How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System? Here’s How Long
Posted by Prescription Hope - See Editorial Guidelines (Last Updated On: Mon Jul 10 2023)
CBD is becoming a popular supplement taken for a number of chronic ailments. So, it’s not surprising we are asked a lot of questions on the subject, one of which is how long does CBD stay in your system.
So, in this article, we’re going to explain what research to date has found regarding how long CBD will stay in your system after consuming it, and how the way you consume it, lifestyle dose, and frequency may also affect this process.
But first, let’s start with the short takeaway answer, then we’ll get into more details.
How long does CBD stay in your system? CBD can stay in your system between 2-5 days, depending on the dose and how you ingested it. Vaping may be quicker, whereas gummies may take longer, as it takes longer to pass through the digestive system. The research on how long CBD stays in your system is spotty because most drug tests look to detect THC and not CBD.
That’s the short answer, but with every question concerning CBD, there’s always a more in-depth story.
So, let’s begin with a brief overview of CBD, so we can more easily understand how long it might stay in your body.
Overview of CBD
Although it is derived from the hemp plant, a relative of the cannabis plant, CBD is an oil created from non-intoxicating elements.
While there is CBD in medical marijuana, it does not cause the “high,” which is usually associated with cannabis or marijuana, according to The World Health Organization.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the other main active compound in the cannabis plant and is the psychoactive component.
CBD is not psychoactive and isn’t likely to cause the negative mental effects linked to THC, such as:
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Memory issues
Instead, new research suggests that CBD may naturally protect against the negative effects of THC.
According to the World Health Organization, as mentioned previously, there are now many regular users of CBD across the world.
CBD is readily available to buy as a supplement and can be purchased both in retail stores and online.
You can find CBD in a selection of different forms, such as an oil to be taken orally, gums, or as an e-liquid for e-cigarettes and vapes.
So with some background in mind, let’s further explore how CBD works in your body so it’s easier to understand how long it might stay in your system.
For a more detailed overview of CBD and more information on how it works, refer to our article, What is CBD!
How does CBD work?
CBD is a naturally occurring component in the hemp plant. It is extracted from the stem, stalk, leaves, and flowers of the plant.
There are 113 currently known cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (or CBD), each playing a role in the endocannabinoid system.
The extracted CBD then plays a major part in influencing the endocannabinoid system with various benefits.
What is the endocannabinoid system?
Discovered in the late 1900s by medical researchers, much is still unknown about how this complex biological system interacts in the human body.
As medical research has progressed through the centuries, experts know that it impacts several major processes.
These include mood, appetite, and sleep. However, there are more developments in the further research and development of the endocannabinoid system.
The endocannabinoid system has three main components:
- Receptors
- Enzymes
- Endocannabinoids
It’s important to understand that these parts of the endocannabinoid system function regardless of whether someone uses CBD or not.
So how does this complex system affect how long CBD lasts in our bodies?
How long does CBD last vs how long does CBD stay in your system
Despite many studies being released on CBD and its therapeutic effects, many still struggle to understand CBD and its effects fully.
One of the main questions people ask is how long does CBD last and how long does CBD stay in your system?
On average, the effects of CBD tend to last anywhere between 2-6 hours, but this can largely depend on a variety of factors.
So, we can more fully understand the length of time CBD is likely to stay in your system. It’s important to understand how it’s absorbed by the human body.
Absorption of CBD in the body
One of the major concepts to understand is that several different factors can affect CBD absorption and its effectiveness.
Generally, research tells us it can take 15 minutes for CBD to start working, and the effects of CBD tend to last anywhere between 2-6 hours. It’s worth noting that it very much depends on the methods you’re using to take CBD.
2 – 6 hours is possibly more of an accurate figure if you are vaping, for example. This is because vaping allows the CBD to enter your body and hit the endocannabinoid system more quickly than, say, taking it topically.
Depending on the dose you take and the method you use to take CDB, it can remain in your system for 2-5 days.
It is worth mentioning that most drug tests screen for THC and not CBD. However, CBD products can contain trace amounts of THC, making it possible to show up on a drug test.
Also, the answer for how long CBD can stay in your system will depend on the drug test being used. For example, a saliva test may only be able to detect THC for up to 36 hours, whereas a urine test can detect the component between 3 days to two weeks after administration.
Again, how long CBD stays in your system will greatly depend upon your dose, the frequency you use it, and the way you took it.
How long CBD stays in your system may also be influenced by your lifestyle factors too.
More exercise means CBD is metabolized quicker
For instance, those who practice healthy living by exercising regularly have a faster metabolism and are more likely to lose the CBD from their bodies much faster.
This is because CBD is stored in fat cells.
Frequency of use
As with many other types of prescription meds or other supplements, CBD will have heightened benefits if you continue to use it.
So, for those who have been using CBD longer or take larger or more frequent doses. It could be that it might take the full 4 to 5 days or even longer to be fully expelled from your body.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that with repeated use over time, the length of time CBD stays in your body will increase further, with some able to retain the CBD compound in their body for 10 to 15 days after consuming it.
Talk to your doctor before starting a course of CBD
Like many other supplements, the effectiveness of cannabidiol can also be impacted by certain pharmaceutical medications.
So before you embark on using CBD, either by vaping, taking topically, as a tincture, gummy, or other edible, it’s worth speaking to your doctor before taking CBD, especially if you are on any other medications.
People that have never purchased CBD should consider the form, source, health claims, and ingredients before going ahead. Here is a list of the most important questions you should ask before getting a new prescription.
We hope this article has given you a better understanding of how long CBD can stay in your system.
If you’re having any of your medications, enroll with us and see if you qualify to pay only $60.00 a month through Prescription Hope’s medication access service for each of your medications.
