When is the best time to take CBD oil for Sleep?
There are many factors that can influence the time needed for CBD oil to take effect. Using CBD oil is one form of administration known as ingestion. CBD oil can be used in food and drinks which will take much longer to absorb whereas putting the CBD oil directly under the tongue will have faster absorption and in turn, provide quicker results.
CBD oil can be taken at any time of time, depending on the concern you are trying to target. In this case, we will be discussing the best time to take your CBD oil to get a good night’s sleep. On average, the best time to start taking your CBD oil dose is approximately 30 to 60 minutes before you want to sleep. Just like any supplement or other medication, the body needs that type of window to absorb the CBD and take effect.
Another factor that will determine whether you are achieving the effects you are looking for is dosing. You may want to consider taking a moderate to a high dose of CBD oil products to feel any type of sedative effects because lower doses are seen to have more stimulating effects. A higher dose of CBD oil will be different for any individual and how it reacts to the endocannabinoid system. Research has shown that anything above 50mg per day can be considered a starting point for a higher dose of CBD. For more chronic concerns such as managing anxiety-related insomnia, a person may need an even higher dose such as 300mg or more per day.
Methods of Absorption and Timing
CBD oil products that are taken roughly 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed can act as a sleep aid and will improve the onset of sleep and how long you stay asleep. As mentioned before, there are many factors that will determine the timeline of taking your CBD oil before bed and that includes, method of ingestion, dosage, personal metabolism rate, and weight.
Understanding the absorption rate and the time for a type of CBD product to take effect, will determine how far in advance to take your CBD before going to bed. When using CBD oil directly under the tongue, the time to take effect usually occurs within 15 to 30 minutes. By using CBD oil in edibles or beverages, the time taken effect can occur within 60 to 90 minutes. The reason why there is a time difference between the different methods of ingestion is how CBD is absorbed. When CBD oil is taken directly under the tongue, it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, bypassing metabolism. If taking an edible or beverage, the CBD needs to be metabolized in the liver before it hits the bloodstream. When CBD is first metabolized, it reduces the amount of CBD available to the body.
Another CBD product that has a higher absorption rate than an edible or beverage is using CBD oil in the form of a vape. Vaping CBD oil will allow the effects to occur within 15 to 30 minutes. The con of using vaping products is the purity of its ingredients. Thinners are required when vaping CBD oil, and this method of ingesting CBD products is not always recommended.
There are many studies that show CBD is known to assist with reducing symptoms associated with psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression. It is also commonly known to be used for chronic pain and stress relief. When reducing these types of symptoms, CBD is also helping to improve sleep cycles in people managing these conditions.
As mentioned before, research has shown that higher doses of CBD will be more beneficial in having a sedative effect on healthy adults. 300 to 600mg per night would be an ideal dose to help reduce stress hormone levels providing a more relaxed sleep state.
CBD is a versatile supplement which can be used throughout the day and then used at night. The difference of using CBD oil for various times in the day is the dosing. Lower doses should be taken throughout the day to provide stimulating effects. For example, CBD can potentially increase protein synthesis in certain parts of the brain involved in wakefulness. Having heightened brain activity promotes a more wakeful state which can negatively impact sleep. Therefore, it is important to experiment with dosing to find what is right for you for the specific condition you are trying to tackle. Because CBD is so versatile with its dosing and how it affects the body, sometimes one may think that the supplement is not working for their sleep condition. Therefore, starting at a higher dose for sleep may be more effective than starting low and slow during the day.
Reasons to take CBD oil before Sleep
Stress Relief
The reason for high stress responses, fight or flight, is heightened cortisol levels in the body. As a result of high stress levels, people may struggle with their quality of sleep. CBD can interfere with cortisol secretion and as a result, will reduce cortisol levels in the body, calming the nervous system and relaxing the mind and body.
If stress is the main reason for your trouble sleeping, CBD can help to induce sleep by reducing the high stress responses in the body. Having high cortisol levels in the body can contribute to trouble falling asleep or even disrupted sleep which reduces sleep quality.
Pain Relief
CBD is known to be a great alternative for both acute and chronic pain concerns. Pain is one of the common reasons for having trouble falling asleep. When reducing pain, CBD helps to eliminate the cause of sleep disturbances allowing for a better quality of sleep.
CBD oil reacts to our endocannabinoid system in the body which regulates other physiological functions in the body. The endocannabinoid system contains two cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2. The CB2 receptor is found within the immune system and has the role of regulating pain. CBD can bind to the CB2 receptors which will help with reducing inflammation and pain. When pain is reduced, the result is a better good night’s sleep.
Anxiety Relief
Another common symptom which affects quality of sleep is anxiety. CBD can help to reduce anxiety by reducing activity in one part of the brain called the amygdala. The amygdala is considered the brain’s fear center and is known to be hyperactive in people who experience anxiety.
When CBD is working to reduce this type of activity in the brain, CBD can then decrease the feeling of anxiety which increases the opportunity for a better night’s sleep.
Antidepressant
CBD can help with your quality of sleep by acting as an antidepressant. Depression is associated with low levels of serotonin in the body.
CBD is considered a partial agonist of serotonin receptors which means that it can similarly act on these receptors to serotonin molecules. This can in turn regulate your mood and as a result, improve the ability to fall asleep.
Conclusion
CBD contains a wealth of therapeutic effects on conditions such as anxiety, pain, and stress relief. Because CBD can help with these symptoms, it can also help to improve insomnia, sleep onset and quality of sleep. We have also established that CBD oil can also enhance sleep in healthy adults at much higher doses.
It is recommended to take CBD oil 30 to 60 minutes before sleep. Depending on the type of CBD product will also determine how far in advance you should be taking your CBD dose. During the day it is best to start with a low dose and increase your dose until you find the right amount. CBD oil needs to also be taken consistently for best results. Experiment with CBD and you will be sure to have successful results.
