Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound found in cannabis sativa that has generated a buzz in recent years. More and more people are picking up CBD products to use for a variety of reasons, such as anxiety, sleep, or inflammation. However, with more CBD-infused products popping up on the shelves, it is important to think about the downsides, too. For example, have you considered how long CBD stays in the body?
Though CBD is legal and does not cause any psychoactive effects like THC, there are products out there with trace amounts of THC. For those who use certain medications or who have to undergo drug testing for work, how long CBD stays in the body is good information to have.
What is the Half-Life of CBD?
In simple terms, a half-life is how long it takes for any specific property within the body to be reduced by half. Presently, the half-life of CBD is thought to be between 1 hour and 5 days, depending on some factors [1]. Most drugs are completely eliminated within 4-5 half-lives [2].
Now, the half-life of CBD also depends on which kind of CBD you are taking. If you use drops and sprays, the half-life is anywhere between 1.4 and 10.9 hours. Increasing the frequency of the dosage may extend that half-life up to 5 days. Do you prefer smoking CBD flowers? The half-life is generally around 31 hours.
So how does half-life pan out in terms of how long CBD stays in the body? Since cannabidiol is being reduced by half-life every hour or 5 days, it can stay in the body anywhere from 10 hours to 25 days. Again, how often you take it—along with how you take it—greatly influences how long it remains in your system.
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What Affects How Long CBD Stays In Your Body?
You know now that CBD can remain in the body anywhere from 2 days to nearly a month. CBD is truly a unique experience for all, right down to how long it lingers in your body. That said, there are some factors that can help you estimate how long it will stay in your particular system:
Body Composition
Cannabidiol is fat-soluble, meaning that it is absorbed into the body’s fat cells. What does that mean? If you are someone who is fairly fit and has a low body fat percentage, the CBD you consume is going to be used up quickly. The more body fat you have, the longer CBD will remain in those fat cells.
Method of Consumption
There are many ways to take cannabidiol these days, including:
- Edibles
- Capsules
- Lotions and creams
- Oils and tinctures
- Flowers
Each of these methods deliver CBD to your system differently. Oils, tinctures, edibles, pills, capsules, and smoking CBD flowers will deliver CBD straight to your bloodstream. Edibles tend to linger the longest, while sublingual tinctures will get absorbed rapidly. Topical products do not get into the bloodstream, so you do not have to worry about them getting into your system.
Activity Level
Yes, your physical activity will play a role in how fast CBD enters and leaves your body. If you work out almost every day of the week, your CBD is going to burn off much faster than if you were more sedentary.
Frequency
Regularly consuming CBD builds it up in the system, making its presence greater in the bloodstream. What does that mean in terms of half-life? Well, your body will take longer to break down every bit of CBD in your system. The same is true if you only take CBD once in a while. Since there isn’t CBD already in your body, it will be metabolized fairly quickly.
Food
CBD works like other medications. If you take it on an empty stomach, the effects will hit you faster than if you eat prior. For example, if you consume a full meal then have a CBD edible after that, it will take much longer for the CBD to be digested and metabolized.
Will CBD End Up in Breast Milk?
For those who are considering chest feeding their babies, here is something you need to know: it may show up in your milk. Since CBD can stay in your system for quite a long while, there is always a chance that it will show up in places you didn’t expect, like your milk. Now, here is the thing: No one knows how CBD will impact an infant.
If you plan on breast or chest feeding, it has been recommended by the FDA that you stay away from CBD for at least a week before starting.
Does CBD Show Up in Urine and For How Long?
Presently, there are few studies out there that have looked into whether CBD can be detected in urine. However, one study from 2016 looked at CBD in various forms, such as flowers, oils, and capsules [3]. Two hours after using CBD, the participants had their urine sampled for CBD. Each participant tested positive for CBD. Within 24 hours of their dose, however, all traces of CBD were gone.
Though that is only a single study, you should be mindful of using CBD prior to any kind of urine testing, especially if you are using a full-spectrum product.
Will CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?
In most cases, cannabidiol will not affect your drug test. CBD is legal in the US. Furthermore, CBD isolate and broad-spectrum CBD products do not contain any THC. If you are using a full-spectrum blend, which must contain no more than 0.3% THC, you would have to take quite a bit—between 1,000 to 2,000 mg daily—for the THC to show up on your test.
That said, THC levels can build up if you take a higher concentration of CBD often.
If you have a drug test coming up and are worried, here are some tips to ensure you can pass:
- Stick to CBD products that are derived solely from hemp. Look for CBD isolate or broad-spectrum products that are completely devoid of THC.
- Do not use full-spectrum CBD, which has trace amounts of THC.
- Purchase your CBD from reputable vendors and manufacturers. Keep in mind that CBD is not regulated by the FDA, so you will have to rely on the due diligence of the CBD company.
- Read the certificates of analysis and ingredients on the products you plan on buying.
Choose a CBD Brand You Can Trust
How long does CBD stay in the body? Anywhere from a day to a few weeks. CBD metabolism is based on a number of factors, including consumption method, dosage, usage frequency, and your body. An important factor in using CBD and getting what you want out of it is choosing a reputable company that is 100% transparent. Choose a brand with clean CBD extracts and minimal additives that could impact how long CBD stays in your body.
Sugar Bottom Hemp is proud to produce high quality CBD using organic hemp. Our products are designed for a wide range of uses. We even carry CBD for pets. As part of our quality guarantee, we have every product analyzed in a third-party lab. Check out our extensive list of CBD products today. You are bound to find something you love!
Resources
- Meissner H, Cascella M. Cannabidiol (CBD) [Updated 2022 Nov 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556048/
- Hallare J, Gerriets V. Half Life. [Updated 2022 Jun 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554498/
- Wertlake PT, Henson MD. A urinary test procedure for identification of cannabidiol in patients undergoing medical therapy with marijuana. J Pain Res. 2016 Feb 12;9:81-5. doi: 10.2147/JPR.S96856. PMID: 26929665; PMCID: PMC4758796.
