How Long Does It Take CBD to Start Working?
Summarize
How fast does CBD oil work? It’s a question that many people have once they decide that they’d like to try CBD for the first time. Of course, understanding how quickly you’ll experience potential benefits is only part of the story. You’re also probably curious to learn about things like how long CBD stays in your system or which form of CBD offers the quickest results. Let’s unlock the answers!
Table of Contents
How Long for CBD Oil to Take Effect after a Dose?
First, it’s important to know that your experience will vary based on your own biology and the product you’re using. CBD generally “kicks in” between 15 minutes and three hours after consumption. We’ll cover the fastest ways to get CBD results in just a bit.
Next, let’s explore some of the factors that contribute to each person’s unique experience with CBD.
What Affects How Long CBD Stays in Your System?
How long does CBD last in your system? This is a case where the answer is going to vary by person. A number of factors actually affect how long CBD stays in a person’s system. The general consensus based on research is that CBD stays in a person’s system for 56–61 hours. Some people could have CBD in their systems for weeks. That may be important to know if you’re interested in taking a full-spectrum CBD that contains traces of THC.
Here’s a look at some of the key factors that will reduce or lengthen CBD’s lifespan in your system:
- Frequency of use. CBD builds up in your body over time.
- The amount that you use. A higher dose of CBD will stay in your system for a longer time.
- Your personal body chemistry and metabolism.
- Body mass index (BMI).
- Method of consumption.
Food intake can also impact how long CBD stays in your system. For instance, taking CBD on an empty stomach will cause the CBD to be metabolized and eliminated by your body in a faster cycle. Taking CBD on a full stomach slows the way it cycles through your system.
Next, we’ll discuss how your method of consumption impacts your CBD experience.
How You Take CBD Oil Matters
Yes, the method you use to consume CBD is going to impact your experience. CBD vape products tend to offer the quickest results because the CBD is entering your lungs directly. This method also causes the CBD to leave your body quickly than other intake methods. How long does a CBD vape take to work? You can typically expect to feel the effects within a few minutes.
CBD oils and tinctures also offer quick results. That’s because CBD oil applied under the tongue enters the bloodstream quickly. Unlike vape CBD products, CBD oil lingers in your system.
How long does a CBD tincture take to work? It typically takes between 30 minutes and three hours for a tincture to kick in. The potency of the oil you’re using will play a role in how quickly things get moving. CBD oil that is mixed into the food can take longer to kick in than CBD oil that is applied directly under your tongue. The same goes for CBD edibles. You’ll have to wait for your digestive system to metabolize the CBD oil if you opt for the edible route.
Lastly, you can opt for what is widely considered to be the “slowest” delivery method for CBD. That would be creams or lotions. CBD creams and lotions absorb slowly into the skin after being applied topically. Many people enjoy these products for long-term use. However, you generally won’t feel a significant impact upon the first application.
CBD Duration Chart
To summarize, let’s view CBD duration in the form of a table:
| CBD Product Type | Onset Time | Duration of the Effects |
| CBD vape oils | ~5–10 min | 30 minutes – an hour |
| CBD oils | ~1–3 hours | Up to 4 hours |
| CBD edibles | 45–180 min | Up to 6 hours |
| CBD topicals | Hours to show the effect | Up to 5 hours |
Most CBD topicals act locally with limited systemic absorption, while transdermal patches aim for bloodstream delivery with a slower onset but sustained levels (hours).
Do Quality, Manufacturer, and Type of CBD Matter?
A higher quality of CBD is likely to produce sharper, more potent results. What’s more, effectiveness and potency can vary among manufacturers. Potency can play a role in how quickly you’ll feel results with something like a tincture. That’s why it’s essential to measure strength in milligrams against product volume instead of simply assuming that a higher volume means higher potency.
Don’t You Know How to Measure CBD Strength in Milligrams?
The type of CBD can also impact your experience. Generally, a full-spectrum CBD product is going to stay in your system longer than a broad-spectrum product. There is also the concern that the trace amount of THC contained in full-spectrum CBD could remain in your system long enough to be detected in a blood test. Broad-spectrum CBD undergoes a process that eliminates THC.
Taking CBD with a high-fat meal can increase how much your body absorbs, so the same dose may feel stronger or last longer than it does on an empty stomach. Onset can also feel a bit slower but steadier.
For consistent results, take CBD the same way each day, either always with food or always without. If you switch from a fasted state to a fed state (or vice versa), expect the effect to change. Start low, go slow, and give it a few days before judging. Log the dose in milligrams and timing, and check the product’s COA to confirm potency.
How Often Should You Take CBD?
When creating a wellness schedule, it’s helpful to have a plan for how frequently to take CBD. Many people find that taking CBD at the same time each day helps them to create a more balanced, even way of being. Making a plan for when to take CBD can be especially important if you’re taking CBD for things like sleep support, mood, or energy.
When to Take CBD Oil?
It’s helpful to know how long until CBD oil takes effect when creating a schedule for when to take your daily CBD dosage.
As we previously discussed, CBD products take between 30 minutes and two hours to be absorbed into your bloodstream, resulting in full effects. Your method of consumption will determine how quickly you see the effects. The bioavailability of different CBD products will determine how long it takes for the CBD to be absorbed into your bloodstream. Sublingual and inhaled CBD products tend to create the fastest results. Edibles also create relatively quick results. Topical products that are applied to the skin typically have the slowest results.
Each person will ultimately create their own CBD schedule. However, there are some smart tips to follow if you’re taking CBD for the first time.
- If you’re new to CBD, start with one dose daily. This will allow you to really gauge the benefits of the particular CBD product you’ve chosen.
- The general recommendation for people who are trying CBD for the first time is to start with a low dose. Typically, that means 25 milligrams of CBD or less per dose. Do this for about a week to document any noticeable changes that you can observe.
- If you don’t know when to take CBD products, follow the tips described in our guide “What is the Best Time of Day to Take CBD Oil?”
There’s no need to feel limited by this suggestion. Once you’ve established that CBD is right for you, you can certainly adjust the strength and dosage to suit your needs. If you have a case of CBD oil with no effect, you can consider increasing the dosage to see if you’re able to feel the benefits more profoundly.
What to Expect in the First Month of Taking CBD Oil?
If you’re new to CBD, the first month of taking CBD products is an important time to notice its benefits, see how different dosages affect you, and determine the CBD products that you like the best. It’s also important to know about some of the myths about CBD to avoid feeling that your expectations aren’t being met.
How Long Before CBD Oil Works?
While it’s very common to feel the effects of CBD right away, you may not see the full impact for a while. In fact, many people assume that CBD simply doesn’t work for them because they don’t feel an immediate, life-changing impact after that first dose.
In reality, it can take one to two weeks for regular dosages of CBD to create any type of noticeable difference. Your brain and body are actually adjusting to the presence of this new cannabinoid in your system. That means that it can take a while for your receptors to fully respond to CBD in a way that produces meaningful results. In addition to being patient, there are some steps you can take to make the introductory period a bit smoother. The first is to make sure you’re purchasing high-quality CBD products with clear labeling.
What Should I Do If CBD Oil Makes Me Sleepy?
This is a common concern among people who try CBD for the first time. However, this side effect isn’t necessarily a reason for alarm.
Does CBD oil make you tired? Yes, fatigue is actually a common early side effect of CBD. That’s because CBD is known to relax muscles. This is precisely why many people take it for mood enhancement, relaxation, and relief from tension-related conditions.
During the first two to three weeks of taking CBD, fatigue can become noticeable. Many people actually stop taking CBD before cycling through a full month of usage because they are worried that they will never feel alert again, because they’ve heard about “CBD oil makes me lazy” myths. In reality, the “sleepy” side effects of CBD usually subside at the three-week mark.
Other Side Effects of CBD to Know About
Some people experience a “dry mouth” after taking CBD. While not necessarily serious, a dry mouth can be an annoying or uncomfortable sensation. It is believed that the “cotton mouth” effect of CBD comes from the way cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors in salvia. A good way to counteract this issue is to begin sipping water regularly, starting on the day that you begin your first CBD dosage. Some people also experience slight eye dryness when using CBD.
CBD is also linked with some temporary digestive issues in some people. This can include anything from gastrointestinal discomfort to diarrhea. Typically, CBD digestive issues go away after three to four weeks. If you’re experiencing any digestive issues that persist for more than four weeks, it’s wise to consult your doctor. You may want to consider lowering your dosage or switching to a different CBD product.
CBD can be a powerful wellness aid that allows people to live their lives with comfort and vitality. However, the expectation shouldn’t be that you’ll wake up the first morning after you take your first dose to feel like a new person! Like all new wellness changes that you bring into your lifestyle, CBD can take time to produce peak results. It’s important to know that staying consistent with your dosage, monitoring your progress, and using high-quality products will allow you to see the best results.
FAQ
Now, let’s sum up the information on CBD duration in our systems:
How Long Does It Take CBD to Start Working?
The length of time it takes CBD to start working depends on many factors. They include your body weight, metabolism, and body chemistry. However, some of the biggest influences are the method of consumption, the CBD potency, and the dosage amount.
CBD taken sublingually will reach the circulatory system faster than CBD taken orally and has a higher bioavailability (more reaches the bloodstream). Also impacting the length of time to feel the effects of CBD is whether the product is made with full spectrum, broad spectrum, or isolate CBD, and the milligrams of CBD in each dosage.
Generally speaking, you can expect to feel the effects of CBD anywhere from 15 minutes to one to two hours after consumption, depending on the CBD forms and types. This is anecdotal information provided by users.
When Do CBD Gummies Start Working?
Any CBD product taken orally must first travel through the digestive system, where cannabinoids are absorbed into the bloodstream. The cannabinoids then travel to the liver, where they are metabolized and reenter the bloodstream. After reaching the brain, the effects are experienced. It can take from 30 to 60 minutes for an edible to begin working, per a study published on the National Institutes of Health website titled, “Smoking, Vaping, Eating: Is Legalization Impacting the Way People Use Cannabis?”.
The higher the potency, the quicker you should experience results. Other factors to consider include the dosage amount, body weight, metabolism, and whether you eat the gummy on an empty stomach. Also important is the quality of the CBD product. It can take up to six hours for full absorption.
How Does CBD Oil Work for Relief?
CBD users have provided much anecdotal evidence that CBD helps alleviate discomfort and calm. Each person is different in terms of their physical makeup.
However, how CBD oil is consumed significantly impacts how long it takes the oil to work. CBD oil placed under the tongue will work the fastest because it is absorbed almost directly into the circulatory system. CBD oil, when consumed by swallowing or added to foods and drinks, must be processed through the digestive system and liver before its effects are felt.
Like edibles, CBD oil begins working 30 to 60 minutes after being swallowed. However, it can take six to eight hours for the full effects to be experienced.
When Does Sublingual CBD Oil Start to Work?
Sublingual CBD oil is a tincture that is placed under the tongue for faster absorption. The CBD oil is absorbed through the mucous membranes located directly under the tongue and quickly enters the bloodstream.
CBD tinctures made with alcohol solvents are stronger than CBD tinctures made with a solvent of vinegar, glycerin, or oil. Sublingual CBD oil can begin working in as little as 15 to 30 minutes because it has a short route to the brain.
How Do I Know When CBD Patches Start Working?
A CBD patch is applied to the skin, where it slowly releases CBD through the skin and into the bloodstream. The first CBD absorbed into the bloodstream can take one hour or longer, but there will be sustained delivery over a designated period of time.
It could take hours to experience the full effect. CBD patches may help with localized swelling around the patch. Some patches are made with CBD and additional formulations to enhance their ability to penetrate the skin.
Conclusion
How quickly does CBD oil work? The bottom line is that you can feel an impact within minutes using a direct method like vaping or sublingual oil. Edibles or tincture oils mixed with food create a more gradual “trickle” effect. Nobody can say for certain how long any form of CBD will stay in a person’s system. Most data points to a window of two to five days. However, it’s not impossible for CBD to be present in your system for weeks.
Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26992484/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30262735/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5968020/
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