How Long Does It Take for CBD to Work? A Complete Guide
The two most important criteria for taking CBD are simple: knowledge and patience. You should always do your homework when it comes to what you’re putting into your body.
CBD has become more popular in recent years. As marijuana use has become destigmatized in both recreational and medicinal forms, CBD use has risen.
With health benefits like decreased stress, pain relief, and reducing anxiety, it’s no wonder that many people are turning to CBD as nature’s miracle.
However, CBD is part of a greater return to nature. Many people are rejected over-prescribed pharmaceuticals in favor of more natural solutions. However, many of us are used to modern medicine.
At its best, modern medicine is fast, effective, and is down to a science. If you take ibuprofen, you can expect it to affect you within an hour. Plants aren’t as predictable.
When you expect CBD effects, it can be tempting to think that’s it not working. After all, it’s been two hours and you still might not feel anything. How long does it take for CBD to work?
Types of CBD Effects and Benefits of CBD
What is CBD? CBD is an acronym that stands for cannabidiol. Found in the hemp plant, it’s associated with marijuana.
For most people, marijuana is associated with being high. That’s because marijuana is made of a different, psychoactive part of the hemp plant. You’ll never get high when using CBD.
Why? CBD is made from a non-psychoactive portion of the hemp plant. The chemical makeup is different, which means the effects on your body will be different.
Most marijuana seeds are composed of a percentage of CBD and THC. THC is the psychoactive ingredient, which is why legislation mandates that CBD products contain no more than 0.3 percent THC.
This is why CBD is so versatile, and is often found in oil, lotion, tinctures, capsules, and more.
How long does it take for CBD to work? There are multiple factors, but the first one is the types of CBD you’re consuming.
What is the quality and potency of the CBD you’re using? If you purchased strong, high-quality stuff, that means you will likely feel the effects faster.
The dose you take also matters. How much did you ingest? This is where knowledge and patience play together.
If you think that ‘it’s not working’, resist the urge to immediately ingest more. This will end up doubling the intensity of the effects when both doses do kick in.
Another factor is highly personal to you. How much do you weigh, and have you eaten recently? What medications are you taking?
The answers to each of these questions can help dictate how fast CBD affects you. However, the last question: how are you consuming CBD? may have the biggest impact on the speed of your experience.
Ingesting CBD
One of the most common ways to ingest CBD is through ingestion. You can do this by adding drops of CBD oil to your smoothie, swallowing a CBD capsule, or having an edible.
Edibles can come in the form of time-honored classics such as CBD brownies. However, if you prefer other options, there are some great CBD gummies out there.
To get the CBD through your bloodstream, your digestive system takes charge. It sends the CBD you’ve consumed to your liver. Once the liver has had its’ turn, the remainder is pumped through your bloodstream.
This complex digestion-absorption process means that it might be two hours before you start to feel anything.
Topically Applying CBD
Another popular method of utilizing CBD is lotion. CBD creams are very nourishing and have a multitude of benefits. It’s often been said that the skin is our biggest organ, which means it can start absorbing rapidly.
However, skin often doesn’t absorb CBD easily. That means you’ll want to increase the concentration of CBD within these lotions and creams in order to feel the effect.
You can expect to feel the most intense experience within approximately 90 minutes after first putting it on.
Sublingual Consumption of CBD
Sublingual consumption is a bit of a tongue-twister—and for good reason! This category is filled with products that are absorbed under the tongue. Good examples include lozenges and sprays.
When CBD is held and absorbed in the mouth, there’s no need for the digestive system to get involved. In this way, CBD gets into your bloodstream much quicker than edible options.
If you’re looking for quick results and don’t mind lozenges, this can be the perfect option for you.
Vaping CBD
The fourth option, vaping, is one of the most popular ways to consume CBD oil. Much like vape pens that dispense nicotine, this option allows you to inhale vaporized CBD.
Inhaling CBD into your lungs allows it to get into your blood quickly. This is one of the fastest ways to feel results since most users report feeling effects within five minutes.
If you aren’t concerned about some of the side effects of vaping, this can be a quick, mobile option for travel when you need quick, easy results.
Transdermal Skin Patches
Have you heard of nicotine patches? Formally known as transdermal skin patches, the concept is useful when it comes to dispensing CBD. This option is more discreet than vaping or edibles, but it still works.
If speed is important, this isn’t the quickest choice. It can take about an hour to take effect, mimicking a slow burn for up to 96 hours.
How Long Does it Take for CBD to Work?
If you’re still wondering about CBD, it’s fine to start small! Your comfort level should always dictate the experience.
It’s normal to feel nervous, but do your research and have patience. Once you’ve found the product that’s right for you, you’re sure to find yourself wondering: how long does it take for CBD to work?
The answer is incredibly unique to your body. But with enough patience, you’ll reap the amazing benefits of all CBD has to offer.
