Ready, Steady, CBD! When CBD Starts Working?

CBD-based products have become on of the hottest wellness trends over the past several years —  and for good reason. Thanks to the numerous benefits they can provide you with — from chronic pain management and stress relief to their anti-inflammatory and sleep-inducing properties — CBD has become one of the most sought-out natural remedies on the market.

 

However, there are several valuable nuances regarding how different CBD products work and the amount of time it takes for them to take effect that you should be aware of to maximize your results.

 

Below, you will find comprehensive information on how long does it take for CBD oil to work and learn more about the factors that affect CBD absorption. This way, you will be able to determine the suitable consumption method as well as which CBD-infused products can benefit you the most. Let's take a closer look!

 

How Does CBD Interact with the Human Body?

Cannabinoids are fat-loving molecules. This means that they are not inherently water-soluble and cannot dissolve in your blood or cellular fluids. Instead, they stick to lipids (fats) and accumulate within the tissue. Because of this property, cannabinoids tend to accumulate in places where they can be stored for long periods of time, like your fat cells. That is why eating a fatty snack with an edible CBD product can aid with absorption.

 

However, some premium CBD ingestible products are nano-emulsified, a fancy term for making the molecules really, really tiny, so they are water-soluble and more active ingredients can be absorbed by the body.

 

When you ingest CBD oil into your stomach, like in a capsule, gummy, or other edible forms, it goes into your stomach and starts to break down in your digestive system. This process is known as the "first pass effect" because the CBD oil must go through your liver before entering your bloodstream. Due to the speed of this breakdown process, a lot of the CBD will be broken down and metabolized before it even enters your bloodstream.

 

It is worth noting that the rate at which your body metabolizes CBD is one of the reasons the amount required for therapeutic effects varies so much by the individual. If your body metabolizes CBD too quickly, you may not get the expected benefits from the dose. Conversely, if your body metabolizes it too slowly, CBD might stay active for longer, leading to unwanted side effects.

 

Once it enters your bloodstream, CBD oil travels through your circulatory system where you have endocannabinoid receptors all throughout your body. It can also move across the blood-brain barrier, which is important for its neurological effects like reducing anxiety and depression.

 

What Factors Affect CBD Absorption?

Many factors determine how long it takes for CBD oil to work in your body and how much CBD is absorbed. Some of these are more obvious, while others are less so. Let's discuss them one by one:

 

Who Are You?

The way CBD interacts with your body is determined by various factors, including genetics, body mass, and metabolism. The endocannabinoid system of each person differs, which can impact how CBD works in their body. It is best to start with a lower dose and experiment to find the right amount. A good starting point is 1 mg of CBD for 10 pounds of body weight. So if you weigh 150 pounds, try 15 mg to start. Again, this will depend on your system and the product you select.

 

What Type of CBD Product Are You Using?

The single most important factor in the efficacy of CBD is ensuring that it is a legitimate, high quality CBD product, that provides independent laboratory tests to prove it. There are many companies trying to make a quick buck that are selling hemp oils and marketing it as if it were CBD oil! Furthermore, many products are low quality and do not contain the amount of CBD that they say they do, or worse, contain other harmful contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides.

 

The delivery methods also affect absorption in different ways. Here are the most commonly used CBD-based products, along with information on how quickly they might work:

 

CBD Oils and Tinctures

CBD oils and tinctures are typically thin liquids that are taken sublingually by placing the liquid under the tongue and holding it there for 30 seconds to a minute. This allows the product to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. This means the effects of the CBD will be felt more quickly than if it were taken in an edible or pill form such as a gummy, capsule, or soft gel because it is not processed through the liver, but they will generally not last as long. Pure Mystics CBD Soft Gels are nano-emulsified, meaning they are water soluble so more CBD will be absorbed by the body.

 

Thus, high-quality CBD tinctures are recommended if you're using them to reduce anxiety as they work more quickly than an edible or soft gel (anywhere from 10-20 minutes) and allow for the user to have a mindful moment while holding the CBD oil under their tongue. Sellers often recommend adding a stress or anxiety-reducing mantra while holding it as an added form of relief.

 

Keep in mind that high-quality CBD-based products come in dark glass bottles - this is essential to properly store CBD, protect it from sunlight, and preserve its beneficial properties.

 

You can also find CBD tinctures that you can add to foods or even drinks, but their effects will be relatively moderate and sellers generally advise against this practice.

 

CBD Edibles

Edibles are foods or drinks infused with CBD. They generally take longer to take effect than CBD tinctures and oils but will stay in your system longer as well. The reason for this is that CBD in edibles takes longer to dissolve because it has to pass through the digestive tract before it finally enters your bloodstream. Therefore, it may take between 30-60 minutes to work. When consuming a CBD edible, it may be a good idea to take it with a fatty snack to help with absorption.

 

Some individuals experience effects within 30 minutes, while others need up to an hour or more. This doesn't mean that edibles are not effective; you just need to be aware that they take longer to absorb than other products.

 

Vaporizers

Vaporized CBD oil is fast-acting and may work within 5-15 minutes but comes with the added risks of inhaling the vapor directly into your lungs and may not be worth the unknown risks of inhalants.

 

CBD Capsules

Capsules with CBD are usually taken orally (swallowed), and thus, will take longer to work than most other product types. Effects are usually felt between 30-120 minutes after ingestion, as they need to pass through your digestive system before entering the bloodstream to be distributed around your body. Still, the CBD stays in your system longer.

 

Remember that providing an accurate estimate of when you will feel the effects of CBD is a challenging task, requiring you to consider multiple factors.

 

Besides, if you select a nano-emulsified, water-soluble soft gel or capsule, you will generally need to take a slightly lower dose as more CBD is available to be absorbed by the body. Pure Mystics CBD Soft Gels are water soluble resulting in high bioavailability. 

 

CBD Topicals

Topicals are a different matter altogether — these are creams, balms, and body lotions infused with CBD oil and applied externally. They contain high concentrations of CBD that are absorbed into the skin through the pores, which means there is no need to pass through the digestive system. As a result, topicals may feel fast-acting and work within less than 15 minutes.

 

They have therapeutic benefits for muscle and joint pain, and some people even use them as a relaxing part of a bedtime routine.

 

If used for arthritis, sellers often recommend a two-pronged approach of using potent topical and an ingestible that can get into the bloodstream and reduce inflammation from the inside as well.

 

What Type of CBD Itself Do You Use?

CBD oil comes in many different varieties and with varying concentrations of minor cannabinoids as well. The following are the types of CBD you should be aware of when choosing a CBD product for yourself:

 

Broad-Spectrum CBD Oil

Broad-spectrum CBD oils are products that contain many types of minor cannabinoids, along with terpenes and the plant's essential oils. They contain the full-plant extract but all traces of THC are usually removed.

 

Broad-spectrum CBD oils are perfect for those who want the benefits of the full plant extract without any THC. Provided you bought a high-quality product, you can use it for a wide range of ailments without the worry of consuming even small amounts of THC.

 

CBD Isolate

CBD isolate is different from broad-spectrum CBD oil because it contains CBD only, and none of the other terpenes or minor cannabinoids. While it does have therapeutic effects, many believe it is more beneficial to use the full-plant extract to obtain the "entourage effect".

 

It generally comes in white powder and can be added to bath bombs or drinks. Many homemade CBD products contain just the isolate.

 

Full-Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum products contain a variety of other cannabinoids in addition to CBD, including up to 0.3% THC, which is the allowable amount for it to be considered federally legal as regulated by FDA. For instance, besides cannabidiol and THC, it also contains essential oils and terpenes. Some studies suggest that CBD’s effects might be more prominent when it is taken with other compounds from the cannabis plant.

 

Hemp-Derived CBD Products

Many CBD oils are derived from the industrial hemp plant. Industrial hemp is a type of cannabis plant which usually contains meager amounts of THC and is grown for industrial uses such as making textiles. Hemp-derived CBD products won't get you high since hemp oil is non-psychoactive, but it does offer the benefits of CBD oil.

 

Marijuana-Derived CBD Products

Some CBD oils are derived from marijuana plants. While these products may be legal in some states, they are not federally legal, and it's important to be aware of this before making your purchase. The effects of marijuana-derived CBD are likely to be stronger and more immediate than those of CBD oil derived from hemp. This is because marijuana is naturally richer in THC - the cannabinoid largely responsible for psychoactive effects.

 

How Much CBD Do You Take?

CBD dosage you take each day can affect how long it takes for the substance to react in your body. This isn't surprising; taking CBD in excessive amounts or, vice versa, consuming too little of it can have a wide range of effects on your health and well-being.

 

That being said, there is no standard dose for CBD medication. Instead, it depends on several factors, including your age, body weight, and medical condition.

 

In general, it is recommended to start taking around 10 mg or slightly less of CBD per day and increase the dosage gradually. Keep in mind that each type of CBD product will likely have a different concentration, so you'll need to take more or less depending on what product you use. It's also important to note that CBD doses vary widely between manufacturers and products, with the extraction process among the most significant factors affecting CBD content.

 

How Long Have You Been Consuming CBD Oil?

When you consume CBD oil, it interacts with the endocannabinoid system, causing it to change and adapt. This process takes time; as a result, it can take longer for the effects to be felt.

 

If you are new to CBD, it can take up to several weeks to feel the effects. This is because the endocannabinoid system has to adjust to an influx of cannabinoids. However, if you use CBD oil every day, the endocannabinoid system will gradually get used to having cannabinoids in your body. Over time, this will allow for faster reaction times.

 

Consequently, taking CBD oil regularly can also increase its absorption rate. This is because you give your endocannabinoid system more time to adjust to the presence of CBD within your body. If you take CBD oil only once every so often, the reaction may be much slower than if you were to take it on a daily basis.

 

What Other Drugs Are You Taking?

Many drugs interact with CBD in unique ways that aren't immediately obvious. For example, if you're taking an opioid medication such as fentanyl or oxycodone, CBD can counteract its effects and make you feel drowsy and tired instead of pain-free and energetic.

 

Other drugs like Tylenol also interact with CBD because they both stimulate the brain's endocannabinoid system, and one will likely cancel out the other's effect, leaving you without any relief from pain or pain management whatsoever.

 

For these reasons, it is essential to consult taking CBD, even if just in the form of a dietary supplement, with the doctor to ensure that the substance won't interfere with other prescription medications you might be taking.

 

How Long Does It Take for CBD Oil to Work?

There is no definitive answer, as the time it takes CBD to work depends on several factors, including the product's quality and how your body processes the substance. Even with the same product, two people can feel differently about its effects, as each person has a unique endocannabinoid system and body composition.

 

Apart from paying attention to CBD content and your method of consumption, taking CBD oil regularly can also help increase its absorption rate. This is because you give your endocannabinoid system more time to adjust to the presence of CBD within your body. If you take CBD oil only once every so often, the reaction may be much slower than if you take it on a daily basis.

 

However, do not neglect to consult your doctor first to determine the right CBD dosage based on your medical condition and ensure it is compatible with other prescription medications if you take any.