With so many medications that require you to eat food before taking them, it’s a good question if you can take CBD on empty stomach. The short answer – yes.
The best way to take CBD Oil is sublingually (under your tongue), so it doesn’t really matter if you have food in your stomach. However, if you’re taking CBD Capsules (CBD Softgels), having something fatty in your stomach will help absorption.
In this blog, we’ll discuss whether or not should you take CBD with food and explain the best time of day to take your CBD Oil.
Is Taking CBD on an Empty Stomach Wrong?
No, taking CBD on an empty stomach isn’t wrong at all – it’s perfectly fine! There won’t be any negative side effects if you take CBD on an empty stomach, specifically if you’re using CBD Oil.
While the answer to should I eat after taking CBD Oil is no, we need to clarify CBD Oil vs CBD Capsules (or CBD Softgels). We’ll discuss the best time to take CBD Oil after eating down below.
CBD Oil vs CBD Capsules
The science-backed best way to get CBD into your body is by using the sublingual method with CBD Oil. Sublingual means under your tongue.
So, you just drop the CBD Oil under your tongue and let it absorb for 2-5 minutes. The longer you let it absorb, the stronger it will be.
CBD Capsules (or CBD Softgels) are a great option for anyone needing a long-release CBD, like CBD for sleep.
CBD Capsules must be created with emulsifiers to protect the CBD from your stomach acid, so it waits until it gets to your liver to be metabolized. So, while you can definitely take any CBD product type on empty stomach, it’s better if you take CBD Capsules with something a little fatty in your stomach to give the CBD something to bind to.
Healthy fats in eggs, butter, cheese, yogurt, meat, and fish are great to eat before consuming CBD!
Should You Take CBD With Food or After Food?
No matter what, fatty food will help the absorption of CBD in your digestive system – so you can always take CBD after eating. The best time to take CBD Oil after eating is about 30 minutes after a fatty meal to help with digestion and absorption.
However, CBD Oil isn’t very stable in your stomach and is usually broken down by stomach acid. That’s why the sublingual (under the tongue) method is best!
If you’re using CBD Capsules (or CBD Softgels), you definitely want a little fatty meal in your stomach to help. Even something as small as a piece of salami goes a long way to helping the CBD absorb!
Taking CBD on empty stomach is safe and will never hurt you, but it definitely helps ingestible CBD (like CBD Softgels) if you have something fatty in your stomach! One of the side effects of CBD is improved metabolism, so it will help your digestive system process anything you just ate.
Best Time to Take CBD Oil After Eating
Regardless of whether you have a full stomach, you can take CBD Oil anytime. If you’re using CBD Softgels, here’s a short guide to eating before consuming CBD:
- Eat a small amount of healthy fats (i.e., eggs, cheese, beef, dairy, fish, avocado, etc.)
- Wait 30 minutes
- Take your dose of CBD Softgels
Remember, any ingestible CBD product type, like CBD Softgels or CBD Gummies, will benefit from having something fatty in your full stomach. While should I eat after taking CBD Oil is a no – you can always eat a little fatty meal before consuming CBD.
Regular CBD Oil is taken sublingually (under the tongue) and does not need to be in your stomach to work, making it the easiest all-around CBD product to use.
- If you suffer from stress, anxiety, or mental conditions, CBD Oil is the fastest-acting way to experience the relief of CBD.
- If you need deeper, more restful sleep, CBD Softgels (or CBD Capsules) are the longest-lasting way to keep the CBD in your body, helping you stay asleep.
Still wondering whether should you take CBD with food? Food can definitely help CBD absorb, but it’s not necessary, especially if you’re taking CBD Oil sublingually. The best time to take CBD Oil after eating is about 30 minutes after your meal.
Should I Eat After Taking CBD Oil?
In short, the answer to ‘should I eat after taking CBD Oil’ is no. You really shouldn’t eat after taking CBD Oil. You can always eat before taking CBD Oil or any other CBD product, but once you take your CBD, it’s best to let your body digest it.
CBD binds to receptors in your endocannabinoid system (ECS for short). Your ECS sits outside of your regular metabolism, so the CBD has to exit your digestive system and enter your ECS, which is complicated.
So, once you feel the effects of CBD, you’re good to eat again! One of the side effects of CBD is an increased appetite, so feel free to eat whenever you feel ready.
It’s important to note this is not a safety concern; it’s just about making the CBD more effective.
Whether you choose to eat before taking CBD doesn’t change the answer to should you take CBD with food.If, for any reason, you need to eat after taking CBD – it’s perfectly safe and acceptable to do so.
Product Types and Their Impact on Absorption
Since we’ve mentioned a few different CBD product types, we want to clarify what products need to be taken after eating and what products don’t:
- CBD Oil – CBD Oil taken sublingually (under your tongue) does not require you to eat anything before taking it.
- CBD Softgels (CBD Capsules) – CBD Softgels and CBD Capsules do benefit from you eating before taking them.
- CBD Gummies – CBD gummies benefit from you eating before taking them.
- CBD Vape – A CBD Vape does not require you to eat anything before using it.
- CBD Lotion (CBD Balm) – CBD Lotion, CBD Balm, and all other CBD topicals don’t require you to eat anything before taking them.
To simplify, any CBD you ingest will benefit from food but not require it. Any CBD you use sublingually (under your tongue) or topically does not benefit from you eating food.
Summary: CBD on Empty Stomach
In summary, food is not required for you to benefit from any CBD product type. Ingestible CBD, such as CBD Softgles, CBD Capsules, and CBD Gummies, benefit from a small amount of fatty food in your full stomach. Still, CBD Oil taken sublingally and other CBD Topicals like CBD Lotion and CBD Balm do not benefit from food in your stomach whatsoever.
The point is, if you need CBD, take CBD. Don’t worry too much about making sure you have food in your stomach; just use your CBD as needed. It’s 100% safe to take CBD on empty stomach.
If you have questions about whether or not should you take CBD with food, you can always reach out to our experts at USA Medical for free guidance by emailing info@usamedical.com.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
