How Long Does CBD Work For?
In part one of quick read guide we coveredlong it takes for CBD to work. In this, the second part we will discuss how long you can expect your CBD to work for and how long it takes to leave your system.
Factors Affecting the Duration of CBD Effects
Before we take a look at how long CBD works for, it is important to realize and understand that each of us react different to CBD and as such, the time that it effects will last will also be very much dependent on this and various other factors These include:
1. Body Weight
CBD is stored in the fat cells of the body, meaning that body weight, fat composition and body mass all play a role in how long CBD will work for and how long it stays in your system. The larger you are, the more CBD you will need and the longer it will remain in the body - even well after its effects have diminished.
2. Metabolism
Your metabolic rate also influences how long CBD will work for as it determines how it breaks down and synthesizes in your body before it is distributed and used by your body. How long this process takes will not only determine onset time, but also how long the effects of CBD lasts.
3. Product Type & Bioavailability
Unfortunately, the easier it is for your body to absorb and use something, the shorter the time it works will be. So even though your vape might have a super fast onset time with a high bioavailability, it also means it won’t last as long as a CBD oil or edible would.
4. Dosage & Frequency of Use
There is still a bit of a debate around the topic of tolerance and CBD, but there is some evidence indicating that some people might develop some tolerance. This means that the more you take and the more often you take CBD, the effects might be less and last a shorter period of time. If you are interested to find out more about how much and how often you should take your CBD, please take a look at our CBD dosage article.
How Long Effects Last By Product
| Product Type | Administration | Onset Time | Duration of Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oils, drops & tinctures | Sublingual | 20 - 40 minutes | ± 4 - 6 hours |
| Capsules, beverages & edibles | Oral / Ingestion | 30 - 90 minutes | ± 6 - 8 hrs |
| Balms, creams, lotions, transdermal patches & cosmetic products |
Topical | 60 - 90 minutes | ± 4 - 6 hours |
| CBD flowers, vape products & resins | Inhalation | 2 - 5 minutes | ± 2 - 3 hours |
How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System
Again, this is something that is dependent on various factors such as weight, how much you use and how often you use it. However, in general, research suggests that when CBD is inhaled, even though its effects are short lived,it can still be detected up to 72 hours after consumption. Similarly, ingesting CBD orally is said to stay in the body for about six hours before it is eliminated.
If you are worried about drug testing and THC showing up in your system, choose a broad-spectrum or CBD Isolate product that has had all traces of THC removed. However, the amount of THC in hemp-derived CBD oils and products are negligible and will not show up in a drug test unless you are taking enormous amounts.
Final Thoughts
Because we are all different, with different body compositions and metabolisms, CBD also interacts very differently within each of use. Whether you want to know how long it takes for your CBD product to take effect or if you want to know how long the effects will last, we suggest you keep a diary, or use our MyDosage App to track your dosage as well as how you feel before, during and after you have taken your CBD.