WHAT’S THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO USE DELTA 8 THC?

This is a question we get asked quite a lot — is it better to use delta 8 THC in the morning or later on in the evening?

The truth is that delta 8 can be used at any point in the day and offer benefits — but there are a few caveats here on what dose is best to use in the morning, noon, or evening to get the best results.

FOR PRODUCTIVITY: FIRST THING IN THE MORNING

Many of our customers use delta 8 THC first thing in the morning — like a “wake and bake.”

Using lower doses in the morning is preferred for promoting a clear mind before work or university. Unfortunately, a lot of students wake up feeling anxious or stressed out. They’ve got a lot of stuff to do during the day, so it can be difficult to motivate yourself to get out of bed in the mornings — trust us, we’ve been there.

Many people will take a small dose (~10 mg) first thing in the morning to curb some of these nerves before they head out the door. In addition, we like mixing our Delta 8 Vanilla tinctures with morning coffee (usually a bulletproof coffee), which helps offset some of the negative side effects of the caffeine — such as anxiety, jitteriness, or muscle tension.

FOR FUN: ALL DAY EVERYDAY

If you’re using delta 8 THC purely for its impact on cognition and perception — there’s really no particular point in the day that works better than others. You can use delta 8 THC whenever you damn well feel like it.

Just one thing to note is that high doses can be a bit soporific. They can make you feel tired, which isn’t exactly conducive to having a productive day. Try and keep the doses at or below the 40 mg mark if you want to avoid this effect.

If you like the idea of an afternoon nap, disregard this advice entirely 😉

It’s also important to note that because delta 8 THC is psychoactive, it’s wise to avoid using it if there’s any chance you’ll need to drive during the day. Only take your dose if you plan to walk, bike, or take the bus when you have to go somewhere — never drive while under the influence of delta 8 THC.

FOR STRESS: AN HOUR BEFORE YOU THINK YOU’LL NEED IT

A lot of us here at Area 52 take an extra dose of delta 8 before doing anything deemed as “stressful.” Of course, this is different for everyone. Still, some common examples include giving presentations, speaking with big-wig investors, or dealing with the inevitable crises that pop up when operating a business.

While it isn’t always possible to be proactive, it’s best if you take your dose about an hour before you think you’ll need it. This is because delta 8 THC appears to work better for avoiding the physiological implications of stress rather than reversing it.

If you’re feeling out of whack, you can still use delta 8 THC to help bring yourself back towards the center. Just know it’s likely going to take a little while for this effect to kick in fully.

When managing acute stress (stress that appears suddenly), we’ve found vapes work the best. This is because they have the fastest onset of effects, by far — kicking in within about 5 minutes.

FOR SLEEP: ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE BEDTIME

If we had to pick one point in the day that was the “best time to use delta 8 THC,” — we’d have to go with the evenings. But, again, this is purely because of the powerful relaxing quality of this cannabinoid.

If you’ve ever taken marijuana extracts in the evenings, you may have noticed that sometimes it helps with sleep, but other times it does the exact opposite.

Delta 9 THC can be very stimulating in higher doses. However, only tiny doses are sedative, so if you accidentally take too much, you’re likely going to be kept up well into the early hours of the morning.

Delta 8 THC doesn’t have this problem, and in fact, becomes more sleep-supportive with higher doses. If you use too much in the evening, you’re more likely to get more sleep, rather than less.

An ideal evening sesh usually starts about 2 or 3 hours before your intended bedtime. We’ll use a full dose first (which is between 20 and 40 mg depending on the person, and our D8 THC infused gummies is perfect for this application), followed by a second half-dose about two hours later.

If you follow this dosing schedule, by hour three, you’ll barely be able to keep your eyes open.

Some users report having more dreams at night when using delta 8 THC — which we view as a bonus. The dreams don’t tend to be more trippy or vivid than usual — but you’re more likely to remember them the following morning.

WHEN TO AVOID DELTA 8 THC?

Delta 8 can be used at any point in the day — in general. However, there are a few conditions that are less suitable for using delta 8 THC.

Let’s cover the main times to avoid using delta 8 THC altogether:

1. IF YOU’RE FEELING TIRED & UNMOTIVATED

The relaxing qualities of delta 8 THC make it very well suited for people who are already anxious or stimulated — but not as well-suited for those who are feeling tired, unmotivated, or lethargic already.

While low doses can help with productivity and focus, this mainly stems from its ability to quiet the mind. It is not a stimulant like caffeine, which causes an increase in brain activity to make us more productive.

If you’re feeling low and have stuff you need to get done, it’s probably not the best idea to use delta 8 THC.

Instead, we’d recommend using delta 10 THC, as the effects of this cannabinoid are much more stimulating in nature.

2. IF YOU’RE GOING TO NEED TO DRIVE WITHIN THE NEXT 3 HOURS

Under no circumstance should you be driving while under the influence of delta 8 THC. Not only is it illegal, but it’s also unsafe for both you and other drivers or pedestrians.

Never use delta 8 THC if you’re going to need to drive anywhere in the next 3 hours at least. Some people find the effects of delta 8 THC last longer, so you should give yourself even more time to allow the effects to wear off completely before you drive.

3. IF YOU’RE USING ANY MEDICATIONS

Delta 8 THC is a safe compound, but some medications can cause negative reactions — some of which can be quite dangerous.

There’s a long list of potential medications that can interact with delta 8 THC. So you should always speak with your doctor first if you’re taking any medications or have any underlying medical conditions. Your doctor will be able to cross-reference your medications with THC to determine the level of risk.

A few examples of medications that are likely to interact negatively with delta 8 THC include:

• Blood pressure medications
• Blood thinners
• Heart medications
• Prescription painkillers
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Diuretics
• Anti-epileptic medications

FINAL THOUGHTS: WHEN SHOULD I USE DELTA 8 THC?

You can use delta 8 THC at any point in the day effectively. However, if you’re using it in the morning before work or university, you’ll want to be cautious about the dose to avoid feeling drowsy too early in the day.

If your goal is to use delta 8 THC for its perceptual experience, there’s really no particular time when it’s best — keep in mind, high doses may make you want to take a nap — which for many isn’t a detriment anyway.

If we had to choose one particular time in the day that’s the “best time to use delta 8 THC,” — we’d have to go with the evening. The relaxing qualities of delta 8 make it an excellent supplement to use in the evenings before bed. We’ve found they help us fall asleep faster, stay asleep throughout the night, and several of the team members have even noted it can help them remember their dreams better the following morning.