Duration of effect – How long and how quickly does CBD work?

Cannabidiol (CBD) can be used to treat many different illnesses and problems. It is not psychoactive (intoxicating) and is therefore available legally. CBD is available in different forms and can therefore be taken in different ways.

Many people ask themselves:   

• How long does it take to notice a change?
• When does CBD start to work?
• How long does the effect of CBD last?

Of course, these questions are absolutely justified because we have very high expectations of CBD. However, we must emphasize at this point that no exact and precise statements can be made because there are many factors (that play a role here).

The dosage forms

There are different ways to consume CBD. The most popular is CBD oil.  But CBD capsules, liquids, creams and teas have also already increased their popularity.But what works for how long?

duration of CBD oil's effects

The sublingual application is the second fastest. Drop the CBD oil under the tongue and hold it in your mouth for a short time before swallowing the drops. You should not drink any liquids for 15 minutes after taking it. Since it is absorbed through the oral mucosa, it can usually take effect after just 15 minutes.

The duration of complete oil absorption is approximately 40-75 minutes, the effect occurs after 15-60 minutes. The duration of this lasts approximately 4-6 hours. [1]

 

duration of action of Liquid and CBD cream

Absorption through the lungs (vaporization) is the fastest, but has a shorter duration of action of 2-3 hours. The active ingredient enters the bloodstream directly and the effect is noticeable within a short time. The disadvantage is that the lungs are exposed to heat and possibly other byproducts and it is difficult to achieve a consistent dosage.

If you consume CBD in the form of creams or ointments, which is often recommended for skin problems or to treat local pain, it will take a little over an hour for the effects to take effect. Note: the CBD does not enter the bloodstream. It is expected to take effect for 2-4 hours.

 

Duration of action CBD capsules and Tea

If you want to take CBD capsules and achieve the greatest possible effect, it is highly recommended to take them on an empty stomach so that the digestion and absorption of the active ingredient can work optimally. This method includes capsules with CBD or tea, or other foods containing CBD.

With capsules, it can take about 30-90 minutes for the effect to be achieved. The duration is about 6-8 hours [1].

 

 

 

 

Sources:

[1] Leinow, Leonard & Birnbaum, Juliana: Healing with CBD. Rive, Munich 2019, 88-89.