What’s the Best Time of Day to Take CBD Oil?
CBD oil is popular and often utilized for its wide range of therapeutic benefits for the body and mind. However, one common question is: when is the best time of day to take CBD oil? Should I take it earlier in the day or before bed?
Here’s the lowdown on what affects the absorption and processing of CBD oil within the body.
What is CBD Oil?
CBD oil is derived from cannabidiol (CBD), a natural cannabinoid compound found in the cannabis plant. The CBD cannabinoid is extracted from the cannabis plant and mixed with a type of carrier oil, like hemp or coconut oil. CBD oil is a popular natural treatment alternative for various health conditions, like depression and insomnia (1). Generally, CBD oils are sold in droppers and taken sublingually (under the tongue) for quicker absorption. However, you can also find CBD oil in creams, lotions, and various skincare products for topical use for more direct skin concerns like eczema.
CBD oil has dramatically increased in popularity over the last few years. Many health-conscious individuals seek more natural and gentle treatment options over traditional medications, which often come with adverse side effects for the user.
What Determines When to Take CBD Oil?
While there’s no definitive answer on when the “right” time is to take CBD oil, several factors can determine the best time for you. Let’s explore each of these factors and how they influence the effects produced by CBD oil.
Dosage
CBD oil can be taken in various ways, depending on your needs and preferences. A good way to figure out when the best time to take CBD oil is by trial-and-error during different periods of the day. Some people like to start their morning with a few drops of CBD for its benefits throughout the day, while others prefer taking it a couple of hours before bed.
All mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is responsible for maintaining the balance and regulation of our body processes, including energy production, metabolic rate, memory, and immune function (2). Our body composition and metabolism will vary from person to person, so how the CBD oil interacts with our ECS will differ for everyone.
Users should always start slowly and vary their dosage based on the amount and time of day that the CBD oil is taken.
Therapeutic Benefits
CBD oil is well-known for being well-tolerated and having many benefits. What you take CBD oil for will affect the time of day to take it. As explained earlier, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating our bodily processes. CBD oil has been used to ease and assist chronic pain symptoms, insomnia, nausea, anxiety, and seizures (3).
For individuals who have insomnia, CBD oil taken a few hours before bed will provide more potent effects than when taken first thing in the morning. If you notice your anxiety is worse in the morning and lessens as the day goes on, it makes more sense for you to take CBD oil earlier in the day. If your symptoms are more severe, you may also need to take repeated doses throughout the day.
The Type of CBD Oil
CBD oils themselves can also differ. CBD oil can generally be split into distillate, isolate, and full-spectrum. CBD isolate is known as the “pure” form of CBD removed from all other natural compounds. The resulting CBD isolate is free from any additional smell, taste, and other contaminants (4). As CBD isolate doesn’t contain any other cannabinoids found in cannabis, like THC, CBD isolate can be suitable for taking later in the day or during times when optimal concentration is required.
CBD distillate is a combination of cannabinoids, vitamins, and terpenes and retains all of the cannabis plant’s benefits (5). As other natural organic compounds are also present in the distillate oil, this will create various effects. Additional cannabinoids can include cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), and cannabichromene (CBC). Full-spectrum CBD products contain a relatively high concentration of natural organic compounds, including various cannabinoids and terpenes. Full-spectrum and distillate CBD oils can contain other cannabinoids that work in synergy (6), creating energizing effects.
Taking CBD Oil in the Nighttime vs. Daytime
Generally speaking, CBD oil taken during the daytime will be best suited for different health conditions than CBD taken at night. During the day, CBD oil can help with improving concentration and productivity at work or school and regulate your appetite for weight maintenance or weight loss (7).
At night, CBD oil can help you relax enough to get sufficient shut-eye, promote healthy sleep, and can even lessen nightmares in people living with PTSD (8). Chronic pain and depression can wreak havoc on your natural sleep patterns, causing you to stay awake throughout the night. Just a few drops taken sublingually a few hours before bed can be enough to calm your mind, lower your heart rate, and promote a restful night.
The Bottom Line
CBD oil can be taken any time during the day to address specific health conditions. Several factors affect what time of the day suits best, and users are recommended to undergo trial-and-error to figure out what works best for them.
If you are concerned about taking CBD oil, talk to a health professional before starting.
**Standard Disclaimer: CBD is not FDA-approved. We make no such claims that using our products will guarantee relief. Moreover, research regarding CBD is still ongoing and in the early stages.**
Why Choose Sunny Skies For Your CBD Needs?
At Sunny Skies CBD, we are committed to:
1) making high-quality products
2) operating in an open and transparent manner
3) building an independently owned and operated family business
