How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

Main image courtesy of OK CBD.

If you’re curious to learn more about CBD and what it can do for you, chances are you’re also wondering how long you can expect it to stay in your system. Because everyone’s body responds differently to CBD, there is no concrete answer to this question, however, you can get an estimate of how long CBD may remain. Once you find a CBD consumption method that works for you, you’ll need to take a couple of factors into consideration before you find out how long CBD will stay in your body. Additionally, based on how long CBD can stay in your system, you may also be concerned with whether or not CBD can show up on a drug test. We’re going to cover all of these questions in this article, so keep reading as we’re going to discuss:

• How you take CBD can determine how long it can stay in your system
• How long does CBD stay in your system?
• Does CBD stay in your system long enough to show up on drug tests?

How You Take CBD Determines How Long it Stays in Your System

You can take CBD as an ingestible or as a topical

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CBD is a safe and natural way to find relief from everyday aches and pains, feelings of anxiety, and it may also help you find a better night’s sleep. CBD is known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it the go-to remedy for chronic pain in muscles and joints. It works with your endocannabinoid system to decrease feelings of pain, but it is also known to have calming and soothing effects, making it a great option when you’re experiencing feelings of anxiety or stress. There are two broad methods of CBD consumption:

• Ingestibles. This method involves any type of product that you ingest into your body. CBD products that fall under this category include tinctures, gummies, mints, capsules, and even gum. Tinctures are a popular option because they enter the bloodstream quickly, as they are administered under the tongue and absorbed into the mucous membranes. Gummies and mints pass through the digestive system first, which means they may take a little longer to feel the effects. However, these kinds of ingestibles are a good idea if you want to feel the effects of CBD for a longer period of time.

• Topicals. Topical CBD products are those that you apply to your skin and are absorbed and interact with the endocannabinoid system locally. These are great when you’re using a CBD product for painful muscles and joints because you can target the area that receives the relief. CBD lotions, balms, roll ons, and moisturizers are all ways to allow the CBD to absorb directly into your skin. CBD topicals are also ideal when you need to instill a little relaxation into your routine. Warming CBD lotions, bath bombs, and bath salts are ways to get the de-stressing properties of CBD absorbed through your skin.

Although there are many ways to administer CBD, it’s important to note that only ingestibles or sublinguals like tinctures, capsules, gummies, or mints will make it into your bloodstream. Topicals that you apply to your skin are absorbed at the site where you apply them, and will not enter your bloodstream. So when you want to know how long CBD can stay in your bloodstream, just know that this applies only to ingestibles. 

How Long Does CBD Stay in Your System?

How long can you expect to have CBD in your system?

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There is no definite amount of time that CBD can stay in your body because every body responds differently to CBD! Generally, you can expect to have CBD in your system for roughly two to five days, but again, that does not apply to everyone. Not only that, but there are a variety of factors that can determine how long CBD will remain in your system.

• How much CBD you use. If you’re taking a higher dose of CBD, or administering CBD products a few times per day, this can have an impact on how long it stays in your system. When you’re taking a dose with higher milligrams, it will stay in your body longer than if you’re only taking a small amount on an infrequent basis.
• How frequently you use CBD. The more often you use CBD, the longer it can remain in your system, especially if you are taking higher doses. If you’re using CBD everyday (either once or a few times per day) there is a greater chance that the CBD will stay in your body for a longer period of time than if you used CBD only once in a while. CBD builds up over time when it is used consistently, which is why in order to feel the maximum effects, using it regularly is recommended.
• How your body responds to and metabolizes CBD. As we mentioned earlier, everyone’s body responds differently to CBD. Your weight, BMI, and other factors can play into how fast or slow you metabolize CBD, and therefore how long it can stay in your system.
• Your eating habits. Whether or not you take CBD on an empty or a full stomach can also impact how long it will remain in your system. On an empty stomach, the CBD can metabolize faster and will not stay in your system as long than if you administered it on a full stomach.  
• Method of CBD consumption. CBD can enter your bloodstream in two ways, either sublingually or through your digestive system. When you take CBD as a sublingual (with a tincture) it enters your bloodstream faster, allowing you to feel the effects quicker, and will stay in your system longer. If you’re using an ingestible like a gummy or a mint, it will need to travel through your digestive system first, so you won’t feel the effects quickly, but the CBD can remain in your body for a longer period of time. 

How long CBD stays in your system will depend on the factors above, but if you want to know when it will be completely eliminated from your system, most research suggests one to two weeks. 

If the idea of feeling the effects of CBD for a longer period of time sounds like something you want to add to your wellness routine, consider picking up an ingestible like Seventh Sense’s Bliss CBD Gummies in Peach. Each gummy piece includes 10mg of hemp-derived broad spectrum CBD and is a delicious way to administer the soothing effects of CBD. 

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Does CBD Show Up on Drug Tests?

If CBD stays in your system, can it show up on a drug test?

If you are concerned about CBD staying in your system and showing up on a drug test, it’s helpful to know that these types of screenings are typically not looking for CBD, but rather the intoxicating THC cannabinoid. Unless you are taking an extremely large dose of full spectrum CBD regularly, the chances are very slim that CBD would show up on a drug test. If you want to keep the risk of any chances of a positive on a drug screening, make sure you’re using broad spectrum CBD, which removes the THC cannabinoid completely. 

The amount of time that CBD stays in your system depends on a variety of factors, including how much you consume, how often, how your body responds, and what method you choose. Although each body responds differently, you can typically expect to have CBD out of your system in a few days, but for some it may take one to two weeks.