How long it takes for CBD to work (or “kick in”) is dependent on a variety of factors, from your body’s metabolism to your delivery method to the dosage you’ve taken. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of CBD timelines and how long it’ll take for your dose to kick in.
You took some CBD oil about ten minutes ago and you’re waiting for that gentle calmness to kick in. Well, you might have to wait a little longer.
How long your CBD dose will take to kick in can vary from person to person depending on your weight, metabolism, and your tolerance levels. But generally speaking, the question of how long it’ll take to kick in is more dependent on your delivery method—which is to say that certain methods, like vaping a CBD E-Liquid, will likely affect you quicker than other slower delivery methods.
Each CBD delivery method has its own pros and cons, and your chosen method should depend on how swiftly you want the CBD to take effect and what symptoms you’re looking to alleviate. More information on delivery methods can be found in our other article: Which Type of CBD Should I Use? Top 4 Delivery Methods Explained.
Still, the question remains: how long until you feel the effects? Let’s get into it.
Author’s note: Our articles are not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your GP or pharmacist with any questions about CBD use. This article is for informational purposes only.
How long does CBD oil take to kick in?
CBD oil (or, tincture) is one of the most popular delivery methods, and for good reason: it enters the bloodstream in two distinct ways. How long this method will take to kick in is a bit complex.
First, when you put the drops under your tongue and hold them there—ideally for 30 to 60 seconds—the CBD enters your bloodstream through the mucous membranes in your mouth, which allows a portion of the CBD to start taking effect in as little as 20 minutes (but this can take up to an hour, depending on the person).
Next, when you swallow the remainder of the tincture leftover in your mouth, the rest of the CBD makes its way through your digestive tract, eventually reaching the liver. From here, the rest of the CBD is circulated throughout your bloodstream.
The digestion process can take several hours, meaning that the CBD’s second “entry point,” as it were, is delayed from the original onset. It’s also important to note that much of the CBD dose has degraded in your gastrointestinal tract by the time it reaches your liver, so the most powerful effect you’ll feel is through the membranes in your mouth. Essentially, when the original onset (from the membranes under your tongue) begins to wear off, you’ll get a small boost from having digested the rest of the oil.
For this reason, CBD oil is a popular choice among CBD users, as it provides one of the more immediate onsets among all of the delivery methods, while also remaining active in your system for several hours. CBD taken this way gives a sort of one-two punch in that it has two mechanisms for entering your blood.
How long do CBD supplements take to kick in?
Generally speaking, ingesting CBD orally in the form of CBD edibles or CBD supplements will result in you waiting longer for your dose to kick in compared to other faster-acting methods, but these methods may last longer in your system as a result. CBD taken orally in this way can take roughly 90 minutes to begin taking effect, and these effects can last between 4 and 6 hours.
However, how long CBD supplements can take to work really depends on which symptoms you’re looking to treat. CBD users often opt for supplements or edibles to help treat chronic illnesses and conditions, and it may take longer for CBD to have an effect on these types of symptoms.
If you’re hoping for relief from a chronic problem such as depression, you’ll need to wait for the CBD to build up in your system, which can take several weeks (up to 6 weeks, in many cases) of daily dosing. The same can be said for many chronic ailments, including long-term anxiety disorders and chronic pain conditions.
RELATED: CBD for Depression and Anxiety
CBD isn’t a fast-acting pain medication, nor is it a quick-fix ”happy pill.” For relief from these symptoms, you’ll need to take a daily dose of CBD for at least two to three weeks before you’re likely to see any impact on a chronic issue, particularly if that issue is psychological in nature.
It’s also important to note that these claims are purely anecdotal at the moment, as we lack the research needed to confirm whether CBD can actually treat any of these ailments. Of the few studies we do currently have on CBD, the effects were measured over a several week timespan. As such, you should expect to take CBD for several weeks before seeing a measurable effect.
RELATED: CBD for Pain Management
However, you are still likely to feel some effect after a week or so—though the CBD may not be directly affecting the symptoms you’re hoping to target just yet.
Have you noticed any changes to your sleeping habits? What about an increased awareness during the day, or an easier time falling asleep at night? Have you noticed a decrease in your stress or anxiety levels? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the CBD is likely already affecting you in ways you haven’t considered. This is a good sign that the CBD is making an impact on your body, and you may want to continue using it until the effects reach the symptoms you’re hoping to target.
If you find that you’re not feeling anything from taking a daily dose of CBD for a week, try upping your dosage by roughly 10mg per week until you find your sweet spot. Remember: as with any substance you put into your body, the goal is to take the lowest possible dose which achieves the strongest effect. You can’t overdose on CBD, but it’s still a chemical compound which science doesn’t fully understand yet. As such, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
How long do CBD vapes take to kick in?
Vaping your CBD in the form of a CBD E-Liquid or CBD disposable vape is by far the quickest way to get CBD into your system. How long does it take, you ask? It can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes for inhaled CBD to kick in. Plus, it has the highest bioavailability of any delivery method.
RELATED: CBD Bioavailability Explained
It’s also the delivery method that wears off the fastest, so this is something to bear in mind when vaping CBD. If you’re hoping for a long-term effect to help your mood or chronic pain, it would be better to opt for the oral route. Inhaled CBD will only stay in your system for 1 to 3 hours.
Vaping CBD is a popular way to relax, ease acute anxiety attacks, and promote alertness and concentration during the day. So, if you’re looking for a quick dose of CBD to get you through the mid-afternoon slump or pep you up in the morning, vaping CBD is a great and quick way to achieve this.
Conclusion
The question of how long it’ll take for your CBD to kick in is dependent upon a number of factors, from your individual metabolism and tolerances to the delivery method you choose.
In addition, the symptoms you’re hoping to treat with CBD may require the CBD to build up in your system first before you notice any effects. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the CBD isn’t working. When in doubt, consider the following questions:
- Have you noticed any changes to your sleeping habits?
- Are you feeling more alert or focused during the day?
- Have you been having an easier time falling asleep at night?
- Have your stress or anxiety levels decreased since you started taking CBD?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions and are taking CBD on a daily basis, this is a good indication that your CBD is, in fact, working—though you may need to continue taking it for a few more weeks to see whether the CBD makes an impact on the symptoms you’re hoping to target.
If you answered no to the above questions, or you answered yes but have been taking CBD for more than a month without the desired results, this may indicate that your dose isn’t high enough. Try increasing your dosage by 10mg per week until you notice an effect on your symptoms.
When in doubt, always consult a medical professional, like a GP or pharmacist, for advice on how best to use CBD for your personal circumstances.
