How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?

How long CBD stays in your system depends on your dosage, frequency of use, and your body’s metabolism. While CBD doesn’t produce a high like THC, trace amounts might still appear on drug tests.

Learning how long CBD remains in the body can allow more consumers to enjoy the benefits without experiencing unwanted or lingering side effects.

How Long Does CBD Stay In Your System?

CBD's presence in the body depends on several factors, including dosage, personal metabolism, and product type. and frequency of use. Generally, CBD can be detected in:

• Urine: 3 to 7 days.
• Blood: 1 to 2 days.
• Saliva: 1 to 3 days.
• Hair: Up to 90 days.

The effects of CBD may be as short-lived as 2 hours or as long as 8 hours, depending on various factors.¹ However, CBD traces can be detectable in the system for days or weeks after your last dose. Chronic users with high tolerance levels will likely take significantly longer to flush CBD from their bodies than first-timers.

So how long does CBD last in the body? 

CBD can last in the body for 26 hours to 5 days.² Traces of CBD may still be present in heavy, regular users for 10-14 days (or may be detectable for even longer with certain drug tests).

What Is CBD Half-Life?

Many of the available studies that investigated how long it takes for CBD to clear the body focused on its "half-life". This term refers to the time it takes for half of the total amount of a substance in the body to be removed.

A 2005 study published in the journal Therapeutic Drug Monitoring found that the half-life of oral CBD in single doses ranges from 1 to 2 days.³

A 2020 study published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology found that CBD can be detected in urine 4-5 days after ingestion.⁴ All participants consumed a single dose of a standardized CBD formulation.  

Interestingly, it appears that the body processes and eliminates CBD much faster than THC. The elimination half-life of CBD in the bloodstream is 14-17 hours among healthy individuals who ingest purified CBD formulations. CBD is only measurable in plasma for a maximum of 5 hours, while THC metabolites are detectable for up to a week.  

A separate study published in Science Direct found that hair samples from individuals who used CBD-rich cannabis contained THC metabolites with unusual profiles, proving the importance of CBD detoxing if you have a job that requires mandatory drug testing.⁵ 

The Factors That Affect How Long CBD Stays In Your System

There's no definitive answer to the question, "How long does CBD stay in your system?" 

Factors such as a person's biological composition, genetics, age, weight, dosage, CBD product choice, and lifestyle behaviors/habits will impact how long the cannabinoid remains in the body. On top of this, the active ingredients in each product will affect how quickly you can get rid of CBD from your system.

Research indicates that upwards of 65% of cannabis is discharged from the body in fecal matter, and 20% is released in the urine.⁶ The remainder of cannabis' chemical remnants (cannabinoid metabolites) are stored in the body for anywhere from 1 hour to 50 days, although THC has been detected in the hair for up to 90 days.

Some factors that affect CBD's longevity in the body include:

• CBD Dosage - The higher the CBD dosage, the longer it will take to get rid of CBD oil in your system.
• Body Type and Metabolism - The faster a person's metabolism is, the faster CBD will leave their system, and vice versa. Research indicates that CBD inhibits CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, two enzymes that metabolize various compounds and medications, and may increase drug concentrations by decreasing their metabolism.
• Diet - Food intake influences how the body processes CBD, with a 2019 study discovering that CBD exposure and absorption improve following high-fat food consumption.⁷ The cannabinoid's half-life increases with food intake, and more CBD is detectable in the bloodstream following a high-fat meal. Fasting produces the opposite result.⁸
• Product Type - Just as the onset time varies based on product type, so does the elimination timeline. For example, edible cannabis products may linger in the body for longer than vaporized CBD.
• Frequency of Use - CBD will accumulate in the body with consistent use. Consequently, this affects how long CBD lasts in the system.  Clearance will likely be slower in older adults who consume CBD regularly, as metabolism slows with age.⁹ 
• Medication - CBD may produce adverse effects in consumers who use warfarin (blood thinner), amiodarone (heart rhythm drug), levothyroxine (thyroid medication), and numerous seizure medications, like clobazam, lamotrigine, and valproate. Because the liver metabolizes CBD, patients who take liver-metabolized medications may metabolize CBD differently from others.

Although the above factors reportedly influence the duration of CBD's presence in the body, further research is needed to determine how long it remains at various doses and under specific circumstances.

How Long Does CBD Last Based on Product Type?

Not only will the chosen route of administration determine how long it takes to feel the effects of CBD, but it will also determine how long CBD stays in the body. Dosage plays the most prominent role in how quickly the body expels (and uses) cannabinoids like CBD. 

Levels of CBD drop significantly after 1 hour of inhalation and within 3-4 hours after oral absorption.¹⁰ Detection of CBD in blood or urine tests may be dose-dependent. This is even more true for oral intake, such as CBD tinctures and sprays, due to the metabolism and absorption of the cannabinoid. 

Studies have shown minimal evidence that chronic CBD use causes the body to retain its metabolites longer, but more research is needed. 

Products using nanoemulsion technology, like CBD water, have a higher absorption rate and may remain in the system longer.¹¹ Research also demonstrates that eating food may also increase the concentration of CBD in blood plasma, compared to an empty stomach.

In general, CBD can remain in the body for 2 to 5 days after use. Consistent use of CBD will result in metabolites remaining in the body for as long as a person continues to use CBD products.

Obtaining/requesting proof of laboratory testing results is recommended to pinpoint CBD product purity, potency, and the presence of other ingredients. All of these factors may influence the overall experience and longevity. 

Lab testing certificates will also highlight the presence of other cannabinoids. They'll also highlight additives, artificial flavorings, preservatives, and sweeteners, as well as potentially harmful substances such as heavy metals, microbes, and pesticides.

Why Detox From CBD?

Plenty of people wonder how to detox from cannabis or, in this case, CBD. 

Despite the myriad benefits, there may come a time when stopping CBD use is necessary. Most cannabis compounds (80% to 90%) are expelled by the body within 5 days as carboxylated and hydroxylated metabolites. In some cases, the elimination process may take longer. ¹²

Fortunately, a quality detox can quickly flush CBD from the body. Here are some reasons to get rid of CBD in the body:

• Giving Your Tolerance Break - Cleansing the body of CBD will reset your cannabinoid receptors and increase sensitivity the next time you use it.
• Preparing for Anesthesia - Going under anesthesia while under the influence of cannabis may amplify the risk of complications by raising heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
• Using New Medication - Cannabinoids like CBD may produce synergistic reactions when consumed with other medications, such as gabapentin.
• Passing a Drug Test - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate many CBD products. As a result, products often contain traces of THC that could trigger a positive drug test. Detoxing will ensure you pass the test.

Tips for Detoxing CBD Efficiently and Quickly

From metabolism-boosting pills and cleansing drinks to shampoos and dietary fiber supplements, the cannabis detox market is brimming with products designed to banish CBD from the body.

Since many CBD (and THC) detox kits are widely unregulated and may contain synthetic ingredients, uneducated buyers often consume potentially harmful substances. Mitigate risk and learn how to eliminate CBD from the body. 

Here are a few methods worth considering:

• Time - By abstaining from CBD use for 2-3 weeks, you can safely and effectively eliminate the cannabis compound from your body.
• Hydration and Exercise - Physical activity bolsters circulation, helping the body process and expel CBD more quickly. Exercise will also kickstart the body's natural detoxification processes and increase metabolic rate.¹³
• Fiber - The majority of CBD is excreted in feces. Introducing more fiber into your diet may speed up digestion, helping you eliminate CBD from your system more quickly.¹⁴

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Can you get high on CBD?

Since CBD crosses the blood-brain barrier, it can influence mood.¹⁵ However, CBD is non-intoxicating and will not cause feelings of euphoria, intoxication, or dizziness like THC might. 

Can you overdose on CBD?

"Start low, go slow" is the best motto regarding CBD dosage, with 25mg being a good starting point. Nevertheless, daily doses of 1,500 mg are reportedly well tolerated in humans.¹⁶

Is CBD detectable by drug tests?

Hemp products containing low quantities of Δ9-THC may appear on a urine drug test. While CBD isolate products may claim to have zero THC, with the lack of standardization among analytical labs, it is not recommended to rely on using CBD isolate products to pass a drug test.¹⁷

What's the difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD?

Full-spectrum CBD is packed with many of the cannabis plant's cannabinoids and compounds, including up to 0.3% THC, whereas broad-spectrum CBD does not contain THC. Both full-spectrum CBD and broad-spectrum CBD may produce synergistic reactions with other cannabinoids and terpenes, but broad-spectrum CBD lacks any potential benefits from THC.

Does CBD interact with medications?

Several studies show that CBD may interact with antidepressants, anti-epileptic drugs, THC, and opioid analgesics and produce divergent effects.¹⁸ CBD also interacts with numerous other over-the-counter medications, like antihistamines.

What's the difference between CBD and THC?

THC binds to CB1 receptors, which affect vital physiological processes such as pain, inflammation, memory, and hunger. CBD indirectly stimulates CB1 and CB2 receptors, which play a protective role in neuroinflammatory conditions.¹⁹

Managing CBD Use

Understanding how CBD interacts with your body helps in making informed decisions about its use.

If you're concerned about CBD showing up on a drug test, consider the following:

• Choose products labeled as THC-free or broad-spectrum to minimize THC exposure.
• Be aware of your usage patterns; frequent use can lead to longer detection times.
• Consult a healthcare professional if you have concerns about CBD and drug testing.

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The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.