What Time Should I Take CBD?

01.16.2023 | Reading Time: 5 minutes
Written by: Loren Baker

By now you probably know that CBD is, well, amazing.

You probably know that it’s one of nature’s best compounds for improving your fitness, health, and general well-being. And you probably understand the importance of choosing a full spectrum product.

But there’s always more to learn. Did you know that timing matters when it comes to taking CBD? It’s true: depending on your goals, certain times of the day may be better suited to CBD-taking than others. Keep reading to learn how to time your CBD intake perfectly.

How long does CBD take to kick in?
Why you might want to take CBD in the AM
Why you might want to take CBD in the PM
Why you might want to take CBD at night
Why you might want to try microdosing

How long does CBD take to kick in?

It’s important to understand CBD’s pharmacology in order to really understand why timing matters so much.

In this case what we’re really after is an understanding of CBD’s onset time. How long does CBD take to kick in? How long until it’s been fully absorbed? How long until its peak effects are felt? Et cetera.

For better or worse, though, these questions don’t have easy answers. Different CBD products kick in differently! The following lists should get you thinking:

CBD + THC oil

Onset time: 5-30 minutes
Peak effects: 60-90 minutes
Clearance time: 4-8 hours

CBD + THC gummies & chocolates

Onset time: 30-60 minutes
Peak effects: 60-120 minutes
Clearance time: 6-9 hours

CBD + THC capsules

Onset time: 45-90 minutes
Peak effects: 60-90 minutes
Clearance time: 6-12 hours

Another variable to keep in mind: Oh, and one more thing: full spectrum hemp extracts usually kick in faster — and stick around for longer — than other types of CBD. You’ll be happy to hear that all fiveTM CBD products are truly full-spectrum! [1]

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at why you may want to take CBD in the AM, in the PM, or at night.

Why you might want to take CBD in the AM

Taking CBD each morning is probably the most popular strategy of all. You probably already take your other supplements each morning, so why not add CBD to the mix? Consider giving this method a try if you:

Need to combat stress from the get-go
Want to place your CBD intake on autopilot
Like balancing out your java with a little CBD

Taking your CBD in the AM is both popular and practical. Just think: you can store your CBD product(s) of choice alongside your other favorite supplements, then take everything all at once! (Well, not quite at once, but in quick succession.) This method makes it really, really hard to forget your CBD.

Taking CBD each AM has more sciencey benefits, too. There’s some evidence that CBD can balance out some of caffeine’s less desirable effects. How? By opposing caffeine’s activity at the adenosine A2A receptor. (Over-activation of this receptor system is what causes those annoying caffeine jitters.) [2] The science might seem complex, but its application is simple: coffee and CBD make a great pair.

Why you might want to take CBD in the PM

Taking your CBD in the afternoon or evening might not be quite as popular as taking it in the morning, but this practice still has plenty of upsides. Give this method a try if you:

Want to recover faster after a tough workout
Need to overcome that afternoon energy slump
Want to try microdosing your CBD (more on that later)

While most people can get all the CBD they need from a single morning dose, there’s still a place for afternoon imbibement. Some people find that taking a smaller dose of CBD each afternoon allows them to stay uplifted and overcome that dreaded post-lunch energy slump. Yes, CBD really can be that energizing — especially if you stick with smaller doses.

Athletes and overperformers can also benefit from PM CBD use. All of you athletes out there can feel free to use CBD before and/or after your workouts. Take it beforehand to optimize your metabolism (CBD may upregulate fat-burning), or take it afterward to accelerate your recovery (CBD may downregulate inflammation). [3]

While afternoon CBD intake can be amazing, don’t feel pressured into it. If you already feel amazing from your morning time CBD use there’s probably no need to layer on an afternoon dose!

Why you might want to take CBD at night

Earlier we said that taking CBD each AM is the most popular dosing practice. While that’s probably true, the popularity of nighttime CBD usage is quickly catching up. Consider giving this method a try if you:

Desperately need to sleep better
Want to wake up feeling happy and refreshed
Want to reduce your reliance on less-than-healthy substances
Want to dream again (yes, some people really do regain their ability to remember their dreams)

The most common reason for nighttime CBD use is a simple one: better sleep. CBD is one of the most effective pro-sleep compounds in existence! Many people find that just one dose of CBD, taken an hour or two before bed, is enough for them to experience blissful sleep.

How does this work? Science shows that CBD may re-synchronize your body’s internal rhythm to the rhythm of the sun, resulting in more energy during the day and just the right amount of drowsiness during the night. Another thing: don’t be surprised if you start dreaming better after taking CBD. This is a sure sign that your body is accessing deeper levels of REM sleep! [4]

Why you might want to try CBD microdosing

Last but not least, we have one of the most interesting dosing strategies of all: microdosing. This method involves taking unusually small CBD doses unusually often. You may want to give CBD microdosing a try if you:

Are super-sensitive to CBD
Need to keep calm and carry on
Don’t need the deep relaxation that comes with larger doses of CBD
Are working with CBD topicals or other products that don’t absorb into the bloodstream

Some people are uniquely well-suited to microdosing. You might just be one of them if you fall into any of the categories above.

As far as how microdosing works, it’s actually pretty simple: just spread out your normal daily dose between several smaller doses. Normally take 20mg of CBD per day? Consider taking 5mg of CBD four times per day instead.

As you might expect, microdosing means partaking in all three methods mentioned earlier. You’re free to take a little CBD in the AM, a little CBD in the PM, and a little CBD at night!

Another nice thing about microdosing: there’s no rules. Instead of feeling obligated to take CBD at a certain time, you’re free to take it whenever you want. Microdosing can be hugely helpful if you want to get back in touch with your body and its natural biorhythms.