CBD oil: should you take it in the morning or in the evening?

Even if you're not from the cannabis community, you've probably heard of CBD (cannabidiol) and its many health benefits. From anxiety and pain to concentration problems and poor sleep, many people use CBD as an alternative to traditional medications because it is naturally based and has promising results. But what role does the time of day you consume it play? And when is the best time to take CBD oil: in the morning or in the evening? In the following, an expert answers these questions and gives tips on how to integrate CBD oil into everyday life.

What is CBD oil?

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil is a product derived from cannabis. It is a cannabinoid - these are the secondary plant compounds that occur naturally in cannabis plants. Although it comes from the cannabis plant, CBD does not produce a "high" effect or any form of intoxication. This is caused by another cannabinoid, THC. CBD is, so to speak, the opposite of THC - CBD does not have an intoxicating effect, but has gentler properties.

What are the benefits of using CBD oil?

1. Anxiety relief: CBD can help manage anxiety. In one study, a dose of 600 mg of CBD was found to help people with social anxiety give a lecture. Other early study done with animals have shown that CBD can help relieve anxiety by:
   • Reduces stress
   • Reducing the physiological effects of anxiety, such as increased heart rate
   • Improving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
   • Promoting sleep in cases of insomnia
2. Counteracts seizures: The American Epilepsy Society states that cannabidiol research offers hope for seizure disorders. A 2016 study worked with 214 people with epilepsy. Participants took 2 to 5 mg of CBD orally per day in addition to their existing medication for epilepsy. The study researchers monitored the participants for 12 weeks, recording any negative side effects and checking the frequency of their seizures. Overall, the participants had 36.5 percent fewer seizures per month.
3. Neuroprotective: The researchers are also investigating how CBD might help people with neurodegenerative diseases. These are diseases in which the brain and nerves deteriorate over time:
   • Alzheimer's disease
   • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
   • Parkinson's disease
   • Stroke
   In addition, CBD oil can also reduce inflammation, which can worsen neurodegenerative symptoms. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of CBD oil in neurodegenerative diseases.
4. Pain relief: CBD oil's effect on brain receptors may help with pain management. Studies have shown that cannabis offers some benefits when taken after chemotherapy.
5. Anti-acne: CBD oil may be beneficial in the treatment of acne. A human study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that the oil prevents the activity of sebaceous glands. These are responsible for producing sebum - a natural oily substance that moisturises the skin. But too much sebum can lead to acne.

At what time of day should you use CBD oil?

There is no standard for when CBD oil should be applied. It all depends on your daily routine and when you want to experience the effects. Some prefer to take it in the morning to help them focus on the day. Others take it in the evening or before bed to relax after a long day. For still others, it is important to take it throughout the day to maintain a steady concentration of endocannabinoids in the body.

How to incorporate CBD oil into your morning routine

Incorporating CBD oil into your daily morning routine can have a number of benefits. Not only can it improve concentration throughout the day. It can also help you deal with stress and relax muscles. Here are some ways you can start your day with CBD oil:

1. CBD oil for breakfast
   Do you like to drink coffee in the morning? Many users like to add a few drops to their morning cup of coffee. Others put a few drops of CBD oil directly under their tongue. Hold it there for 60 seconds and then swallow or spit it out.
2. CBD oil in your skin care routine
   Are you constantly fighting pimples? You can try CBD oil for topical treatment. CBD is known for its antioxidant properties that reduce skin damage caused by free radicals. But not only that. A clinical study also found that CBD can relieve acne spots caused by inflammation, bacterial infections and oily skin.
3. After a morning workout
   Do you have sore muscles or floppy joints after a workout? You guessed it, CBD can help. A study conducted by Apothemlabs found that CBD was effective in relieving joint pain and muscle tension after a workout in over 97% of respondents. In addition, the study found that CBD can significantly reduce muscle pain and improve muscle recovery rates.
4. During the morning slump
   You know the feeling - it usually occurs on Mondays after a long weekend. You're trying to get back into your work routine, but your brain feels foggy and you're having trouble concentrating. CBD oil can help here too. While it won't give you a quick energy boost like a cup of coffee in the morning, taking CBD oil in the morning can help you stay focused and keep everyday stress at bay.

How to incorporate CBD oil into your evening routine

Taking CBD oil in the evening can help relax the mind and body after a long day. Higher doses taken before bed can even have a calming effect on the body - very helpful if you have trouble falling asleep.

Here are some ways you can incorporate CBD oil into your evening routine:

1. Night massage
   Have you had a busy day? Then we recommend massaging yourself or your loved ones with CBD oil in the evening. Simply put a few drops in the palm of your hand and rub it into your neck, shoulders or even your hands.
2. Before bed
   The fast-paced times we live in these days make it difficult for our minds and bodies to wind down after a busy day. Using CBD oil in the evening can often bring a sense of relaxation and calm. This can protect against the stream of thoughts that many of us experience before falling asleep.

Factors that determine the best time to take CBD

When to take CBD depends mainly on three factors: the purpose of taking it, the type of product and the dosage. Let's take a look at how each factor affects the right time to take CBD.

The reason for taking CBD

Using CBD can be done for many reasons, such as to treat skin conditions, improve sleep, elevate mood, relieve chronic pain and other challenges. If you want to improve your sleep, your daily CBD oil routine is best done before bed.

CBD dosage

While most CBD products contain a recommended daily dose, one can experiment with different dosages to find what works best for individual use. Once you know how your body reacts to CBD, you can plan the dosage and the right time to take it to get the best effect.

Type of CBD product

The CBD product that is used is another important factor in deciding when to take CBD. CBD oil is known for a relatively quick onset of action (15-30 minutes) and a long duration of action (up to 6 hours). Products such as CBD capsules or CBD fruit gums offer a rather slow, gradual effect, as the active ingredient has to be processed in the digestive system.

CBD oil: CBD oil can be drizzled under the tongue so that it can be absorbed by the mucous membranes. This type of ingestion gives faster results as the oil enters the body more quickly than if you swallow a capsule.

If you want CBD to work throughout the day, you should start with a few drops of CBD oil in the morning. If the effect wears off quickly or takes longer to kick in, you can increase the dose slightly and take the oil twice a day.

CBD capsules and gummy bears: Compared to CBD oil and CBD vapes, these products work more slowly. If you suffer from anxiety during the day, it is probably best to take them in the morning. This way, they can take effect slowly while you go to work and do your tasks. If you have trouble sleeping through the night, many take CBD capsules in the evening, preferably about 2 hours before bedtime.

How much CBD oil is enough?

How much CBD people need depends on a number of factors, including:

• Body weight
• The effect that is to be achieved
• The individual body chemistry
• The concentration of cannabinoids

In other words, there are many factors that determine how much CBD oil to take. Therefore, before trying CBD oil, it is important to talk to a doctor about the right dosage and possible risks. If the doctor prescribes how much CBD one should take, one should stick to his or her recommendation. This is especially important if you are taking a prescription medication that contains CBD, such as Epidiolex; an anti-seizure medication.

If the doctor does not make a recommendation, it is best to start with a lower dose and gradually increase it. This could mean starting with 20 to 40 mg a day. After a week, you increase this amount by 5 mg. This is how you increase the dose until you feel that the symptoms are effectively relieved. If this is not the case, the treatment should be discontinued and further information should be sought.

Classic dosage

On the packaging of the CBD oil you will find information about how much CBD is contained. This way you can find out how many drops are needed. Note that there are manufacturers who only state the amount of CBD in the whole bottle - not in a single drop. In this case, you need to do some calculations.

One drop is about 0.05 millilitres (ml). This means that a 10 ml bottle of CBD oil contains 200 drops. If this 10 ml bottle contains 1,000 mg, then each drop has about 5 mg of CBD. For light individuals or beginners in consuming CBD products, this dosage is optimal to start with. However, for heavy individuals with severe symptoms, the effect may not kick in until at least 25 mg.

Is CBD oil addictive?

Substance abuse and addiction are a serious public health problem. However, there is no such risk with CBD oil. The abbreviation CBD stands for cannabidiol and is one of over 100 substances secreted in the flowers of the cannabis plant. There are two known cannabinoids: CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

THC is the only substance that has a mind-altering effect. This is the reason why people build habits around its consumption. Unlike THC, CBD is not intoxicating and has no mind-altering effects. It is also not addictive in any way. According to a recent study, CBD can even help people recover from various types of drug addiction, such as opiates and heroin, while reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Taking CBD oil can help provide the natural benefits of cannabis, including relief from stress, anxiety, inflammation and sleep problems without the psychoactive rush of THC. It can be used to go to work and drive without the risk of breaking the law.

Special precautions for taking CBD oil

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Taking CBD oil can be a concern during pregnancy or breastfeeding. This is because CBD products have not been researched far enough with regard to effects on pregnant women and the foetus. We therefore advise against it.

Children: It may be safe for children to take a certain prescription CBD product (Epidiolex) by mouth at a dose of up to 25 mg/kg daily. This product is approved for use in children with certain conditions who are at least 1 year old. It is not known if other CBD products are safe for children.

Liver disease: People with liver disease may need to take lower doses of CBD and be sure to discuss this with their own doctor beforehand.

Parkinson's disease: Some early research suggests that taking high doses of CBD may worsen muscle movements and tremors in some people with Parkinson's disease.

Conclusion

So should you take CBD oil in the morning or in the evening? The answer to this question depends entirely on the individual's goals and decision to incorporate CBD into their daily routine. If one wants to have a calm feeling throughout the day, CBD oil in the morning may be the right thing to do. If one needs help falling asleep, CBD oil may be especially good in the evening.

However, if one wants to enjoy the effects of CBD spread throughout the day, CBD oil should be used both in the morning and in the evening. Through trial and error, one is sure to find the optimal time of day to use CBD oil, whether in the morning, evening or twice a day. Every person is different, so one should be patient and give CBD some time to act on the endocannabinoid system.