This is my first post here, so if I am messing badly up with this, then at least you know the reason

With herbs there are many possibilities as far as consuming them is concerned, for example infusions, tinctures, eaten raw.

Logically, the results must depend on which form the herbs are taken in. Raw herbs must undergo more processing in the stomach than infusions, where the "active" ingredients have already been extracted into the water.

Therefore, the active ingredients ought to be available to the organism sooner, if taken through infusions than through raw material.

My first question would be: how long does it take, before the active ingredients are available for use in the brain?

A pertinent example (at least for my case) is mugwort; it can be obtained through the nose (dream pillows), which should be very fast, as an infusion, which should be somewhat slower, as dried and finely milled herbs (I mix this into yoghurt), which should be even slower, and also as dried and unprocessed herbs (pills), which should be the slowest method.

Since usage for REM sleep is what is normally desired, the timing of use for the various methods seems rather important. Has anyone got a good feel for, when the active ingredients start to slip into the blood stream - and when the concentration in the blood is at its maximum value?

Best regards