Does CBD Oil Break a Fast?

One routine that more and more people are turning to is intermittent fasting. But will taking CBD oil in the morning break your fast? The answer is no. Water, black coffee, green tea, and CBD oil are fine if you’re fasting.

Now, this only applies to some oils. If you’re using an oil with certain carrier oils or if you’re a fan of gummies, smoothies, or CBD chocolates then you’re having a snack—not a supplement.

Still, plenty of questions remain. So let’s dive a little deeper and talk about CBD oil and fasting.

Will CBD oil break a fast?

If you’re wondering what water, black coffee, and green tea have to do with any of this, that’s a fair question. Those three non-caloric beverages are the standard for what you can have without breaking a fast. That means if you’re on a 16/8 schedule, you can have any of those after 8 p.m., when you first wake up, and any time until your first meal at Noon. You may have noticed one glaring omission from that list of standard choices. So, will CBD oil break a fast? The answer is yes—technically.

For an authentic fast, and to receive the absolute peak benefit of this approach, you’ll need to abstain from any caloric intake completely. That includes CBD oil. Despite the fact that it would be a small amount of calories per dose, CBD oil with a carrier like coconut oil will indeed break a fast. However, CBD oil dosage is unique to each user, so the calories consumed will vary by person.

Also, breaking a fast with just a few calories like you might receive from CBD oil still allows you to receive many of the benefits that accompany a more prolonged fasting.

However, it’s important that you remember the caloric and sugar contents of some CBD products will be higher than other. For example, CBD gummies and other edibles infused with CBD will certainly contain higher levels of sugar that can remove you from ketosis and have more of an effect on your body.

Why breaking a fast with CBD oil is still good for you

For most people, the two hardest parts of intermittent fasting are physically going without a meal and mentally going without a meal. While your body grows accustomed to not eating breakfast, and the daily hunger pangs begin to fade, missing out on the routine of eating can be hard to overcome. The same can be true if you’re someone who uses CBD oil first thing in the morning—but there are studies that suggest maybe you shouldn’t stop.

Because of its effect on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates various functions in our bodies, CBD can help with intermittent fasting in a variety of ways. One study from 2016 actually found that it can promote a healthier metabolism. CBD also blocks one of our brain’s receptors so that the neurotransmitter that stimulates appetite will fail to fire, which means you may be more likely to go longer without eating a meal of substantial caloric content.

Other Common Questions

• Can you drive after taking CBD?
• Is CBD a placebo?
• Does CBD make you hungry?

Final thoughts on CBD and fasting

Cultures around the globe have used fasting for meditative, religious, and health purposes. Intermittent fasting is a popular way for health enthusiasts to get in on the benefits of abstaining from caloric intake for a set period of time. Though intermittent fasting is often lumped in with diets like paleo and keto, it’s versatile enough to intermingle with just about any type of plan. CBD oil—one free of sugar, additives, or caloric carrier oils—may just help you stave off the hunger pains so you can push a bit further into your fasting cycle. Just be sure to read the label carefully.