CBD has the potential to make you feel better and relaxed in addition to delivering a number of possible health benefits including pain, anxiety, and stress relief among others. But how long do CBD effects last? Well that depends on the form of CBD and how it is taken. From gummies to topicals, and vapes and oils, each of these different formats produce different levels of CBD bioavailability in their final product outcome.

In this guide we’ll talk about what CBD bioavailability is and what you need to know to get the most out of your CBD experience.

What is CBD Bioavailability?

When a person consumes a substance only a portion of the total amount will be absorbed into the bloodstream and provide active effects. Bioavailability is a term used to convey a measure of how much substance is ultimately absorbed into the bloodstream. A 40% bioavailability means that only 40% of the substance after consumption will be absorbed into the bloodstream. In other words, if a substance has 40% bioavailability and 100 mg is taken, then only 40 mg will be absorbed into the bloodstream providing active effects.

To achieve 100% bioavailability, any substance can hypothetically be injected directly into your veins or through IV fluids, but realistically this is highly impractical. The idea of needles delivering CBD does not sound fun at all especially now that there are a plethora of more convenient options including edibles, topicals, oils, and vapes. These consumer-friendly CBD products offer the numerous potential health benefits of CBD without any fuss. Each type of product, however, provides different levels of effects and has varying degrees of bioavailability.

Different CBD Bioavailabilities by Format

CBD Vape

Among popular methods, inhaling CBD provides the highest level of bioavailability and most immediate results. CBD vape products make it possible to inhale CBD straight to the lungs where it can directly enter the bloodstream. As a result, CBD vaping can result in relief and relaxing effects in as little as 10 minutes.

By entering the bloodstream directly through the lungs, CBD inhaled in this way avoids the typical breakdown and processing that CBD edibles face during digestion.

Research so far shows the bioavailability of CBD vape products varies between 34% to 46% on average. Some vape products can reach bioavailability rates as high as 56%. That being said, even though CBD vape products have high bioavailability rates, the effects can often be short-lived and could trail off in as little as one hour after inhaling. How deeply and or how long CBD vape is inhaled by the consumer can have a considerable impact on how long the effects of CBD will last. Think of it this way–each “puff” represents a higher dose of CBD. Longer or more frequent puffs means more CBD.

CBD Oils

In the form of sublingual drops, CBD oils deliver relatively quick results and moderate levels of CBD bioavailability. They are called sublingual drops because the typical method of consumption involves holding a drop of oil under the tongue where a vein known as the sublingual gland is. The sublingual gland can transport CBD directly into the bloodstream and skip the digestive tract. As a result, CBD oils by this method can provide relief and active effects in as little as 20 to 30 minutes.

Studies suggest that this method of sublingually taking CBD can provide a bioavailability rate between 10% to 35%. The bioavailability rate can change depending on how long the oil is held under the tongue or if the consumer were to simply swallow. While the oil sits underneath the tongue, the compound is broken down by the enzymes in saliva and affects how long the CBD experience will last. CBD oil in the form of sublingual drops can provide relief for up to a couple of hours, making CBD oil a popular choice for its quick results and lasting effect.

CBD Edibles

CBD edible products include gummies, capsules, and other ingestible forms such as candy. CBD edibles are a very popular method probably because they can provide a tasty, fun, and convenient way to reap the potential health benefits of this natural compound. Unlike the previous forms mentioned, CBD edibles take longer to deliver results because they go through the digestive tract and liver before being passed onto the bloodstream.

Perhaps it sounds ironic or seems unintuitive, but CBD edibles provide some of the longest-lasting effects while having the lowest bioavailability rates. Studies show the bioavailability rate of edibles are only at about 6% to 20%. The reason for this is because the CBD ingested will initially make its way to the stomach, then it will be further broken down by enzymes in the liver, and eventually CBD is finally transported into the bloodstream. The benefit of this method is that CBD lasts longer and benefits the body in similar fashion to the nutrients that come from the food in your daily meals.

CBD Topicals

Unlike CBD vapes, edibles, and oils, where the goal is to enter the body’s bloodstream and offer widespread systematic relief, the goal of CBD topical products such as patches, gels, and lotions is to provide relief in specified parts of the body where applied. Studies on the bioavailability of CBD topical products are limited, however, research suggests that topicals have very little chance to make it into the bloodstream.

This is because CBD topicals work in a different way.

As there are many cannabinoid receptors located in the body’s skin, muscles, and tissues, it is thought that topical CBDs may provide isolated relief by interacting directly with these parts. Some studies suggest topical products that permeate the skin, such as transdermal patches, may have a greater capacity to deliver CBD benefits.

CBD topicals are great for their potential ability to relieve muscle pain and tension, significantly reduce inflammation in the joints, and help with recovery. Depending on how much product is used, how much discomfort you are experiencing, and what specific part of the body is addressed, the effects of CBD topical products can last for hours. Furthermore, a key advantage to topicals is that they can be reapplied multiple times throughout the day to suit your needs.

Manipulating the Bioavailability of CBD

While it is not possible to increase or change the bioavailability of CBD in and of itself, it is possible to increase and regulate your intake so that you are in ultimate control. To get your real desired intake of CBD, multiply the serving size by the bioavailability rate.

For example, a single serving of CBD gummies (a single gummy bear!) may contain 15 mg of CBD, but because of the low bioavailability rate in edibles, the real dose that enters your bloodstream and provides active effects for your body may be closer to only 1 mg to 3 mg of CBD. Knowing this you can now adjust and better regulate your CBD intake to better support your individual needs.

As always, we highly recommend you consult with a medical professional and self-experiment to find the right sweet spot for yourself. Individuals with mild problems may only need a little bit of CBD to feel better whereas those with more severe conditions and higher needs may require bigger doses of CBD to experience full alleviation.

Another thing to consider is how you can mix methods and use multiple CBD products to deliver the best results tailored to your individual needs. For example, to experience the benefits of CBD throughout the day you could start with a CBD vape, follow up with edibles or oil, and responsibly regulate your intake to ensure maximum comfort for extended periods of time.