CBD is popular for its many potential therapeutic benefits: reducing anxiety, alleviating pain, and promoting better sleep, among others. But are you taking it at the right time? Learn all about CBD timing to personalize your intake and maximize its potential therapeutic benefits. 

Is it the same if you take it in the morning versus at night? Can you take it more than once a day? Keep reading to find out when to take CBD depending on why you are taking it, the specific benefits of taking it at different times, and much more.

CBD Potential Benefits

• Pain Relief
• Anxiety and Depression
• Sleep Disorders
• Neuroprotective Properties
• Anti-inflammatory Effects
• Muscle Recovery

CBD in the Morning

Taking CBD in the morning is a great way to start your day if you want to get creative or have a productive time. It will potentially help you get in the right mindset for work, calm you if you feel anxiety before starting your work day, or even ease physical discomforts.

Improved Focus: Preliminary studies have researched the potential of CBD to positively impact cognition and focus. In a 2023 clinical trial, 40 participants did cognitive and psychomotor tests. After that, they received either 300 mg of cannabidiol oil or a placebo and did the tests again to analyze if CBD could impact their skills or reaction time. The results suggest that CBD increased attention lapse compared to those taking a placebo. 

Reduced Anxiety: Starting the day with CBD may help manage morning anxiety, especially if you have a stressful day ahead of you. In a 2019 study, 57 participants received oral CBD at doses of 150 mg, 300 mg, 600 mg, or placebo, and did a simulated public speaking test. Results suggested that those who took 300 mg of CBD had reduced anxiety during the speech test when compared to the other groups.

Potential Pain Management: If you experience morning stiffness or pain, CBD could become your ally! In a survey about CBD and chronic pain, 253 participants from seven pain management clinics were asked about their experience with CBD. 62% reported trying CBD, and the majority of them said they felt it helped ease their chronic pain. Additionally, they mentioned it helped them reduce their use of other pain medication.

Tips for CBD morning intake:

• Don’t take CBD on an empty stomach because it can cause mild discomfort. 
• Instead, take CBD with a breakfast heavy in healthy fats, like avocado toast. CBD will bind to the fat molecules, potentially improving its effects.

CBD at Midday 

We’ve all experienced midday slumps—decreased energy, reduced focus, and heightened stress—and this is where strategic CBD timing can be helpful.

Fighting the Midday Slump: Did you know that CBD could help counteract the post-lunch energy dip thanks to its potential wake-inducing properties? Earlier research indicates that CBD might work as a wake-promoting agent, although more studies are needed to understand this effect.

Managing Midday Stress: Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by the pressures of work, deadlines, and daily responsibilities. You can plan your daily CBD intake to distribute it in two or three doses in case you take it in the morning but want to strengthen its calming effects at midday. 

CBD Midday Intake Tips:

• Have a big lunch. As mentioned earlier, taking CBD with food, especially with a meal with healthy fats, can enhance absorption and prolong its effects, so make sure to eat a hearty lunch with olive oil or other healthy fats. 
• Use CBD salve if your midday activities involve manual labor. It can potentially relieve muscle soreness or tension.

CBD at Evening

After a long day, both your body and mind need a chance to relax. CBD can help you release the day’s tension and prepare you for a good night’s sleep.

For Workout Recovery: If you go to the gym after work, you should try adding CBD to your post-work recovery, as it could potentially help reduce inflammation and muscle soreness. A 2021 trial analyzed if taking CBD after a tough workout helped with muscle recovery and performance. They gave different doses of CBD or a placebo to 16 healthy, fit people, and measured their squat strength, jump height, and muscle damage markers in their blood. 

The results showed that everyone’s squat strength dipped 24 hours after the workout, but by 72 hours, the people who took CBD showed slightly better recovery compared to the placebo group. Muscle damage markers in the blood (which show how much your muscles are stressed) went up for everyone after the workout, but again, the CBD groups showed slightly less damage at 72 hours. Studies like these suggest CBD may aid post-workout recovery, but more research with larger groups is necessary.

Improving Sleep Quality: One of the most talked about CBD therapeutical effects is its potential to improve sleep quality. In fact, a 2023 review of 34 studies indicated that CBD, especially if mixed with THC, showed promise in improving insomnia symptoms for some participants. Many of these studies used hypothesis testing, a statistical method to validate their assumptions, and reported potential positive results. And even if more in-depth studies are still needed, anecdotal evidence suggests CBD could be a great ally to improving sleep quality, especially if you suffer from insomnia.

CBD Evening Intake Tips:

• Take full-spectrum CBD about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime so it kicks in at the right time.
• Establish a consistent evening routine so your body gets into the habit of relaxing and getting ready for a good night’s sleep. Taking CBD at the same time each night could potentially help regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

Can You Take CBD More Than Once a Day?

The answer is a big yes! Taking CBD in split doses is actually the most effective approach for many users. CBD timing isn’t just about morning versus night; it’s also about strategically spacing doses throughout your day to maintain a consistent level of CBD in your system and to make the most out of its potential benefits.

How to Space Your Doses:

• Evenly Spaced Doses: Divide your total daily dose into two or three evenly spaced doses.
• Targeted Dosing: You can also tailor your doses to specific times of the day when you need the most support. For example, a dose before a stressful meeting or after a workout.
• Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how your body responds to different dosing schedules. Adjust the timing and dosage as needed.

Time/Purpose	Primary Goal(s)	Typical Dosing (Example – Adjust as Needed)	Product Options	Key Considerations
Morning	Focus, Calm, Pain	5-15mg	Oil	Take it with your breakfast
Midday	Stress, Muscle Tension	5-10mg	Oil, Salves	Take it with a hearty lunch
Evening	Sleep	15-30mg (Higher end for sleep)	Oil, Tea	Consistency, build a bedtime routine

Final Thoughts

Now that you understand the nuances of CBD timing, you can better choose when and how to take yours. And while research is still ongoing, current findings suggest that CBD can be strategically incorporated into your daily routine to address specific needs, whether it’s boosting morning focus, managing midday stress, or promoting restful sleep. 

Remember that individual responses to CBD can vary, so listening to your body and adjusting your intake accordingly is key. Experiment with different timings and dosages to find what works best for you, and always consult with a healthcare professional before adding CBD to your wellness regimen, especially if you are taking other medications. 

Ready to experience the potential benefits of CBD? Explore a range of high-quality CBD oils and salves at Vitality to find the perfect fit for your needs.

References

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