Feb 18, 20205 min
Updated: Mar 4, 2020
CBD has gained popularity because of its many health benefits. However, people are still hesitant to try it because they think they are going to fail a drug test. This concern comes with questions. One of which is "how long does CBD last in your system?" How long CBD stays in your system depends on several factors. To decipher this, there are variables that need to be considered to deduce how long it takes for the effects of CBD to even start appearing within your system and how long it lasts. But keep in mind that there is no specific, direct answer to this question. The effects of CBD after taking it in, are variable and as stated before, depend on several factors. These factors being the frequency at which it is used, how potent the CBD is, the way it is consumed and the genetic composition of the consumer.
CBD, also known as cannabidiol, is one over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant family. Unlike its counterpart THC, CBD is non-intoxicating meaning that it will not give the user a "high". While CBD is one of the most prominent cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, there are a multitude of other cannabinoids present. CBD has become the "it" product after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill and can be found in numerous products. We will go into depth in the next section, in regards to the various variables that play a role in how long CBD lasts in your body.
The frequency of your usage is one factor that determines how long CBD stays in your body. If used regularly, CBD builds up in your body. In instances where a person uses CBD once in a while and only in single servings, the CBD may stay in the body for up to three days. In the case of CBD users who consume CBD a little more frequently, you are looking at a 3-5 day stay. For habitual users, CBD may remain in your body from 10-15 days. The more consistent you are using CBD, the longer it may take to leave your system. It is recommended that you use CBD for at least a week to determine its effect on you.
Simply put, the higher the dose of CBD, the longer it takes to completely be eliminated from the body.
When you look around today, you can incorporate CBD into your daily routine in almost any way you desire as innovation has taken CBD consumption to another level. The method you use affects the time it takes to feel the effects of CBD, to the duration of the effects, to the time it stays in your system. It can be argued that the method of use is the most important variable, being that there are various ways to intake CBD. These methods include inhalation, topical use, sublingual, and ingestion.
Inhalation - The inhalation method is basically vaping or smoking the CBD. This method allows the CBD to enter your lungs, finding its way into the bloodstream almost immediately due to its passage through the respiratory system, and quickly take effect. When you vaporize a CBD product it lasts anywhere from one hour to four hours for most people. It actually takes effect in about 10-15 minutes.
Topical Use - Every day it seems like people devise a new method of using CBD. If these unconventional methods work for them then good for them. Muscle aches, skin problems, and joint pains all have a common factor. They do not necessarily need CBD remedies that require ingestion through the mouth. It is not conclusive as to how long the effect of CBD topical application lasts because it would depend on how much is absorbed. However, you can apply it to the area that needs it and reapply as needed. CBD topical products are extremely effective for targeted external relief.
Sublingual - Like the inhalation / vaping method, the effect lasts for a while but you might get a longer effect duration (up to six hours) when using the sublingual method. Sublingual are meant to be absorbed mostly through your mouth where it is placed under your tongue and absorbed into your bloodstream quicker and remains longer. Taking the oil under the tongue maximizes absorption and effectiveness. With this method, you can have an impact in 5-10 minutes (single dose). Keep in mind that everyone is different at the end of the day. The most popular sublingual consumption method at this point is CBD oil drop tinctures.
Ingestion - The ingestion method of taking CBD comes by way of CBD edibles or CBD softgels. It takes at least 20 min - 1 hour to take effect but can last from 4-8 hours (single dose). When ingesting CBD edibles or CBD softgels, the digestive system has to metabolize it which results in a "slow in - extended duration" effect.
As you may or may not know, CBD is fat-soluble, which means it is stored in the fat cells as opposed to being absorbed by water cells and an individual BMI (body mass index/body fat %) play a role in its effects and how long it lasts. The interesting point about CBD and BMI is that the lower a person's BMI, the shorter the stay of CBD in their body. So yes, the more fat cells you have, the longer CBD will linger in your body. This is because a person who metabolizes fat faster will have less fat cells for CBD storage. In addition, having a high fiber diet and exercising and drinking an excessive amount of water daily will deplete CBD out of your system rather quickly. This is the same case for a person who does not smoke and has a diet that is favorable in vitamins and minerals. The bottom line is that since CBD is fat-soluble, anything that activates a stable fat burning rate (metabolizes fat) in the body affects how long CBD stays in your body.
With all of the information presented, it is important to note that there is no one dose fits all approach here. When you initially take a CBD dose, it generally takes from 5 minutes to 40 minutes to start working, depending on the method of administration. Then the effects may last for hours. As an average, the effect of most regular CBD doses lasts between two hours to six hours. Usually, the effect wears off at this time because the concentration of CBD drops in the bloodstream.
Most people would go on to conclude that since the effect is gone, the cannabinoid is gone as well, but this is not the case. If you don't feel the effects of CBD, it doesn't mean that is has left your system fully. Over time, the amount of CBD in your body lessens as it is expelled.
Researchers have found that on average, CBD takes 3-5 days to leave your body completely. However, the variables mentioned above influence the effect and duration.
Remember that every person's body is different and therefore the way a person reacts to CBD is different also. Because of our differences, our Endocannabinoid System will process CBD differently. In this difference, how long it takes CBD to leave a person's body will vary as an individual's biochemical environment influences how long it takes for CBD to leave their body.
We hope this article has been useful, but if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out as our team will be more than happy to respond. You can reach us via phone at 954-533-0089 or via email at info@gogreenhemp.com
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