The Best Time to Take CBD for Maximum Benefits

Over the past few years, CBD oil has gained popularity and is now a go-to option for many looking to ease anxiety, discomfort and insomnia. While some hemp-derived CBD products are federally legal, you should always verify state laws regarding the use and legitimacy of these products.

However, one question that you might ask is: when is the best time to take CBD oil for maximum effects?

Let’s help you find the right timing for your CBD intake to maximize its benefits.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 133 identified cannabinoids in marijuana plants. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD is non-intoxicating, meaning it won’t get you high.

Hemp-derived CBD products, which contain less than 0.3% THC, are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

CBD oil has a lot of benefits. It is commonly used for pain relief and relaxation, making it a popular choice for those dealing with sleeplessness or stress.

Additionally, CBD oil can be added in various products, including dietary supplements, bath soaks, drinks, and food, allowing for versatile use in daily routines.

How Does CBD Actually Work?

When CBD enters your body, it works differently from what you might expect. Unlike THC, CBD doesn't strongly attach to your body's cannabinoid receptors. Instead, it works more like a gentle influencer in your body. 

It can modify how other compounds interact with these receptors (think of it as a moderator), while also engaging with other important systems in your body.

CBD interacts with multiple targets, including:

• Your serotonin system (helping with mood)
• Your vanilloid receptors (involved in pain management)
• Your opioid receptors (also contributing to pain relief)
• Your inflammatory response system
• Your natural endocannabinoid levels (by preventing their breakdown)

This wide range of interactions explains why CBD has so many different beneficial effects on your body.

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of receptors throughout your body that helps regulate various functions. It has two main types of receptors: CB1 and CB2.

CB1 receptors are mainly found in your brain and nervous system, helping control mood, memory, and pain.

CB2 receptors are mostly found in your peripheral tissues and immune system, playing a key role in managing inflammation and immune responses.

CBD works with this system in a unique way. Unlike other cannabis compounds like THC, CBD doesn't directly activate these receptors. Instead, it works more like a moderator, helping your body maintain balance by influencing how other compounds interact with these receptors.

Factors to Consider When Taking CBD

While considering consuming CBD there are some factors to keep in mind like:

• Purpose of use: it is important to consider why you want to use CBD. For example, pain, relaxation, managing anxiety etc.
• Dosage: always start with the recommended dosage and gradually increase until you find what works best for you.
• Quality of products: it is important to choose a product from a reputable brand. Consider checking third-party lab testing to ensure purity.
• Side effects: The World Health Organization has reported that CBD exhibits no effects indicating harm or addiction. Consider CBD from manufacturers that follow good practices that the FDA has established for pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. Clinical trials play a crucial role in understanding potential side effects and establishing the therapeutic benefits of CBD.

Best Times to Take CBD

There is no right or wrong time to take CBD. It depends on the needs, and which benefits you want from it.

Morning: taking CBD oil in the morning can set a positive tone of the day. If you wake up feeling stressed and tired, CBD may help you to feel less sleepy.

Starting your day with CBD may help you keep your mind calm and make clearer decisions.

During the day: many of us suffer from afternoon slump, tired, or distracted during the day. During this time, dosing CBD can enhance focus and energy level. If you’re prone to anxiety, you can take CBD when you’re feeling anxious or before a triggering event. For example, if social situations make you anxious, try taking CBD 30 minutes beforehand.

Evening: Taking CBD oil for sleep can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer if you have difficulty unwinding after a busy day. CBD can help signal your body to relax, preparing you for a restful night of sleep.

Here's something interesting: taking CBD with food, especially fatty foods, can make a big difference in how well your body absorbs it. Think of CBD as being 'fat-friendly' - it dissolves better when there's fat around. 

Studies have shown that taking CBD with a high-fat meal can increase its absorption by up to 5 times compared to taking it on an empty stomach. ¹

This means you might get more benefits from your CBD when you take it with meals, especially ones containing healthy fats like avocados, nuts, or olive oil.

For example:

• Morning dose: Take with breakfast that includes eggs or avocado toast
• Afternoon dose: Pair with a handful of nuts or your lunch
• Evening dose: Take with your dinner

This simple timing adjustment could help you get more value from your CBD products.

Managing Chronic Pain with CBD

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, CBD can help to reduce inflammation in the body, which often contributes to chronic pain. What makes CBD special is how it works with multiple systems in your body at once. 

It helps activate certain anti-inflammatory pathways (called PPARγ) while also working alongside your body's natural pain-management system.²

CBD can also enhance your body's own pain-fighting compounds (called endogenous opioids) without directly activating opioid receptors. ³

Think of it like a conductor helping your body's natural orchestra play better together, rather than adding new instruments to the mix.

You can take CBD whenever you feel pain, as it works with your body's systems to help manage how you perceive and respond to pain. 

This multi-targeted approach is what makes CBD potentially effective for different types of pain, from everyday aches to more persistent discomfort.

CBD and Anxiety

A number of studies indicate that CBD may be helpful in reducing anxiousness and restlessness. CBD works in multiple ways to help calm your mind. 

It interacts with special serotonin receptors (5HT1A) in your brain, similar to how some anti-anxiety medications work. This helps explain why many people feel more relaxed when taking CBD.⁴

CBD has shown calming and anti-anxiety properties, which helps people with SAD (social anxiety disorder) to feel less anxious during social gatherings and events. 

It works by influencing both your endocannabinoid system and your body's natural stress response, helping to create a sense of balance in your emotional processing.

Additionally, CBD has also been found to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce physical symptoms of anxiety, such as muscle tension and pain.

However, further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of CBD for anxiety treatment.

CBD for Specific Health Conditions

CBD oil has shown promise as a treatment for several mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression. By interacting with your body and the endocannabinoid system, CBD may help regulate mood and reduce symptoms of these conditions. For those suffering from fibromyalgia, CBD oil may offer relief from the chronic pain associated with this condition.⁵

Moreover, CBD oil may help alleviate some cancer-related symptoms and side effects of cancer treatments, such as nausea and pain⁶. Research from 2017 indicated that CBD oil helped reduce seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy.⁷ This suggests that CBD may be effective for treating seizures related to various health conditions, providing a potential alternative for those who do not respond well to traditional treatments.

CBD and Sleep

CBD has gained attention for improving sleep quality and duration by reducing anxiety and stress.

One way CBD may help with sleep is by addressing underlying issues that can contribute to sleep disturbances, such as anxiety, stress, and pain. By reducing these symptoms, CBD may help promote relaxation and improve sleep experience.

However, it is important to note that individual responses to CBD may vary, more research is needed to fully understand the effect of CBD on sleep disorders.

Potential Side Effects

There are some potential side effects:

• Dry Mouth: Often referred to as "cottonmouth", this side effect occurs because CBD can inhibit saliva production, so drink plenty of water to avoid this.
• Mood change: Although CBD is generally used to promote calmness, it can occasionally cause irritability or changes in mood.
• Gastrointestinal: You may experience nausea, diarrhea, or a reduced appetite.

These side effects are generally temporary and persist only for the duration that CBD’s effects on your body.

Interaction of Non-prescription CBD Products

CBD can interact with other medications like:

• Blood Thinner: CBD can interact with medications like warfarin, increasing the risk of bleeding.
• Anti-Epileptic Drugs: For those on anti-epileptic drugs, CBD can alter the effectiveness of these medications, potentially leading to increased side effects or reduced efficacy.
• CYP50 Enzymes: CBD affects the CYP450 enzyme system in the liver, which is responsible for metabolizing many drugs.

Limited research is available on how CBD interacts with prescription drugs and supplements, making it essential to consult a doctor before taking CBD with other medications.

CBD Interactions and Precautions

While CBD oil offers numerous health benefits, it is essential to be aware of potential interactions with other medications. CBD can interact with blood thinners, anti-epileptic drugs, and other medications, potentially causing harmful side effects. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before taking CBD oil, especially if you are on other medications or supplements.

The FDA does not regulate most CBD products, making it vital to choose products that have been third-party tested for quality and purity. Low-quality CBD products are common in the marketplace, and issues like mislabeling and contamination can lead to adverse reactions and interactions with other medications.

That’s why we use the most advanced solventless extraction technology to gently break down cell walls using physics to extract the cannabinoids and other compounds.

That means the CBD products you buy from Cannovia never come in contact with any harmful solvents ever. We ensure you only get the purest, highest quality extracts possible.

Tips for Taking CBD

While taking CBD it's important to keep few things in mind:

• Start slow: Always start with a small amount and gradually increase it to find the right amount according to your needs.
• Choose quality products: It’s essential to choose a reputable CBD product with third-party tested for purity and potency.
• Consult a professional: consult with a healthcare professional before starting CBD, especially if you are on other medications.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth.

CBD oil benefits may vary depending on the individual, and it’s essential to monitor the effects of CBD and adjust the dosage as needed.

The amount of CBD you absorb can vary greatly depending on how and when you take it. Here's what research tells us about getting the most from your CBD:

Timing with Meals:

• Taking CBD on an empty stomach? You might only absorb a small amount
• Having it with a meal, especially one containing healthy fats, can increase absorption by up to 5 times
• This means a 20mg dose with food might work better than a 50mg dose on an empty stomach

Finding Your Dose: While starting slow is still important, consider these factors:

• Time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening)
• Whether you're taking it with food
• Your specific needs and goals
• How your body typically responds to CBD

Conclusion

Finding the best time to take CBD varies from person to person. depending on your needs, lifestyle and desired effects. Whether you choose to take it in the morning, in the afternoon, or at night, understanding your body and how it responds to CBD can lead to a more tailored and effective use of this compound.

Keep observing how different times affect your anxiety level, mood and overall well being. As you refine your timing and dosage, you'll likely discover the approach that works best for you.

References

1. Birnbaum, A. K., Karanam, A., Marino, S. E., Barkley, C. M., Remmel, R. P., Roslawski, M., Gramling-Aden, M., & Leppik, I. E. (2019). Food effect on pharmacokinetics of cannabidiol oral capsules in adult patients with refractory epilepsy. Epilepsia, 60(8), 1586. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.16093 ↩
2. Esposito, G., Scuderi, C., Valenza, M., Togna, G. I., Latina, V., De Filippis, D., Cipriano, M. R., Carratù, M. R., & Iuvone, T. (2011). Cannabidiol Reduces Aβ-Induced Neuroinflammation and Promotes Hippocampal Neurogenesis through PPARγ Involvement. PLoS ONE, 6(12), e28668. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0028668 ↩
3. Argueta, D. A., Ventura, C. M., Kiven, S., Sagi, V., & Gupta, K. (2020). A Balanced Approach for Cannabidiol Use in Chronic Pain. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 11, 561. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2020.00561 ↩
4. Martínez-Aguirre, C., Carmona-Cruz, F., Velasco, A. L., Velasco, F., Aguado-Carrillo, G., Cuéllar-Herrera, M., & Rocha, L. (2020). Cannabidiol Acts at 5-HT1A Receptors in the Human Brain: Relevance for Treating Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 14, 611278. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2020.611278 ↩
5. Cameron, E., & Hemingway, S. (2020). Cannabinoids for fibromyalgia pain: a critical review of recent studies (2015–2019). Journal of Cannabis Research, 2(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-020-00024-2 ↩
6. Sexton, M., Garcia, J. M., Jatoi, A., Clark, C. S., & Wallace, M. S. (2021). Management of Cancer Symptoms and Treatment-Induced Side Effects With Cannabis or Cannabinoids. JNCI Monographs, 2021(58), 86-98. https://doi.org/10.1093/jncimonographs/lgab011 ↩
7. Devinsky, O., Cross, J. H., Laux, L., Marsh, E., Miller, I., Nabbout, R., Scheffer, I. E., & Thiele, E. A. (2017). Trial of Cannabidiol for Epilepsy and Seizure Control. New England Journal of Medicine, 376(21), 2011-2020. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1615560 ↩