CBD products have become very popular these days. They are in the markets, health shops, high street stores, online – wherever you need them.
While a lot of people start their CBD journey with a lot of excitement and expectations, many are very skeptical, worrying about its effects and its stay in their bodies after consumption.
So we will clear your doubts regarding CBD and inform you everything from how long does CBD stay in your system to its types, duration of effects, and more.
How Long Does CBD Last In Your Body?
Generally, CBD stays in your system for about 2-5 days but this period can be different with different users. In some users, CBD can even stay for weeks.
The duration of CBD’s effects on the body depends on various factors such as method of consumption, metabolism, body weight, overall health, etc. When taken orally, CBD products take a while to show their effects but last for up to 6 hours.
Sublingual intake provides quicker effects with them lasting for around 4-6 hours whereas vaping provides quick but short-lived relief (only 2-3 hours).
While more evident effects of CBD may go away within hours, its trace amounts may be detected in the body for a longer period.
Factors That Determine How Long CBD Stays in Your System?
Here’s a list of factors that determine how long will CBD stay in your system:
Metabolism
A person’s metabolism is a huge factor that determines the speed at which CBD is absorbed in and expelled from the body. As younger people have faster metabolisms, CBD might leave their bodies faster than elderly people.
Dosage
The higher the serving, the longer the CBD stays in your system.
Methods Of Consumption
There are plenty of ways to take CBD and the CBD products you choose will play a role in determining how long it stays in your system.
Your Body
No two people are and can be the same and different body types mean that CBD will work with them differently.
Factors such as your body’s water content, mass index, and metabolism are just a few things that will determine how long CBD stays in your system. The faster your metabolism, the faster CBD will pass through.
Your Diet
The diet you take, how much you take, and when you take can all affect how long CBD stays in your body.
Suppose you took CBD on an empty stomach, it would get broken down and eliminated much quicker than if you had it on a full stomach which would slow down the digestion process.
Also as CBD stays in your system for longer, it may affect how your body can recover and become sober fully.
Frequency Of Use
How often you consume CBD also affects the time period it stays in your system. It builds up in your body if taken regularly and the more you take it, the longer it stays and the longer the effects take to subside. However if you take CBD occasionally, it will flush out from your system very quickly.
How Long Does CBD Stay in Your Urine?
CBD usually stays in urine for about 3-5 days after consumption, depending on the serving size and how often it is used.
While Hemp-derived CBD products can be easily broken down by the body making them undetectable, THC metabolites may stay in the urine for up to 2 weeks.
How Long Does CBD Stay in Your Blood?
CBD stays in your blood for up to 72 hours after consumption, but this duration can change according to the user and circumstances of use. After this time period, CBD levels start falling below the level of detection.
How Long Does CBD Stay in Your Hair?
CBD can be detected in your hair for up to 90 days after you last took it. While hair tests work well in detecting drugs over long periods, they are rarely used for CBD and THC detection.
How Long Does CBD Stay in Your Saliva?
CBD stays in saliva for up to 72 hours. This duration can also extend depending on the quantity and frequency of CBD usage.
How Much CBD Should You Take?
The amount of CBD you should consume depends on a number of factors such as your body weight, the condition you are treating, your body chemistry, the concentration of CBD in your preferred product, and so on.
Before starting your CBD journey, make sure to consult your doctor about an appropriate serving and any possible risks.
If your doctor suggests a serving, make sure to stick to his recommendation. (This is especially important if you are taking a medicine that contains CBD such as Epidiolex, a seizure medication.)
Or you can start with a smaller serving and gradually increase it as required. A smaller serving is about 20-40 mg a day and can be increased by 5 mg after a week. You can continue this until you feel that it’s managing your symptoms effectively.
Do not exceed 50 mg a day as it will be enough to manage most of your symptoms. Always keep track of how many CBD products you are consuming and whether your symptoms are getting better or not.
The Methods of CBD Use
There are plenty of CBD products that are available these days. Some of them are:
CBD Oil
CBD oil is one of the most popular and preferred methods of CBD use and is used sublingually in a tincture. You can use it via a dropper or spray.
Placing CBD oil under your tongue is easy, effective, and takes control quickly as the tongue is a capillary-rich area that allows the CBD to reach the bloodstream faster.
If you are using a dropper, squeeze your dosage into it, tilt your head back, and drop it under the tongue. Hold it there for about a minute then swallow it.
CBD Gummies
CBD gummies are edible candies made with cannabidiol (CBD) oil. CBD is a natural compound of the hemp plant, popular for its therapeutic effects, such as improving sleep, reducing anxiety, alleviating pain & inflammation, and promoting relaxation.
Just like regular candies, CBD gummies come in various shapes and flavors and are a convenient and delicious way to consume CBD.
CBD Capsules
Taking CBD in the form of a capsule is the same as taking a daily vitamin making it a preferable option. Just like other supplements, they take some time to get absorbed in your body.
First CBD has to travel through your digestive system which reduces the concentration of CBD and delays the onset of effects.
CBD capsules are great for users who want to maintain a consistent level of CBD in their system. They usually come in soft gel form and are taken twice a day.
It usually takes about 4 to 6 hours to experience the effects of CBD through this medium as your body needs to process the compound.
Edibles
CBD edibles aren’t your typical cannabis-infused treats. They generally come with no THC or a 1:1 ratio of THC to CBD, making it preferable for those who aren’t looking for any euphoric effects of cannabis.
They can stay in your system for about 7 days. Also, the amount taken or whether the person is a casual or regular user also impacts the length of their stay in your body.
Cream and lotion
Cream and lotion are one of the rarest CBD forms. They are generally skincare products made with hemp-derived CBD. They are a great inclusion to any healthcare routine and may relieve pain.
When CBD is taken through creams and/or lotions, it stays in your system for about 2 to 5 days.
Pills
Cannabidiol pills are oral mediums that provide CBD to your body via the digestive system.
Vapes
Vapes are one of the fastest methods to give cannabidiol to your system. You inhale the cannabidiol vapor through compatible vaping equipment that allows CBD to bypass the digestive system of your body and then enter the bloodstream, resulting in quick effects.
After vaping once, CBD stays in your system for about 5 to 6 hours. However, if you vape regularly, it might take about 7 days to leave your body completely.
CBD Drinks
Made with the non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant, CBD drinks have the same compounds as other CBD products and are more delicious and convenient.
They come in an exciting variety of flavors such as peach ginger, elderflower mint, lemon basil, etc.
Not to forget CBD-brewed cold coffee. CBD drinks are perfect for on-the-go CBD intake and generally take about 20 minutes for the onset of effects. They stay in your system for about 2 to 5 days.
Baked Goods
CBD oils, pills, vapes, edibles, maybe you think you have known them all, but not yet. You can enjoy your CBD servings also in the form of delicious brownies, cookies, sweets, and gummies.
As they take about an hour to show their effects, you should be careful about falling into the trap of eating more than is required.
Your metabolism, weight, and how much you consume them will impact how long they will stay in your system.
Does the Type of CBD Affect the Duration of CBD Stay in Your System?
There are mainly 3 types of CBD which are used to make different CBD products. Each type has a different duration of staying in your system:
CBD Isolate
CBD Isolate is the purest form of CBD that is made by isolating the CBD molecule from the other compounds found in the hemp plant.
While it’s less effective than broad or full-spectrum CBD, it gets eliminated from the body quickly, and the possibilities of a positive drug test are lower.
Broad Spectrum CBD
Broad Spectrum CBD contains several natural compounds of the hemp plant, but not THC. Because of this, it gets metabolized and eliminated from the body more quickly than the full-spectrum variation.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD contains all the natural compounds of the hemp plant, including terpenes, cannabinoids, and small amounts of THC.
How long full-spectrum CBD stays in your system depends on whether your CBD product contains THC or not, even in a small amount.
THC can accumulate in your body and show up in a drug test from some days to a few weeks, depending on the frequency of intake of the individual and his metabolism.
Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?
Most drug tests do not look for CBD alone but for THC and its metabolites which are the compounds in marijuana giving it psychoactive properties. However, some CBD products may contain small amounts of THC which are likely to show up in a drug test.
This situation depends on a lot of factors such as the quality & composition of the CBD product, the serving and frequency of use, metabolism levels, health issues, etc.
To avoid the risk of CBD showing up in a drug test, always choose high-quality third-party tested CBD products that contain little to no THC.
You should also talk to your healthcare provider or the manufacturer of your CBD product to stay informed about its contents and potential risks.
If you are subject to drug tests for any reason, always check with your testing facility or employer to determine whether the use of CBD could cause any problems.
It will also help you a lot to differentiate between the different types of CBD products so that you don’t consume THC accidentally. They are:
Full Spectrum CBD Products
Full Spectrum CBD Products have all the compounds that occur naturally from the plant they are made, including THC.
Broad Spectrum CBD Products
Broad Spectrum CBD products are the same as full spectrum CBD products but go through a procedure to remove the THC from their formula. However, trace quantities may still be detected in a drug test.
CBD Isolate CBD Products
CBD Isolate CBD Products contain CBD only. If you don’t want to test positive for THC, it’s a great idea to avoid full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD and go for CBD isolate products only.
Always buy your CBD products from a reputed brand that ensures the purity of their products through third-party lab tests.
How Long Does CBD Take to Work?
CBD works on reaching the relevant receptors in the body through its absorption into the blood. Most users prefer taking CBD via oil which takes about 15 to 60 minutes for absorption.
Factors like genetics and weight play a big role in this and it can take up to 60-90 minutes for CBD to start working properly.
Although some methods are much faster — for example, CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream in just 3 minutes if you take it through vape.
There are several ways to take CBD, which affects how quickly it will be absorbed into your bloodstream and start working. They are:
Ingestion
CBD edibles such as gummies, capsules, and drinks have become very popular these days.
After consuming an edible, the CBD compound it contains has to go through the gut and get processed before getting absorbed into the bloodstream which can take about 2-3 hours.
Inhalation
Vaping or smoking CBD is a super quick and efficient CBD delivery method. This is because the lungs contain tissues that allow for quick absorption into the blood (generally 3 minutes after inhalation).
It is also a very powerful medium for consuming CBD, so you should be careful about the quantities.
Sublingual
Placing CBD oil under the tongue and letting it absorb through the small capillaries and mucous membranes is another effective way of experiencing the compound’s benefits.
This method is slower than inhalation but quite faster than edibles as the effects take over just 15-60 minutes after consumption and peak in about 2 hours. Although sublingual consumption is not preferred by everyone as CBD’s taste is quite earthy.
Topical
Here’s another great news. CBD doesn’t necessarily need to be absorbed into your blood to show its effects. Topical CBD products such as lotions, creams, and shampoos are made to provide relief in an hour to whatever body area you apply them to.
Dosage & Potency
The more CBD you take, the quicker the effect will be. Smaller amounts take a few days of regular use to be noticeable while larger quantities can show their effects within minutes. You can start with about 10-20 mg and gradually increase until you find your sweet spot.
Your dosage also depends on the effects you want to achieve, your body type, and your consumption method.
Metabolism & Physiology
The metabolism and physiology of the user also impact how quickly CBD works in their body. If the user’s metabolism is high, then he/she will process CBD faster and experience its benefits quicker than someone with a slow metabolism.
Quality
The quality of the CBD product you’re consuming can significantly impact its effects as well as how long it will take to work. Always buy CBD products that don’t have any additives so that you can enjoy the best and speedy effects from it.
Consistency
A user can start to feel the benefits of CBD after his first use. However, the real positive and long-lasting effects can be experienced only if it is used regularly.
Final Words
So that’s it for now. We hope you enjoyed this read and learned plenty of important things about CBD stay and its effects on your body.
While CBD is beneficial for more than one reason nowadays, we would strongly advise you to always consult your healthcare provider about its use and get your CBD products from a reputable source.
Till next time, stay safe, stay awesome.
FAQs On ‘How long does CBD stay in your system’
Does CBD Work Immediately?
CBD’s effects vary from individual to individual. While some users experience relief immediately, some need to continue the use to experience any significant benefits.
Also, factors like dosage, method of use, and individual body chemistry affect the speed of response.
How Does CBD Oil Make You Feel?
CBD oil promotes relaxation, relieves anxiety, and eliminates pain. It doesn’t induce a ‘high’ like THC but a gentle calming effect without impairment.
Can You Take CBD Every Day?
Yes, a lot of CBD enthusiasts incorporate CBD products into their daily routine. However, you should always consult with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate serving for your needs and to observe any interactions with your existing medications (if you are taking any).
How Long After Taking CBD Oil Can I Drink Water?
You can drink water immediately after taking CBD oil as CBD absorption doesn’t interfere with your water consumption. It’s important to stay hydrated, and combining water with CBD doesn’t impact its effectiveness.
How Long Does It Take for CBD to Clear Out of Your System?
The duration for CBD to expel out of your system depends on factors like metabolism and dosage. Generally, it takes about 2-3 days to 2 weeks for CBD to clear out of your system totally.