How long does it take for CBD to take effect?
Cannabidiol is extracted from the hemp plant and can be consumed in a wide variety of forms. Whether creams, oils, flowers or teas, there's now something for everyone. CBD oils, in particular, are becoming increasingly popular. No wonder, since according to numerous studies, CBD drops can effectively help relieve inflammation and also have antioxidant and anti-psychotic effects. Herein lies the key difference with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is also extracted from the hemp plant. Unlike CBD, THC is intoxicating and produces psychotropic effects.
With CBD drops, you can enjoy the many benefits of CBD in a particularly concentrated form. Depending on dosage, your individual sensitivity and various physical factors, CBD products can achieve their desired effectiveness more or less quickly. What you've eaten before, how often you take CBD and even genetic factors also influence the onset of the effect. For CBD drops to take full effect, we recommend taking them in the evening before going to bed. Of course, there's nothing to stop you taking CBD drops during the day, if you want to relieve inflammation or anxiety, for example. It often takes between 30 minutes and an hour for CBD drops to take effect. However, some people even feel a soothing effect after just 15 minutes.
If you're trying CBD for the first time, however, you should be aware that it can sometimes take a while to get the effect you want, as CBD doesn't always unfold its full effects on first use. This is particularly the case when you're taking CBD drops to relieve the inflammation of a long-term condition. In this case, you should also expect it to take a few weeks, or even months, before you find your ideal dose and really reap the benefits. The reason for this is that CBD is a natural product and doesn't necessarily work on the first dose, as is the case with many herbal solutions.
How long do the effects of CBD drops last?
If CBD is taken as an oil drop, it's advisable to start with a low dosage and increase it over time if necessary. CBD can act more or less quickly and intensely on different people, so it's always a good idea to gradually get used to a new oil. Your body weight and individual physical constitution also play a decisive role in the duration of the effect of CBD drops. Over time, you'll find your optimal daily dose and see how much works best for you. An effective average dose for many people is around 30 to 40 mg a day, but 10 mg can already bring noticeable benefit. For more complex situations, a much higher dose is often required over a longer period. Another factor: CBD oils have a higher or lower concentration, which you should of course also take into account when calculating your individual daily dose and ideal duration of effect. Don't compare yourself to others, but simply try to calmly find what works for you.
After taking CBD drops, you can expect the effects to last between 4 and 6 hours. If you take CBD drops several times a day, you can therefore achieve a consistent duration of effect. But then again, every person is different, so you may quickly degrade CBD and rapidly increase your dosage. Studies have shown, however, that CBD can even stay in the body for days and weeks if taken regularly and in high concentrations. So always allow some time to pass, at least a few days or a week, before you decide to gradually increase your daily dose. Perhaps a microdose is enough to have a positive effect on your well-being. Listen to your body and, if in doubt, ask the manufacturer of the brand of product you're using for advice. If they are unreachable or unresponsive, this is already a good indication of the quality of the advice they can give you. Your doctor can also be a very useful contact.
What happens when you take CBD drops?
To better understand the effects of CBD, it's important to familiarize ourselves with the biological processes that take place in our bodies when we take CBD drops. The key word here is the "endocannabinoid system": part of the human nervous system, it includes various cannabinoid receptors. While CB2 receptors are closely linked to our immune system, CB1 receptors are mainly found in the brain, where they are notably located in the areas responsible for motor skills, pain perception, appetite and information processing. The release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin is also influenced by our endocannabinoid system.
Cannabidiol from the hemp plant acts on exactly the same receptors as the endocannabinoids we produce ourselves. When you consume CBD drops, the cannabinoids they contain bind to receptors in your endocannabinoid system, influencing your mood and well-being. ConsumingCBD oil generally has an analgesic, relaxing or soothing effect, unlike THC which has an intoxicating effect, and therefore also has a much greater influence on our central nervous system.
Who shouldn't take CBD drops?
Despite CBD's many health benefits, there are a few things to bear in mind when taking it. CBD drops should not be used in the following situations:
- If you are taking any other medication, we strongly advise you to discuss this with your doctor beforehand. Like many other drugs, such as painkillers, neuroleptics, anticoagulants or antibiotics, CBD is broken down by the liver, so theoretically there could be interactions that have hardly been studied to date. To date, there are no studies that clearly demonstrate interactions between medications and CBD drops. If you suffer from liver problems, you should seek professional advice before using the product.
- If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you'll also need to take precautions and forgo CBD drops. To date, no research has demonstrated the negative or positive effects of CBD on the health of pregnant or breastfeeding women, so it's best to err on the side of caution.
- People suffering from low blood pressure are also sometimes advised against taking CBD drops: CBD can lower blood pressure even further. If you suffer from hypotension, it's best to seek medical advice before using CBD products.