How Long Does It Take for CBD to Work?

If you’re struggling with sore muscles or trying to bring your body back to feeling at its best, you’ll want to know how long it takes for CBD to work. The answer depends on several factors. The speed at which CBD oil takes effect relates to bioavailability, your dosage, wellness regime and your own perception of symptoms.

How CBD Works

To understand how long CBD takes to work, we first need to understand how CBD works in the body. The body’s natural endocannabinoid system contains both CB1 and CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors govern the brain and spinal cord, whereas CB2 receptors regulate the peripheral nervous system and the immune system. Between the two, the body is able to respond to and manage processes from mood and appetite to discomfort. The natural cannabinoids in CBD bind to these and more of the body’s receptors, exerting profound effects on the signals the brain sends onwards.

CBD Oil, Cream and Roll-Ons Work Differently

From scientific research, we know that the effects of CBD are most apparent over time with consistent use. Nevertheless, it is possible to speed up how quickly CBD works by changing the method of delivery.

Because CBD oil goes under the tongue, most of the oil is absorbed into the bloodstream directly. The rest passes through the digestive system to the liver where it is metabolized into inactive compounds. The sublingual route is the fastest route of absorption and users can be aware of the effects of CBD within 2 hours after ingestion. CBD oil targets many different signaling pathways in the body to assist with mood, discomfort.

Topical applications, on the other hand, such as creams and roll-ons, function mainly at the CB2 receptor and endocannabinoid system in the skin and surrounding tissues to fight discomfort. Combined with the cooling effect of minty essential oils, many athletes report instant effects.

Variables That Affect CBD Speed

For all its potency, CBD is a delicate substance. The speed of results will depend on several factors:

• The strength of the oil and dosage
• The frequency of use per day and the consistency of your CBD regime over time
• Your tolerance of discomfort
• Interactions with other medication, caffeine or alcohol
• Your body weight and metabolism

Choosing the Best CBD Product for You

For instant effects in a local area, topical cream or roll-on is the better solution. For a slower release that will last throughout the day and deliver broader benefits, regular doses of CBD oil would be the preferred option. Whatever you choose, we’re focused on providing the highest quality, most reliable and consistent broad-spectrum CBD blends for you.

Follow us at @LevelSelectCBD on social media for more information on CBD and our Level Select products.

Nick Marshall is a freelance copywriter from the UK who has been spreading the word about CBD, wellness and food & drink for more than 10 years.

Sources:

Frontiers in Psychiatry - “The Endocannabinoid System and Cannabidiol's Promise for the Treatment of Substance Use Disorder”

International Journal of Molecular Psychology - “Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System”

Harvard Health Publishing - CBD products are everywhere. But do they work?Health Europa - CBD: understanding how CBD works with our bodies