CBD and Intermittent Fasting: Can It Support Your Wellness Journey?

Intermittent fasting is currently one of the most popular nutritional methods in the wellness space. Whether you’re looking to manage your energy levels, calorie intake or another facet of your well-being, intermittent fasting could be compatible with your lifestyle and goals.

But what if you combine the powers of intermittent fasting with the plant-based benefits of CBD? This powerful combination could help you reach your wellness goals in a few key ways — from helping manage hunger to mitigating stress.

Below, we’ll explore both intermittent fasting and CBD in detail, describe some of the potential benefits of this dynamic duo and teach you how to combine these two forces for optimal wellness.

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is an eating plan that divides your day into two sessions:

Fasting – During the fasting window of your day, you won’t consume any calories. While many people still drink water (and other calorie-free beverages) during their fast, others cut specific liquids from their diet during this phase (caffeine and artificial sugars, for instance) or couple this period with a “water fast.”
Eating – People on intermittent fasting diets still uphold healthy eating — they only fast for certain periods each day. Most intermittent fasters get all of their caloric intake during one set time block, even if it’s just a few hours long.

Intermittent fasting could help with body weight and fat loss (since it provides just one way to promote calorie restriction), memory and more.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two most prevalent cannabinoids (compounds that interact with the body’s built-in endocannabinoid system) found in the cannabis plant.

CBD is:

Plant-based – Since it’s extracted from the cannabis plant, CBD is completely plant-derived.
Non-psychoactive – While its cousin, THC (the other most prevalent cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant), is psychoactive (i.e., it gets you high), CBD doesn’t have the same effects.
Legal – The 2018 Farm Bill is a federal law making it legal for anyone over the age of 18 to purchase, possess and use CBD (in the form of hemp pills, for instance).

Clinical researchers are only just beginning to explore the wellness applications of CBD. So far, research suggests that CBD could act as a mood enhancer, regulate energy levels, boost sleep hygiene and manage appetite.

Combining CBD and Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting and CBD: This powerful combination could help you chart a new path on your wellness journey. Let’s break down some prospective benefits.

Managing Hunger

While THC (CBD’s psychoactive cousin) can stimulate appetite — you’ve likely heard of “the munchies” — the same isn’t true for CBD. In fact, CBD may actually help to suppress appetite instead.

This could be a game changer for people considering time restricted eating.

In the early days of your intermittent fasting diet, you’ll likely struggle to maintain your fasting window (especially if you’re accustomed to snacking throughout the day). With help from CBD products, you could:

Curb hunger during your fasting phase
Cut cravings during “snacky” times of the day (after dinner, for example)
Extend your fasting period as you progress on your journey

Fighting Stress

No matter your reason for trying an intermittent fasting schedule, switching up your eating routine can be stressful. Will you still be able to keep normal meal times with family? How will you resist that plate of cookies in the break room during your fasting period? Will you still meet your macros for the day if you’re cutting back on eating times?

If you’re stressed before starting intermittent fasting (or during your first few weeks following this regimen), CBD could help you rediscover a sense of inner tranquility.

In addition, CBD pairs well with other peace-promoting activities like:

Journaling
Meditation
Low-flow exercise (like yoga and tai chi)
Art and music therapies

For people struggling to overcome the stress of the early days of time restricted eating, CBD could help you protect your peace as you adapt to a new eating pattern.

Promoting Overall Wellness

In what other ways can both intermittent fasting and CBD help boost your overall wellness?

Metabolism management – Both intermittent fasting and CBD could play roles in metabolism. Metabolic health is a key factor in conversations about weight management, energy levels and whole-body wellness.
Sleep hygiene – CBD has long been recognized as a potential sleep-supporting supplement. Researchers also recognize the potential benefits of intermittent fasting on sleep hygiene. Combined, these two wellness tools could help you get a handle on your sleep health (and reap the benefits of being well-rested).
Exercise support – Experts recommend combining intermittent fasting regimens with consistent exercise routines — especially if you’re trying to lose body weight or build muscle. As we mentioned above, CBD can also complement your exercise habits, especially if you prefer low-intensity workouts.

In short, combining intermittent fasts with the plant-based potential of CBD could help you optimize multiple facets of your wellness profile.

How to Use CBD Products During Intermittent Fasting

So, you bought CBD online to try during your intermittent fasting schedule — what now? Here are a few tips for incorporating CBD into your routine.

Time it right – CBD affects people in different ways. And, since it’s still not well-studied, it’s hard to say how your body will respond to CBD at specific times of day. We recommend experimenting to find the sweet spot of CBD dosing. Try taking your dose before your eating phase, during your fasting phase, as soon as you wake up or before you fall asleep and assess how each dosage time impacts your day.
Find your preferred product – If you’re looking for CBD gummies for sale, you might be worried about how these products will affect your fast. Depending on your personal approach, it might not make sense to use edible CBD products (like gummies and oils) during your fasting period. Luckily, these aren’t the only options. Consider a CBD topical or our CBD hemp oil for sale, for instance.
Record your personal data – When you start intermittent fasting, CBD or both, consider exploring the benefits of journaling. Log your eating patterns, physical responses to CBD, emotions, stress level and other metrics. Doing so will help you identify healthy eating patterns (as well as less effective methods during your experimentation phase).

Zebra CBD: Supporting Your Wellness Journey

Intermittent fasting is just one way to optimize calorie restriction, potentially manage your metabolic health and reach other wellness goals. Combining intermittent fasts with CBD could help you reach even more wellness goals and unlock truly holistic health.

For CBD products you can trust, choose Zebra CBD. Our collection is crafted with high-quality, premium hemp extract that undergoes rigorous third-party testing so you can rest assured that you’re giving your body and mind only the very best.

Start your journey to all-around wellness with CBD gummies, tinctures, oils or balms. Explore our entire range of products to find what fits with your lifestyle and wellness goals.

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