Understanding how long edible CBD stays in your body helps you manage your CBD consumption effectively and make informed decisions. Here's what to know about when CBD from edibles will leave your body.
CBD enthusiasts have found their go-to method of consuming CBD: edibles! CBD edibles have taken center stage from mouthwatering gummies to convenient tablets and refreshing mints. Not only are they straightforward to incorporate into your routine, but they also come in a delightful array of flavors.
There's something for everyone when it comes to CBD edibles. So whether you're seeking a precise serving of CBD on the go or a delightful way to promote a calm after-dinner, these delectable bites have got you covered.
However, what also sets edibles apart is their unique journey through your digestive system. Before they can unleash their balancing benefits, they need to pass through this complex system and enter your bloodstream.
In this guide, we'll explore CBD edibles, how they affect the onset of CBD's effects, and how long they linger in your system.
What Are CBD Edibles?
CBD is about diversity and customized experiences, and Edibles carry the same mantra. There are different types of CBD edibles. The most common ones are:
When it comes to ways to take CBD, it's all about embracing diversity and crafting personalized experiences, and that's precisely what CBD edibles bring to the table. CBD edibles are, as their name suggests, edible forms of CBD. The most common ones are:
- CBD gummies
- CBD lozenges
- CBD chocolates
- CBD tablets
- CBD baked goods
- CBD beverages
What is CBD?
CBD has gained immense popularity as a way to encourage balance in the body so you feel and function better. It's also a fantastic non-euphoric alternative to THC, primarily known for its non-intoxicating effects.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the over 100 cannabinoids in the hemp plant. It occurs naturally and works harmoniously with your body's Endocannabinoid System, which plays a vital role in regulating various functions like sleep, metabolism, and memory, among others.
When it comes to taking CBD, countless types of methods are available, from CBD vaping to CBD topicals. However, one method that reigns supreme in terms of popularity is oral ingestion, and that's where CBD edibles come into the picture.
Benefits of CBD Edibles
Before delving into how long CBD stays in your system, it's more important to know the craze about CBD. Despite misinformation and the myths surrounding CBD, it has continued to take hold in the natural health scene and attract a massive following. Most people take CBD daily because of its positive influence on the body's endocannabinoid system. CBD is one of the most widely researched cannabinoids, and experts believe CBD might have the following benefits:
- Relaxation – While not sedative, CBD encourages a sense of peace and calm that can help reduce feelings of stress. If you're seeking a chance to quiet uneasiness during a busy workday or unwind after a long day, CBD's mellow qualities might be just what you need. It's also believed to support a calm and contemplative mood, allowing you to find inner peace.
- Sleep – CBD might also help settle your body into a peaceful slumber. Although experts are still learning more about the connection between CBD and sleep, some of its effects, like relaxation and calming, create the perfect environment to fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer.
- Joint support – CBD might provide natural relief for soreness and achy joints. Fitness enthusiasts and blue-collar workers can take CBD for muscle recovery when looking for comfort and to help ease exercise-related stiffness.
- Appetite support – CBD's nourishment of the endocannabinoid system encourages healthier eating habits. Like other cannabinoids, CBD possesses beneficial appetite-enhancing qualities that may improve your overall eating experience.
How Does the Body Process CBD Edibles?
The processing of CBD edibles starts with digestion in the mouth. Most edibles like CBD gummies and chocolates require breaking down by chewing and swallowing. The edibles then work their way through the digestive system, undergoing further breakdown into simpler compounds that are more easily absorbed by your body.
As these edibles reach the small intestines, a crucial phase begins: bloodstream absorption. From the bloodstream, CBD edibles, which are now broken down into simpler compounds, make their way to the liver. Here, the CBD is broken into metabolites which are gradually removed from the body through urine and sweating.
With CBD edibles, the initial effects take longer to kick in many people than with vaping or sublingual methods. Digestion takes time which can cause a delay of up to two hours to feel the effects. This is a consideration when choosing edibles like CBD gummies vs CBD oil that is taken under the tongue.
While CBD edibles may have the longest onset time, their effects also tend to last longer. So once the benefits set in, you can expect to savor them for several hours or more.
Learn more: How long does it take CBD to start working?
What is CBD Half-life?
Once the effects of CBD wear off, CBD may still be present in your system. This depends on its half-life.
The half-life represents the time it takes for a substance to reduce to half its original amount or potency. While the specific half-life of CBD can vary, it typically ranges between one hour and five days. Factors such as potency and frequency of consumption influence this duration.
Although this approach doesn't determine how long CBD edibles stay in the body, you gain an estimate of how long the effects will last.
How Long Do the Edibles Stay In Your Body?
Most publications and anecdotal reports say CBD edibles and their benefits remain in the body for roughly three to five hours. However, while its balancing benefits last a few hours, CBD can be detectable in your body between three and 30 days after use. Also, how long CBD edibles stay in your body varies due to several factors.
Factors affecting how long CBD edibles stay in your body
Several variables come into play when determining the duration of CBD edibles in your body. Let's explore these factors together as they shed light on the intricate journey of CBD.
How much CBD you take
The amount of CBD you consume plays a significant role. Seasoned CBD enthusiasts who regularly indulge in higher CBD concentrations tend to have CBD lingering in their bodies for extended periods. This is because their bodies have built up reserves of CBD over time.
How often you take CBD edibles
Your consumption frequency also impacts how long CBD edibles remain in your system. Occasional users who take CBD edibles infrequently may clear it from their bodies within a few days. However, if you're a regular consumer, expect CBD to stay in your system longer.
Dietary habits
Believe it or not, your diet affects how efficiently your body processes and eliminates CBD. Factors such as when and how much you eat are crucial. When you consume CBD alongside a meal, your body takes more time to process and eliminate it than when fasting.
Your body
Your body's unique characteristics come into play as well. Genetic factors, such as your metabolic rate, influence how long CBD edibles stay in your system. Other biological aspects, such as your body mass index (BMI), contribute. Individuals with a slower metabolism and higher BMI require more time to process CBD than those with a faster metabolism and lower BMI.
Your health
Your overall health, especially pertaining to your liver function, is vital. The liver is responsible for metabolizing CBD and eliminating it from the body. If you have any liver issues, the efficiency of removing CBD metabolites may be slowed compared to someone else.
Age
As we age, our bodies change efficiency and functionality. As a result, metabolic processes may become less efficient, potentially affecting the duration CBD remains in the body. So while adults and seniors can still benefit from CBD, it's important to consider age-related factors that may impact its processing.
The CBD edibles you take
CBD edibles may share the same method of administration, but they certainly are different. Here are some key considerations regarding the edibles you choose:
- Type of CBD edibles – Different types have varying transit times through the digestive system. For example, CBD gummies might pass through more quickly than CBD cookies, impacting the duration of the edibles in your body.
- Potency – Stronger CBD edibles tend to stay in your system longer. Opt for edibles with lower CBD concentrations if you prefer a faster elimination.
- Cannabinoid blends – The cannabinoid makeup of your CBD edible also makes a lot of difference. Some CBD edibles are also infused with cannabinoids, like CBN and CBG. Edibles of overall higher cannabinoid concentration take longer to be eliminated from the body.
With all these factors in mind, you can see why putting a precise timeline on how long CBD edibles stay in your body is complicated. Furthermore, traces of CBD stay longer in some bodily fluids than in others.
How Long Does CBD Stay in Your Saliva?
CBD can be detected in saliva for up to 36 hours, depending on your consumption frequency and dosage. Remember, the more frequently and heavily you consume CBD edibles, the longer it may be detectable in your saliva.
How Long Does CBD Stay in Your Urine?
Urine retains CBD traces for the most prolonged duration of all bodily fluids. After consuming CBD edibles, metabolites can remain detectable in urine from three days to four weeks following your last intake. The exact period relies on the potency of the edibles and how often you consume them.
How Long Does CBD Stay in Your Blood?
Like THC, CBD typically clears out of the blood within a few hours. However, traces of CBD may still be detectable for up to one week. Your consumption frequency and the potency of CBD in the edibles influence the duration.
How Long Does CBD Stay in Your Hair?
When it comes to CBD edibles, hair serves as a historical record. CBD can remain detectable in hair for up to three months, depending on the length of your hair. So if you've indulged in CBD edibles, your hair might reveal your delightful secret for quite some time.
Why It Matters How Long CBD Edibles Stay In Your System
How long CBD edibles stay in your system doesn't matter for most. But there are three important reasons why it may matter to you:
- Drug tests
Drug tests are becoming popular with increased CBD and THC product consumption. If you have one coming up, you might be worried that your recent indulgence in a CBD gummy might affect the result. Or maybe you're wondering whether CBD can cause a positive drug test result in the first place.
Drug tests do not screen for the presence of CBD or its metabolites. However, CBD products containing small amounts of THC can trigger a positive test. That's why it's critical to always buy CBD products from quality and reputable brands that are upfront and transparent about their products and cannabinoid concentrations.
In most cases, occasionally taking CBD products with the maximum allowed THC concentrations might not trigger a positive result. But, if you have been taking full-spectrum CBD edibles regularly, there's a chance you've built up enough metabolites to cause a positive result.
And while rare, CBD products, even without detectable amounts of THC, have caused a false positive result. That's why we always recommend those subject to testing refrain from using all hemp cannabinoid products.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
Another reason you might be interested in knowing how long CBD edibles stay in the body is if you're pregnant or considering breastfeeding.
We don't recommend taking CBD products when pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your medical professional. While no definitive evidence suggests that CBD poses any risks to infants or fetuses, there's no evidence it doesn't either. More research is needed, so it's best to be safe.
CBD may end up in your breast milk as it does in your bloodstream. If you're unsure whether to take CBD when breastfeeding, you can talk to your care provider before deciding.
- New CBD Fans
CBD edibles are popular among newcomers to the CBD world but can be a bit perplexing. Unlike other CBD forms that offer quick effects, edibles take longer to kick in. This longer duration can lead to confusion if you're new and cause you to wonder whether you should take a second serving. Our beginner's guide to CBD gummies offers tips on this topic.
Understanding the length of time CBD edibles stay in your system empowers you to make informed choices based on your unique circumstances. Whether it's for drug tests, breastfeeding considerations, or managing your CBD intake, knowing the duration is key to a safe and enjoyable CBD experience.
CBD and Its Benefits
CBD edibles are a highly enjoyable and effective way to add the balancing benefits of CBD into your day. Head to the Koi blog to learn more about CBD basics and how to maximize the benefits you receive from your CBD routine.
