Marcus Richards
About 40 percent of American adults have expressed interest in trying CBD. Despite being curious, many are also hesitant. They want to know more about CBD before they try it.
You may have questions yourself. You might ask how CBD makes you feel. Another common question is, “How long does it take for CBD to kick in?”
Keep reading to learn the answer to this question and more.
How Long Does it Take for CBD to Kick in?
One of the reasons it’s difficult to figure out how long it takes for CBD to take effect is that the answer varies. It depends quite a bit on how you take your CBD.
That’s because different methods of taking CBD have different absorption paths. The most direct route into the bloodstream is through the lungs. Vaping and smoking take effect almost immediately for that reason.
By contrast, if you take CBD oil UK capsules or have a gummy, it will take a lot longer for CBD to kick in. That’s because the CBD has to be absorbed through the digestive system, then processed through the liver. Only then can it enter the bloodstream.
Taking CBD under the tongue is something of a middle ground. It isn’t as fast-acting as inhalation, but it takes less time than edibles or capsules.
Topical CBD products are absorbed through the skin, but they tend to have only localized effects. That means very little CBD reaches the bloodstream. You’ll probably notice effects only where you applied a cream or salve.
How Much Time Does it Take?
Vaping and smoking will produce effects in mere moments. These methods are fast-acting, which make them ideal if you need instant relief of pain or symptoms of anxiety.
The effects peak within a few minutes of inhalation as well. After about ten minutes, the peak will have passed. That said, the effects of CBD can still last for hours.
Edibles, CBD drinks, and CBD capsules can take hours to kick in. Most people feel the effects of CBD between an hour or two after taking it this way. The peak can happen several hours after you’ve taken CBD, and the effects tend to last longer as well.
This makes edibles and CBD capsules ideal for slow and lasting relief of pain or other conditions. It won’t help you deal with sudden onset anxiety symptoms, but it can help keep you calm throughout the day.
Individual Results Vary
Researchers have also found that how long it takes CBD to be effective also depends on the person taking it. Your sex, weight, and other factors can play a role in how fast CBD acts on you.
Feeling the Effects of CBD
Even though CBD can begin working in a matter of minutes, the effects can be quite subtle. That’s another reason people often ask, “How long does it take for CBD to work?”
Many people mistakenly believe CBD will make them feel “high.” As a result, they may not notice that their CBD has started working.
For that reason, it’s important to answer another common question: how does CBD make you feel? What can you expect when you take CBD?
Many people expect to feel similar to when they take THC. They may expect to feel drowsy or even get “the munchies.” THC can even cause hallucinations.
None of these effects are common with CBD. The most common feelings associated with CBD are:
- Calm and relaxation
- Energized
- Focused
Some people may feel a little drowsy. Others report that CBD makes them feel more energetic or focused. This is one reason CBD is preferable to THC, especially for people who need to work or be productive.
CBD is considered non-psychoactive, which means it doesn’t produce the same mind-altering effects THC does.
Dose Also Matters
Of course, how CBD makes you feel also depends a bit on the dose, as well as how you take it. If you take a higher dose of CBD, you’re more likely to feel very relaxed. Someone who takes a lower dose may feel calmer, but they may not notice as much of an effect.
How you take CBD can also play a role in feeling the effects. If you take a high dose of CBD by vaping it, you’ll likely feel the effects very quickly. By contrast, the same dose taken orally may not produce effects of the same magnitude.
That’s due to how the body processes CBD. When you inhale it, more CBD is absorbed directly into the bloodstream. When you have an edible or take a capsule, much less CBD will actually make it to the bloodstream.
How Long Does it Take CBD Oil to Work?
Now for the million-dollar question. Many people take CBD to help them manage pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions.
Many people ask whether their CBD is actually working because they may not notice the effects immediately. How do you know the CBD is actually doing anything?
Dose can play a role here. Some people microdose, which means the effects of CBD will be subtle. They may not notice how different they feel when they take CBD versus when they forget a dose.
The question to ask yourself is if you feel any different while taking CBD. Have you felt more relaxed? Have you been able to get better sleep, or have you felt energetic even after a long day at work?
CBD oil can start working immediately, but you may not notice its longer-term effects until you think about them.
If you’ve been taking CBD for a little while and you’re not sure it’s working for you, it could be time to try another brand or a different dose. While the effects can be subtle, you should notice a difference in how you feel on a day-to-day basis when you take a regular dose of CBD.
Get More for Your Health
So there you have it! If you asked, “How long does it take for CBD to kick in?”, you now know that CBD can start working almost immediately. You may not always notice the effects, but you can rest assured CBD is hard at work when you take it.
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