There are several reasons why you might need to know how long supplements stay in your body. So, what about CBD? Keep reading to find out how long CBD stays in your system.
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Whenever you use a supplement, it’s important to understand how long it will stay in your body. If you think something has been flushed from your system simply because you’re not feeling the effects anymore, think again. This is particularly important if your doctor wants you to take a new medication or if you need to take a pre-employment drug screening.
For example, did you know that eating poppy seeds can cause you to test positive for opioids? It’s true! Obviously, poppy seeds don’t have the same effects as opioids, but this extreme example illustrates how important this information is. It’s particularly important for those worried about prescription drug interactions. While side-effects are usually mild, CBD can interact with certain medications. That’s why a doctor may advise you to stop using CBD when starting a new prescription.
Regardless of why you need this information, it’s always important to have it. So, even if you’re just curious, keep reading and learn how long CBD stays in your system.
Disclaimer: We want to remind everyone that while CBD is considered a safe and mild supplement, you should always talk with your doctor before adding CBD to your regimen.
How Long CBD Stays In Your System Can Vary
We wish there was a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, but unfortunately, it varies. Everyone is different, and there are a variety of factors that influence how long CBD will hang around. Many believe that it stays in your system for just a few days, but for some individuals, it can stick around for longer.
The half-life of a compound is the measure of how long it takes for it to be reduced by half its original amount. Scientists determine half-life by administering a compound and then testing someone’s blood plasma at regular intervals. This shows them when the amount of the compound peaks and then when that amount starts to decline.
While you can’t really do this yourself, there are a few studies that might give you a good idea of where to start. One study where participants were given roughly 700mg of CBD each day for over a month showed evidence that the half-life was around two to five days. A separate study that examined the half-life after a single 20mg dose showed a half-life of around twenty-four hours.
While those results are very different, it’s important to note several key differences between the two studies. The first study used a much larger CBD strength and participants took that dose for six weeks. In the second study, the participants were given a very small dose one time, and it was given intravenously. These differences greatly influenced how long CBD stayed in the participant’s bodies. That being said, here are a few items you’ll also want to consider when trying to determine how long CBD will stay in your system.
CBD Strength/Concentration Influences How Long It Sticks Around
For a variety of reasons, you may prefer a higher or lower strength of CBD. Those with sensitivities or who just have a lower tolerance may choose 500mg CBD Oil. On the other hand, those with a high tolerance or who need more powerful effects might need 2000mg CBD Oil.
Whatever the case, know that using high-strength products means the CBD will take longer to leave your system. Your liver will need more time to process all that CBD, so the active ingredients will linger for a longer period of time as well.
Do You Regularly Use CBD? If So, It Will Take Longer To Leave Your System
Some people just use CBD as needed. That means they may only take CBD when they’re feeling particularly stressed, notice mild physical pain, etc. Others, however, take CBD every day to manage chronic issues. The flexibility with which you can use CBD is one of its best features, but know that regular use means CBD will take more time to leave your body.
Like the study above illustrates, if your CBD use is sporadic, you can most likely expect it to leave your system in a few days at most. However, if you’ve been regularly using CBD for quite some time, you might be looking at a week or longer. What complicates this even further, however, are the different ways you might use CBD.
How You Take CBD Influences How Fast Your Body Will Metabolize It
If you prefer certain CBD products because you feel their effects faster, that means you prefer methods that your body metabolizes faster. Generally, inhalants (vapes) are the fastest, while anything that travels through your digestive system is the slowest. Sublingual methods (oils/tinctures) fall somewhere in the middle since your salivary glands help them bypass your digestive system to a certain degree.
If you’re a CBD connoisseur and have tried a variety of methods, you’ve probably noticed that the effects of certain products tend to last longer too. In general, the effects that kick in the fastest will last the shortest amount of time. Conversely, the effects that take longer to kick in will last longer. This is particularly important if you’re trying to determine how long CBD will stay in your system.
The longer it takes for your body to metabolize CBD, the longer it will be in your system. That means the CBD from gummies will stick around much longer than the CBD you get from a sublingual oil.
Your Unique Physiology Influences How Long CBD Stays In Your System
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again–everyone is different. That’s why it’s not a good idea to rely on general information about how long CBD might stay in your system. It’s the same reason why some people can have several drinks and be fine, while someone else might have to stop after one beer.
Yes, people have different tolerances. But even more than that, we each have a unique physiology that determines how compounds influence us and how long they’ll stay in our systems. Here are just a few physiological variables that influence how long CBD might stay in your system…
- Fast/Slow Metabolism
- Body Fat
- Taking CBD On An Empty/Full Stomach
- Hydration
In general, CBD will leave your system faster if you have a fast metabolism, lower body fat percentage, are well hydrated, and if you take CBD on an empty stomach.
Juggling all the different variables that influence how long CBD might stay in your system can be tricky at first. However, the more knowledge you have about your body and how different compounds influence you, the easier it is to make informed decisions about your health and wellness.
Determining How Long CBD Stays In Your System Is Tricky, But Still Important
This info is particularly important if you’re starting a new medication or if you’re preparing for a pre-employment drug screening. For the former, talk to your doctor and let them know about your CBD use. They can provide any necessary drug interaction details and may even be able to provide a timeline for stopping CBD and starting your new medication.
If you’re concerned about a drug screening, inform your employer about your CBD use. While CBD is legal in most states, and while it’s rare for CBD to cause someone to test positive for THC, caution is always best.
In addition to the examples above, this information is useful for several other reasons. Knowing how long CBD stays in your system helps you determine what your tolerance is, how often you might need to use CBD, and which CBD products are right for you. When getting started, we recommend keeping notes about your CBD strength, how often you use CBD, what the effects are, and how long the effects last.
It may take some time, but knowledge is power and this knowledge will empower your physical and mental wellness so you can feel better and live more. Feel free to contact us with questions, and don’t forget to stock up on all your favorite products.