How long does it take your body to eliminate CBD?

Whether you’re an experienced or casual CBD user, you’ve probably already asked yourself the question: How long does it take your body to absorb and eliminate CBD? Truth be told, there is no exact answer to this question, as the absorption and elimination of CBD varies depending on several factors.

Sommaire

Indeed, the time it takes for CBD to be absorbed and eliminated depends on the amount you have consumed, the level of CBD, the method of administration, your weight, and your metabolism. Even when the effects have worn off, CBD is still present in your body, but the duration varies greatly from one individual to another.

Because of this, the same amount of CBD and the same method of administration can produce different results on each person. In any case, you want to know how long CBD stays in your system. You are planning to take a break, change the way you use it or increase the doses, and you would like to understand the elimination process of CBD. All the answers to your questions about CBD elimination can be found in this article.

How long does CBD stay in the body?

According to scientific studies, CBD does not stay in your system for more than 7 days after your last consumption. That said, this duration varies according to certain factors. For example, frequent users, who take more than 10 mg of CBD every day, may take more than 2 weeks to eliminate it. For occasional users, CBD is almost undetectable after one week. If it is a one-time consumption, CBD can even be eliminated in a single day.

Even though on average, it takes about 7 days for CBD to be completely cleared from your system, it is important to understand that this number simply depends on several things, namely:

• your age ;
• your metabolism ;
• your weight;
• how often you consume CBD;
• the amount of CBD you take;
• and most importantly, the way you use it.

The different ways of consumption

CBD by mouth

If you consume CBD oil, capsules or food products, you must wait for the cannabinoids to pass through your digestive system to feel any effects. CBD has to pass through the gut and liver before it reaches the bloodstream, which is why the relaxing effects can take 30 minutes or more to kick in. When consumed orally, CBD has a half-life of 2-3 hours, which means that the rise is slow, but the effects can last for several hours. Eliminated through the kidneys or lymphatic system, orally ingested CBD can be cleared within hours or days.

CBD oil by the sublingual route

When you pour a few drops of CBD oil under your tongue, the cannabinoids are absorbed through the mucous membranes and capillaries of the mouth. As a result, the CBD enters the bloodstream very quickly. In contrast to oral consumption, sublingual consumption provides relaxing effects in just a few minutes. Depending on the dosage, the half-life of sublingual CBD varies between 1 and 10 hours. In other words, CBD consumed in this way rises and falls almost as quickly.

Inhalation of CBD flowers and resins

Inhalation remains the fastest way to absorb CBD, as the lungs transfer it directly into the bloodstream. Eliminated through the urine, inhaled CBD does not remain in the body for long with this method of administration. It is absorbed quickly, but the effects are not as long lasting as with the above methods. The half-life of inhaled CBD is 1 to 2 hours after consuming a dose of about 20 mg.

The cutaneous application of CBD cream

CBD creams can be applied locally for various reasons: an insect bite, a burn, a cellulite problem. When CBD is applied directly to the skin, it almost never reaches the bloodstream. It enters the skin through the transfollicular route and then accumulates in what is called the sebaceous gland, the organ responsible for the secretion of sebum. For this reason, the soothing and anti-inflammatory properties remain localized to a specific area, and do not spread throughout the body. It is possible that a small amount of CBD may enter the bloodstream, but to do so, it must pass through the 7 layers of the epidermis. Absorption through the skin is slow, and the effects appear between 30 and 45 minutes. After a few hours, it disappears completely from your body.

The elimination of CBD, a process that varies from one person to another

The most important thing to remember is that CBD acts in a very different way from one person to another. Beyond the mode of consumption, you must always take into account the physiological variables to determine approximately the time of absorption and elimination of CBD.

• Your weight: The heavier a person is, the more CBD they need to take in order to feel the effects. This explains why a 60 kg woman can feel more powerful effects than a 100 kg man for the same amount, form and rate of CBD.
• Your metabolism: Everyone has a different metabolism. Some spend and consume faster, so they need a higher and more frequent amount to get the full benefits of CBD.
• Your experience: Of course, people who consume CBD on a regular basis do not experience the same effects as when they first took it. The body gets used to the effects and feels them in a lighter way. This is why it is important to start with the smallest possible dose and increase it as you go along.

Is CBD detectable in urine and saliva tests?

When people talk about CBD elimination, it’s often out of fear of detection on a drug test, when CBD is not. First of all, the saliva tests performed during a police check are aimed at detecting the presence of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in your body, since this is the molecule responsible for the psychoactive effects of hemp. So, you can rest assured, because no, CBD is not detectable in the saliva test. Although the consumption of CBD before driving is not forbidden, it is not recommended. Indeed, CBD can lead to a state of relaxation and drowsiness that is not good for driving.

Regarding urine tests, scientific studies have shown that it is quite rare to find CBD in urine, but it is still possible. In 2016, an American study was conducted on this subject on 15 participants. They all consumed CBD-rich products before taking a urine test. 2 hours after the consumption of these products, 14 out of 15 participants were positive. 24 hours later, CBD is no longer detectable and so all participants are negative in the urine test.

All in all, it can be said that single or occasional use CBD does not stay in your system for more than a week in your bloodstream, and barely 24 hours in your urine, even with a high dose. However, regular users will have to wait 7 to 15 days to see the CBD completely eliminated from their body, since cannabinoids accumulate in the blood and in fat. It all depends on how you use it, how much you use, and your physiological predispositions.

How do you find the right CBD dosage for you?

After understanding the concepts of CBD absorption and elimination, you’re probably wondering what dosage is really right for you. To find the right dosage, all you have to do is experiment. For example, if you’re looking for quick effects, you’ll probably prefer the oil in sublingual or the flowers in inhalation. Depending on your weight and level of experience, a small amount may already be enough to give you powerful effects.

Can CBD interact with other medications?

Yes, CBD can interact with other medications you are taking at the same time, and thus, prolong the elimination time. This will not affect your health, but if in doubt, ask your doctor if taking CBD is compatible with your medication.