Cannabidiol (CBD) has become popular in recent years for its pain-relieving, anti-anxiety, and overall calming effects. Although legalization has made CBD accessible for many people, some are still reluctant to try it for fear of failing a drug test or being associated with the long-standing stigma behind cannabis.
Even though initial studies suggest that CBD is safe to use, it is important to know its effects on the body. CBD in your system can remain for days or weeks, depending on several key factors.
Factors that prolong CBD in your system
CBD is just like any other substance, and many of the usual variables affect how long it stays in your body. For some, CBD will leave your system in 2 to 5 days. However, for others, it can take as long as a couple of weeks.
Quantity and dosage
Generally speaking, the more CBD you take, the longer it will stay in your body. This means that the amount of CBD in your system is dependent on the amount you take at a given time.
Frequency of use
If you are a frequent CBD user, you will generally have more CBD in your system and thus will also take longer before it clears out. At the same time, less frequent CBD users will also clear out CBD faster.
Metabolism
Metabolism can vary wildly from person to person, but this factor plays a significant role in keeping CBD in your system and expelling it. Also, taking CBD on an empty stomach can increase the absorption rate since certain foods enhance bioavailability. This would increase the overall concentration of CBD in your body.
Method of administration
The effects of CBD and how long it stays in your system are also dependent on the method you take it. There is a bioavailability concept, which refers to the rate by which your body absorbs CBD in your system.
Oral consumption
Bioavailability is dictated by your method of consumption and the types of CBD you take. When you ingest CBD oil for digestion as a capsule, gummy, or beverage, you will need to take more to feel the effects. So while CBD edibles are common, they are also the most inefficient method of consumption.
This is because CBD has to go through your digestive tract, which filters out a large portion of it. Oral ingestion has a bioavailability of 4% to 20%. To illustrate, your body will only process a maximum of 20 mg of an edible containing 100 mg of CBD.
Sublingual consumption
This method refers to an oil tincture that is administered under the tongue. This method utilizes the sublingual gland, where CBD is then absorbed into the bloodstream. Typical forms of CBD for this method include oil tinctures, tablets, and sprays.
Sublingual consumption delivers CBD more directly to the bloodstream compared to oral consumption. This method has a bioavailability of 12% to 35%, which is still much more efficient than oral consumption.
Vaping CBD
Vaporization uses raw hemp flowers or e-liquids to be vaporized in an inhalation device. This method of consumption delivers CBD directly to your lungs. Not only does this method give almost instantaneous effects, but it also requires a much lower amount of CBD to produce these results.
Vaping CBD has a bioavailability of 34% to 46%, with some estimates putting it as high as 56%. As you can see, the numbers prove that vaping CBD is one of the best ways to take CBD as far as absorption efficiency is concerned.
CBD Half-life
Studies show that CBD has a half-life of 2 to 5 days for those taking it via oral consumption. In another study, participants were given 2.5 mg of THC and 1.35 mg of CBD, and researchers found that CBD was only present in their blood for up to 9 hours after ingestion.
Considering the above factors like metabolism, frequency of use, and CBD concentrations, it may be safe to deduce that CBD leaves most people’s systems in 1 to 2 weeks.
Does CBD show up on a drug test?
Traditional drug tests look for THC. If you are concerned about testing positive, you should be aware of CBD’s different formulations currently being sold on the market. Some formulations extract all cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, including THC, which may leave trace amounts of THC in your bloodstream.
Full-spectrum CBD
This formulation contains all the naturally-occurring cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes available in cannabis. Yes, this includes THC. But although most full-spectrum CBD has less than 3% THC, frequent use of it may reflect as a positive or false positive in a drug test.
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad spectrum CBD gummies are similar to full-spectrum, with the very notable exception of THC in the formulation. It is recommended for people wanting to avoid any THC detectable in urine to take broad-spectrum CBD instead of full-spectrum.
CBD isolate
This hemp-derived CBD product contains no other impurities aside from CBD. This formulation has filtered out all other compounds to result in an oil that is just CBD. For some people, this formulation is best since their only interest is CBD’s therapeutic effects and nothing else.
Final thoughts
Many factors can influence CBD in your systems, such as your body chemistry, the formulation of the CBD you are taking, and the method of consumption. If you are worried about a drug test, it is best to take CBD formulations that contain zero THC for your peace of mind and mental health.
Disclaimer:
Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily WeSay.
Grace, thank you for a most educational article. I recently opened an online CBD business and while I have researched plenty, it is always good to know additional information and educate the general public. I often get asked if a user would pass a drug test (referring to Marijuana THC) and the answer is “take isolates” which would be the safest best for these cases. I have found out that many non users or thinking about CBD users are very skeptical because the information out there is all over the place and some companies may be a bit too irresponsible… Read more »