How Long Does It Take for CBD Oil to Work? What You Need to Know

CBD is touted as an all-in-one solution to improve well-being and make every day more comfortable. So it’s no surprise that users will take CBD oil and wonder when they will feel better.

How long does it take for CBD oil to work? This question isn’t as easy to answer. Many factors affect how quickly it takes effect, and everyone experiences CBD differently.

Here’s how long it takes for CBD oil to work, the difference between the various CBD products, which effects you can expect, how long CBD lasts, and how it affects your body.

How Long Does CBD Take to Work?

Before we answer this question, it is essential to know how to take CBD oil drops. Most users take it sublingually, which means they drop the oil under their tongue and let it absorb.

Since sublingual CBD doesn’t go through the digestive system, your body quickly absorbs it into the bloodstream. That means users can experience the effects in as little as 15 minutes.

Factors That Affect CBD’s Time to Work

While the sublingual method may take 15 minutes, other factors influence CBD’s effectiveness. Here are the most important ones you should know before you choose CBD product.

Experience With CBD

CBD isn’t a miracle product and won’t immediately reverse your symptoms. In fact, how long it takes for CBD to kick in can vary depending on factors like your body’s chemistry and the method of consumption. It takes time for your body to absorb the cannabinoids and for CBD to work in your endocannabinoid system.

It’s also important to note that CBD doesn’t contain high amounts of THC, so you may not notice any changes at first. Over time, you can see small changes, like feeling happier or ready for bed quicker.

That said, if you start with a strong dose, you may experience some side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, reduced appetite, and fatigue. It’s essential to start with a small dose and build when needed.

Can you develop a tolerance to CBD? Since CBD increases the endocannabinoids you create in your own body, there’s not much of a tolerance risk.

That said, increasing your dosage of full-spectrum CBD will ensure you receive the most of all the cannabinoids and terpenes that will improve your well-being even more.

Bioavailability

Bioavailability is the percentage of CBD that ends up in your bloodstream. All CBD products are made with extra ingredients, which can impact how and when the CBD takes effect.

As we will discuss later, there are also numerous ways to consume CBD, and these administration methods affect how your body absorbs the cannabinoids.

Understanding the best way to get CBD into your system is very important for maximizing its effects and ensuring you experience its benefits effectively.

Most users take CBD oil sublingually. The body absorbs the CBD quicker this way than if users were to take oral capsules or edibles.

That said, both have around the same bioavailability–around 20%. Since the sublingual gland absorbs more cannabinoids, taking CBD oil under the tongue may increase the bioavailability to 30%.

Physiology

Everyone responds to CBD differently, and that’s thanks to our physiology. CBD is fat-soluble, meaning this cannabinoid can dissolve in oils and fats.

If a person has a high percentage of body fat, CBD will absorb and stay in their system for extended periods.

Your diet and metabolism also impact CBD's effects. Taking CBD oils with a high-fat meal can increase its bioavailability.

Your metabolism also affects how your body breaks down various compounds, such as CBD. If you have a faster metabolism or live an active lifestyle, you’ll feel the effects of CBD quickly.

Dosage

The more CBD you take, the quicker you’ll feel the effects. That said, you shouldn’t jump to the highest dose–especially if you’re a new user.

Start with the smallest dose recommended by the manufacturer. Gradually increase your dose until you reach a comfortable amount.

Quality

There are many CBD companies out there, and some brands sell low-quality products that won’t produce the effects you desire. Plus, these products may contain harmful contaminants and other additives.

For best results, stick to high-quality brands that extract CBD and other cannabinoids from organic hemp grown by local farmers.

The hemp should be free of pesticides and other additives and only contain natural ingredients. If you’re unsure of a CBD product’s quality, request to view the certificate of analysis (COA).

Different Types of CBD

There are several types of CBD, and some produce the effects more quickly than others. Here’s a breakdown of each type.

CBD Isolates

So, what is CBD isolate? Well, this is the purest form of CBD. These products only contain CBD and go through further processing to ensure there are no other cannabinoids or terpenes.

CBD isolates are often available as a powder and may be called “CBD crystals.” You can also find CBD-isolate oil, which can kick in in around 20 minutes.

Broad-Spectrum

Broad-spectrum oil contains CBD, other cannabinoids, and terpenes but doesn’t include THC. These products are great for beginners because you get CBD plus other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes, such as CBG, CBN, limonene, myrcene, and pinene.

Broad-spectrum products aren’t as potent as full-spectrum, but you can feel the effects in 15-30 minutes as long as you take this product sublingually.

Full-Spectrum

Full-spectrum CBD contains all naturally occurring compounds in the hemp plant. This includes CBD, other cannabinoids, terpenes, and small amounts of THC.

Since full-spectrum products are more potent, these are considered the most effective CBD products. Plus, you’ll feel them quicker– the best CBD oil takes less than 15 minutes.

The amount of THC is still minor; by law, CBD products can’t contain more than 0.3% THC. This isn’t enough THC to produce psychoactive effects, but users will still feel the cannabinoid's beneficial qualities.

When comparing full-spectrum products to isolates, research shows that CBD is more effective when users take it with all the hemp plant’s compounds (called the entourage effect).

CBD Oil vs. Other Products

CBD oil isn’t the only type of hemp product out there. You can find topicals, edibles, capsules, and more. These products have their bioavailability, so your body absorbs CBD differently. So, how quickly do these products take effect?

CBD Cream

All CBD topicals, such as creams and balms, have 0% bioavailability, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use these products.

CBD topicals are intended to provide relief to one specific area. Topicals are perfect for discomfort on various body parts, such as your hands, wrists, or knees. But the cannabinoids can’t break through the skin barrier, so topicals won’t improve your overall well-being.

With a CBD cream, you can feel relief in the targeted region in 15-45 minutes, depending on the strength of the CBD topical.

CBD Capsules

The bioavailability of CBD capsules varies between 10% and 20%. Since CBD capsules must go through the digestive system before you feel their effects, they may take at least an hour to kick in.

This leads many to wonder, how long does CBD oil take to work?

While many are impressed by how CBD oil is made to work faster, capsules are still a popular choice. Many users prefer taking CBD capsules because they’re more convenient. Simply pop the capsule in your mouth and swallow it with a glass of water, just like you would take a vitamin. They’re also easier to dose than CBD oil, making them perfect for beginners.

CBD Edibles

CBD edibles like gummies have around the same bioavailability as capsules, and they can take an hour or two to kick in.

Users can expect as much as 19% or 20% bioavailability, but that could also be as little as 6%. CBD edibles are made with additional ingredients and flavors that can decrease the potency of the cannabinoids.

CBD Vapes

The CBD products with the best bioavailability are vapes. How long does it take for a CBD vape to start working?

Since vaping comes with over 30% bioavailability, your lungs absorb CBD quickly, and you’ll feel the effects in minutes.

That said, vaping CBD also lasts the shortest–about five hours after vaping one dose. Compare this to CBD oil, which can stay in your system for as long as eight hours.

That said, there are downsides to vaping. Even though vaping is easier on your lungs than smoking, CBD vapes can still damage your lungs.

CBD Pet Products

CBD can help Fido and Fluffy, too. Since CBD for cats and dogs only comes in edibles, like treats, their bioavailability is below 20%.

Pet parents can administer CBD oil directly to your pet’s gums to increase the effects, but your furry children won’t exactly enjoy that as much as a tasty treat.

Since your pet is ingesting the CBD, they will feel the effects in about an hour.

CBD vs. Marijuana

The question “How long does it take for CBD oil to work?” has no simple answer. Many factors impact CBD’s effects, such as its bioavailability, how it works in the body, and all the different products available.

But how does CBD compare to marijuana? This is important to ask if you’re also interested in medical marijuana or if you live in an area where recreational cannabis is legal.

First, it’s important to note that users approach marijuana and CBD products differently.

While CBD capsules are typically favored among users, inhaling marijuana flower is still the favorite consumption method. Since more users are smoking marijuana, they can feel the effects in as short as a few seconds.

Like smokable CBD products, smoking marijuana doesn’t last as long as ingesting it. Users will feel the effects for a maximum of six hours, influenced by how long the CBD stays in their system. The “high” peaks 30 minutes after inhaling, and the effects gradually decrease.

What about marijuana edibles vs. CBD edibles? Marijuana edibles take about a half hour to kick in. However, users will feel more potent effects from cannabis edibles.

Even though marijuana edibles have a lower bioavailability, the liver converts THC to a more powerful form. There’s not enough research to suggest that CBD’s effects change when orally consuming it versus vaping it or taking it sublingually.

How to Know CBD Is Working

Since CBD isn’t psychoactive, it can be challenging to know how CBD interacts with your body and whether it’s taking effect.

Most first-time users may feel sleepy or mellow; those effects are expected. If you struggle with aches, you may feel more comfortable.

Overall, CBD’s effects should be tolerable. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, take a smaller dose or try a different product. You also shouldn’t feel high, even if you’re taking full-spectrum CBD products.

The Duration of CBD’s Effects

So, how long does CBD effects last? This depends on the type of product you take and your dosage.

On average, users can expect CBD to last between six and eight hours when taking it sublingually or ingesting it. Even after the effects disappear, CBD can last up to five days in the body.

FAQs

How much CBD oil should you use?

Most manufacturers have a recommended CBD dosage, which you should always follow. But if your brand doesn’t have a recommended dosage, there are some best practices to remember when using nonprescription CBD products.

First, look at the amount of CBD in the product. Beginners should take CBD products with 400-500 mg of CBD. This is a tolerable dose that’s also potent enough to promote overall well-being.

Dosing capsules is easy for beginners. Most containers have 30 capsules, each likely containing 15-20 mg CBD. Start by taking one capsule/day, either in the morning or at night.

Once you become used to the effects, increase that dose to two capsules/day. Over time, you can use capsules that contain more CBD (such as 1000 mg).

Does CBD oil have a taste or smell?

CBD alone doesn’t have a taste or smell. When using CBD isolate products, manufacturers extract the cannabinoid and separate it from other compounds in the plant.

But if you use broad—or full-spectrum CBD, manufacturers extract all compounds from the hemp plant. Because of the terpenes, this CBD oil will have a slight earthy taste and smell. Some manufacturers may also flavor the CBD oil with natural oils to improve the flavor.

How long does a CBD high last, and how long does it take to clear your system?

The only way to flush CBD out of your body is through urine or pores. You can drink lots of fluids and pee out the CBD. Anything that causes sweating, such as heavy exercising and sitting in a sauna, can also flush CBD out of your body.

Since CBD stays in your body and will still promote well-being, it’s not recommended to flush it out. But even a little bit of THC will appear on a drug test, so if that concerns you, don’t take full-spectrum CBD.

Buy High-Quality CBD Oil From CBDPure

Because CBD can promote well-being, new users usually want to know: how long does it take for CBD oil to work?

This depends on various factors, such as the CBD product you use and your dosage. Most users take CBD oil sublingually, and users can feel the effects in as little as 15 minutes.

But other products, like CBD capsules and edibles, can take at least 30 minutes. Another essential factor is quality. Hemp-derived CBD products will produce the best results and will be safer on the body.

We at CBDPure produce all-natural, full-spectrum CBD products. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and we provide our customers with the most effective CBD products. Shop our CBD today!