By now, you’ve probably read that cannabidiol (CBD) may have some therapeutic benefits for various health conditions. But there is a lingering stigma about anything that is remotely related to marijuana. So whether you’re wondering how long the CBD will affect you or whether you should be worried about a drug test, we have the answers.
First, we’ll talk about what CBD is and where it originates. We’ll then walk you through the different consumption and administration methods and how long you can expect the effects of each to last. Read on!
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two primary cannabinoids found in cannabis plants. While THC has psychoactive effects and causes the famous euphoria, CBD alone does not cause a high. In fact, research shows that CBD has many of the same potential health benefits as THC - without the impairment.
The legality of CBD can be a bit of a gray area. In the United States, most states have legalized the use of marijuana in some form, whether strictly medicinal or recreational as well. CBD is federally legal, but some states have their own regulations and caveats.
For example, in Alaska, you can have CBD, but you can't consume a CBD infused food or beverage. In Maine, you can only use CBD if it is extracted from a licensed Maine hemp grower. And in South Dakota, CBD isn't legal in any form. The federal legalization also considers CBD only permitted if it contains less than .3% THC.
Now that we've briefed you on what it is, let's tackle the topic that brought you here. You either want to know how long the effects last or how long it will be detectable in your system. We'll answer both.
The length of time CBD is detectable within your body can vary based on a few factors. Like other chemicals, compounds, or drugs you put in your body, the length of time it stays in there may differ depending on these factors.
How Often You Use CBD: The frequency of your CBD use can directly influence the amount of time it stays in your body. The more often you use it, the more it can build up in your body, which affects the amount of time it sticks around.
Your Metabolism: Everyone's metabolism is different. One person can metabolize CBD quickly, and another may not. Body Mass Index plays a role in this as well, and even how much water your body holds.
What You've Eaten: If you've eaten recently, your body is working on processing the food you've consumed, and CBD gets put to the end of the line. If you take CBD on an empty stomach, it processes much faster since it's the only thing your body is working to metabolize. Therefore, it passes through more quickly.
Dosage: As with anything, the more of it you consume, the longer it stays in your system to be metabolized.
Method of Consumption or Administration: There are a variety of ways to introduce CBD into your body, and which method you choose can ultimately determine not only how quickly it affects you but how long it sticks around. We'll get to these different methods next and how each lasts.
According to one study, the CBD half-life ranges from one hour to five days and varies depending on the above factors. In general, the CBD should be out of your system within this time frame; however, you shouldn't worry too much about it being detected.
We are often asked, "how does CBD affect your blood work?" and "how long is CBD detectable in urine?".
Most tests don't actually test for CBD since it's not a psychoactive drug and is federally legal. While it's present in marijuana, it's not the chemical that a tester is looking to find in your blood or urine.
Related: Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?
Certain CBD products do contain small amounts of THC since legally, they can have up to .3%. THC can show up on a drug test and cause you to fail, depending on your state's laws - especially if you're getting CBD from an unreliable source and it contains more than .3% THC. This is why it's essential to purchase your CBD products from a reputable source to ensure full disclosure of what you're consuming.
So the answer is, while CBD can be detectable for a week or two, CBD's presence alone shouldn't be an issue for most. It is the detection of THC that may affect your drug test.
While the length of time THC sticks around also depends on the same factors above, it is generally detectable for anywhere between 3 days to 30 days in a urine test and for up to 90 days in a hair strand test. Saliva tests can detect THC for 1-3 days, and blood tests can only detect THC for 3-4 hours.
If detection was your primary concern, there you have it! Let's talk about the effects and how long you can expect CBD's potential benefits to last.
The method you choose to administer your CBD dose directly affects how quickly you receive the effects and how long they last.
Any form of CBD that is ingested must pass through your body and be metabolized. Ingestion is the most common form of delivery. Examples include:
Edibles (gummy bears, cookies, drinks, chocolates, etc.)
Ingestion can take a couple of hours for the CBD to kick in, as your body has to process it through the liver before it enters the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the effects last between 4-6 hours.
Sublingual tinctures are oils concentrates that you use under your tongue via a dropper for quicker absorption.
The sublingual gland, located under your tongue, provides saliva to your mouth. The very thin lining here allows a tincture oil to enter your bloodstream without first being digested and passing through the liver. For this reason, it goes into action much quicker, taking between 15 and 30 minutes to feel the effects and lasting between 4-6 hours.
Topicals are absorbed through the skin. These come in the form of lotions and creams and are generally used for localized pain relief or skin benefit. Like with sublingual methods, the topicals do not have to enter the digestive tract, and you can feel the effects quicker.
Topicals can be felt within 25-40 minutes and last up to 6 hours.
Vaping is becoming more popular due to the immediate absorption of the CBD and quicker access to its sought-after benefits. The lungs absorb the CBD quickly, where it enters the bloodstream almost immediately.
You receive the effects of vaped CBD the quickest, but these effects last less than other methods - around 2-3 hours.
Above all, while each CBD consumption method can give a different rate of the effect's onset and diminishment, it's important to note that each person's body is complex.
The above averages may be the case for your own experiences; however, it may be an entirely different scenario for another person.
So, which CBD product is right for you? Click here to take our 1-minute quiz for a personalized recommendation!
