The therapeutic benefits of CBD have been known for nearly 5000 years’ although it wasn’t until the 1940s that the chemical compound was actually identified.
For such a popular treatment for pain, depression and anxiety, in particular, you may also be considering whether to use CBD. And if you are, one of the most pertinent questions you’ll be asking is, “how long does CBD last exactly?”
That question isn’t easy to answer because it depends on a number of factors such as ‘who’ is using it and ‘how’ they’re using it.
After all, you have a lot of potential methods for taking CBD, from vaping and oil to smoking and topicals.
Let’s take a dive into the effects of CBD depending on your consumption method.
The Effects Of CBD: An Overview
If you’ve ever wondered, “How long does CBD last?”, one thing to bear in mind is that there will still be CBD in your body even after the effect has worn off. For your knowledge, you could still test positive for CBD in a urine sample several days after using it. It stays in your system for longer if you are a regular CBD user than it does for occasional CBD users.
In other words, the answer to “how long do the effects of CBD last?” isn’t the same as the answer to “how long does a dose of CBD last?”. That’s because CBD will still be in your system for a while even when you can no longer feel the effect.
Overall, there are a few variables that impact how CBD will affect you which include:
Your metabolism: Your metabolism directly impacts how quickly CBD is metabolized and then excreted.
Food: If you’ve eaten a heavy meal or you take CBD on an empty stomach, this impacts the effects because some foods could enhance CBDs bioavailability and increase the overall CBD concentration.
Frequency of Use: Regular users will find that over time, the effect of the CBD lasts longer than irregular users. However, because CBD is fat-soluble it is absorbed by fat cells which means that people who have fewer fat cells will find that the effect wears off more quickly.
CBD Dosage: The amount of CBD taken at a time will influence how long the cannabinoid remains in the system.
Now that you’ve got a handle on the variables you’ll need to consider, let’s look at the different ways you’ll be taking CBD and how that impacts the effects.
For oil
Oil is a common way of taking CBD, so how long does CBD oil last?
Well, the first thing to bear in mind is that it takes 5 to 10 minutes to start working. If you’re taking low doses (between 1 – 5mgs), CBD can really take the edge off any stress you might be feeling. If you’re experiencing a lot of pain, or for serious cases, you may be taking doses of between 20 to 25 mgs, which may make you feel sleepy.
Once the CBD dose starts to work, the effect will last up to 8 hours.
For edibles like gummies
So, how long does CBD last for edibles? It takes time for your body to digest the CBD in edibles, so you won’t feel the effect instantly. It can take up to 2 to 3 hours before you start to feel the effect.
Once your body starts to digest the CBD the effect should last for most of the day.
Out of all these consumption options, if you want to maximize the length of time that the effect lasts, the best way to use CBD is to ingest it. That is, either in oil form or in the form of edibles such as gummies. Just don’t make the rookie error of taking more too quickly because you haven’t felt the effects within the first few hours. You might get hit like a freight train!
For vaping
Vaping is a good way of using CBD for pain relief because you start to feel the effects almost instantly.
The downside is that the effect doesn’t last as long as it does with edibles. You can expect the effect to wear off after a few hours.
For concentrates
Concentrates have a high bioavailability which means that concentrates are fast absorbing and the related effects will be immediate. Once the concentrates start working almost instantly you can expect the effect to last only for a few hours.
This brevity isn’t necessarily negative. Since concentrates tend to be more potent than other forms of CBD, the effect might be much stronger for you quickly if you’re after immediate relief.
For smoking
Smoking is the same as vaping in terms of how quickly your CBD will take effect and how long the effect will last.
You can expect to feel the effect almost instantly, but the effect will only last a few hours. This isn’t the most discreet option if you’re concerned about medicating at the office or in public, which is where topicals might come in handy.
For topicals
Topicals with CBD are applied directly to the skin. You can get them as creams, balms and lotions and you put it directly on the pain point.
Topicals take effect almost instantly and you can expect the effect to last for up to 6 hours.
Plus creams and lotions are easy to have at your desk or in your pocket as they’re so unnoticeable to the average person.
Final Thoughts On The Effects of CBD
It’s impossible to answer the question, “how long does CBD last?” because it depends on the person using it and how they’re using it.
Regular CBD users will be rewarded with an effect that lasts longer, whereas healthy people with low body fat will be penalized with an effect that doesn’t last as long as it does for others.
Many people who are using CBD to help them deal with a long-term condition choose ingestion. Typically, they take a morning dose and an evening dose each day to ensure that they’re covered during the full duration of each day.
If you need an instant CBD hit, using topicals or inhaling the CBD via concentrates, smoking or vaping is a better method. Just be aware that the downside is that the effects won’t last as long. Food for thought!