How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?

May 5, 2021/Cody Allen/

It’s a great question and one that’s most frequently asked among those interested in trying CBD.

But as common as this question is, the answer isn’t always straightforward.

Online publications suggest that CBD typically stays in your system for about 2 – 5 days. However, this isn’t the case for everyone.

In fact, CBD may stay in some peoples’ systems for more than a week.

There are several factors that come into play regarding how long CBD remains in your body.

CBD dosage is everything

According to research, “the higher the dose taken and the more frequently the substance has been used over an extended time, the more likely that it will be detected.”

While substances like CBD are excreted from the body at various rates, they do accumulate inside the body. This is not the case if you consume the CBD once.

But that’s not all…

In addition to the frequency and dosage of CBD, there are other factors that contribute to how long CBD will stay in your system:

Administration method
Metabolism rate
Excretion routes/fluid intake
Physical health
Diet
Exercise
Weight
Gender

Research suggests that chronic use of marijuana may be detectable for up to 30 days. Alcohol, on the other hand, can remain in your system for 24 hours or less.

Because CBD affects individuals differently, it can remain in each person’s body for different lengths of time.

For now, studies suggest that cannabinoids like CBD remain in the system as follows:

Casual use –– 1 to 3 days
Daily use –– 5 to 10 days
Chronic use –– over 30 days

So let’s see what this means for…

Drug testing and CBD

CBD doesn’t typically show up on a drug test. However, certain chemicals used in drug screens make it impossible to tell the difference between CBD and THC.

That said, if you’re consuming full-spectrum CBD products that contain the legal amount of THC (0.3%), they could show up on a drug test.

For these reasons, be mindful of the CBD products you consume. At the very least, speak with your employer or company about your options to consume hemp-derived CBD.

As for the effects of CBD…

How long do the effects of CBD last?

Again, CBD affects everyone differently. The therapeutic effects of CBD really depend on the person who’s taking it.

For some people, CBD can take effect almost immediately. For example, people and pets with rare forms of epilepsy have reported feeling relief within just a few hours after consuming CBD oil.

For others, it can take days or weeks.

The truth is, the method at which you choose to consume CBD will ultimately determine how quickly you’ll feel CBD’s effects, and how long those effects will last.

The following are suggestions:

Sublingual CBD (CBD oil / tinctures) typically last anywhere from 3 – 8 or more hours.
CBD edibles (CBD gummies / capsules) typically last anywhere from 1 – 3 or more hours.
Topical CBD (CBD creams, lotions, and salves) typically last anywhere from 1 – 5 or more hours.