How Long Does It Take for CBD to Work?

By now, you might have accumulated some general knowledge about CBD. For instance, you might know that CBD is short for cannabidiol, and that it’s a compound derived from the hemp plant. You might also know that it’s a cannabinoid and mimics endocannabinoids produced naturally in your body, but it isn’t psychoactive. 

If you’ve taken CBD yourself, you’ll know and appreciate its anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety and calming effects. Perhaps you know a little more than all that, like the history of hemp in America or even the ideal serving size for CBD. But how long does it take for CBD to work? That one, you might not know quite as much about. Don’t worry! We’re here to help you out and navigate the different factors to consider. We’ll touch on quite a few, so, by the end, you’ll be better equipped to make the best-for-you CBD product choices.

Method of Delivery 

The bioavailability of CBD will vary, depending on the method used to introduce it into your body. This is the extent to which absorption of CBD occurs and enters the circulation of your system. The more that’s absorbed, the sooner you’ll experience the effects.  Here are a few ways of getting your CBD:

• Sublingual – Latin for "under the tongue," this is when a CBD product is applied to and absorbed by the soft tissues under your tongue. It’s the quickest way of the three listed here to deliver CBD to your system and is generally achieved with CBD oil drops.
• Ingestion – CBD also comes in various edible forms, such as tasty CBD gummies and convenient CBD capsules that are taken orally. They must travel through your digestive system before they’re fully absorbed. Because they have a longer way to go, they’ll take effect less quickly. 
• Topical – This method involves applying a cream or ointment, like this Rapid Relief CBD Cream, directly to your skin for localized absorption and relief in areas that need it. While the application site may feel relief more quickly, this method is the slowest of the three when it comes to CBD entering your system. 

Serving Size & Potency

As we’ve discussed before, it’s important to know about CBD serving sizes and potency. CBD is measured by weight in milligrams (mg), and you should note how much is in a serving size versus the entire product. This is pretty straightforward with capsules and gummies but can be a bit trickier with oils that describe serving sizes in milliliters, usually measured by their included droppers. 

Generally, you’ll find descriptions and directions on the bottle or container your CBD product came in, so just read carefully. While you never want to begin with a super-high serving size of CBD – we’ve found 10 to 15 milligrams to be a great starting point – generally, the higher the potency, the quicker you can expect to feel the effects.

Frequency & Consistency

How often and how consistently you’re using CBD products will also determine how quickly you feel the effects. While it’s true that some folks will notice the positive effects of CBD the first time that they use their CBD oil or CBD cream, it may take others some adjustments and time until they feel or see the benefits. Ensuring you’re taking your CBD as directed at the recommended frequency is important, as the results of a quality CBD routine will eventually reveal themselves.

Your Personal Biology

Person to person, we all have our own body chemistry and endocannabinoid systems in varying states of function, repair or all-out disarray. This can definitely affect how long it takes CBD to work. In general, a higher body weight will also mean that an ideal CBD serving size is likely larger, whereas folks who are smaller will have the opposite consideration to keep in mind. Also, those of us with higher body fat percentages may notice that CBD absorbs and sticks around longer, which means adjustments should be done slowly. It’s not a problem, it’s just something to keep in mind.  

Metabolism also plays a role in how soon we’ll feel the benefits of CBD. Our metabolic rates will be determined by a variety of factors, including age, digestive system, genetic profile and lifestyle. If you have a fast metabolism, your CBD products will probably work more quickly for you, but they also might wear off faster. A slower metabolism means it might take a bit longer to feel the effects.

Quality of the Product

Unfortunately, not all CBD products are created equal. And not everything marketed as a CBD product actually has CBD in it. That’s why purchasing from a trusted source is the best. At Soul CBD, we feel Mother Nature knows best, and we focus on plant-based products that are organically farmed, gluten free -and grown right here in the USA. We also only produce products using CBD isolate, so you can be sure they don’t contain any THC. We’re guided by the principles of transparency, quality and efficacy, and that shines through in what we deliver. It’ll work for you because it’s worked for us.