CBD Effects: How Long Does It Take to Work?

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When you want relief from any type of wellness issue, one of the first questions you should ask is, does it act fast or last long? Depending on the way you take CBD you can get either way!  

If you feel anxiety coming on, you may want to feel a sense of calm sooner rather than later. Whereas if you're experiencing chronic pain, you would want relief from it for as long as you can get it.

We’re going to look at how long it takes for you to feel CBD effects with different types of CBD products. 

CBD Bioavailability

CBD Bioavailability is one of the most important words you'll need to know when it comes to how fast or how long your CBD will work. It all comes down to bioavailability– the rate and degree at which CBD is absorbed into your bloodstream.

CBD interacts with our endocannabinoid system (ECS) that creates homeostasis or balance in our bodies. If we feel pain, it kicks into action to try to relieve it for us so we can feel better.

The ECS responds to cannabinoids that are already in our body as well as ones those found outside of the body– including CBD. There are cannabinoid receptors in the brain in areas that are responsible for our physiological and mental processes and also in the immune and central nervous systems. When an endocannabinoid binds to these receptors, it signals that ECS needs to start working.

Researchers don’t know exactly how CBD works with the ECS, but they do know that CBD modifies the cannabinoid receptor’s ability to bind and enhances our natural level of endocannabinoids.

Bioavailability is basically how quickly the CBD we take starts to interact with the ECS and relieve wellness issues like pain or anxiety. That is why it's really important to consider what bioavailability you want in your CBD product when you buy it. 

CBD Vape Oil

Let’s start with one of the fastest-acting ways of taking CBD. You guessed it! Vaping CBD has one of the highest rates of bioavailability. That means that when you inhale the CBD vape oil, you’re going to feel the effects of it usually within 15 minutes. Those effects won't last as long as some other methods, so it might be a better option for someone who is looking for immediate relief. Amphora uses CBD distillate with terpenes for our vape products, so you get the full benefit of the Cannabis plant as well as the wellness aspects of the terpenes.  

When you vape, your inhaling CBD oil that is heated up and turned into vapour, the vapour enters into your lungs and then goes directly into your bloodstream. There are different types of CBD distillate you can choose as well. For example, Amphora's Peace formula is excellent for feeling calm and relaxed, whereas our Inspire formula helps with focus and creativity.

Sublingual CBD Oil Tincture 

Sublingual CBD Oil Tincture is another popular way to take CBD that has very high bioavailability. Sublingual means absorbing something under the tongue in the mucous membranes found under there. It lets the CBD go right into the bloodstream when it enters the capillaries and starts to work with the ECS. Taking CBD this way allows you to avoid the process of digestion and the CBD being broken down in the liver – known as the 'first pass.' The Sublingual method usually comes in the form of a CBD oil tincture, and you just put a couple of drops under your tongue. The effects won’t last as long as CBD that you directly ingest. 

For those affected by mental health issues, using something like the sublingual or vaping method could be helpful. Lots of scientific studies have explored CBD and mental health. Many of them have found similar results with one 2015 study  finding that CBD helped reduce anxiety related to mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and generalized anxiety disorders.

Topic CBD Oil

Topical CBD means putting a CBD lotion or balm right onto the skin and targeting an effected area. It’s great for post-workout pain or sore muscles after sitting a desk all day. Your skin absorbs the CBD, and it works with cannabinoid receptors located where you applied the product. It's more accessible for people dealing with inflammation and chronic pain. The bioavailability depends on the type of product used, but it usually lasts for a few hours. 

One of the most common conditions CBD is used to help treat is pain and topicals are a great option for this. The antioxidants in CBD can act as an anti-inflammatory and can alleviate pain. According to a 2018 study, patients said that CBD helped treat chronic pain and joint pain from inflammatory conditions like arthritis.

CBD Edibles or Capsules

Edibles are at the bottom of the bioavailability spectrum – meaning it takes the longest to get to work. The good news is that it lasts the longest out of the methods of taking CBD. Once you eat or swallow your CBD product, it usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour to feel the effects. It has to be broken down in the digestive tract and then goes through the ‘first pass’ effect in the liver where the CBD is reduced in concentration. Then it enters the bloodstream and gets to work.

Taking something like a capsule or edible could be a great way to help with heart health.A smaller human study published in 2017 found that a single dose of CBD reduced the study participants’ resting blood pressure, as well as their blood pressure in response to stress.

It could also be helpful for sleep issues. Research has shown that CBD can interact with receptors that influence the ‘sleep/wake’ functions of the brain. CBD can help with that. One study found that CBD helped nearly 80% of participants with anxiety and over 65% with their sleep issues. If you have a CBD snack before bed, it could potentially help you have a better sleep through the night as it works its way through your body. 

The best thing about CBD is it’s easy to incorporate it in a way that fits with your lifestyle. And you also don’t have to stick to taking it just one way. Switch it up if you want! It’s all about how you want to experience the effects and help you feel better overall.