CBD is an awesome way to feel soothed tension and a peaceful state of mind. Not only is it great because of its effects, but it also works super fast. In conjunction with another stress relieving technique, you’ll be smooth sailing in no time.
But what about those moments when you really need to calm down fast? The next time your boss sends you an angry email, you miss a deadline, or your cat rips up your curtains, will CBD work fast enough to prevent you from boiling over?
Let’s find out how long it takes CBD to show its effects. Along the way, let’s answer some more common questions that you might have about your CBD’s potency.
How Does CBD Work?
CBD is short of cannabidiol, which is an active ingredient derived from the hemp plant. It’s similar to hemp seed oil, but the difference is that CBD includes all parts of the plant rather than the seed itself.
CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, which is an active network in your body that exists even if you don’t use cannabidiol products. This system is still being researched, but its functions extend to areas such as sleep, appetite, mood, memory, and motor control.
Your body makes something called endocannabinoids, which are the molecules that bind to receptors throughout this system. They’re similar to cannabinoids, except they don’t have to be supplemented: your body just makes them itself.
Two prominent endocannabinoid receptors are the CB1 and CB2 receptors. These are found in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous systems respectively.
Depending on where endocannabinoids bind themselves, their results will differ.
So when you take some CBD oil, that compound will target certain receptors in an attempt to obtain a desirable relief. Since the endocannabinoid system controls a large amount of cognitive processes, this is why it’s so renowned for its ability to relieve anxious behaviors and restore balance.
When Will I Notice Its Effects?
CBD works differently for everyone, so there isn’t really a straight answer to this question. The amount of time that it takes for CBD to kick in is based on a few factors:
- How often you use it: Regular use of CBD can strengthen its effects. However, it can also kick in a little bit faster if you use it more often.
- The way you use it: Generally, oil drops will kick in quicker than gummies, creams, or lotions.
- Your weight: Your body mass index can affect the speed at which CBD is metabolized. Similarly, the amount of food you’ve eaten in a given day can affect the rate of absorption. This only really affects it if you ingest your CBD oil with another liquid or food.
For the fastest effect, it’s recommended that you apply a dose of CBD oil underneath your tongue, or sublingually. There are loads of nerve endings and blood vessels there, so the absorption into your bloodstream will be accelerated.
With sublingual oil application, you might start to notice some soothed tension in as little as 15 minutes. Of course, this depends on the factors listed above as well. If you use gummies or topicals, it might take a little bit longer.
How Long Will the Effects Last?
Yet again, there is no definitive length of time that you can expect the effects of CBD to last. Generally, you’ll likely notice the effects for anywhere from two to six hours. Regular use of CBD might be able to extend this length of time, so it’s a good idea to use daily if that suits your lifestyle.
Can CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
CBD can remain in your system for hours, days, or even weeks depending on the person. Many people are hesitant to use it because of concerns that it will cause them to fail a drug test. Even though it’s not likely, all hemp and CBD products do run the chance of showing up on a drug test.
With that said, secondary tests are conducted after a primary screening that will separate CBD compounds from other substances that are unfavorable. CBD is 100% legal, so you should have nothing to worry about.
However, if this is of concern, consult a physician or have a chat with your employer ahead of time.
Can CBD Work Faster or Longer If I Take More?
While it’s true that persistent, daily usage of CBD can enhance its effects and make it last a bit longer in your system, there are no benefits to taking more than the recommended dosage at one time.
A recommended serving size for CBD oil is 0.5 ml up to two times a day.
What Happens if I Take Too Much?
If you accidentally take a third dose of CBD on a given day, don’t stress! CBD is an entirely safe and legal substance. In fact, it’s one of the only ones deemed by the World Health Organization to have no major side effects or risk of dependency.
A toxic dose of CBD is 20,000 mg, or 20 ml. That means that you’d need to take your daily recommended dosage twenty times in a single day to start experiencing toxic effects. And while no major human studies have been conducted, the general consensus is that doses of this caliber might just make you feel nauseous, drowsy, or disoriented.
How Long Does CBD Oil Take to Expire?
You’ll probably love your CBD so much that you’ll be using it every single day. But if you just like a little relief during stressful moments every now and then, your CBD has a super long shelf life. So you won’t need to worry about it losing overall potency after a period of inactivity. When properly stored, your bottle of CBD can last for up to an entire year.
For best practice, keep your oil bottle in a cool, dark environment away from direct sunlight. An ideal storage location is your fridge, but a nightstand drawer or a kitchen cabinet works too.
Additionally, be sure to shake your CBD well before using it. Especially if it sits for a while, some of the vitamins and minerals might settle on the bottom. Give it a good shake to make sure you’re getting every bit of goodness in every last drop.
What Can I Expect the First Time I Use CBD?
If you’re new to the wonderful world of cannabidiol, welcome! You’re taking necessary steps towards improving your holistic wellbeing. It can be nerve-wracking to take CBD oil for the first time, but the point of CBD is to do the opposite.
There’s a stigma attached to CBD that might make it seem like it will completely change the way your body works and your brain reacts. It’s important to understand that CBD is in no part psychoactive, so you won’t feel any impairment to judgement or cognition when you use it.
Also, the effects of CBD are mild, so don’t be afraid that you’re going to fall asleep instantly upon usage. Instead, just expect calm, soothing sensations. You might notice that feelings of stress and anxiety are alleviated, muscle tension is released, and your headspace is just all-around more peaceful.
In Conclusion
CBD works by binding to different receptors in the endocannabinoid system. However, the speed at which the substance is metabolized and absorbed can vary depending on a multitude of factors.
Generally, you can expect CBD oil to kick in after about 15 minutes. Its effects will last anywhere from two to six hours, and it can remain in your system for days to weeks. Don’t worry though, it won’t make you fail a drug test.CBD might work faster and longer if you use it regularly, but it won’t be affected by the size of the dosage you take.
But all in all, CBD is an easy and effective way to bring you back to a simmer when life gets you boiling. Leading a happy and healthy lifestyle has never been easier!
The quality of your CBD can play a role in its effectiveness, and that’s why Smile promises to source all of our ingredients ethically and purely. Our CBD is loaded with natural vitamins and minerals to bring you the highest quality product for the highest quality smiles.
Sources:
https://www.jyi.org/2018-june/2018/6/1/the-endocannabinoid-system-our-universal-regulator
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-cbd-stay-in-your-system#onset-time
