How long does it take for CBD to take affect?

As CBD continues to gain more prominence in our everyday lives, one of the main questions posed is how long it takes for CBD to take effect.   There are two important things to think about when answering this. 

Firstly, what is crucial to remember is that everyone is different, so naturally everybody’s response to CBD will differ.

Some people use CBD products and, depending on the condition they are trying to address, will experience an improvement after the first use.  Others may need continual daily use to notice the effects. 

Other factors can affect CBD absorption.  To gain a better understanding of exact timings, what is secondly, but equally important to consider, is the delivery method being used.

Delivery Methods

There are a number of ways in which CBD can be consumed, or applied to the body:

• Tinctures
• Vapes & Flower
• Edibles (such as CBD chocolate or gummies)
• Topicals

Tinctures – one of the most popular ways to consume CBD, tinctures can take effect within around 15 to 25 minutes.  Drops are placed directly underneath the tongue so they absorb directly into the bloodstream via the mucous membrane. 

Vapes & Flower – another extremely popular method of consumption, vapes and smoking CBD Flower are the fastest way of CBD absorption.  The effects of vaping CBD or smoking CBD Flower can often be felt within 10-20 minutes of use.

Edibles – whilst a popular choice amongst many, CBD edibles are arguably the slowest way for CBD to take effect.  Taking anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, they are particularly slow as they need to be broken down in the Digestive system before reaching your bloodstream.  Both tinctures & vapes bypass the Digestive system hence the faster absorption speed.

Topicals – these usually take 25-45 minutes to take effect, but their effects are very localized as the CBD is being rubbed into a very specific area.

Ultimately, CBD can have a really positive effect on our general health and well-being.  The two biggest factors to consider is the delivery method of choice, and the strength of any CBD product used, as these will be most influential in determining how long it will take for your CBD to take effect.