Congratulations! You’ve decided to embark on a journey through the wonderful world of CBD. You’ve got your product, you know how much to take, but there’s just one small problem? When should you take it? If you’re wondering when the best time to consume CBD is, you’re not alone. If you’re wanting to use CBD to help you sleep, then nighttime might seem like the obvious answer. But if you read our last article on how CBD can give you energy, you might think you should consume it during the day with your breakfast. And what happens if you forget to take it in the morning and consider taking it midday so your body still has CBD in it? In this article, we’ll be discussing when is the right time for you to consume CBD and why. Let’s begin!
CBD & You
You’ll remember from our last article (and many past articles) that CBD affects each user differently. Because of this, it might seem frustrating to keep experimenting with dosages and consumption times. Yet this is all part of the process in finding out how to make CBD the most beneficial to you. Think of it as a road trip; you most likely won’t drive non-stop all the way there. You’ll have to stop for gas, snacks, bathroom breaks, meals, and the occasional tourist trap rest area. The same is true for CBD. You won’t magically know everything about the CBD just from consuming it; the adventure is whatever you put into it. Experiment with different dosages, decide if CBD is most effective for you during day or night use, and figure out which product type you prefer best.
When Should You Take CBD
If you’re still unsure on when the best time to consume CBD is, try to pinpoint what you’re looking to get out of cannabidiol. Whether it be for energy, as a sleep aid, or simply as a way to stay calm during stress, just make sure you know why you’re taking it. Once you figure out why you’re consuming CBD, you can start to experiment with when to take it. Start off with a small amount on a lazy afternoon or a quiet weekend to see if you notice any immediate changes. This can help you get a better idea of how CBD will affect you, without fulfilling (or missing) prior commitments. Here’s some recommendations on when to take CBD and why.
Daytime Use
For consumers with low energy levels looking for a holistic approach rather than widely available caffeinated options, CBD can be a great way to help you stay productive. In our last article, we talked a lot on how CBD can help give you energy. The amount of energy from CBD is nowhere near as powerful as a cup of coffee or an energy drink, but it can help balance your wakefulness and sleepiness to the point where you feel alert enough to get more things done. If you wake up at the crack of dawn to get ready to start your day, you might benefit from incorporating CBD into your breakfast. There are many ways to consume CBD upon waking, ranging from swirling CBD tincture into your morning coffee, adding a gummy with your breakfast foods, or popping softgel with your daily vitamins.
Nighttime Use
If it’s to help you relax after a long day and allow you to fall asleep more easily, you’ll want to consume CBD closer to when you go to bed. Many people are under the misconception that CBD will make you sleepy, which is almost accurate. CBD actually works with your endocannabinoid system to help you relax to the point where you feel like you can fall asleep. Once you’re sleeping, CBD works to help ensure you get restful sleep and can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to start the day. The type of CBD product you choose to consume will dictate when you should take it. For example, CBD gummies and tinctures must be digested before being released into your bloodstream. You should consume edible CBD at least an hour before going to bed. For inhalables like CBD flower and pre-rolls, the CBD is able to bypass your digestion system completely and will be absorbed into your bloodstream via your lungs. You should plan to use inhalables anywhere from 5-15 minutes before heading to bed, as you’ll most likely start to feel relaxed and sleepy fairly quickly.
Consumers with Abnormal Sleep Schedules
For those of you who work the overnight shift or don’t go to sleep until very late, you can still apply this process to whatever time you fall asleep. Whether it be early morning hours or noon, CBD will work in tandem with your sleep cycle to help you relax and fall asleep. Just because it’s morning or night doesn’t mean the CBD will only give you energy during the day or make you sleepy only at night. You’ll remember from our last article that CBD works to help give your body what it needs and when it needs it.
For Joint Aches and Discomfort
CBD topicals are designed to be applied directly to a sore area when you feel the most discomfort. For those suffering from joint aches due to arthritis and other medical maladies, you can massage salves and cream right onto the affected area. Many topicals are infused with menthol that allows you to feel something as you work the product into your skin. Since the CBD in topical products are restricted to the dermal level, the cannabinoid won’t enter your bloodstream and thus can’t offer the extended benefits that other consumable or inhalable CBD products can.
There are a number of topical products that are designed to be used as part of a skincare regimen. Face creams, scented lotions, and serums are great to incorporate into your day or night skincare routine. However, since topicals won’t penetrate past your dermal layer, this makes them more of a pampering product than an actual health aid.
When You Feel Stressed
We live in an age where mental health is taken extraordinarily seriously. There are many things that happen throughout the day that can spike your stress levels that leave you feeling uneasy. If you generally deal with stressful situations habitually. you’ll feel the familiar pangs of uneasiness creeping in, and sometimes telling yourself to relax isn’t enough. Many users enjoy physical exertion like exercise or nature walks. Others prefer a quiet place where they can read a book or listen to music without interruption. However you manage your stress, CBD might be able to help. While it’s great to stick with a CBD schedule where you take it at a certain time (day or night), you can also take CBD in the moment. The added CBD can have a calming effect that might help take your mind off the stress at hand.
Splitting Your Dosages
If you’ve found a sweet spot for your CBD intake, that’s great! Many prefer to consume their entire dose and replenish it within 24 hours. Yet some people feel that the cannabinoid works more efficiently when taken throughout the day. For example, consuming half their preferred dosage upon waking up and the other half at night before going to sleep. Feel free to play around with your consumption rates and times, such as a 10mg dose in the morning, a 10mg dose at lunch time, and a 10mg dose before bed. As long as you’re consistent with your doses and times, the CBD will be able to regulate your body’s ECS naturally and effectively.
Can I Take Too Much CBD?
Since CBD contains no psychoactive effects, there’s minimal concern about consuming higher dosages. However, there are certain side effects that come with taking“too much” CBD. You might experience bouts of diarrhea, nausea, sleepiness, disorientation, lightheadedness, and dry mouth. For extreme cases, it’s even possible to damage your liver as the organ will work overtime to purge your body of the cannabinoid. When you’re measuring out your dosages, use common sense. If the recommended amount is a 15mg gummy or 25mg of a tincture, stick with those dosages until you feel comfortable enough to increase the dose. For inhalables, try to stick with 1-3 puffs and let your body adjust. If you’re on medication for any health conditions, it’s strongly advised to consult with your primary health physician before consuming any CBD-infused product.
Adhere To A Schedule
Regardless of when you decide to take CBD, it’s crucial that you take the same amount at the same time over an extended period of time. The cannabinoid will need time to regulate within your body’s endocannabinoid system. As the cannabinoid cycles through your system, it’s important to replenish it consistently. The key isn’t whether to take it during the day or at night, but to take it regularly to allow your body’s ECS to function at its best. Remember that there’s no exact formula or “best time” to consume CBD for every individual; rather, it’s important that you take it when you need it. As the compound works to restore balance, you may notice that you feel more rested and energetic throughout the day. Some users are more receptive to the cannabinoid while others may never feel a noticeable difference. Try keeping a journal on how you feel before taking CBD, after consuming a specific product type, and noting any changes or improvements. Subtle changes may be more noticeable if you’re actively documenting your day.
Conclusion
The key to consuming CBD isn’t necessarily when you consume it, as in the time of day or only for certain situations. The best way to glean the benefits of CBD is to take it consistently, ranging from any of the methods we discussed. CBD can help balance your body’s endocannabinoid system naturally, but it’s crucial to consume the same amount at the same time over an extended period of time. Since every consumer’s body is different, this will require some patience and experimenting until the desired results are achieved. Whether you consume the full amount, partial amounts throughout the day, or the occasional re-up in stressful situations,
Here at Erth Hemp, we pride ourselves on the purity and potency of all our CBD-infused products. Each of our products have been subjected to intense testing by independent third-party labs, the results of which are proudly displayed on each product description. We offer silky tinctures, flavorless and odorless softgels, CBD vape juice, smooth pre-rolls, a variety of topical products, and even CBD isolate. If you’re not quite sure which one to buy, we offer an assortment of sample sizes that let you try before you buy! As always, we encourage you to reach out to us directly for specific questions about anything in this article or about CBD in general. Our team of CBD enthusiasts look forward to helping you on your journey through the wide and wonderful world of CBD. in our next article, we’ll be exploring the types of bioavailability with certain product types and consumption methods. We look forward to seeing you there!
