Key takeaways
- CBD can be detected in the urine, blood, saliva and hair from 3 hours to a month after last use.
- Factors affecting the expulsion of CBD from body includes; rate of metabolism, type of product consumed, dosage used, presence of disease conditions, frequency of use and diet.
- Using CBDa products will hasten the rate of CBD expulsion from the body since they show a higher level of activity with the receptors.
How long does CBD stay in different body parts?
Have you ever wondered how long CBD stays in your body after you use it? Let's find out! When we take CBD, it goes on a journey in our bodies, interacting with special parts called endocannabinoid receptors. Some of it stays for a while, and some leaves our bodies. CBD and other cannabinoids can be detected in the blood, urine, saliva and hair several days after administration and this is what forms the basis for drug tests [1]. Drug tests will look for the presence of certain chemicals related to CBD in these body parts to determine if you’ve been using these products or not. Let’s dive into how long CBD can last in these body parts.
- How long does CBD stay in the blood?
CBD takes a ride in our blood, usually sticking around for 3 to 6 days. It's like a little traveler going to where it needs to help out. Once it's done offering this help, it leaves the bloodstream.
- How long does CBD stay in the urine?
A 2020 research study in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology shows that CBD can be detected in the urine 4 to 25 days after last use [2]. The urine is like a CBD exit door; it helps our body get rid of what it doesn't need.
- How long does CBD stay in the hair?
Although hair tests are not common, CBD may be trapped in the hair for up to three months after last use. Although we don’t know why, it seems the hair likes to keep a little CBD souvenir whenever we use a CBD product.
- How long does CBD stay in the saliva?
CBD can be found in saliva for a day or a little more (24 to 36 hours). Saliva is like a quick mirror showing if we've recently had some CBD.
Factors Influencing CBD Retention in the Body
CBD doesn't always stay the same amount of time for everyone. Here are some things that can change how long it hangs around in your body.
- Type of CBD product consumed
CBD products come as oils, edibles, tinctures, salves, vapes and more. These show different level of activity and take different times to leave our bodies. While vapes may require shorter time to be expelled from the body, edibles take very long since they need to undergo digestion by the liver. This is known as first-pass metabolism. Vapes take a shorter time since they go directly into the lungs and immediately act on the receptors. The fast action of vapes may not be suitable for people who want to use CBD for disease conditions. However it is great for recreational use. So if you are looking to increase the amount of time CBD stays in your system, we suggest you start thinking about CBD edibles and organic hemp oil. These products can stay for a minimum of 2 days to several weeks.
- Body metabolism
Our bodies are unique, so how our body reacts to CBD can be different. Recall that CBD acts via the endocannabinoid system and this system is controlled by how much of cannabinoids we need. If our body needs lots of CBD, it might use it up quickly, leaving less time for it to stay. This is why it is important we study our body and know how it reacts to CBD products. If we experience a high level of CBD metabolism after use, we can increase our dosage to make it last longer.
- CBD dosage used
The higher the dosage the longer the effect and vice versa except in rare occasions where the individual needs a high supply of cannabinoids. Large doses of CBD will take longer to break down and remain in circulation longer than smaller doses.
- Disease conditions/health status of the user
Certain disease conditions or the presence of certain compounds may affect how well our body breaks down cannabinoids or utilize its possible benefits. Some diseases like migraines, IBS and diabetes are caused by a low supply of cannabinoids hence may require a high dose of CBD to stay longer.
- Frequency of CBD use
If we use CBD often, our body builds up a supply that lasts longer. Using it regularly helps keep our bodies in good shape. This is why most experts suggest you use CBD products for a week to see its effect on your body. Constant use of CBD product will ensure adequate supply of cannabinoids to your body and keep you healthy. Think of cannabinoids as compounds that see to the smooth running of your body. They control important life processes and a shortage in their supply can lead to certain disease conditions like migraines, headaches and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Diet
The food we eat plays a critical role in prolonging CBD retention this is why it is advisable we consume CBD after a meal.
Average Duration of CBD in the System
From the time of consumption to the time complete expulsion from the body, it takes an average of 3 minutes to 25 days for CBD to exist in the system. During this time, the compounds are actively present in the blood, hair and urine and other bodily fluids. The compounds will continue to interact with their receptors to boost our immunity, improve our overall health and ultimately keep us healthy. This is why we don’t need to be sick to use CBD products.
How long do the effects last?
While CBD can exist in our bodies from 3 minutes to 25 days, the effects of CBD mostly lasts up to 72 hours depending on the mode of administration and the product used. The highest effect of CBD products was recorded in edibles where users attest to feeling the effect 3 days after consumption.
Will it show up on a drug test?
Drug tests do not screen for the presence of CBD since it is non-intoxicating. Most drug tests are focused on testing for the presence of THC and not CBD. So if you are a constant CBD user, you don’t have anything to worry about.
Tips to Expedite the Removal of CBD from the System
- Use CBDa products: CBDa products contain acidic cannabinoids which readily interacts with cannabinoid receptors. These products tend to act fast and also require low doses. CBDa products undergo faster interaction with the receptors and produce smaller byproducts when compared to neutral cannabinoids like CBD.
- Use small doses
The golden rule of CBD use is to start small and go slow. You don’t need large doses unless your body metabolism requires it. Taking large doses of CBD products especially oils and tinctures will subject your liver to more work. Take only the dose you need and let your body do the rest.
- Use full spectrum products
Full-spectrum CBDa products like our organic hemp oil comes with several compounds that keeps your system running. They engage several receptors and leaves little to no room for byproducts.
- Take lots of fluids
Taking adequate fluids like water will help to dilute the concentration of CBD in your system hence making its expulsion faster. Always stay hydrated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CBD safe for me?
yes, pure CBD is safe for use as long as the product is authentic and does not contain toxic chemicals. Using toxic and contaminated products can predispose you to several health concerns.
Can CBD make me high?
No, CBD cannot make you high. That is why most regions of the world are considering it for medical use. only THC can make you high.
How long does CBD stay in the blood?
CBD stays in the blood for 3-6 days after last use.
How long does CBD stay in the urine?
CBD can be detected in the urine 25 days after last use. This is however determined by the dosage and frequency of use.
Can I fail a drug test after using CBD?
No, most drug tests are designed not to test for CBD.
Want to Learn More?
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- How To Recover From Burnout in 8 Ways
- Is CBD Oil Use While Pregnant Safe?
- How Does CBD Oil Make You Feel: What To Know
Sources
Sharma P, Murthy P, Bharath MM. Chemistry, metabolism, and toxicology of cannabis: clinical implications. Iran J Psychiatry. 2012 Fall;7(4):149-56. PMID: 23408483; PMCID: PMC3570572.
Tory R Spindle, Edward J Cone, David Kuntz, John M Mitchell, George E Bigelow, Ronald Flegel, Ryan Vandrey, Urinary Pharmacokinetic Profile of Cannabinoids Following Administration of Vaporized and Oral Cannabidiol and Vaporized CBD-Dominant Cannabis, Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Volume 44, Issue 2, March 2020, Pages 109–125, https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkz080