Whether stemming from feeling overworked on the job, overwhelmed by parenthood, caregiving for our aging parents, or coping with an unequal distribution of domestic duties at home, many of us were experiencing unprecedented levels of stress well before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018, Americans reported feeling stress, anger, and worry at the highest levels in a decade, according to an annual Gallup poll of more than 150,000 people around the world. 

 

So, it’s no wonder that more and more people are looking for innovative new ways to cope, turning to cannabidiol (CBD), which research has shown can directly combat the stress hormone cortisol. In fact, the most recent data on the subject, released by Gallup in 2019, found that 14% of Americans have used CBD products, citing relief from discomfort (40%), stress (20%), sleep (11%), and joint discomfort (8%) as the top reasons they’re reaching for them. 

 

Although some people take CBD on an as-needed basis, others aim to take it daily, hoping to enjoy a cumulative effect from their tinctures, capsules, or topical CBD products. “Each person comes to us with varying levels of stress, varying levels of stress hormones like cortisol, and various health concerns they’re looking to address,” says Haley Hansen, Equilibria Dosage Specialist. “One of the goals of taking CBD daily is to train our body to respond to stress more effectively and get our body’s systems back into balance.”

 

Although a 2018 review published in Frontiers in Pharmacology found that a daily oral dose of CBD lasted for two to five days in the body, the goal is for the effects of CBD to be ongoing. “It has a cumulative effect over time,” explains Hansen.

 

Here’s everything you need to know about how long CBD lasts in your body, how to store CBD to get the best results, and more. 

 

How Long Does CBD Last?

 

Although research has shown that CBD can last from two to five days in the body, everyone is different, and the length of time CBD stays in the body will depend on several factors. Here are the basics. 

 

Where CBD is stored in the body

Regardless of how they’re consumed, cannabinoids are oily compounds that distribute primarily into fatty tissues like the brain, fat, and liver, according to ProjectCBD. They bind to the fat cells in our bodies.  

 

How CBD tincture is released into the bloodstream

If you’re taking a tincture such as Equilibria’s Daily Drops, you’ll do best to let your dose absorb under your tongue via sublingual administration. This way, your CBD dose will be absorbed directly into the blood vessels in the mouth and under the tongue. 

 

This is preferable to swallowing a tincture like Daily Drops, which will send it to the digestive tract and then the liver. Studies have shown that enzymes in the liver reduce CBD concentration, which significantly cuts down on how much makes it to the bloodstream and, in turn, circulated throughout the body. 

 

 

When consumed sublingually, Daily Drops go to work within 10-30 minutes and the effect will last around four to six hours. “Our members are using larger dropper doses before bed to help with winding down and smaller doses during the day for stress management or support during a stressful situation,” explains Hansen. 

 

How capsules work 

If you’re taking a Daily Softgel, your CBD dose will absorb best when taken with a healthy fat like avocado, nut butter, cheese, etc. “They take one to three hours before kicking in and then release a slow, steady drip of CBD for six to eight hours for a subtle, in-the-background sense of relief,” explains Hansen. “Members reach for their Softgels during the day to help reduce their baseline of stress or in the evening to support the quality of their rest overnight.”  

 

Factors that influence how long CBD stays active

Just like anything else you consume, several factors will influence how long CBD is detectable in the body: 

• Metabolism
• How much food you’ve eaten with your dose — or not 
• How frequently you take CBD 
• Your Dose
• The way you consume CBD 

 

How to Store CBD for the Best Effect

Equilibria CBD has a shelf-life of two years if kept in a cool, dark place. “CBD doesn’t degrade from getting warm, but it is photosensitive — meaning that it can be damaged by light — so we always recommend storing it away from sunlight if possible,” says Hansen.

 

How to Find the CBD Effect That Works Best for You

Because everybody’s body chemistry is different, there’s no one-size-fits-all dose or routine. “The Daily Drops and the Daily Softgels work differently within the body, so we recommend starting with both so you can gauge how your body reacts to each of the products,” explains Hansen.

 

If you need further guidance, Equilibria’s Dosage Specialists can help you navigate the world of dosing. So, whether you’re looking to address stress or ongoing health concerns, it’s best to work one-on-one with your Dosage Specialist who will help you start out low and slow and find the best path forward as you integrate CBD into your daily routine.