Few things unite new and experienced CBD users. One of these things is trying to figure out how long the effects of CBD last. A question difficult to answer because the effects of CBD vary from person to person.
However, through painstakingly detailed research, scientists have tried to discover the answer to this question.
In this article, we are going to take a look at the effects of CBD, both positive and negative. We are also going to take a look at the factors that can determine how long CBD lasts in your system.
But before we get into that, let’s look at what CBD is.
What is CBD?
CBD is a naturally occurring compound that is found in the hemp and cannabis plants. It belongs to the cannabinoid family, a group of chemicals with beneficial properties that are found in the cannabis plant.
So far, scientists have uncovered 108 different types of cannabinoids. The most famous cannabinoid is THC. It is the compound responsible for the euphoric feeling that you get when you use cannabis.
Unlike THC, CBD does not cause a psychoactive effect. Because of this, CBD is legal in a large number of countries in the world. Using CBD will make you more relaxed, and it has some therapeutic benefits, as well.
What are the effects of CBD?
To understand the effects of CBD, we need to look at how it works once it’s in the body.
When you use CBD, it interacts with the body through the endocannabinoid system. The ECS is a system of neurotransmitters and receptors that play a massive role in the body.
CBD plays a massive role in:
- Metabolism
- Chronic pain
- Learning and memory
- Reproduction
- Stress
Because CBD interacts with the body through the ECS, it can have an impact on any of these processes. Let’s look at some of them.
The positive effects of CBD
1. Stress
In the modern world, stress is one of those things that we face daily. We have to balance our personal lives, our professional lives, and everything in between, and sometimes it’s a hustle. That’s where CBD comes in to save the day.
After using CBD, users have reported feeling less stressed than they were before.
2. Focus
Another effect of CBD is that it helps you focus more clearly. This is probably linked to how CBD reduces stress. When you are less stressed, you can focus more clearly.
3. Sleep
After using CBD for a whole day, the effects begin piling up. You are less stressed, you are in less pain, and you can focus more clearly. When all this adds up, you end up sleeping better than you did before using CBD.
The body is like a machine. Once you get a part of it feeling better, other parts start feeling better. This is why CBD has become so popular. It helps with the entire body, not just one part.
CBD also helps you sleep better by interacting with the body’s ECS.
The negative effects of CBD
Because we love CBD, we tend to be a little biased in talking about its effects. We often talk about the positive side of CBD and leave out the side effects of CBD.
Here are some side effects of using CBD:
- Nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Change in appetite
- Change in weight
- Dry mouth
- Low blood pressure
We did a very detailed piece on the side effects of CBD, and you can read it as soon as it’s up.
Be sure to also check out “CBD Side Effects Explained (Science Facts)” to see the side effects of taking CBD oil.
How long do the effects of CBD last?
Now it’s time to answer the $64,000 question. There are a lot of factors that determine how long the effects of CBD last, but on average, the effects last for 2 to 8 hours.
For an average, that’s a pretty long time frame. Such long time frames leave you with more questions than answers, and we decided to dig a little deeper. The long time frame is because there are a lot of factors at play.
1. How long you have been using CBD
One of the most important factors is experience with CBD. If you have been using CBD for a long time, you’ll quickly notice the effects come and go.
But if you are new to CBD, it’s going to take some time. The odds are high that you’ll notice the effects a little while after they start. And you might think that they last longer than they do.
This is pretty common, and you’ll be able to notice the effects more clearly as you continue to use CBD.
2. The dosage
How much CBD you take will also influence the length of time that the effects last. If you take a large amount of CBD, the effects will last longer than if you take a small amount.
3. Metabolism
Another factor that affects how long the effects of CBD last in your body is your metabolism. If you have a fast metabolism, your body will burn through CBD at a rapid rate. On the other hand, if your metabolism is slow, your body will use up the CBD at a slower pace.
4. How you used the CBD
One of the factors that determine how long the effects of CBD last is how you used it. CBD is a versatile product, and there are tons of ways in which you can use it. This is good for the CBD community, but it adds a layer of complexity to our question. Here are some of the ways you can use CBD and how long it lasts in your system once you use it:
Tincture
This involves dissolving CBD in an alcoholic solvent (mostly ethanol). Tinctures are taken through the mouth and will take between 15-30 minutes before you feel its effects. After that, the effects are expected to last up to 4-6 hours.
Edibles, capsules, and beverages
When CBD is consumed as edibles and drinks, it passes through your digestive system and liver. Most people who take edible CBD prefer doing so on an empty stomach. This way, CBD makes its way to the gastrointestinal tract much faster and can easily be broken down by your liver.
Edibles stay in your system between 4-6 hours.
Topical
These should be applied directly to your skin as creams, lotions, and balms. This way, the CBD oil gets absorbed by your skin, and the effects are felt faster than the above methods. It only takes between 15-20 minutes, and the effects will last up to 6 hours.
Vaping
This is the fastest way to get CBD into your system. Vaping makes your lungs absorb the CBD into your bloodstream, and then it travels through all parts of your body immediately. When you vape, you can feel the effects almost immediately, but they usually don’t last as long as the above methods. It usually takes between 2-3 hours before the effects wear off.
Make sure to also check out “CBD Dosage for Beginners (Science-Backed Facts)” to see the correct dosage when taking CBD in these forms.
CBD is cementing its place in human consciousness as the wellness product of choice for millions of people. Such a lofty position comes with a lot of scrutiny and questions, and that’s why we are here. To answer any question that you might have about CBD.
We have dived deep into the world of research to uncover how long the effects of CBD last. And we hope we answered any questions you might have had on this topic.
Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this article, stick around, there’s a lot more to read at our main page at EveryCBDthing. Join us also at our Instagram and Pinterest for more content from the world of medical cannabis.
