CBD is a chemical compound derived from the hemp or the marijuana plant. It affects everyone differently so it may take a larger amount of CBD for it to have an impact on you. Another factor in how much CBD is needed for it to have an effect is the method of consumption. The fastest method for getting CBD into your system is by injecting it intravenously. However, since it’s hard and impractical to use a needle, the next quickest way is to inhale it using a vaporizer. But how long does it take for CBD to work?
We have created this article to give you an overview of the different ways to consume CBD and how these ways will affect your experience. It should be noted that CBD is arguably the most popular health supplement in the world at the moment.
So, you’ve probably heard of CBD oil. You’ve also likely heard that taking CBD oil can have positive health effects, but what exactly does CBD do, and how long does it take for it to work? It is important to understand that because of individual differences the health benefits of CBD oil can vary significantly from person to person.
There are a number of factors that can affect the amount of time that it takes for CBD oil to work.
Every day more and more people are starting to see past the negative hype surrounding cannabis products and are opening their minds and bodies to the vast health benefits of CBD oil.
CBD oil in a jar
What are the effects of different methods of CBD consumption?
Inhalation
This is the fastest method. You will feel the effects and benefits of CBD within a few moments. Smoking or vaporizing CBD means that the active agent in CBD goes straight into your bloodstream through the lungs. The inhalation method is a bit controversial due to the health risks of smoking.
Topical/Skin
Applying CBD directly onto the skin or a particular skin area can produce immediate effects in some situations. If you’re using CBD to help combat the negative effects of stress for example, then a topical application could take longer to have an effect and might not lead to the desired result in the end. The topical use of a balm or cream can take over an hour to have an effect. However, its effects can last longer than 5 hours.
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Sublingual Application
This method involves applying a tincture or spray directly under the tongue. Most people feel the effects of the sublingual method right away, but it could take anywhere from 15 to 60 minutes. This is one of the most popular methods for consuming CBD because it produces fast results. The reason why the sublingual method works so fast is that there is a vast network of capillaries (tiny blood vessels) under your tongue that helps absorb the CBD compounds quickly.
Orally
If you swallow a capsule or consume CBD in an edible form like a gummy, chocolate, or isolate, it can take up to 90 minutes for the CBD oil to produce its effects. This method takes longer than any other method because the CBD has to go through your digestive system before it can be absorbed into your bloodstream. Though this method takes the longest to have an effect, it also lasts the longest. You can help speed up the effect by taking CBD before a meal.
Expect to feel the effects within 30 minutes. However, if you’re taking CBD with food, especially a large meal, it could take one, or maybe even two hours before you feel anything. Taking CBD orally can extend the effects to a total of six hours, while a sublingual administration only lasts for about four hours.
CBD capsules are almost always taken on an empty stomach, considering that depending on when and what you previously ate, the time and intensity of what is absorbed can vary significantly. It can take up to two hours for the CBD to have an effect in this way and it can last for four or five hours.
Vaping
The fastest way to absorb CBD is through a method knows as vaping. When vaping, CBD is absorbed directly into your bloodstream (through the lungs), which means that the effect will be almost instant and that it will also last for a few hours. Since the CBD is absorbed through the lungs and not through the digestive system, you can get an experience that is almost four times as intense as consuming CBD orally.
In addition to these methods of consuming CBD oil, another main factor in how long it takes to work is the make-up of your body. Your body type, height and weight as well as the ingested dosage can make a difference in how quickly it has an effect.
Taking CBD oil as a health supplement can really have a positive effect on your overall health and well-being. The main factor to consider when trying to find out how long it takes for the CBD to take an effect is the method of consumption. Each individual should find a good balance between their preferred method of consumption and when they want the effects to start working.
