How long does CBD stay in your system?

Written by Thomas Wrona and reviewed by our qualified expert, Moyra Cosgrove, Head of Nutrition at Naturecan, SENR Registered Nutritionist and DProf candidate at LJMU

Summary:

• CBD can stay in your system for between 3 and 5 days, although many factors can affect this timeframe.
• Edible CBD products stay in your system for longer, while topical CBD products stay active for shorter amounts of time.
• CBD’s half-life can also be extended by taking it with a fat source or taking larger doses.

CBD is a legal, healthy cannabinoid that’s been helping millions of people feel better.

But CBD’s rising popularity means you probably have questions about it. Questions like, how long does CBD stay in your system?

Hours…days…weeks…months? It turns out that how long CBD stays in your system depends on several factors. We’ll be answering all your questions in this article, so keep reading to learn more!

How long does CBD stay in your system?

So, first things first: how long does CBD stay in your system?

Generally speaking, for anywhere between 2 and 6 hours. Some people, however, report that CBD stays in their system for between three and five days. The duration for which CBD stays in your system is referred to as its half-life.

Why such a disparity from one person to the next? It’s thought that many factors can influence a CBD product’s half-life. These factors include: 

• Dosing frequency
• Dosing range
• Dosing method
• Whether you take CBD with anything else

We’ll dive deeper into these factors later, but first, let’s look at various types of CBD products and their respective half-lives.

Also keep in mind that we’ll be talking about broad spectrum CBD — CBD with non-detectable THC levels — throughout this article. Studies show that the other natural plant compounds present in broad spectrum CBD, such as terpenes, make it just about as powerful as full spectrum CBD.

CBD oil can stay in your system for a while, especially if you take it consistently over time.

 That being said, those who take premium CBD oil frequently may also become better at clearing it out of their system.

Here’s how one study explained this apparent conundrum:

“The terminal half-life of CBD in humans is estimated at 18–32 hours and, following single dose administration in chronic cannabis users, the clearance was 960–1560 ml/min.”

CBD capsules: How long does CBD stay in your system?

CBD capsules stay in your system for slightly longer than CBD oils.

That’s because their contents travel throughout the digestive tract before being fully released into the bloodstream.

It’s essentially a time-released effect. CBD capsules may take roughly 1-2 hours to kick in…and can stay in circulation for another 12-36 hours.

CBD edibles: How long does CBD stay in your system?

CBD edibles present one of the most enjoyable ways to take CBD.

They are also a great way to keep CBD in your system for a while.

Since CBD edibles must undergo both digestion and liver metabolism, they kick in much more slowly than other types of CBD products.

Research shows that CBD edibles can stay in your system for up to 3-5 days!

CBD balms: How long does CBD stay in your system?

CBD balms interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system completely differently than other CBD products do. They’re not actually absorbed into the bloodstream at all — so they don’t really stay in your system.

But that doesn’t mean they’re not effective. Research from Dr. Ethan Russo’s Phytecs hints that CBD balms and other topicals may bind to CB2 receptors in the skin, contributing to balance within dermal tissues. Check out our article on CBD skincare for more info on this topic.

CBG oil: How long does CBG stay in your system?

CBG is known as the mother cannabinoid, meaning every other cannabinoid in hemp gets produced from it.

CBG is like CBD in many ways, including its half-life and general bioavailability.

It’s thought that CBG oil stays in your system for roughly as long as CBD does.

What impacts how long CBD stays in your body?

• Dosing frequency 
• Dosing range 
• Dosing method
• Whether you take CBD with anything else

Your CBD dosing frequency

Taking CBD consistently over long periods of time may result in a buildup of endocannabinoids within your body, which can result in CBD staying in your system for longer. Less frequent CBD use, however, allows CBD to get processed and cleared out of your body fairly fast.

Your CBD dosing range

Taking larger amounts of CBD than your endocannabinoid system can use may also cause CBD to stay in your system for the long run. In general, larger amounts of CBD will stay in your system for much longer than smaller amounts of CBD. CBD megadoses, like the ones used in many studies, may stay in your system for several days longer than usual.

Your CBD dosing method

As we explained above, CBD’s half-life also depends on what type of CBD you’re taking. Oils, vapes, capsules, topicals, and transdermals all stay in your system for different lengths of time. In general, the closer a product is to an edible, the longer it’ll stay in your system.

Whether you take CBD with anything else

CBD kicks in just fine on its own, but new research shows that taking CBD alongside healthy fats like olive or MCT oil may boost its absorption — and half-life — even further.

On the flipside, taking CBD with metabolism-boosting compounds may reduce its half-life, though more research is needed in this area.

One more thing: be sure to talk to your doctor before trying CBD if you’re currently on any prescription medication. Some medications can drastically increase CBD’s potency. 

Does CBD show up on a drug test?

The topic of CBD and drug testing also comes up when talking about CBD’s half-life. Many people are surprised to learn that drug tests can mistake CBD for THC, even days after one’s last CBD dose. This is very rare….but it can happen. That’s because initial ‘point-of-care’ drug tests use antibodies that don’t always distinguish between the two cannabinoids.

How long is CBD detectable in urine?

CBD isn’t detectable in urine. Some of its primary metabolites are, however. These urine metabolites include trimethylsilyl (TMS), [2H9]TMS, and methyl ester/TMS derivatives. Interestingly enough, some people who take CBD don’t have any detectable urine metabolites whatsoever.

Summing things up

CBD is no longer just another alternative treatment. Today doctors and other medical professionals have come to acknowledge CBD as a legitimate way to promote full-body balance and overall health.

You can read more about CBD oil and its effects here. In the meantime, now you know how long CBD stays in your system! Remember, people will respond differently so it is recommended to start with a low dose and increase gradually until you find the dosage that suits your needs (always staying under the maximum daily dosage of 70mg). See the individual product pages on the Naturecan site for helpful guides to your dosage.