How Long Do The Effects Of Cbd Last?

Steven Voser

Emmy Award-Nominated Cannabis Journalist

Steven Voser

Last updated: February 2nd, 2023

Thanks to CBD’s recent explosion in popularity, the cannabinoid is now being relied upon by countless people. Yet, with so many people trying CBD for the first time, questions around dosage and consumption methods have inevitably arisen. One of the most frequently asked is: How long do the effects of CBD actually last?

How you choose to use CBD will affect both the strength and duration of its effects. However, other factors like metabolism, weight, and tolerance also play a part in the equation. Keep reading to find what you need to consider when determining an appropriate dose of CBD.

Why Does It Matter?

Because it does not produce mind-altering effects, CBD has gained a reputation as an 'everyday, low-threshold' cannabinoid that may benefit our bodies and minds in a variety of ways. Determining the correct dosage of CBD can be tricky, especially since there are so many methods of consumption, all with ranging bioavailability. However, for most CBD users, knowing how long CBD’s effects will last and how potent they will be is crucial to effectively managing their intake.

How Long Do Cbd's Effects Last?

There are several factors that influence how long the effects of CBD last for.

Methods Of Ingestion

The primary factor to consider is the method of ingestion. Because different ingestion methods have such varying rates of bioavailability, they typically have the greatest influence over the length and strength of CBD's effects.

Most people consume CBD in the form of sublingual oils or tinctures. When consumed in this convenient manner, CBD’s effects can last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. The primary advantage of this method is how quickly effects take place; oftentimes, it requires only a few minutes. This is because CBD is able to quickly enter the bloodstream through an abundance of capillaries beneath the tongue, allowing it to work very fast.

CBD can also be orally ingested like an edible. Moreover, thanks to CBD’s versatility, it can be added to both food and drinks. When ingested orally, CBD’s effects can last for anywhere between 4 and 6 hours. However, their strength may be questionable. This is because of the first-pass effect (Pelley, 2017), a process whereby the liver prevents the absorption of many compounds. In some cases, this reduced strength can be supplemented by taking a higher oral dose compared to other intake methods, but this is not true across the board. After all, bioavailability is only one factor.

High-CBD strains of cannabis can be vaped and smoked just like their high-THC counterparts. However, when consumed this way, the effects of cannabinoids like CBD and THC usually only last 2 to 3 hours. Despite this, some vaporizers can produce bioavailability rates of roughly 50%, making vaporization one of the most efficient ways to get the most of your CBD. As with sublingual application, CBD's effects can usually be felt almost immediately.

CBD can also be applied topically in the form of patches, creams, oils, and salves. The effects of topical application can typically be felt for anywhere between 2 and 4 hours. However, it is worth noting that the skin absorbs cannabinoids very slowly, and effects do not travel far past the local area of application.

Concentration And Quality

Moreover, the length and strength of CBD’s effects also depend on the concentration of the product or strain being consumed. The more CBD it contains, the more potent the resulting effects will be. This applies to smokable buds just as much as it does to any kind of CBD extract. Then there's the quality issue; if the CBD has not been decarboxylated, contains additives, etc., this can reduce its efficiency as well.

The Human Body

The metabolism also plays a role in processing CBD. If you have a fast metabolism that processes things quickly, then CBD will spend less time in your blood. Conversely, a slow metabolism will allow it to remain in the system for longer.

Your body’s tolerance to CBD will also play a significant role in how it produces its effects. As with any substance, the more CBD you regularly consume, the higher your tolerance becomes. This means that, over time, it will become more difficult for your body to make the most of each dose of CBD. In this case, you will need to consume more in order to achieve the same effects, switch intake methods, or stop taking it altogether in order to reset your tolerance. Taking a short break of about 7 days from CBD use should be enough to lower your body’s tolerance back down to an acceptable level.

An individual’s weight also contributes to how they experience CBD’s effects. Generally speaking, people who weigh more will require higher doses to feel the same effects, whereas smaller people may feel them at lower doses.

How Long Does Cbd Stay In Your System?

And while CBD’s effects may no longer be felt, that doesn’t mean that it is no longer in your body. CBD, like THC, is fat-soluble, meaning it gets stored in the body’s fat cells for quite some time after being consumed.

How much CBD you consume, and how frequently you consume it, will primarily determine how long the cannabinoid stays in your body. Simply put, the more CBD you consume, the longer it will take for your body to get rid of it. Beginner users can expect the cannabinoid to remain in their system for anywhere between 3 and 5 days. Meanwhile, regular users can expect CBD to remain in their system for about 14 days.

Luckily, in order to determine cannabis use, drug tests only search for THC and its metabolites, not CBD. Nevertheless, some CBD products may contain trace amounts of THC. A good rule of thumb is that if it contains less than 0.3% THC, it is probably safe to consume, even if you may be tested.