After the approval of the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD products have widely become popular. This organic cannabis compound is consistently showing its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of mental and physical illnesses. But what needs to be understood by consumers is how long do the effects of CBD last. There are several types of CBD products and each of them takes a different number of times in the body. The important lesson to know is how long do the effects of different CBD products last in the body?
How Long Does CBD Take to Work?
Before we even discuss how long it takes for CBD to last in the body, it’s important to understand that the effects also take different times to kickstart. Generally, the shorter the time it takes to work, the shorter the effects last. The vice-versa is also true.
But several other factors determine who long CBD products take to work apart from the method of administration. For instance, the type of medical condition you are treating as well as the amount of CBD you are taking is all-important.
How Long Do The Effects of CBD Last?
Generally, the type of CBD you are using will determine how long the effects will last. But you need not underestimate the effectiveness of exercise, diet, frequency of use, metabolism, and dosage in determining how long it takes for you to experience therapeutic effects.
Short-term effects of CBD take around 2 hours. On the other hand, long-term effects can last up to 8 hours. But even with this information, each individual might still experience the effects differently. However, here is an idea of what to expect when using different types of CBD products.
Vaporizers and Vape Pens
They are known to deliver the most rapid effects in just a few minutes. This is because once the vapor or smoke reaches your lungs, it will be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. However, the rapid absorption of inhaled will quickly wear off as well as the other forms of cannabidiol.
The onset time is usually 1-5 minutes. On the other hand, the relief effects can last between 1-4 hours as well. But don’t forget that body chemistry and tolerance can also influence the time the effects will wear off.
CBD Oil and Tinctures
This is another type of CBD product that tends to have faster (and also longer) effects on the body, depending on how you use it. Note that CBD oil and tincture products are not the same even though they are often used interchangeably. Understand that CBD oils are oil-based while CBD tinctures are alcohol-based.
The onset of CBD oil tincture’s effect is faster. It takes 15-30 minutes to kickstart since it contains alcohol. You need to place a few drops of the tincture under the tongue and it will find its way into the bloodstream via the mucus membranes. The effects of this type of CBD usually wear off in 3-6 hours.
Well, you can use CBD oil sublingually as well. But since its absorption process will take longer than 30 minutes, the majority of it will mix with saliva and you will eventually swallow it. The oil then moves through the digestive system before it gets metabolized. The process of absorption usually takes longer since the liver has to efficiently process it before getting into the bloodstream. Generally, the effects of CBD oil kickstart after an hour and can last 4-8 hours after swallowing.
CBD Edibles
They come in multiple forms even though all of them are for oral intake. Besides that, CBD gummies are usually available in sweet and savory flavors. So, if you are a person with a sweet tooth, then this is the best type of CBD product for you. They include the likes of gummies, capsules, hard candies, cookies, chocolates, tea, coffee, and cupcakes among others. The effects of CBD edibles range from 30 minutes to 3 hours to kickstart. These products are ideal for treating pain and inflammation since they last for 6-8 hours in the body.
CBD Topicals
This is a unique method of CBD intake. CBD topicals are location-specific hence they don’t provide the whole body with therapeutic relief. It’s also worth noting that CBD topical products can’t reach the bloodstream. They are normally available in the form of creams, balms, salves, and lotions that are ideal for handling conditions such as joint and muscle pain.
The localized effects usually take around 5 minutes to one hour to kickstart. Meanwhile, the effects can last up to 4-6 hours. Understand that you will only experience relief in the area the topical product is applied.
The Bottom Line
CBD comes in many forms and this normally influences how long it takes to feel the effects. CBD tinctures and vape oils usually wear off quickly but their onset is usually faster as well. Products such as CBD oil and edibles usually last longer in the body due to the digestive process. The effects of topicals usually depend on the severity of the pain as well as the area of application.
