If you’ve consumed CBD before or if you’re new to the substance, then the question of “how long does CBD last” needs to be answered. 

Producing a calming and relaxed feeling, the mental and physical effects of cannabidiol (CBD) are almost unnoticeable. Unlike its cousin THC, CBD produces no psychoactive effect and it can be hard to tell when cannabidiol “activates” and how long their effects usually are. 

Factor in the variety of consumption methods available today such as vaping, sublingual sprays and edibles and the fact that everybody’s physiology is different and you have a recipe for frustration. 

How long does CBD last? Fortunately, we’ve broken down how long CBD lasts for the most common consumption methods so you can keep track of your medication!

How Long Does CBD Last?

For the unfamiliar, CBD is a non-psychoactive molecule found in the cannabis plant. It influences the release and uptake of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, leading to many potential therapeutic uses. It offers anti-pain, anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety emotional and physical relief. By counteracting the euphoric effects of THC, cannabidiol lends itself as a safer and less controversial alternative while still offering medical relief.

And nowadays, it’s likely to be found infused in drinks and food, even, lip balms and eye creams promising therapeutic relief for different symptoms.

Everybody’s body and physiology are different and it’s difficult to pin down exactly how long a dose of cannabidiol will last for each given consumption method. Here are our ballpark figures of CBD’s duration for each and every form that it comes in.

For CBD Edibles

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With tinctures, edibles such as gummies, capsules and drinks cannabidiol will last 4 – 6 hours. The long-lasting effects are explained by CBD passage through the digestive system and its slow uptake by the liver. High-dose CBD edibles will fall on the higher end of the duration spectrum while lower dosages will fizz out earlier. 

For Oil

How long does CBD oil last? Given the high concentration of cannabidiol in oil form and the fact it’s being absorbed through the liver, you can expect the duration of its effects to last anywhere from 4-6 hours. 

It usually takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours for the onset of effects due to differences in metabolism.

For Vaping

CBD inhalants such as vape oils or e-liquids will last 30 minutes up to an hour, depending on the volume and strength of the CBD. The onset for vaping usually happens within minutes if not seconds due to its direct absorption into the bloodstream by the lungs. 

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For Smoking

Similar to vaping, smoking CBD will make its effects last anywhere from 30 minutes up to an hour. Since the potency of cannabidiol is not as high in flower as it is with concentrates such as edibles and oils, the effects of smoking CBD usually fizzle out in less than an hour. 

For CBD Topicals

how long do the effects of cbd oil last

CBD topicals are absorbed through the skin. As such, its absorption rate is heavily affected by the amount of hair, skin and fatty tissue that each consumer has. Since CBD topicals are absorbed slowly through the skin, it can take up to 2 hours for a user to feel any effects. 

Consequently, the duration of effects for CBD topicals is usually 4 hours or more. This is due to the slow-release of the CBD topical into the bloodstream through the skin. 

Final Thoughts on The Effects of CBD

With all that being said, how long a dose of CBD’s effects will last is ultimately dependent on each individual person. A person’s weight, body fat percentage and lifestyle will affect your metabolism which in turn will affect how long the effects of cannabidiol will last in your system. 

The stronger the dose and the higher the volume consumed, the longer-lasting the effects are. If you have a dose that works for you with effects enduring as long as you want them to, be sure to remember the dosage to ensure a perfect amount every time.