According to many people’s anecdotal evidence CBD oil may have a plethora of health benefits. These range from assisting with someone’s arthritis condition to improving one’s sleep pattern.
Like many naturally derived substances the length of time, it takes to have an effect and the length of time the effect lasts can vary from person to person.
The effect and length of time can also vary depending on when you take it, how you take it, and in what form you take it.
If that all sounds a little confusing – you’re in luck! This CBD School article is going to cover everything you need to know about how long it takes CBD oil to work.
Best Methods for Taking CBD Oil
There are a ton of great methods for taking CBD oil these days, and it seems that brands are creating new products quicker than they used to.
Which method is best for you may vary depending on your needs and personal preference.
For example, in rare cases, some people find that CBD oil tinctures can make them feel a little nauseous when taken sublingually.
Therefore, taking CBD in a CBD suppository or in CBD capsules may be the way to go. CBD is also infused with coffee, chocolate, and other tasty treats.
While the sublingual method for consuming CBD isn’t the most exciting way to get your daily dose of CBD it’s one of the most efficient ways of benefiting from CBD.
Interestingly, taking CBD oil via a dropper under your tongue is one of the fastest ways for CBD to take effect!
How Long Does it Take CBD Oil to Work?
CBD can take varying lengths of time to work depending on the individual and the method of consumption. As mentioned above, taking CBD oil sublingually under your tongue is one of the faster methods of gaining health benefits.
While controversial, smoking CBD via a CBD vape juice, CBD flower or CBD cigarette will provide you with the quickest results of feeling the CBD, along with all the other cannabinoids.
Frequency of use can also affect the speed with which the benefits of CBD oil can be felt.
For example, someone who has been taking CBD daily for years might feel the effects as much as twice as fast as someone who has only taken CBD oil a few times.
The amount of CBD that each of these people takes in one dose can also have an effect on the length of time it takes the CBD to be felt.
We know it’s all a bit confusing since there are many variables to consider when attempting to figure out how long it will take the CBD you just consumed to be felt.
Below is a helpful list of common methods for consuming CBD and how long it can take to work. The lengths of times given are averages and should not be taken as gospel, as again, there are many variables to consider.
Each person must discover for themselves what effect and how potent CBD oil will be for them.
This list will provide you with a good baseline. This list is written in order of longest time to take effect to shortest:
CBD Edibles
CBD when taken in gummy or other edible forms can take as little as 45 minutes to as long as 2 hours to feel some effect. As with most things in the CBD world, your individual makeup is the variable that matters most.
As with all CBD products, you should look for a reputable CBD brand that sells high-quality products, as the quality of the CBD, along with the added ingredients, along with the potency of the product will also be a factor in how long it will take to feel effects, along with how long the effects will last.
CBD Oil Orally
CBD oil tinctures that one will use the dropper to put in drinks, such as smoothies or water, can take between 45 minutes and an hour or so to take effect.
Keep in mind, that some people may feel a slight side effect when they consume their CBD oil in general, and the percentage of this occuring is enhanced if you drink your CBD on an empty stomach. It is always recommended to take CBD on a belly that has eaten, but is not uncomfortably full.
It’s best to have eaten some omega-3 fatty acid type of food prior to consuming your CBD as the healthy fat will assist in soaking up the CBD.
CBD Topicals
CBD lotions, creams or salves tend to benefit weekend warriors or those that suffer from arthritis types of pains. You can even make your own CBD topicals, it’s not too difficult!
CBD topicals are great for giving relief to a specific location on your body that would benefit from the CBD.
The CBD can give an almost immediate feeling of relief to the inflamed or area of discomfort compared to taking it orally. CBD oil when applied as a lotion can begin to take effect in as little as 15 minutes, but may need some additional time to take effect depending on the individual and the products potency.
CBD Oil Sublingually
When taken sublingually (drops under the tongue) CBD oil is perhaps the quickest and most effective way of gaining the many potential health benefits iof CBD.
The reason for this is quite simple, the sublingual glands, which are the smallest of the major salivary glands, give almost direct access to your bloodstream. The underside of your tongue is one of the most capillary-rich areas of your body granting direct access for the CBD to make it into your bloodstream through your blood vessels.
While the effects are not immediate, they can be felt almost immediately in some people, while others may feel the effects in 15 minutes, or possibly a little longer. Sublingually also gives you the effects for the longest period of time, so it’s kind of a win-win!
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How Long Does CBD Oil Last?
CBD oil can last for varying lengths of time depending on you as an individual and the method of consumption.
The general rule of thumb is that you can expect the effects to last between 2-6 hours. The strength of the effect will start to weaken and if you desire the effects to continue you can always pop another gummy or take some more CBD oil orally.
You may technically still be benefitting from the effect for longer than 6 hours, however, the effects may not be felt as much.
CBD oil used as a lotion will probably have far longer, and far milder effects than oil taken orally.
Some people report feeling the effects of sublingual consumption for as much as 10 hours! Once again, it affects us all differently.
CBD Side Effects
READ: Side Effects of Using CBD Oil Products
Just like medications or supplements, CBD can have side effects for some people. While these side effects shouldn’t be life threatening, you should always speak with your doctor prior to beginning to use CBD.
Side effects that some people may feel include, dry mouth, diarrhea, reduced appetite, drowsiness and fatigue.
CBD and drug interactions can occur with certain medications so again, speak with your doctor to understand any risks that may affect you.
Summary
Hopefully, this short article has given you a better insight into how quickly CBD oil can take effect as well as how long it could potentially last.
Again, it can vary so much that it’s hard to put a firm figure on it. However, as a general rule of thumb, you can assume that CBD oil will take between 15 minutes and 2 hours to take effect and will probably last for 2-6 hours.
Consult with your doctor prior to beginning any CBD regemen.