When to Take CBD Gummies: A Complete Guide for Best Results

In recent years, CBD gummies have surged in popularity as a convenient and tasty way to incorporate cannabidiol into daily routines. These chews offer a convenient, consistently measured option for those looking to experience the potential benefits of CBD, such as relaxation, stress relief, and improved sleep quality.  

However, knowing when to take CBD gummies is crucial for maximizing their effects. Whether you’re seeking relief after a long day or looking to enhance your wellness routine, understanding the optimal timing can make all the difference. In this post, we'll explore the best moments to enjoy your CBD gummies to ensure you reap the full spectrum of their benefits. 

Factors Affecting the Best Time to Take CBD Gummies 

Deciding on the best time to take your CBD gummies depends largely on the results you’re seeking to achieve. Cannabinoid wellness offers many wellness benefits, such as better sleep, consequence-free relaxation, relief from pain after physical activity, mental focus and more. 

Better Sleep  

Workday stress, physical discomfort, and even seemingly minor changes in daily routine can make it difficult to fall asleep. Once your sleep patterns are disrupted, you could be missing out on the restorative sleep needed for cellular repair, optimal cognition, emotional equilibrium, and appetite regulation.¹ Of 1,900 respondents in a 2019 CBDistillery customer survey, 89% reported better sleep while using CBD. If you’re taking a CBD gummy to help you sleep, it’s best to consume it 1-2 hours before bedtime to allow your body to wind down naturally. 

Relaxation  

Stress impacts everybody differently. Some turn to wine, alcohol, or comfort foods for temporary relief; others end up feeling too tense, overwhelmed, or agitated to relax and unwind. Of 1,900 respondents in a 2019 CBDistillery customer survey, 89% say CBD calms their minds, 79% prefer CBD over wine for relaxation, 82% feel CBD is more effective than meditation, and 79% prefer the effects of CBD over yoga. If you’re winding down with CBD at the end of the day, particularly if you’re partaking in our ommm+ distilled THC & CBD Unwind Gummies, we recommend doing so at a time where you’ll no longer need to drive or operate heavy machinery. 

Discomfort After Physical Activity 

Whether caused by a productive workout, a long day on the floor supervising staff, or just being stuck at your desk for hours on end, the inevitable discomfort you'll feel after strenuous activity could keep you on the sidelines for several days. Eighty-four percent of our survey respondents report that CBD helps with pain after physical activity, and 9 out of 10 choose CBD over turmeric to support recovery. To assist your recovery, you can chew a CBD gummy before your workout so that it has time to digest and take effect while you’re exercising, or afterwards as you rehydrate. The 15-20:1 ratio of CBD to THC in our full spectrum products means there’s little risk of intoxication, so you should feel confident in incorporating them into your daytime routine. 

Mild or Temporary Anxiety   

For many people, occasional bouts of mild or temporary anxiety seem part of daily life. Regardless of the circumstances triggering the amplified response from your central nervous system, the impact can make it difficult to focus on anything but the cause of your distress. An impressive 88% of CBD users responding to our survey say CBD helps with mild or temporary anxiety. CBDistillery’s ommm distilled CBG & CBD gummies feature a full spectrum extract and a 15-20:1 CBD to THC ratio, meaning there’s little risk of intoxication. Pop one before or during a stressful moment and feel the mental clarity and focus cannabinoid wellness can offer. 

Types of CBD Gummies 

CBD products incorporate one of three types of hemp plant extract; full spectrum, broad spectrum and CBD isolate. Because CBDistillery doesn’t offer CBD isolate gummies, we’ll focus on the first two. 

CBDistillery® Full Spectrum CBD Gummies 

CBDistillery® ahhh distilled Full Spectrum CBD Gummies give you the full array of minor cannabinoids, terpenes, and other nutrients in the same ratios found in nature. Their CBD to THC ratio ensures there's minimal risk of intoxication. You'll gain the potency-maximizing potential of a property cannabis is known for called an "Entourage Effect²,” which sees all of the natural compounds working in synergy to enhance the wellness potential of each. 

CBDistillery offers full spectrum gummies for relief, relaxation, better sleep, mental clarity and focus. 

CBDistillery® Broad Spectrum CBD Gummies 

Broad spectrum CBD gummies have the diverse cannabinoids and terpene profile needed for an entourage effect, but non-detectable amounts (<0.01%) of THC. If you’re looking to avoid THC in your wellness routine, broad spectrum gummies may be the right choice for you. CBDistillery offers broad spectrum gummies for relief, relaxation and sleep. 

Dosage and Potency 

Compared to CBD oil tinctures and topicals, it takes longer for the effects of CBD gummies (and other edibles) to peak because the cannabinoid is processed through your digestive system before circulating through your bloodstream. Based on decades of study, we know CBD asserts its influence on multiple molecular targets, including the receptors of the serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) systems.³

But it's the cannabinoid's impact on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) most often credited for CBD's positive impact on so many seemingly unrelated concerns. Cannabis researchers believe its indirect influence on ECS receptors supports homeostasis.¹¹ Most sources suggest CBD edibles take 1-2 hours to make their presence known for effects that last 4-6 hours for most CBD users. There are multiple factors at play impacting how long it can take for CBD to assert that influence.⁴ 

The Amount of CBD Per Serving 

CBD concentrations can vary considerably from one crop to the next. Reputable brands protect consumers by confirming the CBD content of their products through third-party batch testing. You can protect yourself by consistently verifying claims of third-party test results. If you can't find a certificate of analysis, shop elsewhere. Although 75% of CBD brands claim their products are tested by an independent lab, only 13% submit samples for at least 90% of their products.⁵ 

Body Composition & Metabolism 

CBD and other plant-based cannabinoids are attracted to fat, meaning a lean person who is physically active metabolizes (and eliminates) CBD faster than a person with a higher BMI who might have a higher percentage of each serving stored in adipose tissues. If 30% is stored, for example, only 70% of the cannabinoids available after ingestion circulate in the bloodstream.⁴ Age, genetics, lack of sleep, and other factors impacting metabolic function can also impact onset timing and duration. 

Frequency of Use 

A considerable number of people are pleased with the results of applying CBD topically after an intense workout or keeping a jar of gummies on hand for the occasional sleepless night. But many people find they get the best results when using hemp-derived CBD products consistently to keep their intake of cannabinoids stable. According to a 2019 CBDistillery® survey of 1,900 customers, most respondents reported achieving positive results within 7-14 days of consistent daily use. 

Timing Your CBD Intake to Suit the Benefits You Seek 

Since CBD works differently for everybody, and offers a variety of specific benefits, it stands to reason that timing is everything when it comes to incorporating it into your routine. Let’s explore some of those benefits and how you should time your CBD intake to suit. 

For Sleep 

CBD works alongside your endocannabinoid system to promote quality rest. If you’re incorporating CBD products into your bedtime routine, it’s best to take your gummy 1-2 hours before bedtime to allow your body to process the cannabinoid blend and unwind for the night. 

For Relief from Temporary Stress or Anxiety 

Use of CBD, especially in a full spectrum extract including cannabigerol (or CBG, the “mother of cannabinoids”), has been shown to help users manage moments of temporary anxiety or stress during the course of the day. CBDistillery’s CBG + CBD gummies feature a 15-20:1 ratio of CBD to naturally occurring THC, so the risk of intoxication is extremely low and you can feel confident in taking them in the morning or as needed. 

If your agenda includes a big event, presentation or meeting that’s a source of temporary anxiety, pop a gummy 1-2 hours beforehand to ensure your ECS has time to receive the full benefits of the CBD.  

For Managing Pain After Physical Activity 

In our 2019 customer survey, 8 out of 10 CBD users report that they found relief for pain after physical activity with CBD. If you’re using CBD gummies to help manage soreness and discomfort, you could take a gummy in advance of your workout or immediately afterwards and feel the relief CBD can bring. 

Our newest product, ahhh+ distilled THC & CBD Enhanced Relief Gummies, feature our most potent formulation to date, including 5mg of naturally occurring Delta-9 THC. This concentration can deliver a mild buzz and full-body relaxation so we recommend taking them at the end of the day as you wind down towards sleep. 

For General Wellness 

How often you use hemp-derived CBD products will also have a considerable impact on your overall experience. If your decision to try hemp-derived CBD was influenced by conversations with experienced CBD users, maybe a few of your friends, coworkers, or family members, you may have realized that some people use CBD daily, others as needed. 

Many people are perfectly content using a CBD topical after a particularly grueling workout, or keeping a supply of CBD gummies tucked away for the occasional sleepless night. But according to the results of a 2019 consumer survey, CBD enthusiasts using their products daily report feeling the effects of each serving much sooner than survey participants using their products as needed. Most survey participants felt their best results were achieved within 7-14 days of consistent daily use. That means daily use could shorten the amount of time it takes for your CBD to work. 

Absorption and Onset Time for CBD Gummy Use 

As mentioned earlier, the individual user’s body dictates CBD’s effects, including how long the benefits take to become evident and how long they last, so your CBD experience may not be the same as someone else's. Some people find CBD works almost immediately; others achieve the results they are looking for after using CBD for a week or two. 

How CBD Works with the Body 

CBD asserts its influence on more than 65 molecular targets,⁷ including your endocannabinoid system (ECS) receptors, the largest regulatory system in the human body.⁸ Based on decades of research, the signaling between ECS messengers and receptors plays a crucial role in nearly every aspect of health and well-being, from emotional regulation and memory to immune system function, sleep cycle regulation, and muscle movement. Although most of their evidence is based on lab results, animal studies, and a steadily increasing number of clinical trials, cannabis researchers believe CBD helps support ECS function in a way that promotes internal balance (homeostasis).⁹ 

How Long It Takes CBD Gummies to Work 

Before the CBD in any product can interact with your ECS receptors, it needs a way into your bloodstream. When you swallow CBD gummies, the cannabinoids entering your stomach make their way to your liver through your hepatic portal system. Your liver enzymes metabolize a portion of that CBD. Only the cannabinoids that remain after this "first pass effect" (and digestion) circulate through your body.¹⁰ Since the CBD must first be processed through your digestive system, it can take up to an hour (or more) before you'll notice any impact. 

The duration of CBD's effects depends on how long the cannabinoid stays in your system. How long the product remains in your body depends on some of the same factors that affect how long it could take for products to work, including your weight, age, metabolism, and lifestyle choices. How long your effects last will also depend on: 

Dosage or Quantity Consumed 

A larger dose of CBD may take longer to leave your system than a smaller dose. A smaller dose may need to be repeated more often or can be supplemented with a vape or topical product between doses. 

Delivery Method or Form of Ingestion 

Your product type also determines how long the effects last. While edibles or capsules take longer to enter your bloodstream, the effects could last 6-8 hours. 

Serving Sizes Suggestions: The Benefit of Starting Low and Slow   

Based on the feedback of our 2019 survey respondents, most CBD users report favorable results using our hemp-derived products for relaxation, better sleep, discomfort and inflammation after physical activity, and mild or temporary anxiety. You won't know exactly how your system will respond to ECS support until you choose a product and try it, but you may not want to start with the serving size suggestion printed on our product labels. 

Every CBD user has a unique physical chemistry, meaning an amount that works for someone else could be significantly different than the serving size that's right for you. Instead, we suggest starting with half of a gummy. If a partial serving doesn't provide the results you're hoping for, increase your serving sizes gradually in small increments. Some first-timers move on to a full gummy with their next serving; others wait a few days (or more) between increases to give their systems time to adapt and respond. The choice is yours. 

Supporting Your Wellness with CBD 

Finding the right time to take CBD gummies can significantly enhance your experience and help you achieve your wellness goals. Whether you prefer them in the morning to kickstart your day, during stressful moments, or as a calming ritual before bed, understanding your body’s needs and responses is key. As you experiment with timing, remember to start with a low dose and adjust as necessary. By incorporating CBD gummies thoughtfully into your routine, you can enjoy their benefits to the fullest and support your overall well-being. Embrace the journey of discovering what works best for you and enjoy the delicious path to relaxation and balance! 

References 

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