessness and restlessness, joint pain, headaches, and much more. While the effects of CBD can last quite some time, you will likely experience the best results by taking it at the right time of day. (Click to tweet)
But what is the best time to take CBD oil? The answer to this question relies heavily on the symptoms or disorders you are hoping to alleviate.
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Table of Contents:
1. How Often Should You Take CBD Oil?
1.1 Ways to Consume CBD
2. When to Take CBD Oil
2.1 Dosing Options
2.2 CBD Oil Dosage and Food
3. CBD Oil: Morning or Night? Or Both?
4. How to Take CBD Oil
4.1 Vaping
4.2 Topicals
4.3 Sublingually
4.4 Edibles
4.5 Capsules
5. CBD Dosage and Timing for Best Results
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1. How Often Should You Take CBD Oil?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to how often an individual should take CBD simply because everyone’s needs are different. Some choose to take doses only when they feel their body may need it, such as when they want to feel more calm and relaxed or experience a boost in energy.
Like many other substances, CBD builds up in the body over time. Some believe that regular consumption of cannabidiol will increase the body’s natural cannabinoid receptors and increase the efficiency of the endocannabinoid system.
Taking CBD oil daily allows an individual to have a steady flow of cannabidiol levels in their system, potentially making it more effective when it comes to treating certain issues. (Click to tweet)
It is important to note:
Users often do not typically experience its benefits and results right away.
When you are just starting, it’s important to give it at least a week or two so you know how it affects you. Once you’ve given it some time to establish itself in your system, you can then tweak things accordingly to better suit your needs—such as increasing your dose, taking an extra dose each day, deciding if you feel you need more or less, etc.
1.1 Ways to Consume CBD
Another factor that can affect the frequency with which you’ll have to take CBD oil is your method of ingestion. Cannabidiol comes in a large array of products. It can be taken orally via capsules, oil, tinctures, or edibles. It can also be vaped or used topically. Some methods are more effective, such as oral or sublingual via oil or tinctures. Some methods are better when it comes to quick results, such as vaping CBD. Others take longer and you typically need more to feel its full effects, like ingesting it in edible form or using it topically on your skin.
Now that we’ve explained how often you might need to take CBD and why, let’s move on and discuss when to take CBD depending on your specific needs.
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2. When to Take CBD Oil
Many users will take their CBD dose first thing in the morning. Since cannabidiol has been recognized for its ability to provide individuals with a mood and energy boost, it makes sense for a lot of people to just take it in the morning before work or whatever else they have planned for the day. [1] (Click to tweet)
It also makes it a bit easier to remember to take your dose when you incorporate it into your morning routine. You’ll get used to going through the motions of brushing your teeth, eating your breakfast, letting the dog out, and taking your daily dose of cannabidiol.
On the flip side:
The other most common time of day that users tend to take their CBD doses is at night or in the evening, closer to bedtime. Cannabidiol can have calming side effects of relaxation or drowsiness. So, taking it later in the day can help provide an individual with tranquil sleep, helping fight off insomnia and restlessness. [2] (Click to tweet)
You can also find special CBD sleep formulas designed especially for those who struggle with poor sleeping habits. Even if that’s not a concern, the combination of CBD and other ingredients promotes deep and restful sleep, helping you to wake refreshed.
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2.1 Dosing Options
Another thing to consider is possibly taking doses throughout the day. Since everyone is unique, some may require doses multiple times per day as opposed to one in the morning or one in the evening. Taking CBD throughout the day may be able to combat aches and pains or other issues more effectively for some, while one dose may be perfect for others.
For example, if you’re taking 50mg of cannabidiol every day, you may find that it is easiest to take it all at once. However, if you believe that your doses seem to wear off later in the afternoon, then it may be a plausible decision to split your serving in half.
This would mean you would take 25mg in the morning and 25mg in the evening. Doing it this way, you may benefit from the more immediate effects of CBD each time you take your doses compared to taking one and losing the effects as the day progresses.
Here’s the kicker:
This is where experimenting with dosage and ingestion methods comes into play; you won’t know exactly how much you’ll need or if you need to take it multiple times per day to reach your desired effects until you try different things. You may notice that taking multiple doses each day offers more benefits to you, and you might prefer it that way—or you may feel like it’s unnecessary, and you can stick with one dose.
Just be sure you do keep the recommended dosing suggestions in mind, and you can even speak to your doctor to get an opinion on how much you should be taking or whether it will interact with any of your current medications.
2.2 CBD Oil Dosage and Food
Another interesting point to consider is that one study from 2013 assessed the bioavailability of THC and CBD affected by certain types of food. It indicated that the bioavailability of cannabidiol was four times higher taken after a meal rather than before or without food at all. Therefore, eating first and then taking a dose of CBD proves to be more beneficial. [3]
It’s also suggested that foods rich in long-chain and medium-chain fatty acids are recommended to eat alongside or before your dose of cannabidiol. The fatty cells can bind to the cannabinoids and make them much easier to metabolize in the liver. This means foods like pork, fish, beef, egg yolks, avocado, nuts, sunflower seeds, etc. (Click to tweet)
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3. CBD Oil: Morning or Night? Or Both?
It seems that larger doses of CBD tend to result in more relaxing effects, while smaller doses do a better job with increased energy and mood enhancement. That being said, users who are trying to fight symptoms of pain that worsen at night or those who are struggling with insomnia would take a larger dose closer to bedtime. [4]
Users who need extra energy, want to fight anxiety, and would like to be in a more positive frame of mind should take a smaller dose in the morning.
Consider taking CBD in the morning to:
- Start your day with mental clarity
- Balance the mind
- Beat the brain fog
- Kick-start your morning workout
- Feel prepared and motivated for the day ahead
- Feel more positive
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Consider taking CBD in the evening or at night to:
- Wind down after a hectic or stressful day
- To help you wake up the next morning feeling more refreshed
- Promote tranquility and relaxation
- Fight insomnia and restlessness
- Help ease aches and pains after a long day
Figuring out when to take cannabidiol requires trial and error, and it often depends on what you are personally dealing with day-to-day. Regardless of whether you want to elevate your mood, boost your energy levels, or get a good night’s sleep, CBD is a great addition to your daily (or nightly) routine to help support a healthy body and your optimum mental health as well. [5] (Click to tweet)
4. How to Take CBD Oil
There are various ways to consume CBD oil; some may be more suitable for you and your needs compared to others. The main ingestion methods are taking it sublingually by oil or tincture, vaping it, using topical lotions or balms, eating edible CBD products like candies or chocolates, or taking it in capsule form.
Here are some pros and cons regarding each method, which may prove helpful when deciding which CBD product may be best for you, regardless of whether it is taken in the morning or at night.
4.1 Vaping
Some of the pros of vaping CBD oil include:
- Higher concentration levels result in maximum effects
- Fast-acting and quick results
- Relatively easy dosage control
Some of the cons of vaping CBD oil include:
- High concentration may be more than you require
- Extra purchases are necessary, i.e., vape pen, cartridges, and other accessories
4.2 Topicals
Some of the pros of applying CBD topicals or balms include:
- Easy to use
- Great for isolating sore muscles and joint pain
- Milder effects
Some of the cons of applying CBD topicals or balms include:
- Mild effects may not be enough for effective or noticeable results
- Need to use more product
- Results are not as long-lasting as other methods
- May require the user to take CBD oil or tinctures in addition to using the topical itself for the greatest benefit
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4.3 Sublingually
Some of the pros of taking CBD under the tongue include:
- Ease of use
- Easy to control your dosages
- Most common and most trusted method of ingestion
- Long-lasting effects
Some of the cons of taking CBD under the tongue include:
- Results can vary greatly from person to person
- Slower results
- Some CBD oils contain alcohol, which some users want to avoid
- Not all CBD oils are created equally
4.4 Edibles
Some of the pros of eating CBD edibles include:
- Results are long-lasting
- Very discreet
- Comes in an array of different snacks and food, so you have plenty of options
Some of the cons of eating CBD edibles include:
- Results come on very slowly and can take up to four hours to become noticeable
- Dosages can be trickier
- Not cost-effective
- Unhealthy snacks may work against the idea that CBD is good for your general health
4.5 Capsules
Some of the pros of taking CBD capsules include:
- Easy to use anywhere, anytime
- Very discreet
- Easy to take with you on the go
- Perfect pre-measured doses
Some of the cons of taking CBD capsules include:
- Typically more expensive
- Makes experimenting with the dosage a bit more difficult
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5. CBD Dosage and Timing for Best Results
Regardless of the consumption method, the time of day you choose to take your CBD ultimately has the potential to help with different problems.
It’s important to remember:
A smaller dose of CBD in the morning can give users energy, a clear mind, focus, and put them in a better mood.
Taking larger doses of CBD in the evening or at night can often help users fall asleep and stay asleep longer.
Dosing throughout the day can offer a steady flow of benefits that keep you feeling great instead of taking a larger dose all at once when you wake up or before you go to sleep.
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Also consider the fact that your body weight, tolerance, and specific needs are all going to play roles in how much cannabidiol you will need to take and when you should be taking it. With these factors in mind and the information you’ve learned, you’re ready to set up your ideal CBD dosing schedule!
Sources:
- The Anxiolytic Effects of Cannabidiol (CBD) - ScienceDirect
- Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series (nih.gov)
- A phase I study to assess the effect of food on the single-dose bioavailability of the THC/CBD - PubMed (nih.gov)
- https://athmjournal.com/beyondcbd/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/Teitelbaum—Hemp-Oil-CBD-and-Marijuana.pdf
- The therapeutic role of Cannabidiol in mental health: a systematic review | Journal of Cannabis Research | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)
