CBD Oil & Your Night Time Routine
Last year, a survey of 300 Dragonfly CBD customers highlighted that 27% of people take CBD Oil primarily to aid sleep. There remains a lack of clinical evidence to support the link between the cannabis-based product and an easier night’s rest. However, CBD Oil has proven very popular with many people for this purpose.
At Dragonfly CBD, many people contact us to enquire how they should incorporate CBD Oil into their night time routine. So, we’ve created this guide to explain when you should take CBD, how much you should take with reference to some of the science behind it.
What is Cannabidiol (CBD Oil)?
Over the last five years, we have witnessed a sea change in perceptions of cannabis. Previous beliefs and decades of prohibition around the plant have started to unwind.
Many now firmly believe in the therapeutic benefits of the cannabis plant and the spectrum of cannabis compounds.
CBD – also known as Cannabidiol – is a non-psychoactive compound, found within cannabis. Unlike THC, it does not cause a high effect and it is safe and legal to use.
The most common mechanism to take the natural compound is via an oil formulation – known as CBD Oil.
Such products can be found widely throughout the high street and big retailers such as Boots, Tesco, Sainsburys & Amazon.
Have any studies investigated the relationship between CBD Oil and Sleep?
In 2019, a cross-university group of scientists in Colorado carried out a study to examine the relationship between sleep and CBD. A surge in publications finding preclinical and clinical evidence, supporting the value with CBD in neuropsychiatric disorders, prompted the study.
The test subjects were 72 adults presenting concerns of anxiety or poor sleep. After the first month, anxiety scores decreased within the first month in 57 patients (79.2%). Sleep scores also improved within the first month in 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated throughout the study.
Ultimately, the study concluded that CBD may hold benefits for sleep disorders. But further controlled clinical studies are required.
Taking CBD Oil in a Night Time Routine
Within the scientific community, there is a growing consensus that CBD Oil should be taken after a meal. Preferably, one that includes healthy fats, food such as olive oil and nuts.
In 2020, a study was conducted in which participants ate a meal high in fats (calories from fats comprised 50% of the total number). Shortly after finishing the meal, the participants received an oral dose of CBD.
Within 15 minutes, the scientists detected CBD in plasma samples in all participant groups. These levels peaked between 2 to 4 hours after dosing. When taking CBD Oil as part of a night time routine, consider what time you eat and what time you go to sleep. Ideally, you would like to peak your CBD levels when you go to bed.
To maximise your CBD Oil intake as part of a night time routine, we recommend you take Dragonfly CBD shortly after your evening meal.
How much CBD Oil should you take at Night Time?
The amount of CBD Oil you should take depends on the product. At Dragonfly CBD, all our recommended starting serving sizes can be found on the packaging. However, there are some general rules to follow.
Firstly, you should be consistent with your CBD use. Research shows that CBD gradually builds up in your system over time. So try to keep to a daily routine over the course of at least two weeks of use.
Secondly, you begin with a medium serving of CBD (between 15-20mg of CBD) per day. From here, you can feel out whether this is the right level for you. Or, if in fact, you believe you could do with a larger serving each day. Just make sure you do not exceed the maximum 70mg of CBD per day.
What other CBD products are suitable for Night Time?
A recent update to the Cosing Database (an EU database of cosmetic ingredients) stated that CBD has numerous benefits when applied to the skin. To find out which Dragonfly CBD products are best used at night time, read our recommendation guide.
CBD is anti-sebum, antioxidant, skin protecting and skin conditioning. If you are someone who incorporates moisturisers or creams into their night time routine, then CBD Cream is an excellent option. Not only will it protect and nourish your skin, but calming self care routines are very important for a good night’s sleep.
For further information on this topic area, take a look at our sleep resource guide.
General Tips for a Good Night's Rest
During lockdown, a survey by King’s College London highlighted that nearly 2 in every 3 people have trouble sleeping. There are a number of easily implementable tips to encourage an easy night’s sleep.
Some of these are habits you can introduce during the day, such as cutting down on caffeine intake and getting regular exercise. Some are suggestions that you can adopt before you go to sleep. For example, staying well clear of mobile devices in the 30 minute window before bed. Try reading a book instead!
To find out more about good sleep habits, read our sleep guide.
Dragonfly CBD is an award winning UK-based CBD company, creating all of its products from seed to shelf. You can buy Dragonfly CBD online or in retailers like Boots, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Amazon.