Mystery Solved: How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System
May 25, 2022
If you’re like most people, you may be wondering how long does CBD stay in your system? Well, wonder no more!
This post will break down everything you need to know about CBD and how long it takes to leave your body. So sit back, relax, and let us teach you all about this amazing compound!
How Long CBD Remains in the Body
But first, what is CBD? CBD, short for cannabidiol, is a naturally-occurring compound found in cannabis plants. CBD does not produce any psychoactive effects, unlike its more famous cousin — THC. The cannabinoid has many potential benefits, from reducing anxiety and inflammation to relieving pain.
The median duration of time that CBD remains in your system is 2 to 5 days, although this varies from person to person. On the other hand, some individuals’ bodies may retain CBD for several weeks!
Where Our Body Stores CBD
How long does full spectrum CBD stay in your system? Longer than expected. When you consume CBD, it doesn’t just magically disappear. Instead, it’s stored in your body’s fat cells. This is why people who use CBD regularly tend to have it more in their system than those who don’t.
So if you want to know how long it will take CBD to leave your system completely, you need to understand the halving process.
The half-life (halving) of a drug is the time it takes for the concentration of the drug in your body to reduce by half. The elimination half-life of CBD in humans is between 18 and 32 hours.
How long does 20 mg of CBD stay in your system? If you take CBD oil at a constant dosage of 20mg per day, about 10mg will stay in your body after 24 hours. After another 24 hours, you’ll have 5mg. As a result, 20mg of CBD will stay in your system for approximately three days.
5 Factors That Impact CBD Concentration
So, how long does CBD last in your system? To answer this question, we need to look at the following factors.
CBD Dosage
The first factor is the dosage. If you take a higher dose of CBD (e.g., 500mg), CBD could stay in your system for a few days.
If you’re taking a smaller dose of CBD (e.g., 25mg), it will likely stay in your system only for a few hours.
Taking CBD on an Empty vs. Full Stomach
How long do the effects of CBD last in the body if you take it on an empty stomach? Shorter than on the full stomach!
Taking it on an empty stomach will result in higher bioavailability, whereas taking it with food will decrease how much of the CBD actually makes it into your system. I.e., if you take CBD on an empty stomach, it will be absorbed more quickly and is likely to leave your system sooner.
Frequency of Use
The third factor is how often you consume CBD. For example, if you vape CBD every day, it will stay in your system for longer than if you only take a puff once in a while.
Hence, if you puff occasionally, CBD will only stay in your system for a day or two.
Your Unique Body Chemistry
Another critical factor is your unique body chemistry. Things like your metabolism, age, and weight can all play a role in how long does CBD last in your system. For example, CBD is likely to leave your system quickly if you have a fast metabolism.
Way of Intake
The last factor is how you consume CBD. The most common methods are smoking/vaping, sublingual (under the tongue), oral, and topical.
Of these, the sublingual method tends to result in the highest bioavailability, meaning more of CBD will end up in your system if you take pure CBD oil. On the other hand, topical CBD stays in your system the least.
Let’s check out the most common methods in greater detail.
CBD Edibles
Edible CBD products (e.g., gummies, brownies) can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to take effect. How long does edible CBD stay in the system? CBD can stay in your system for up to five days!
For example, if you take a 25mg CBD gummy, it will take longer for the effects to wear off than if you took 25mg of CBD oil. This is because edibles are subject to what’s known as “first-pass metabolism.”
In short, first-pass metabolism is when the liver breaks down a compound before it enters the bloodstream.
CBD Oil
How long does CBD oil stay in your system? CBD oil typically stays in your system between 4 and 25 days, but this can vary depending on the factors we discussed earlier (your metabolism, frequency of use, dosage, etc.).
CBD Topicals
Topical CBD products (e.g., creams, lotions) are applied to the skin and not absorbed into the bloodstream. Therefore, they have a short half-life. How long does CBD cream stay in your system that way? Less than an hour!
CBD Vapes
Inhaling is one of the most efficient ways of consuming CBD because it has 31% bioavailability. When vaping, CBD is absorbed into your lungs and diffused into your bloodstream.
Again, the time CBD remains in your body depends on various factors (the dosage, how frequently you vape, your weight, and your unique bodily chemistry).
So, how long does CBD vape stay in your body? If you vape only once, CBD will stay in your system for 5–6 hours. If you’re a frequent smoker, CBD can stay in your body for several days, even a whole week!
How Long CBD Stays in Your Urine, Hair, and Blood
CBD can stay in your urine, hair, and blood for up to seven days. However, this will vary depending on how much you take, how often you take it, and your unique body chemistry.
How Long Is CBD Detectable in the Urine
How long does CBD stay in your urine? According to a 2016 study, CBD will stay in your urine for at least two hours. However, after 24 hours, CBD will no longer be detectable in your system.
How Long Is CBD Detectable in the Blood
CBD is absorbed into the blood through the small intestine after oral ingestion or through the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat when CBD is taken sublingually.
Once in the bloodstream, it binds to cannabinoid receptors throughout the body and is carried to the liver, where it undergoes “first-pass metabolism” by enzymes in the liver before entering the general circulation.
How long does CBD stay in your blood? The time it takes for CBD to be detected in your blood is around 5 hours after ingestion. However, CBD might remain in your blood for up to a week.
How Long Is CBD Detectable in the Hair
When CBD gets absorbed into the hair follicles, it binds to the protein keratin. This process of binding to keratin helps protect the CBD from being broken down by enzymes in the body.
How long does CBD stay in your hair? CBD can be detected in your hair for up to 90 days, although this will vary depending on how much you take and your unique body chemistry.
How Long Is CBD Detectable in the Saliva
How long does CBD stay in your system for a saliva test? CBD can be detected in your saliva within minutes after consumption, and it can stay in your system for up to 36 hours.
Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
CBD will not show up on a drug test. However, if you take a full-spectrum CBD product that contains trace amounts of THC (less than 0.03%), it is theoretically possible that the THC could be detected on a drug test.
If you are subject to regular drug testing, we recommend choosing a CBD isolate product or broad-spectrum CBD product that does not contain any THC.
CBD Detox
How do you clean your system from CBD? The same way you can detox from THC. In other words:
- Drink plenty of water. CBD is fat-soluble, so it needs to be broken down by the body before it can be excreted. Hence, drinking more water will help your body flush it out more quickly.
- Exercise regularly. Exercise helps boost your metabolism, which will help your body process and eliminate CBD more quickly.
- Try taking a detox supplement or eating certain foods that help to cleanse the body, like ginger or turmeric.
The Bottom Line
How long does CBD oil last in your system, then? Sometimes a few hours, sometimes weeks.
If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor before taking CBD. They can help you determine whether or not it’s safe for you to use it based on your unique medical history and health needs.
FAQs
How long does CBD stay in breastmilk?
There is no research on this topic since CBD is not recommended during the breastfeeding phase. We only know that a baby’s bloodstream can absorb some amount of cannabinoids through breast milk.
How long does CBD tea stay in your system?
CBD will stay in your system for between two and five days if you drink CBD-infused tea. Namely, drinking CBD tea is similar to consuming edibles.
The oil in the tea is absorbed by the digestive system, which means it will take longer until you feel its effects as CBD needs to go through our metabolization first. However, CBD tea provides more prolonged and more intense effects than CBD oils.
Do CBD gummy bears show up on a drug test?
If your gummy bear has minimal amounts of THC in it (or no THC), the chances are it won’t show up on a drug test since most drug tests are looking for THC, not CBD.
How long does 10 mg of CBD stay in your system?
10mg of CBD will stay in your system for at least 12 hours due to the half-life of 10mg of CBD amounting to about 3 hours. The timeframe will look like this:
- CBD reaches peak blood levels of 10mg one hour after administration
- The amount of CBD is reduced to 5mg after 3 hours
- After 6 hours, you’ll only have 2.5mg of CBD in your body
- After 9 hours, there will be 1.25mg of CBD in your system
- After 12 hours, your body will have merely 0.62mg of CBD.
How long does 5mg of CBD stay in your system?
5mg of CBD will stay in your system for about 6 hours. However, this could vary depending on your weight and your unique body chemistry.
How long does CBD affect the brain?
For most people, the effects of CBD will peak within the first few hours after taking it and will gradually decline over the next few days.
This means that if you’re taking CBD to help you sleep, you may need to take it every night to continue experiencing its effects.
Moreover, the effects of CBD can vary depending on how much you take, how often you take it, and your individual physiology.
How long does CBD stay in your system? CBD stays in your system for around five days. However, this doesn’t mean that it will be active in your body for the entire time.
About the Author
Related Posts
Related Posts
