For people who are thinking about trying CBD for their general good health, or for a more particular reason, one of the most common questions that is asked is how long CBD takes to work. The answer to this question depends on a number of different factors, including the way that it’s taken, how well you are and what you are hoping to achieve with your CBD oil.
When CBD – or cannabidiol – is taken, it is usually absorbed into the bloodstream, and gets to work on the endocannabinoid system right away. There are many reasons why people turn to CBD products, from helping them to enhance their well-being, to helping them to sleep, take the edge off low mood and anxiety, aid in pain relief and reduce inflammation.
CBD is safe, natural, non-addictive and won’t make you high, meaning that it is a great option to get your body in great working order.
CBD Delivery Methods
One thing that is good about CBD is that it can be taken in a whole range of different ways. Some people like to inhale it through an e-pen, whilst others enjoy a CBD gummy. You can also take it in drops under the tongue or even by rubbing it into your skin through CBD infused cream or ointments.
Although everybody has their favourite way of taking CBD, you can chop and change as often as you like, depending on where you are, what you are doing and why you are taking it. One of the differences between each method, however, is the speed that it is absorbed into the body. This then will affect how quickly it takes for the CBD to start working.
Vaping CBD
One of the most popular methods is vaping your CBD through an e-pen. There are many reasons why this is so popular, including the fact that it can be discreet – nobody knows what it is that you are vaping – safe to do, and that some people find it very enjoyable. One of the main reasons why people like to vape their CBD, however, is because it can get to work very quickly.
When you vape, you inhale vapour which is created by heating up a liquid which includes the CBD. This goes into the lungs and then passes directly into the bloodstream through the lungs. It doesn’t have to pass through any system and there are no enzymes interfering with the CBD, meaning that it is effective, and you will start to get the effects almost immediately.
It is also worth remembering, however, that the effects will also wear off more quickly.
CBD oil drops or spray under the tongue
Another very popular method is to take your CBD in the form of oil in drops or a spray, under the tongue. The extract from the hemp plant is mixed with an oil to help it to be absorbed more effectively into the body, and by holding it under the tongue for 1 – 2 minutes, you will find that it gets absorbed much more quickly than if you swallow it.
When the CBD oil is held under the tongue it gets absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth. This is a common way to help some substances enter quickly into the bloodstream, without having to pass into the digestive system.
It will normally take between about 5 and 20 minutes for the CBD to start taking effect if you take it sublingually.
CBD Edibles
Whether you take CBD through a capsule, chewy sweet, chocolate, baked foods or even your own homemade goodies, edibles are another favourite amongst CBD fans. They offer a fun and interesting way to take CBD as well as being discreet for those who are worried about being seen.
CBD edibles are also a great way to know exactly the size of the dose that you are taking. However, they do take longer to start working. When you eat an edible, it goes into your digestive system and is broken down by the enzymes in the stomach. It is during this process that the CBD molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream and start to work.
Due to the processing that is needed for the CBD to get into the bloodstream, it is likely that you will need a slightly higher dose than you would if you use the other methods. It also takes longer to take effect.
It can take anywhere between about half an hour and two hours for a CBD edible to take effect, but it is worth remembering that the effects will usually last a lot longer than if you have taken CBD either by vaping or sublingually.
CBD Topicals
Some people like to apply their CBD through creams, balms or lotions that are rubbed onto the skin. This can be particularly effective for people who are suffering from skin problems such as dry skin, acne or psoriasis, or have joint pain or aching muscles. The CBD topicals can help in localised areas and be very effective.
When you rub in a CBD topical, it doesn’t get absorbed into the bloodstream, just into the area where you have applied it. For this reason, you can use as much of it as you like, when you wish.
Topical applications, however, usually take the longest to work – often taking over an hour before you start to feel the effects. It should last for at least five hours, so it is well worth the wait.
CBD over Time
Regardless of the method that you use to take CBD, it can also have longer term effects on you. In fact, when you are trying to find the best dose for you, it is advised not to up your dose any sooner than three days at a time.
This is because the cannabinoids can build up in your system, and so it can take a few days to really get the most effect from your CBD.
If you are taking CBD to help with anxiety or pain, it can be difficult to know exactly when your CBD has actually started working. It is the kind of thing that you wake up one day realising that you aren’t in as much pain as you were, or that you are feeling a bit calmer than before.
Everybody reacts differently to CBD. Some people need more, some people need less. Some prefer one method, some another. And some people feel its effects sooner than others. It is also important to get your dosage of CBD right in order to get the most effect from your CBD products, as its effect can be very different (in fact, often opposite) depending on how much you are taking.
Depending on what effect you are looking for from your CBD, you can change the way that you take it and get the most out of it. If, for example, you are after short term pain relief, vaping or sublingual drops might be the best for you, or if you are after a longer lasting effect, edibles or capsules could be more useful. You can also fill up your vape pen with CBD vape juice and vape it at regular intervals through the day.
There are many reasons why people try CBD, and the amount of time that it takes to work for you depends on the delivery method and reason for taking it. The good thing about CBD is that you can decide what is best for you at the time and ensure that you get the most effective outcome from your CBD.