How Long Does CBD Take to Work?

Recreational marijuana is inhaled by most people through vaping or smoking. It contains a high amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).  THC is also a type of cannabinoid just like CBD. But it does get you high or induce a feeling of euphoria. CBD, on the other hand, doesn’t get you high and contains little to no amount of THC. 
 
Besides, CBD is extracted from industrial hemp plants that contain less than 0.3% THC. However, If you’re someone who wants to try CBD for the first time, you might wonder: “How long does CBD take to work?”. 
 
How long CBD will take to work depends on various factors. However, the onset effects of CBD largely depend on the method of consumption. Here is a simple breakdown.

How Long Does It Take for CBD to Take Effect

On average CBD can take between 15 minutes to 2 hours to start its effects regardless of the method of administration.  
 
This duration may vary based on the following method of intake: 

• Edible CBD 
• Inhalation 
• Sublingual 
• Topical 

Let's go over various methods of ingestion and see how long it takes to feel the effects and how long they last. 

Edible CBD

Many people prefer edible CBD. The most common forms of edible CBD are CBD gummies, CBD capsules, and CBD-infused food and drinks. CBD gummies, candies, or capsules are convenient ways to consume CBD. 
 
This method of taking CBD can take longer to feel its effects compared to other consumption methods. CBD has to go through first-pass metabolism (liver and gut) during this method. After that, it is absorbed into the bloodstream. That’s why it takes much time to work.  
 
Edible CBD has approximately 3% bioavailability. According to research published in PubMed, oral administration of CBD can take between 1.5 to 3 hours to begin its effects. However, it is worth noting that you’ll enjoy the effects and benefits of CBD edibles for longer if taken orally. 
 
Read More: How Much Do Edible Gummies Cost?  

Inhalation

You can also inhale CBD through vaping or smoking. However, it should be kept in mind that vaping CBD may cause more severe lung damage than vaping nicotine. 
 
Faster-acting effects can be obtained with vaping CBD. After inhaling, CBD vapes usually begin to act three minutes later, and the effects are expected to last around two to three hours. 
 
When you use the vaping/smoking method, the inhaled vapor travels down the trachea, and into the bronchi, reaching the lungs. In the lungs, the thin membrane of the alveoli enables the exchange of gases. CBD, present in the vapor, diffuses across these membranes, and enters the bloodstream.

Sublingual Method

If you take CBD using a sublingual administration or under-the-tongue method, it could provide rapid onset effects. You can take CBD oils, tinctures, or CBD syrups through a sublingual method and receive the desired effects quickly. 
 
Simply place a few drops of CBD beneath your tongue and wait 30 to 60 seconds for it to be absorbed into your bloodstream via the capillaries. In this way, CBD or cannabidiol does not need to transit through the digestive tract or be processed in the liver. As a result, you can feel its effects within 15 minutes and expect it to last for up to 8 hours.  
 
It should be noted that this procedure may not be suitable for everyone. Furthermore, ingesting CBD in this method may taste bitter or earthy. To make your CBD journey more enjoyable, sip water after 60 seconds, or take flavored oil or syrups. 
 
Read More: How Long After Taking CBD Oil Can I Drink Water?  

Other Factors That Affect Duration

Apart from consumption methods, there are many factors that can impact the time it takes for CBD to work. Factors such as your age, expectations, dosage, potency, body weight, metabolism, lifestyle, and the quality of the CBD, and so on can influence the duration. 

Age and Metabolism

Both age and metabolism are interconnected. Your metabolism slows down with age. As a result, for older people, it may take longer than adults to metabolize CBD. This can affect the CBD onset effects and duration. 

Dosage and Potency

Dosage and potency can impact the amount of time it takes to feel its effects. Higher doses of CBD will take effect faster than a lower dose. Moreover, how frequently you use CBD dosage will also play a role. Users who take CBD 3 times per day probably experience its effects more rapidly than those who take it once per day.  
 
Besides, the potency or the amount of CBD also has a significant effect on the duration. CBD with a potency of 30 to 60 mg/mL is considered high. CBD with a potency of 15 to 30 mg/mL is considered medium, whereas CBD with a potency of less than 5 mg/mL is considered low. If you take highly potent CBD products, you’ll be more likely to feel its effects more quickly than low-potent CBD. 
 
Besides, the quality of CBD products also matters. Full-spectrum CBD often provides entourage effects and provides more potent and lasting effects than Isolate or Broad-Spectrum CBD. 

Lifestyle and Body Weight

Your body weight and lifestyle can impact the total time CBD takes to work. If you’re too heavy, you’ll need more CBD to feel the effects. For people with lightweight, it’s quite the opposite. Lighter people usually feel the effects of lower dosage more quickly than heavier people. 
 
Additionally, your overall lifestyle including physical and mental health also impacts the duration. If you maintain a very healthy way of living, you’ll enjoy the effects of CBD faster than those who do not. 

How Long Does CBD Take to Have a Reasonable Effects?

CBD is a cumulative drug. It means that when you consume CBD on a daily basis, it gradually accumulates in your body. That is why many CBD experts recommend microdosing CBD (Taking a very small amount of CBD for example 1mg CBD consistently throughout the day) so that it remains stable in your system. Also, it is beneficial to observe how your body responds to CBD and determine the right dosage for you. 
 
You can analyze the effectiveness of CBD on your own after taking it consistently for 2 to 4 weeks. Another important thing to understand here is CBD acts by inhibiting the enzymes that break down cannabinoids in the body, which is a slow process. For CBD to have a reasonable effect and benefit, it needs to remain in the bloodstream for 2 to 6 days. 
 
Read More: How Long Does CBD Candy Stay in Your System?  

How Much CBD Should I Take to Feel the Desired Effects?

So now you have an idea about how long does CBD take to work. At the end of this, logically, you might be expecting a very straightforward answer to how much and how often you need to take CBD to get the desired effects. 
 
Let’s put it plainly, there is no ideal dosage for CBD. CBD (cannabidiol) affects everyone differently. For instance, some people may experience the desired results with 25 mg of CBD, while others may not. 
 
A general rule of thumb to determine CBD dosage is based on your body weight. The starting dosage should be 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight twice a day. 
 
However, to figure out the appropriate dosage, you can go for microdosing. Instead of taking 20 mg of CBD all at once, you can divide it into 10 doses of 2 mg each. This can help you to learn how your body responds to different dosages of CBD.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some relevant questions and answers related to how long it takes for CBD to work. 

How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

Several factors can affect how long CBD stays in your system such as CBD dosage, potency, frequency of use, age and metabolism, body weight, lifestyle, and so on. However, on average, CBD can stay in the system for up to 90 days. 

Should I Take a High Amount of CBD to Feel Its Effects?

Not at all. If you're trying CBD for the first time, don't take a big amount. The ideal method is to start with small quantities of CBD and then increase it as needed. It is important to understand that CBD affects everyone differently. Besides, taking high doses may lead to unpleasant side effects such as tiredness, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, and drowsiness. Also, you shouldn’t take CBD while on certain medications such as blood thinners. 

Can I Get High Due to CBD?

CBD does not have any psychoactive effects. It will not induce “euphoria”, or “munchies” like THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). In short, you’ll not feel any “high” effects due to CBD. 

Can I Take CBD If I’m Pregnant?

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) does not regulate CBD products. As a result, there is a risk of contamination. Furthermore, the FDA advises against using any form of CBD during pregnancy or nursing. 

Key Takeaways

• Onset effects of CBD vary based on the consumption method: Edible, Inhalation, Sublingual, or Topical. 
• Edible CBD (e.g., gummies, capsules) takes 1.5 hours to 3 hours to have its effects. 
• Inhalation (vaping/smoking) offers a faster onset (3 minutes) than any other method. However, it’s not considered a healthy way to consume CBD.  
• Sublingual method (oils, tinctures) yields rapid effects within 15 minutes, lasting up to 8 hours. 
• Topical CBD products like creams, lotions, or balms take 45 to 90 minutes for effects, lasting up to 3 hours. 
• Factors affecting the time it takes for CBD to work include age, metabolism, potency, dosage, body weight, and frequency of use. 
• Daily CBD ingestion leads to cumulative effects, which should be assessed after 2 to 4 weeks. 
• For CBD to be beneficial or have a decent effect, it needs to remain in the bloodstream for 2 to 4 days. 

 Sources:  

• Ujváry, I., & Hanŭs, L. (2016). Human metabolites of Cannabidiol: A review on their formation, biological activity, and relevance in therapy. Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 1(1), 90–101.  
• Vaping CBD causes more severe lung damage than vaping nicotine, Roswell Park study shows. (2023, February 27). Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.