Hemp-derived CBD is gaining popularity for its potential to ease stress, improve sleep, relieve pain, and support overall well-being. But how exactly does it work in the body? And what factors affect how fast it kicks in?
In this guide, we’ll break down the science behind CBD’s effects, how it interacts with your body’s systems, and why it may take time before you feel noticeable results.
What is CBD?
CBD (cannabidiol) is one of over 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. While it comes from the same plant family as THC, it’s non-psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you high.
Instead, hemp-derived CBD is known for its therapeutic potential, including:
Anxiety and stress
Chronic pain
Sleep disturbances
Inflammation
Let’s take a closer look at how it works once it enters your body.
How does CBD work?
CBD works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex cell-signaling system that plays a crucial role in regulating various functions, including mood, sleep, appetite, and immune response.
The ECS consists of endocannabinoids, receptors, and enzymes.
1. Endocannabinoids: These are natural compounds produced by our bodies that closely resemble cannabinoids, such as CBD. They act as messengers, relaying information to the ECS about changes in our internal environment.
2. Receptors: Think of receptors as locks on the surface of our cells. There are two primary types – CB1 receptors, mostly found in the brain and central nervous system, and CB2 receptors, scattered throughout the peripheral organs and tissues, particularly those linked to the immune system.
3. Enzymes: Enzymes are the cleanup crew. They break down endocannabinoids once their message, ensuring the ECS maintains a delicate balance.
When you take CBD, it metabolizes and influences the CB receptors (especially CB1 and CB2), which increases the activity of endocannabinoids in the body by preventing the enzymes that break them down, letting them stay in the system for longer. This leads to more endocannabinoid activity and in turn better wellbeing.
CBD also interacts with non-cannabinoid receptors, such as serotonin receptors, often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, responsible for influencing mood, anxiety levels, and overall emotional well-being (1).
By modulating serotonin receptor activity, CBD can contribute to a sense of balance and emotional stability.
CBD’s reach also extends to vanilloid receptors, associated with pain perception and inflammation. When activated, vanilloid receptors can desensitize nerve endings, alleviating chronic pain and inflammation (2).
By interacting with all these pathways, CBD promotes a sense of balance, physically and emotionally, without intoxication.
How long does CBD take to work?
CBD’s effects aren’t instant, and timing depends on how you take it and your body’s unique chemistry.
Sublingual (oils, tinctures): Takes 15–45 minutes.
Inhalation (vape, flower): Effects within minutes.
Oral (gummies, capsules): Can take 1–2 hours.
Topical (creams, roll-ons): Duration varies depending on how it’s used.
For many users, the benefits of CBD become more noticeable with consistent use over time. Some people feel a difference in a few days, while others may need a few weeks of regular dosing.
So start with a low CBD dosage and allow your body to adjust to this new compound. Patience is key, as the effects of CBD can be subtle and take time to manifest.
How does your body absorb CBD?
CBD comes in various product forms and the method of consumption significantly affects how your body absorbs this compound, such as:
Sublingual administration (oils, tinctures):
CBD oils and tinctures are dropped under the tongue and held for 30–60 seconds before swallowing. The membranes under your tongue absorb the CBD directly into your bloodstream, bypassing digestion.
- Onset: 15–45 minutes.
- Duration: 4–6 hours.
Oral ingestion (capsules, gummies, edibles):
When you take CBD orally, whether in the form of gummies, capsules, or edibles, it is processed through your digestive system. Once swallowed, it travels to the stomach and then to the liver, where enzymes break down the CBD.
- Onset: 1–2 hours
- Duration: Up to 8 hours
Inhalation (smoking, vaping):
Inhalation of CBD flowers, either through smoking or vaporization, offers a faster route to experiencing the effects of CBD.
When you inhale CBD, it enters the lungs, where it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. By bypassing the digestive system and liver, inhalation provides a quicker onset of effects, often within minutes, but lasts for a couple of hours.
- Onset: Within minutes
- Duration: 1–3 hours
Topical application (creams, roll-ons):
For localized relief, CBD-infused creams, roll-ons, and lotions can be applied directly to the skin. While topical application doesn’t result in CBD entering the bloodstream, it interacts with cannabinoid receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints.
This method is popular for addressing specific areas of discomfort, such as sore muscles or inflamed joints, offering targeted relief without affecting the entire body.
- Onset: Varies (usually 10–60 minutes).
- Duration: 2–6 hours.
Final thoughts
CBD works by supporting your body’s natural systems—especially the endocannabinoid system—rather than overwhelming them. Its ability to interact with multiple receptors makes it a versatile compound for promoting balance and wellness.
Still, effects can be subtle and take time to build. Your experience will depend on how you take it, how much you use, and how your body responds.
If you’re exploring hemp-derived CBD for the first time, start low, go slow, and listen to your body. And as always, check with a healthcare provider if you have underlying conditions or are taking other medications.
Disclosure:
The information provided in this article is for general use only and may not suit everyone’s individual needs. Your health and wellness are personal, so consult a medical professional for personalized advice before making any decisions based on our content.
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