How Long Do The Effects Of CBD Last?

CBD oil or cannabidiol oil offers something very sought-after: relief. Whether that relief is relief from pain, stress, anxiety, or a number of different other conditions, CBD product users have claimed that CBD offers health benefits and therapeutic relief in many different forms. Like any product with such benefits, the most common question asked is: “How long will the effects last?”

There really is no single answer for this question, as the duration of the effects CBD provides depends on a number of different factors. Below you’ll find the various factors that affect duration along with general timelines depending on certain variables.

What Do the Effects of CBD Feel Like?

In order to understand if you’re feeling the effects of CBD, it’s important to first know what the effects of CBD are supposed to feel like. Ultimately, the effects of CBD will differ from user to user, but CBD generally produces a calm and relaxed feeling. Many benefits can be realized with consistent use of CBD.

Hemp based CBD products don’t typically contain much THC (.3% or less), so the effects are more subtle without the distinct high that THC produces. Effects can also be easier to feel and recognize depending on the use. Endocannabinoid pathways can take days and even weeks to establish but once established the effects of CBD can often be felt quickly. For instance those utilizing CBD for inflammatory pain have reported feeling the effects of CBD in as little as 30 mins from intake. When CBD is used for things like anxiety or stress, it can be harder to recognize the effects. Still, many can attest to a feeling of calming after taking a CBD product.

The Influence of Delivery Method on the Duration of Effects

There are a number of factors that influence the duration of effects realized with CBD intake, but the largest factor is the method of delivery. Each method of delivery has its own timing for both onset and length of duration for effects. The methods below are organized in order of longest duration to shortest duration.

CBD Oil Transdermal Patches

Patches are the longest lasting method of delivery. Transdermal patches can last anywhere from 24 to 96 hours. Certain patches can also be designed to release CBD at certain time intervals over the lifespan of the patch to prolong the effects. Patches like the Pure Ratios CBD patch have a time release built in to last four days. On the flip side, the onset time for patches can also be slower than other delivery methods. In certain cases, the effects of CBD may not be felt until hours after patch application. The absorption rate can be impacted by the amount of hair on the skin or the amount of fatty tissue under the skin.

Interested in transdermal patches? Browse our selection of popular CBD patch products.

CBD Oil Capsules

The effects induced by CBD oil capsules typically last 12 to 24 hours. CBD oil capsules are run through the digestive system to the liver where the molecules are metabolized by various enzymes. Due to the length of the digestive process, it can take some time for the effects to become apparent. On average, it can take up to an hour for the effects of CBD capsules to kick in.

Interested in oil capsules? Browse our selection of popular CBD capsule products.

CBD Edibles

Edibles come in many different forms; from chocolates to gummies and hard candy. Like capsules, edibles are also passed through the digestive system to the liver. Edibles work similarly to capsules in that they can last 12 to 24 hours and can take up to an hour after consumption for the effects to be realized.

Interested in edibles? Browse our selection of popular CBD edible products.

CBD Oil Tinctures or Drops

Tinctures use a mixture of alcohol and water to extract compounds from a plant. CBD oil tinctures are usually packaged in glass bottles with a dropper to conveniently control serving size. The effects of tinctures can also typically last 12 to 24 hours.

Tinctures are applied under the tongue, and in doing so the application method bypasses the digestive system. Because the digestive system is bypassed, the effects produced by tinctures can hit faster. The onset time for tinctures is usually within 30 minutes.

Interested in tinctures? Browse our selection of popular CBD tincture products.

CBD Oil Topicals

CBD oil topicals are the second longest lasting method of delivery. The effects induced by topicals typically last five hours or more.  CBD topicals include creams, lotions, balms, and salves that are applied directly to the skin. Because topicals are applied to the skin, it can take time for the substances to be absorbed through the skin. The effects of CBD topicals can be felt within 15 to 20 minutes, but it can also take up to two hours to feel the effects.

Interested in topicals? Browse our selection of popular CBD topical products.

CBD Boosters

Boosters include edible items like mints, chewing gum, and tablets, as well as, vape juice, vape oils, and e-liquid. Boosters work the quickest, but also have the shortest duration time. The effects of CBD boosters typically last anywhere from two to four hours. The onset of effects for boosters is within minutes, because these products bypass the digestive system and are directly absorbed through your cheeks or lungs.

Interested in CBD boosters? Browse our selection of popular CBD boosters.

Other Factors That Affect How Long Effects Last

While delivery method plays the largest role in effect duration, it isn’t the only factor affecting duration. In fact, there are four additional factors that also play a considerable role in affecting the duration of CBD effects.

Serving Size

It likely goes without saying that the larger the serving size is, the longer CBD will remain in your system and the longer you will feel the effects of CBD. If you’re looking for a longer-lasting effect, it isn’t recommended that you start with a large serving size off the bat.

We recommend beginning with the lowest recommended serving size listed on the product that you’re using and then increasing from there if needed. Until you know how CBD will impact you, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and take things slow.

Frequency of Use

With many different substances, the body can build up a tolerance over time so that the effects of a substance are reduced. This typically isn’t the case with CBD. In fact, some have reported experiencing a reverse tolerance, where repeat use has required an increasingly smaller serving size to produce the desired effects over time.

Body Weight

CBD is fat-soluble and as such, is stored in the body’s fat cells. As with any fat-soluble substance, weight plays an important role in the rate of metabolization. Those who have less fat won’t store as much CBD and therefore will process the CBD much faster (leading to a reduction in the duration of the effects). On the other hand, those with a higher body fat percentage will likely experience a longer duration in the effects as it takes time for the body to process the CBD stored in the fat.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle and body weight can often go hand-in-hand, as those with less fat are typically more active. A more active lifestyle can lead to a higher metabolism, which can again result in the CBD being processed faster. Those with more active lifestyles may experience a shorter duration in the length of the effects.

Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

It’s possible you may have searched for how long the effects of CBD last due to a concern that CBD use would show up on a work drug test. It’s important to note that just because you don’t feel the effects of CBD doesn’t mean the substance has left your body entirely. Those currently seeking employment or those being onboarded for employment may have fear because CBD is derived from cannabis. While it is possible to fail a drug test with CBD use, it’s highly unlikely.

This is actually a topic we cover in greater depth in our blog on drug tests while using CBD. Any product that has more than the recommended allowance of 0.3% THC could potentially cause you to fail a drug test. However, most CBD products contain THC levels that are below the recommended allowance.

When CBD is taken in excess, it can return a false positive during an initial urine screening, because other non-THC metabolites can trigger the immunoassay response. Excess CBD intake can also cause a buildup of THC in the body to trigger a positive result for a drug test.

If you’re using CBD products frequently and you’re going to be subjected to a drug test at work, it’s in your best interest to ensure you’re taking high-quality, lab tested CBD products (like the products sold by Green Wellness Life. These products are more likely to contain low levels of THC and there will also be a lab proven reading on product contents for you to review.

The Green Wellness Life Team is Here to Help

Our primary goal at Green Wellness Life is to provide those searching for answers with the education they need to find the right CBD solution. If you’re unsure about what kind of CBD product is best for you or how you should be using a particular product to see the best results, our team is always available to answer questions and point you in the right direction.

We are not doctors. We can’t diagnose, treat, prescribe, or cure any ailments. That being said, we can still offer help based on our experiences and the feedback we’ve received from our customers. Contact Green Wellness Life today by calling (888) 772-7875 or filling out a contact form to have your questions answered promptly.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5922297/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0269881110379283

https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/CannabidiolCriticalReview.pdf