CBD oil is made by extracting Cannabidiol, or CBD, from the hemp plant and housing it in a carrier oil like coconut or hemp seed oil.
If you take CBD oil sublingually (under your tongue), it will be absorbed by your body right away and take up to an hour to be digested. You should feel the effects within 20 to 30 minutes, and they last on average for 6 to 8 hours.
Learn more about how long it takes for CBD oil to work in one of out previous blogs.
Are there any effects of using CBD oil?
There are many positive effects of using CBD oil. The thing is, you may also feel completely normal! Because it is not made of THC—the psychoactive component in cannabis—it’s safe to use and won’t give you any psychoactive effects.
CBD brings your body back into homeostasis, the state of balance within the body. If you’re using CBD oil for stress and anxiety, it will calm your mental state and make you feel like you’ve just meditated. It helps you feel relaxed and focused.
How long CBD oil stays in your system depends on many factors, but it can remain for 48 hours up to several weeks. How long the CBD oil lasts matters less than knowing how much CBD to take, and how frequently you want to use it.
Many people use CBD oil to manage various chronic health conditions with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. You can safely use CBD oil consistently for day-to-day anxiety or general wellness benefits, and there’s no risk of becoming addicted to it.
You should consider your desired effect, the concentration of the product, and the type of product you’re using, as there are different types of CBD products. CBD oil delivers CBD directly to the bloodstream, resulting in maximum absorption. Read our blog on how much CBD oil to take.
Over time, you should expect to feel healthier in body, mind, and soul.
Will CBD show up on a drug test?
No, CBD won’t show up on a drug test, so it doesn’t matter how much CBD stays in your system. However, full-spectrum CBD oil may contain small amounts of THC, and if there’s enough of it, it may be in your system if you take a urine test, the most common type of drug test.
Try to find out whether your product comes from hemp or cannabis/marijuana, and whether the CBD is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or pure CBD isolate. Full-spectrum cannabis-derived CBD oil may contain varying amounts of THC, and full-spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil is legally required in North America to contain less than 0.3 percent THC. Neither broad-spectrum or pure CBD isolate contain THC.
If this information is missing from the product description or difficult to obtain from the producer, it could be a sign of an unreliable product. All ICARIA’s CBD oils are made from hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC, most of our CBD oils are made with isolate and contain 0.0% THC.
Breastfeeding with CBD oil: Is it right or wrong?
There isn’t enough research or historical data to support whether CBD oil is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. As CBD products are still relatively new to the market, scientists have not had enough time to properly study the long-term effects, including any potentially negative consequences on a developing baby.
Theoretically, with products containing no THC—like those containing CBD isolates—there should be no risk, but experts cannot say this with confidence. Because of this, we do not suggest using CBD while breastfeeding or pregnant.
Can I operate a vehicle after taking CBD oil?
Yes, you can safely drive after taking CBD oil. As we mentioned, you cannot get high from taking CBD, and while there are benefits such as helping you relax or sleep, they will only kick in when your body needs them. It will not impair your ability to drive. In fact, CBD can help you focus and improve your memory, attention, and brain function. As with other potentially distracting activities, we do not recommend using CBD while driving—take it before or after your trip!
Read our blog for other common myths about CBD.
Methods of using CBD
You can consume CBD oil sublingually, take tablets orally, or use CBD with food. You can also vape CBD oil (inhaled through a vaporizer or e-cigarette), or use topicals such as creams, lotions, or oils. Visit our blog on the pros and cons of the various methods of taking CBD.
Final thoughts
We recommend taking CBD in oil form because of the advantages of ease of use and absorption. We also have topical CBD products and a pet CBD oil.
Visit this blog on how to pick the right product, or if you’re new to CBD oil, try our Beginner Bundle.
