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How long does it take CBD to work?


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Introduction

“How long does it take CBD to work?” is the most common question we get asked. The trouble is, it's also one of the most problematic to give a straight answer to.

The short answer is that it depends on the individual – everybody is different.

People are used to taking paracetamol, and then 20 minutes later, their symptoms are gone. However, it's not like that with CBD. Because CBD works in so many different ways, its effects can be felt very differently. All depending on why a person is taking it.

So, let's dig a little bit deeper into how long it takes for CBD to work.


How long does it take to feel the effects of CBD oil?

For some people, the results are immediate. We can mention from experience that a lot of people will notice better sleep the first night they take CBD. Others, it might take two weeks to a month to even notice anything. So, it's essential to be patient when starting to take CBD. But unfortunately, many people give up too soon or don't do enough experimenting to figure out what dose is appropriate.

Sublingual CBD Oil for Maximum Effects

Typically, when taken under the tongue (sublingually), CBD enters the system in about 10 minutes. Taking CBD oil sublingually is one of the fastest and most bioavailable ways to take CBD. This means that you will get the maximum amount of CBD into your bloodstream and system; in the quickest way possible. The immediate effects of CBD taken sublingually usually last a few hours. Sometimes it can take up to 30 days to fully feel the effects and get significant relief.

Edibles May Be Holding You Back.

It may take up to two hours if taken via an edible or capsule. Bioavailability isn't as good as taking CBD sublingually. Either, as your body needs to break down the edible, and process it, before it enters your bloodstream. But some people prefer capsules or edibles, simply because they don't like the taste of CBD oil. However, if you are taking edibles forms of CBD and don't feel like you're experiencing any benefits; now might be the time to swap to sublingual CBD oil or an alternative like vaping.

Vaping CBD Can Be a Great Alternative

Vaping or smoking CBD is usually felt within minutes. It gives more of an uplifted feeling, but doesn't last as long. However,  liquids offer great bioavailability as they work similarly to sublingual CBD oil. It adds the maximum amount of CBD into your bloodstream. All without the need to break down and process CBD in your digestive system. The effects of smoking or vaping CBD are usually felt for an hour or two.


How to Find the Right Dose of CBD

“I've been taking CBD oil for a while now and not feeling anything….”

If you've been taking CBD for an extended period of time, and you aren't getting the results you're looking for. The chances are you are not taking a high enough dose.

The general recommendation for dosing is to start low (10 mg per day) and go slow. Gradually increasing the dose every few days.

For somebody that isn't struggling with major , or mental health issues, a 25 mg daily serving at night should be enough for most people to sleep better. Occasionally more might be needed.

For more “extreme” issues such as depression, anxiety, and chronic pain, you might need as high as a 100mg daily dose.

Consider Increasing Your CBD Strength

You will probably have also started with a lower strength CBD product like a 2.5% or 5% oil as well. If you have finished a full course of low-strength CBD oil at a high dose but still didn't feel any effect, then now may be a good time to increase your strength. You might just find that you start to feel the benefits of CBD by taking a much smaller dose of a higher strength CBD.

Be Patient – It's Worth the Wait.

It's important to experiment to find out the proper dosage needed, so it's also important to be patient and give it time. Your activity levels, lifestyle, weight, diet, hormone levels, and so much more can all affect the effects of CBD on your system. As a result, sometimes, it can take you as long as 30 days for CBD to build up in the system and deliver the life-changing results you are looking for.


Why Can it Take So Long for CBD to Work?

CBD's main benefits come from the effects that it has on your body's endocannabinoid system. In straightforward terms, your endocannabinoid system (ECS) controls a huge number of bodily functions and hormone levels, each of which in turn further affects your body's overall wellbeing.

This state of overall wellbeing is known as homeostasis.

So, why is this important?

Well, CBD works in a way that helps your ECS bring about homeostasis. This can take some time if your body's chemical and hormone levels have been out of balance for some time.

For example, CBD is probably best known for its ability to help with pain and inflammation. It does this (in part) through long-term regulation of your body's hormone levels, as opposed to most pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories, which deal with inflammation in the short term. This is why CBD can be so effective at helping people who have been suffering from long-term acute pain and inflammation that another anti-inflammatory medication has failed to resolve.


CBD dosage explained!

How long does it take CBD to get out of your system?

Now we have answered the question of how long does it take CBD to work, you may also be wondering how long does it take CBD to get out of your system?

Again, it depends on many of the aforementioned factors that determine the effectiveness of the cannabinoid itself.

A 2007 study states that CBD can be detected for up to 72 hours after smoking. Since the effects of CBD may be felt directly after inhalation, this method might be appealing for those seeking immediate pain relief.

In another study, volunteers were given soft-gelatine capsules of cannabis extract containing 2.5 milligrams of THC and 1.35 milligrams of CBD. The research team found that CBD was only detectable in the blood for up to six hours after ingestion.

CBD and a drug test!

There are different cannabinoids present in CBD oil and a full spectrum CBD product will contain trace amounts of to enable the Entourage effect

Some people may be apprehensive to try CBD over concerns that it could cause them to fail a drug test. It's highly unlikely that CBD would show up on most drug screenings, as most tests specifically look for the presence of THC and THC metabolites. But full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD contains trace amounts of THC, so there's technically a chance, albeit extremely slim, of receiving a false positive test.

For those worried about THC showing up in their system, look for broad-spectrum oil or products that contain pure .

Broad-spectrum oil, as opposed to full-spectrum oil, is refined to exclude the trace amounts of THC that may have been present in the plant. Products with CBD isolate contain no THC or other plant-based cannabinoids. To find high-quality CBD, search for products that come with a certificate of analysis from a third-party testing lab to ensure that the information listed on the product label is accurate. Also, be on the lookout for products that claim to be or hemp oil, which seldom contain any CBD at all.


Tips for making sure you get the most out of your CBD experience

The Real CBD - How to use CBD oil
  • Purchase the correct strength – It will take some experimenting to figure out what dosage and strength you need, but we recommend starting out with a lower strength like a 5% CBD oil
  • Being consistent with dosing – It's important to take your dose daily for maximum results. Missing a dose will lessen the amount of CBD in your system, thus decreasing its efficacy.
  • Listen to your body – If you feel “off” consider cutting back your dosage, or if you are not getting the desired results, increase your dose, but pay close attention to your body, and even consider keeping a journal to track your results.
  • Spread out your dosing schedule – Sometimes it might work best to take a dose 3 times throughout the day, instead of one large dose in the morning or evening. This is another reason why experimentation is important – and listening to your body.

CBD side effects

Does CBD produce any side effects?

  • Try different delivery methods – Some people swear by tinctures, others benefit more from capsules. Often people use a combination of delivery methods. It's important to experiment and figure out what works best for you.

It's very important to remember, that a dose that works for one person might not work for the next.

The period of time it took for the CBD to take effect will very probably vary as well. Just as people react differently to medications, we all react differently to CBD as well.

So, be patient and experiment while listening to your body, and you are likely to get the benefits you are looking for.

If you are new to CBD oil, download our free E-book which will teach you everything you need to know before venturing into the world of CBD.


CBD for Pets – does it work the same?

People love their pets, to the point that many consider them part human. But have we gotten to the point where we can share both a walk and our bottle of CBD with our beloved furry friend?

The simple answer is that, outside of dosage, CBD oil is typically no different for either species.

We are both mammals and have very similar endocannabinoid systems so CBD will work its wonders exactly the same on humans and on pets. However the dosage is different, and the effects are usually seen much quicker in pets than in humans.

If you want to know more about CBD for pets you can head over to our Pets page or you can read some of our other blogs written about CBD for Pets:


Summary

In general, people could begin feeling the effects of CBD in as little as 20 minutes, but getting real relief could take as many as 30 days. Everybody responds differently to CBD, too. So where one person might do well on a 20 mg dose, another person might need 100 mg. It's important to experiment with your dosage and work up slowly until the desired results are achieved.

The Real CBD recommend

Here are a few products we recommend beginning your CBD journey with! If you have any questions or are in doubt – feel free to contact us at any time at [email protected]


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