How Long Do CBD Capsules Take to Work?

Depending on various factors, CBD capsules can take some time to work properly. This article discusses CBD, CBD capsules, how long CBD capsules take to work, and the benefits of CBD capsules.

CBD capsules have similar health benefits to CBD products, such as CBD oils. For many users, it is more convenient to dose CBD capsules than oils or tinctures. However, they may not produce quick effects like oils and tinctures. CBD capsules go through the digestive process, which is longer than the absorption through the mucus membranes in sublingual uptake.  CBD capsules are great for those who do not enjoy CBD oil's earthy and bitter taste. Capsules mask the taste that many people seem not to enjoy. This makes CBD dosing more convenient and fun.

What Is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound of hemp, a cannabis plant. The cannabis plant has more than one hundred compounds known as cannabinoids. These compounds are responsible for therapeutic properties that cannabis has been widely associated with. Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC and CBD, is the most popular compound of the cannabis plant. THC is known for causing psychotropiceffects that many people experience after using cannabis products. It is found mainly in marijuana, or “pot/weed.” Unlike THC, CBD is non-psychotropic. It does not cause any mind-altering effect when consumed. Many people prefer CBD because they can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of cannabis without experiencing intoxicating effects. CBD is now available in almost every form. You can purchase CBD in body lotions, creams, oils, tinctures, gummies, vaporizers, capsules, and more. CBD has also been proven to possess several therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-nausea, anxiolytic, and neuroprotective properties.

What Are CBD Capsules?

CBD capsule is simply oil packed in capsule shells. Capsules offer a fun and convenient way to consume CBD oil without worrying about its grassy taste. CBD capsules are consumed similarly to CBD pills. They are orally ingested and swallowed and have to go through the digestive process and metabolism before CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream to provide relieving effects. CBD capsules are pre-dosed and come in various concentrations, making them easier to dose.

How Long Do CBD Capsules Take to Work?

The time CBD capsules take to work varies, depending on factors such as body size, metabolism, and how recently you have eaten. Depending on the abovementioned factors, CBD capsules take about 1 to 3 hours to start taking effect. This delay is because CBD has to go through the digestive process and be broken down before it is absorbed into the bloodstream to produce the desired effects.  Once ingested, CBD goes through the digestive system and to the stomach. CBD is taken to the liver, where it is metabolized. This is called the first-pass effect. CBD is absorbed into the bloodstream to provide the desired effects. Depending on the health condition being treated, different users will take different amounts of CBD capsules to experience noticeable effects. Even so, the effects of cannabidiol are subtle. You may not immediately notice the changes in your body, but once you stop taking it, you can probably feel the change. In addition to this, CBD builds up in your body over time. This means that committing to your everyday dosage helps in achieving long-term results.

Taking CBD capsules on a full or empty stomach can also affect how fast the effects of CBD start to kick in. Some users may take their CBD capsules on an empty stomach for quicker effects. This is because the body metabolizes CBD faster in an empty stomach than it would have if cannabidiol competed with other elements in your food. You may take a much longer duration before you feel the effects of CBD if you are just from eating a large amount of food.

Benefits of CBD Capsules

The following are some of the benefits to gain from using CBD capsules:

Pain Relief

The most popular need for CBD capsules is for pain relief. CBD has been used for many years to treat different types of pain. CBD interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS), influencing them to produce anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. Vuckovic et al. (2018) showed that cannabinoids such as CBD effectively relieve pain without causing adverse effects.

Mitigate Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Vomiting and nausea are among the most common side effects experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy. Taking CBD capsules may help reduce nausea and suppress vomiting. According to Grimison et al. (2020), CBD, used with other cannabinoids, such as THC, provides anti-nausea effects that may help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea and other negative effects of cancer treatment.

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

CBD has been extensively studied, and researchers have found promising results that indicate CBD's anxiolytic effects in fighting anxiety disorders and other mental health issues. For this reason, many people take CBD capsules to help reduce daily stress and manage anxiety. Crippat et al. (2018) suggested that CBD is an effective therapeutic alternative for post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and other anxiety-related conditions.

Anti-Tumour Effects

Some studies have shown that CBD capsules may help with cancer treatment. Daris et al. (2019) suggested that cannabis compounds contain anti-tumor effects and can help destroy tumor cells causing the spread of cancer in the body. While most of these studies are pre-clinical, they provide promising results that CBD capsules may help patients with cancer.

Conclusion

Every form of consuming CBD uses a different route in your body, impacting how fast CBD works. CBD capsules are also the same old story. When ingested, CBD makes its way through the digestive system and gets absorbed into the bloodstream. Generally, the effects of CBD capsules are felt within 1 to 3 hours after ingesting. As mentioned earlier, the variation in the onset of effects is due to various factors. Although CBD capsules take time to work, they are a great option for people who would want to dose CBD but do not enjoy the earthy taste that comes with CBD oil. However, ensure you buy your CBD capsules from a reputable and certified supplier for optimal results.

References

Crippa, J. A., Guimarães, F. S., Campos, A. C., &Zuardi, A. W. (2018). Translational investigation of the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol (CBD): toward a new age. Frontiers in immunology, 9, 2009.

Dariš, B., Verboten, M. T., Knez, Ž., &Ferk, P. (2019). Cannabinoids in cancer treatment: Therapeutic potential and legislation. Bosnian journal of basic medical sciences, 19(1), 14.

Grimison, P., Mersiades, A., Kirby, A., Lintzeris, N., Morton, R., Haber, P., ... &Stockler, M. (2020). Oral THC: CBD cannabis extract for refractory chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase II crossover trial. Annals of Oncology, 31(11), 1553-1560.