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Although CBD has gained popularity in various holistic wellness and healthcare communities over recent years, we still have a lot left to learn. Today, we'll answer one question that's common among new users and the CBD curious—how long does CBD last?
As in, how long do the effects from CBD last? And how long will a bottle of CBD oil last an average user? How long will CBD last in the bottle on the shelf?
The answer to all three questions? It depends. But considering a few important factors can help you understand what to expect.
Table of Contents
What to Expect from CBD
How Long Does CBD’s Effects Last?
CBD Effects Duration by Product Type
Other Factors that Affect CBD Effects Duration
How Long Will a Bottle of CBD Oil Last?
How Long Will CBD Last in the Bottle on the Shelf?
Resources
Before we can discuss the duration of CBD’s effects, we need to explain exactly what effects we’re referring to. To avoid confusion, we want to point out that CBD’s benefits are generally mild and are non-intoxicating.
While the effects are often noticeable, the most common benefit people experience from CBD is actually the absence of an ailment. For instance, many people report experiencing less pain, anxiety, or relief from a range of other discomforts.
The standalone effects from CBD are often described as feelings of calmness, improved focus, or a relaxed physical feeling. Overall, the effects from CBD are very mild and it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint where they begin and end.
Many people take CBD as a “preventative” measure to avoid ailments like pain and muscle soreness. In general, CBD may be more effective when taken regularly, and regular doses may lead to longer lasting effects over time.
This is because of the way that CBD interacts with the Endocannabinoid System, a regulatory system that controls multiple functions inside the body, like inflammation, pain signaling, immune responses, metabolism, energy, mood, and more. To learn more about CBD and how it offers such a wide range of effects, read “What is CBD?”
CBD can offer a considerable amount of relief from everyday ailments, and many people report that CBD is effective for managing pain, anxiety, sleep-related ailments, and more. But how long do the effects from CBD actually last? Here’s what we know:
The different product types and dosing methods available each influence the duration of CBD's effects. In most cases, the product type is the largest determining factor in how long the effects will last.
Below we've covered the most common CBD dosing methods and how long the effects from each CBD dose will typically last:
CBD tinctures are oil products designed to be taken sublingually, or dropped under the tongue. This dosing method allows CBD to skip the digestive tract where some CBD content may be lost to a filtering process called “first pass digestion.”
By this rule, sublingual oils are more effective because more CBD reaches the bloodstream. They’re also known for having fast acting effects since CBD is almost immediately absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes in the mouth.
Other products are designed to play on these sublingual methods, like chews, hard candies, and other melt-in-your-mouth doses. Vida Optima CBD Chews are a perfect example of sublingual edibles that can have fast-acting, long lasting effects.
Sublingual doses have a short onset time, and you will generally feel the effects within 30 minutes. Initially, the effects from sublingual doses can last anywhere from 4-6 hours, but many people report that a sublingual CBD oil dose can stave off uncomfortable ailments all day with a regular dosing routine.
Edibles can refer to many different items, ranging from CBD baked goods to CBD-infused candies, but CBD gummies are the most popular edible on the market today.
Gummies and other edibles offer the benefit of pre-measured doses that can range in potency or be stacked to reach your desired dose. They need to be digested, which means that the effects may take an hour or more to take effect.
This slow onset time has a benefit, though. CBD gummies are known for producing strong, long-lasting effects that can provide relief for 6 hours or more. Just like with sublingual oils, taking CBD gummies regularly can lead to all day relief from a single dose.
Our Vitality CBD Multivitamin Gummies are the perfect daily dose since they offer a moderate dose of full-spectrum CBD alongside essential daily vitamins that support total body wellness, like B12 and D3.
CBD softgels are designed for convenience since they are pre-measured and can be easily swallowed just like regular pills. This is a great option for those who don’t care for sugary gummies or who need to avoid sugar and carbs but still want the convenience of pre-measured doses. CBD softgels are ultra-portable, too.
Softgels have to be digested, but they dissolve quickly and can be processed at a faster rate than edibles and gummies. Generally, CBD softgels will take around an hour to kick in, and the effects can also last 6 hours or more.
CBD topicals are specifically targeted for topical ailments, like skincare concerns and muscle fatigue, and they are often most effective when used alongside a systemic dose of CBD. Many people use CBD topicals to treat skin conditions like acne or certain rashes or to manage inflamed muscles after workouts or minor injuries.
CBD topicals may include a range of oils, salves, or even CBD bath bombs. Topicals often contain active ingredients other than CBD, like warming herbs or menthol, so they may have immediate effects.
Expect the CBD to start to take effect after 15 minutes. CBD topicals generally need to be applied every few hours, but you may find that they effects last longer when you pair them with a tincture or edible dose of CBD.
Several different factors come into play to determine the duration of CBD effects, and we'll break them down below:
It may go without saying, but larger dosage sizes usually lead to longer lasting effects. In fact, larger doses not only have longer lasting effects, but they stay in your system longer than smaller doses.
Of course, larger doses are not usually necessary, especially for new users, and are not recommended for those who are just getting started with CBD. It's best to proceed with caution when you first begin using CBD because it affects everyone differently. In some cases, it's known to interact with certain medications, and some people find that small regular doses are actually more effective than large or infrequent doses.
The frequency of your dosing routine also has a lot to do with how long the effects of CBD oil will last. CBD is known to build up in body fat for the body to use when it's needed. Using CBD frequently may result in longer lasting effects and may also mean that CBD stays in the body longer.
It’s important to note that unlike many other substances, CBD is not known to be tolerance building. That means that you shouldn’t have to increase your CBD dosage over time to maintain the same effects, and some evidence suggests that the opposite may be true. Read more about CBD Tolerance to learn more.
Everyone’s body is unique and responds to CBD differently. Factors like your metabolism, body weight, diet, lifestyle habits, and more will affect how long the effects of CBD oil will last for you. In general, CBD dosage may need to increase as body weight increases, but there’s no set rules for weight-based dosage.
Those with a higher body fat content may experience longer lasting effects since CBD is stored in body fat and metabolized slower. People who are more active or have faster metabolisms may experience shorter-lived effects since CBD is metabolized more quickly.
The best approach is to feel out the effects of CBD for yourself by starting with low doses and increasing slowly to monitor the effects.
One again, the amount of time your CBD product will last depends on your unique factors, like how much CBD you use in each dose and how frequently you take CBD. Generally, CBD oil tinctures are designed to offer a base 1-month supply, but this isn't always the case.
For instance, our Mild Strength Vitality CBD Oil Tincture has 750mg of CBD per bottle, or thirty 25 mg doses. The Regular Strength Tincture has double that amount, which is a one month supply for those needing a 50 mg dose daily.
The benefit of tincture oils, however, is that they can be precisely measured as needed. The Regular Strength offers 50 mg per 1 mL, but you can easily measure a ½ mL dose of 25 mg of CBD.
That means that the Regular Strength Tincture offers sixty 25 milligram doses. The Maximum Strength Vitality CBD Oil has 3,000 mg of CBD per bottle, or 120 doses at 25 mg each.
As you can see, the amount of time a bottle of CBD oil will last depends directly on how much CBD oil you take daily and the potency of the CBD oil you choose.
Whether you've decided to hold off your dosing routine for a while (like while waiting for surgery or taking certain medications), or you just want to buy CBD in bulk to snag a good deal, you may be wondering "Does CBD expire?" The answer is yes, CBD does expire, but not as quickly as you may think.
In general, CBD products can last anywhere from 1-3 years after they are made, but the way you store CBD products has a lot to do with how long CBD oil will last.
CBD degrades when exposed to sunlight, heat, or oxygen. Storing your CBD in an airtight bottle away from direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place will ensure a much longer shelf life.
The expiration date for every CBD product will vary, and some products (like oils and capsules) are designed to last longer than others (like CBD-infused baked goods). Generally, your bottle of CBD oil will have a conspicuous expiration date somewhere on the label. If not, try reaching out to the company you purchased from to ask them when the batch was made and how long you can expect your products to last.
Ultimately, how long CBD will last (whether you’re talking about on the shelf or in your system) depends on how you use it and a range of unique factors. The best way to understand what to expect from CBD is to try it for yourself. Our CBD Dosing Guide can help ease you into a gentle CBD dosing routine that works for you.
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