CBD products, especially CBD oil, have received positive sentiments from the health and wellness industry due to their many potential benefits. As such, more and more people are trying CBD oil each passing day, and naturally, these new users will have several questions about it. And whether they are consuming CBD oil to help quell their anxiety or improve sleep quality, the question atop their minds will be how long it will take for the CBD oil to take effect. Sadly, finding the answer to this question can be more complicated than it seems because it doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all solution. The reason behind this is simple. There are too many factors and variables that determine how fast CBD oil can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Moreover, CBD products tend to work differently for different people, making it more challenging to have a definitive answer to this question.
How long will it take for the effects of CBD oil to set in?
When CBD oil is taken to alleviate mild symptoms such as anxiety and pain, it will take between 20 minutes and 3 hours to feel its effects. This duration, however, can be shorter or longer depending on factors such as the severity of the symptoms, method of application and the dose of CBD oil taken. However, for more severe issues, it might take between four to six weeks for the full effects of the CBD oil to be fully realized. It is, therefore, advisable to exercise patience and consistency when consuming CBD oil to alleviate severe symptoms.
How does CBD interact with the body?
Upon ingestion, CBD interacts with the brain and body through various mechanisms. The endocannabinoid system is a vital part of this interaction where the CBD mildly binds with CB1 and CB2 receptors. CBD also interacts with other protein receptors such as serotonin and vanilloid receptors. It is believed that its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties emanate from these additional receptor pathways.
What factors determine the time CBD oil takes to work?
As earlier mentioned, the interaction between CBD and the human body is complex and complicated. Various factors affect how CBD oil works and how long it takes for its effects to kick in. Some of these factors include:
Quality of the CBD
The quality of the CBD oil affects its absorbability and the time it takes for effects to kick in. The cannabis and hemp plants efficiently take up minerals from the soil. Therefore, dishonest sellers who have their plants grow in soils with contaminants, heavy metals, or solvents may produce substandard CBD oil that is risky and hard for the body to absorb. Microencapsulation is a process that high-quality CBD producers are investing in. This is because the process breaks the compounds in CBD oil into tiny particles, making it easy for it to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
Dosage and Potency
The amount of CBD intake can make the difference in closing the waiting gap. A high dosage of high-quality CBD oil and more concentrated CBD oil will mean more CBD compounds in your bloodstream. Depending on your needs, whether to boost your sleeping cycle or the desire to have instant effects, you can bridge the gap by increasing your dosage, of course, with guidance from your CBD seller.
Individual traits of the user
Individuality is a critical factor as the human body has different physiology. Even in the case of the exact dosage and quality of the CBD oil, it might still take different people different periods to feel its effects. People who weigh more tend to have more fat cells. Like most cannabinoids, CBD oil is also fat-soluble. Therefore, those with large body mass will require more CDB oil dosage to feel some effects. They will also tend to take a longer time to feel the impact of the CBD oil. However, this isn’t a bad thing, as the CBD effects will last longer in their system once they kick in. Metabolism, which is how the body breaks down compounds, also plays a critical role in determining the duration between consuming CBD oil and when its effects are felt. Age, genetic makeup, and the digestive system contribute to how fast your metabolism is. Young people and those who work out tend to have a high metabolism and therefore pose more remarkable ability in breaking down and absorbing the CBD oil quickly into their bloodstreams. As a result, they tend to experience a shorter response time for the CBD oil effects. On the other hand, a slow metabolism means it will take longer for the effects of CBD oil to kick in.
Does the method of taking CBD oil impact how long it takes to work?
Yes. The method you use to take your daily CBD oil dosage is arguably the main factor determining its absorption rate into the bloodstream, and the time it takes to take effect. CBD works after it gets into the bloodstream and combines with cannabinoid receptors. Through the phenomenon of bioavailability, the method of intake should ensure fast and maximum absorption of the compound.
Intravenous
It involves injecting CBD oil directly into your bloodstream. The intravenous method almost works instantly after injection as it has a bioavailability of around 100%. However, it is impractical as no one wants to stab themselves daily with a needle, and it’s sadly reserved for those in need of fast intake and effects depending on their condition.
Inhalation
Vaping is also a reliable method, where the CBD compound in CBD oil is rapidly absorbed in the lungs for about 5-15 minutes, and the effects can last for a few hours. Unlike smoking the leaves and flowers of cannabis, vaping has a lower carbon footprint and irritates the lungs less. Inhalation has a bioavailability of up to 31%. It is among the fastest methods of absorbing CBD into the bloodstream.
Sublingually
Sublingual intake is an excellent substitute if you don’t want to vape your CBD oil. It involves placing a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue, where it is directly absorbed into the bloodstream. This method has a bioavailability of 12- 35%, and most users experience effects in 15-25 minutes. The CBD levels in the blood peak after 2-4 hours and can last up to 6 hours.
Orally
Ingesting CBD oil in capsules, tablets, CBD gummies, and teas is relatively slow-release. Effects can take anywhere between 30-180 minutes as the CBD needs to pass through the liver first to be absorbed into the bloodstream. The comparative advantage of orally ingested CBD is that its effects are long-lasting, up to about 8 hours.
Topical
The topical method is usually a targeted approach to pain in certain areas. It involves rubbing lotions on the skin surface and, in some cases, CBD-infused topicals to improve the low cannabinoid intake rate of the skin. CBD effects will generally peak after 90 minutes.
Monika Wassermann is a doctor and a freelance writer based in the UK who lives with her cat Buddy. She writes across several verticals, including life, health, sex and love, relationships and fitness. Her three great loves are Victorian novels, Lebanese cuisine, and vintage markets. When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to meditate more, weightlifting, or wandering around in town.
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