How Long Does It Take for CBD to Start Working?

Posted on by TJ
A woman, sitting at a table, rubs CBD Salve on her wrist. The text reads "How Long Until CBD Starts Working?"

Not every CBD product works the same. Depending on the type of product you use, the CBD inside may take a few minutes to start working, or it can take two hours. 

Knowing what your goals are and what fits your lifestyle will help you find the right product for you. 

Can You Feel CBD?

CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally occurring compound called “a cannabinoid.” Like THC, another well-known cannabinoid, you can consume CBD in different ways, like smoking or via edibles. 

However, unlike THC, you won’t feel CBD the same way, as it’s not an intoxicating or psychoactive cannabinoid. That doesn’t mean it isn’t working, though. 

How Long Until CBD Starts Working? 

If you’re familiar with cannabis and marijuana products, you’ll know that the onset of effects depends on how you consume it. If you’ve never used marijuana or cannabis products— don’t worry; we’ll discuss the different consumption methods and how long it takes before they start working below. 

Inhalation (Smoking or Vaping) 

Let’s start with the most immediate method of consumption: inhaling vaporized cannabinoids. 

When you smoke CBD-rich hemp flower or use a CBD vape product, you’re directing vaporized cannabinoids into your lungs, where they enter your bloodstream almost instantly. Several studies have shown that when you smoke or vape CBD, you’ll feel the full effects in three minutes! 

If you’re looking for instant relaxation during the day or immediate relief at night, you may want to consider CBD smokables or vape products. 

CBD Beverages 

We’ve split CBD beverages from the larger group of CBD edibles because of the types of CBD used in each. Unlike traditional edibles that use a cooking oil infused with CBD, beverages are made with water-soluble CBD. 

Because the CBD in beverages is water soluble, that means it can enter your bloodstream much faster than other types of CBD. Most users begin to feel the effects of CBD beverages within 15 to 20 minutes. 

Sublingual CBD (Pouches and CBD Oil) 

Sublingual CBD comes in two forms: 

  1. CBD lip pouches 
  2. CBD oil 

You may think, “Wow, those two things are nothing alike,” and you’d be right. Sublingual CBD isn’t a product category. Instead, it refers to where you apply the CBD— in this case, against the thin membranes in our mouths and under the tongue. 

Thanks to this thin membrane, CBD is able to traverse and enter the bloodstream more quickly than it can in our digestive system. Generally, CBD taken sublingually starts to work in 15 to 30 minutes. 

CBD Oil (Ingested) 

If you choose to consume your CBD oil without first applying it sublingually, it will take more time to work. Because the oil first needs to travel down into your intestines before it enters your bloodstream, it can take the CBD 45 to 90 minutes to start working. 

The nice thing about CBD oil is that you can first use it sublingually and then swallow the oil for extended effects. 

CBD Edibles

We’ll finish with the slowest products: CBD edibles. When you eat a food or candy infused with CBD, it may take one to two hours to start working. This delay is due to your digestive system’s natural delay. The food has to reach your stomach, break down, and enter your small intestines before any of the CBD can enter your bloodstream. 

That said, don’t count CBD edibles out. Because they take longer to start working, they also last the longest. 

Picking the Right CBD Product 

Depending on your schedule and your goals, the type of CBD you use can have a big impact on your overall experience. If you’re shopping with a specific objective in mind, like sleep or managing joint pain, you’ll want to consider different types of CBD and how they might work with your schedule.

Sources:

  1. Lucas, Catherine J et al. “The pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids.” British journal of clinical pharmacology vol. 84,11 (2018): 2477-2482. doi:10.1111/bcp.13710
  2. Millar, Sophie A et al. “A Systematic Review on the Pharmacokinetics of Cannabidiol in Humans.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 9 1365. 26 Nov. 2018, doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.01365
  3. Taylor, Lesley et al. “A Phase I, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Single Ascending Dose, Multiple Dose, and Food Effect Trial of the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Healthy Subjects.” CNS drugs vol. 32,11 (2018): 1053-1067. doi:10.1007/s40263-018-0578-5
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