Understanding How Long it Takes for CBD to Start Working

CBD products have popped up in stores everywhere you go - with good reason. CBD is known for its beneficial effects on both physical and mental wellness, and many are curious to try it out and experience those positive outcomes for themselves.  Even though a good number of people are intrigued by CBD, a large percentage of those people aren’t clear on a few key concepts: they wonder... How long does it take for CBD to work, and how long does it last? This article will help to shed some light on the question.

How long does it take for CBD to work?

As with many things surrounding the body, there’s no one answer that fits every user. There are a lot of variables to take into account; no two people experience CBD in quite the same way. However, by understanding factors that play into how CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, we can start to develop an idea of what to expect. The wait time for the effects of CBD depends on variables such as: Personal attributes

• Weight - people who weigh more tend to have more fat cells, which means they can absorb and store more CBD. 
• Metabolism rate - a fast metabolism will break down CBD components faster, and slower metabolisms will break it down slower.

Tolerance

• How often you’re using CBD - you might feel it more quickly if it’s your first time.

Method of absorption

• The type of product you’re using, and how it enters your system.

Inhalation is the fastest method, and includes CBD inhalers, vape products, and smokable hemp flower. You may feel it within minutes, or even faster. The reason as to why it happens so fast is because the lungs absorb CBD oil very quickly. The sublingual method of holding a tincture under the tongue for about 20 seconds is also a good way to absorb CBD quickly, but usually not quite as fast as inhalation. Ingestion of products like CBD oil tinctures, gummies and softgels are slower - these methods may take up to 90 minutes, and are better for maintaining a baseline amount of CBD in the body from day to day. Topicals such as balms and gels may start working on contact, or might take up to 30-90 minutes before the skin and muscles start to respond.  Keep in mind that using CBD on a regular basis can help balance your ongoing wellness - if you use it routinely, maintaining a consistent state of calm and balance is the goal, not feeling drastically different with each singular use.  Understanding your body and knowing how to use CBD is important - because using it to its full potential is when you’ll experience the most reliable and most enjoyable effects. 

How long does CBD stay in your system?

This is yet another question that doesn’t come with a simple answer. It depends on many of the same factors as the previous question - with weight placed on method of consumption, body type, and potency of the CBD product you’re using.  The rule of thumb is that it takes about one week for CBD to completely metabolize in the body, but that doesn’t necessarily hold true for everyone. For someone with a higher fat content, it would take a longer amount of time. But generally, a week - give or take a day or two - is a good estimation of how long CBD remains in the body.

Methods of CBD absorption and how long they take

There are a myriad of ways to use CBD. Below is a quick and easy list of ways to consume CBD, and the rough rate in which the effects will be absorbed by the body. CBD tinctures

• 30 minutes - 5 hours 

CBD gummies

• 90 minutes or more

CBD edibles

• 2 - 4 hours

CBD vaping

• 5 seconds - 10 minutes

CBD topicals

• 1 - 2 hours

CBD beverages

• 1 - 3 hours

Again, this is only meant to provide a rough idea. You may experience different times - trial and error and trying out different forms of CBD is the best tactic to figure out how it will affect you. 

We’re all unique.

Again, the big takeaway here is that CBD affects everyone and their bodies differently. No two people have the same way of processing food and drinks, and the same can be said for CBD.  Though they might experience them at different times, most people who use CBD will be able to enjoy its relaxing and positive effects on the mind and on the body. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Koi Customer service.