CBD has become incredibly popular in the health and wellness industry in the past few years. However, many people still don’t know much about this substance and the products that contain it. The market is full of various CBD-based products, ranging from CBD topicals to oils, tinctures, and edibles. Out of them, CBD gummies certainly deserve some special recognition.
CBD gummies are an excellent way to get your daily dose of CBD. They are discreet, come in a wide range of delicious flavors, and you can munch on them regardless of where you are. Still, even after reading the instructions provided by the manufacturer, you may be left with a few fundamental questions.
How long do CBD gummies take to kick in? How long do they last? When and how often should you take them? What’s the right dosage?
Answering them can be a bit tricky since there are many different factors to consider. Nonetheless, the more you learn about CBD, the better, especially if you’re just at the beginning of your CBD journey.
Read on below for more useful information and learn everything you need to know about CBD and CBD gummies.
Key Takeaways
- CBD gummies are edibles that need to go through the digestive system before they can reach the bloodstream and start working. This means that they can take longer to provide effects but will also need more time to wear off.
- Factors such as metabolism, body weight, and the way you take CBD gummies affect how much time they need to kick in.
- It’s important to time taking CBD gummies according to your needs. CBD works differently for everyone, so it’s essential to be patient with it.
How Long Do CBD Gummies Take to Work?
CBD is a natural substance derived from the cannabis plant. Even though most of the evidence is still anecdotal and more research is needed, its potential benefits include, but are not limited to, pain and anxiety relief, increased relaxation, and healthy inflammation response support.
Regardless of the method of consumption you choose, the active ingredients will eventually find their way to your bloodstream. However, the time it usually takes them to get there can vary significantly depending on several factors.
For instance, edibles, such as CBD gummies, cookies, candies, or drinks, need to go through the digestive system first, and only then can they be absorbed into your bloodstream. If you ingest them, they may need anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect.
However, if you absorb them sublingually, for instance, by licking a CBD-infused lollipop, the mucus membranes in your mouth will absorb the CBD. This way, it will “skip” your digestive system and start working quicker, but it likely won’t be as potent.
Sublingual administration is also the preferred method that people use to take CBD oils and tinctures. Regardless of whether they’re broad-spectrum or full-spectrum, they’re usually relatively potent. To take them, you need to apply a few drops of the oil under your tongue, hold it there for around 30 seconds, and swallow. When taken sublingually, CBD oil can start working within 15 to 30 minutes.
CBD topicals, such as CBD athletic creams or CBD salves, are perfect for those CBD enthusiasts who want to relieve localized pain or recover from injuries resulting from their active lifestyles. Depending on the type, ingredients, and potency of your topical product, it may start working almost immediately or provide relief after around half an hour.
As you can see, different CBD products can be used in different ways, and therefore provide varying results. In general, it’s safe to say that if you take your CBD gummy an hour before you want it to start working, you should be satisfied with the outcome.
What Factors Affect the Time It Takes for CBD Gummies to Kick In?
It’s essential to bear in mind that, when it comes to CBD and how and when it works, a lot depends on the consumer.
The exact time window can depend on factors such as:
Metabolism
Metabolism is a set of body processes that determine how quickly you break down and synthesize compounds to convert them into energy. The faster your metabolism, the less time it will take for CBD gummies to start working.
Your age, diet, sex, body size, and health status can all affect your metabolism. While some people claim to be born with a fast metabolism, in the vast majority of cases, lifestyle and health habits have a much bigger impact.
How You Take Them
Since CBD gummies need to travel through your digestive system, it’s important whether you take them with or without food. Just like any other edibles, gummies need to be fully digested and absorbed before they can provide you with the effects.
If you consume CBD gummies on an empty stomach, then they will be the only things your body will need to digest, and they will be likely to kick in faster. But if you take a CBD gummy right after eating dinner or snacking on some chocolate, you’ll probably need to wait in bed longer to feel anything.
Body Weight
The heavier you are, the more CBD you’ll need to take. The more CBD you take, the longer your body will need to break it down before it can enter your bloodstream and start working.
If you consume fewer CBD gummies than the amount recommended for your weight range, the effects of CBD may not be as noticeable. On the other hand, taking doses that are too high for your body mass on a daily basis can increase the risk of experiencing unpleasant side effects.
Furthermore, the vast majority of edibles are made with fat-soluble cannabinoids. This means that having more fat cells allows you to store CBD in your body for longer. Conversely, if you have fewer fat cells, you may not be able to enjoy the potential benefits of your CBD gummies for an extended time.
The bottom line is that, with so many variables to consider, it’s hard to give a definitive answer regarding how long you’ll need to wait before your CBD gummies start working. CBD is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and just because it worked one way for one person, it doesn’t mean that it will do exactly the same for you. Some people may need to wait 30 minutes for the gummies to kick in, while others may notice the first effects two hours later.
Still, if you stay consistent about taking your gummies, after some time, you should be able to determine what your average time frame looks like. You may also try to adjust when and how you consume the gummies (in the morning, after eating dinner, etc.) to see if this changes anything and helps them kick in faster.
How Long Do CBD Gummies Last?
The same factors that affect how long it takes for CBD gummies to kick in also play an important part in the amount of time you’ll experience its benefits. Once again, the factors that affect it are different for everyone.
In general, you should keep in mind that people with higher body fat percentages need more time to flush their system. This means that the more you weigh, the longer you may be able to experience the effects of CBD.
If your metabolism is quick, you’ll feel CBD working sooner, but the effects may go down faster. Bodies of people with a slow metabolism will need longer to break down the CBD gummies and allow the cannabinoids to kick in, but they will likely need more time to get CBD out of their system.
Additionally, the more you eat, the slower your digestion and metabolism, and an empty stomach will give you the opposite effect. The potency of your CBD gummies also plays a vital role in how long you can enjoy their potential benefits. The stronger your gummies, the more time they will need to move through your system and leave your body completely.
How Long Will CBD Stay in Your System?
Even though the effects of CBD usually last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, it may still be in your system long after that. This is due to CBD’s half-life, which can range anywhere from 1 to 5 days.
Half-life refers to the amount of time your body needs to eliminate one-half of an ingested substance, whether it’s a common over-the-counter painkiller or a flavorful CBD gummy. In most cases, your body should eliminate the substance you took within four to five half-lives.
When taken orally, the half-life of CBD is about 1 to 2 days. Still, depending on your individual body composition as well as the factors outlined earlier, it may take longer to flush the CBD out of your system.
When Should You Take CBD Gummies?
Since CBD works differently for every person, pinpointing the exact time you should take CBD gummies can be quite challenging. Some people take their gummies in the morning to encourage focus and stay more relaxed throughout a stressful day filled with work and chores. Others take them in the evening, especially if the product is enriched with extra melatonin, which, together with CBD, can promote better sleep.
For this reason, you should start by determining why you’re using CBD in the first place and what your goals are.
Focus
If you want to work more efficiently and stay concentrated on your tasks throughout the day, taking a CBD gummy in the morning may be the perfect solution. Whether you’re working from home or commuting, all you need to do is to time everything properly so that CBD has enough time to start working.
Don’t worry about the effects wearing off in the middle of the day. CBD gummies contain a precise dose of CBD, so you can control how much you’re taking and pop in another gummy for more consistent, long-lasting results.
Better Sleep
When your goal is to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, you should take CBD gummies in the evening. Since they can take even up to two hours to work, you should take them early enough, so they have enough time to kick in. The effects should wear off by the morning, so you don’t need to worry about feeling drowsy during the day.
Pain Relief
You don’t have to be a top-tier athlete to deal with aches or swelling. However, this doesn’t change the fact that such injuries can be quite uncomfortable. So, whenever you feel like you need some extra, long-lasting support, you can take a CBD gummy or two and let nature do its job.
CBD gummies can also work well if you struggle with chronic pain. Of course, they won’t make it go away for good, but they can help ease it to the point where it becomes less bothersome. If the pain makes you feel restless and frustrated, you can try managing it with the help of some tasty CBD gummies.
Are CBD Gummies Safe?
CBD gummies are just as safe as any other CBD product, be it CBD salve, CBD softgels, or CBD oil, as long as you buy them from a reliable source. Therefore, it’s essential you always do the appropriate research and read all the information you can find about the CBD products you want to purchase.
Once you find the CBD gummies that suit your taste, you should look for third-party testing results, check the ingredients list, and make sure they contain no chemicals or pesticides. You can also browse product reviews left by verified consumers.
Bear in mind that even though the CBD industry is constantly growing, it’s still in its infancy. Even though new regulations are being introduced each year, there are still many untrustworthy people out there who may be selling poor-quality products. That’s why you should shop carefully.
Does CBD Have Any Side Effects?
Although CBD is generally safe, you can still experience some unpleasant side effects, especially if you miscalculate the dose or eat a few more gummies than initially planned. They may include:
- dry mouth,
- nausea,
- drowsiness,
- fatigue,
- diarrhea,
- reduced appetite.
If you experience any of these side effects, try to adjust your CBD gummies dosage. If they don’t go away after 24 hours or become more severe, make sure to contact a doctor.
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