How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?
Two to five days is the typical range for how long CBD stays in the body. However, the durations can be impacted by the following factors:
The Dosage
Like with most substances, the higher the dosage of CBD you take, the longer it will stay in your system. Here at TRIP, we recommend taking 15 to 30mg a day at first, before increasing in increments of 5mg each week after the first seven days. For reference, one full dropper of our original CBD oil contains 20mg CBD, while there’s 66mg CBD in the strong version.
The Frequency Of Consumption
How often you take CBD will also impact the duration it stays in your system. The compound builds up in your body over time if taken regularly. The more you take CBD, the longer it stays. If you take it every day consistently, it will take longer for the effects to subside. If you only use it from time-to-time, however, it’ll clear from your system pretty quickly.
Your Body
No two people are the same, and our different body types mean that CBD will impact people in different ways. Aspects like your body mass index, water content and metabolism are just a few of the things that will affect how long CBD stays in your system. For example, the faster your metabolism, the quicker it will pass through.
Your Diet
The food you eat, how much you eat, and when you eat can all impact how long CBD stays in your system. Say you consume CBD on an empty stomach, it will get metabolised and eliminated quicker than if you had it in a full stomach, which would slow its digestion. You may also struggle to digest the compound. CBD works best if you’ve eaten substantially as your stomach is able to break it down.
The Method Of Use
There are numerous ways to take CBD and the method you choose will affect how long CBD remains in your body. Here are several methods of consumption and their length of duration in the body.
CBD Oil
One of the most common methods of use, CBD oil is used sublingually in a tincture. You can use it orally via dropper or spray. Placing CBD oil under your tongue is easy, efficient and tends to take effect quickly as your tongue is a capillary-rich area, which allows the CBD to reach your bloodstream faster.
If using a dropper, like one of our flavoured CBD oils, squeeze your chosen dosage into it, tilt your head back and drop it under your tongue. Make sure to hold it there for 30-60 seconds before swallowing as this allows the oil to bypass digestion and absorbs quicker.
How long does CBD oil take to work?
This depends on the individual’s metabolism, weight, genetics and diet, as CBD impacts everyone differently. Generally, most CBD products take around 15 minutes to kick in, but consumed orally under your tongue, you could feel the effects sooner.
How long does CBD oil stay in your system?
Again, this also depends on the individual. CBD could stay in someone’s system for days or weeks, depending on the dosage and method of use. However, on average, when CBD is taken orally, it’s likely to stay in your system for between 11 and 28 days. It may seem like a long period, but it’s nothing to worry about as CBD is non-psychoactive and therefore, it won’t impact your day-to-day life.
Does CBD oil work right away?
CBD oil consumed orally will not work right away. There are many factors that impact the time it takes to start feeling the effects. While there isn’t a way to feel the effects immediately, CBD oil placed under the tongue is the quickest way for it to be absorbed into the bloodstream. CBD oil can take between 15 to 60 minutes to kick in.
CBD Capsules
Consuming CBD in capsule form is similar to taking a daily vitamin, which is why it’s a popular option. Like other supplements, CBD capsules take a while for your body to absorb the compound. The CBD has to travel through the digestive system first. This process reduces the concentration of CBD and leads to a delay in effects.
CBD capsules are great for those wanting to maintain a consistent level of CBD in their system. They are often sold in soft gel form and taken twice a day, one in the morning and one at night. As your body needs to process the compound, it may take four to six hours to feel the effects of CBD.
CBD Drinks
Infused with the non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant, CBD drinks have the same compounds of other CBD products, except drinks are convenient and more delicious. We stock a variety of flavoured CBD-infused drinks, including peach ginger, elderflower mint, and lemon basil. We also have CBD cold brew coffee!
These cans are perfect for on the go, and typically take 20 minutes for the CBD to kick in. That said, dosage and effects are personal. The dose in the product and how much you consume will impact how you feel. All CBD products are expected to stay in your system for two to five days, but it all depends on the individual.
Baked Goods
We’ve covered some of the most simple ways of consuming CBD, but you don’t only have to take CBD in oil or as a capsule. You can also eat CBD in all sorts of forms, from tasty brownies and cookies to hard boiled sweets and gummies.
As you consume the CBD through an edible item, the effects may take over an hour to kick in. So, don’t be tempted to consume more than you intend to because you haven’t felt any of the effects — it’s all about being patient. Digestion takes between six and eight hours, but this (again) depends on the individual. Your metabolism, weight and how much CBD you use will impact how long it stays in your system.
How long does it take for CBD to work?
For CBD to work, it must be able to reach the relevant receptors in the body, which is typically achieved through absorption into the bloodstream. Most people take it via CBD oil, which can take between 15 and 60 minutes to absorb. Again, aspects like weight and genetics impact this and it can take up to an hour for CBD to start working overall.
That said, some methods are much quicker — for example, CBD can be absorbed into the bloodstream in just three minutes by vaping it.
For more information, check out our guide on how long CBD takes to work.
How long do the effects of CBD last?
Again, how long CBD’s effects last depends on aspects like the dosage, your body and the method of use. As a general rule of thumb though, you should feel the effects of CBD for between two to six hours.
Your body type can impact how long the effects of CBD lasts. The compound is fat soluble and is stored in the body’s fat cells. This means if you have a higher percentage of body fat, CBD will stay in your system for longer. You’ll also feel the benefits and effects for longer.
If you’re quite an active person, your metabolic rate will be higher, meaning your body will process and metabolise CBD faster. Whereas if you have a more sedentary lifestyle, it may take you longer to feel the effects.
Does CBD show up in drug tests?
Even if you have lots of CBD in your system, it shouldn’t show up on a drug test. However, the issue with taking some CBD products is that they may contain THC, which will show up. Some products have traces of the psychoactive compound, so it’s important to be able to differentiate between the different types of CBD products so that you can avoid the risk of accidentally consuming THC. The three main types are:
Full spectrum CBD
These products include all of the naturally occurring compounds from the plant they’re extracted from, including THC.
Broad spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD products are similar to full spectrum types, but go through a process to remove the THC. However, trace amounts may still be identifiable in a drug test.
CBD Isolate
These products contain CBD only.
It’s a good idea to avoid full or broad spectrum CBD products and stick with CBD isolate products if you don’t want to risk testing positive for THC. Here at TRIP, we ensure the purity of our CBD products with third party lab testing, so there’s no possibility that you’ll fail a drug test after consuming them.
How long is CBD detectable in urine?
Research on how long CBD stays in a person’s urine is limited. However, one study from 2016 found that subjects tested positive for CBD metabolites within two hours of administration, but flushed it out of their bodies within 24 hours.
How long does CBD stay in your blood?
While not as common as urine tests, blood tests can be used to detect THC metabolites from CBD oil. However, THC and CBD are very quickly eliminated from the bloodstream, which is why urine tests are the preferred method of testing. Overall, THC and CBD are only detectable in your blood for up to five hours after you take them, though their metabolites can be present for up to a week.
How long does CBD oil last before it runs out?
Like most naturally-derived products, CBD oil will naturally degrade and expire. It has a shelf life of one to two years, but there are many factors that can influence its expiry date. This includes the type of CBD, its ingredients and how you store it.
Generally, the purer the ingredients in your CBD oil, the longer it will last. The quality of the hemp plant and its growing conditions play an important role in the quality of product. Extreme temperatures and light exposure can speed up the CBD oil’s expiry date.
How long does CBD stay in your saliva?
Analysing saliva to detect CBD is rare, meaning there isn’t any information out there on how long it stays in your body this way. However, if the CBD product you take contains enough THC for it to be detectable, the psychoactive compound can be found in saliva for up to 72 hours.
Always buy CBD from reputable brands
In order to ensure you don’t mistakenly consume THC when using CBD, it’s recommended to always buy CBD products from reputable, trusted brands. Be sure to check that the seller you choose is following the necessary regulations and has a COA (Certificate of Analysis) that confirms what they’re advertising is legitimate.
Here at TRIP, we create our CBD products in line with UK and EU legislation, with each and every one third-party lab tested to ensure they don’t contain THC.
