How long does CBD stay in your system?
As more patients turn to cannabidiol (CBD) for its potential therapeutic benefits, one question we often hear at CB1 Medical is: how long does CBD stay in your system? Whether you’re taking CBD for pain, anxiety, or sleep, it’s a valid concern — especially if you’re navigating treatment schedules, drug testing protocols, or planning to switch medications.
Let’s break it down.
Contents
The basics: CBD and your body
CBD is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis. Unlike THC, it won’t make you feel “high,” but it can still interact with your body in complex ways. After consumption, CBD is metabolised and gradually eliminated — but the timeframe can vary widely based on several factors.
So, how long does it actually stay in your system?
Short answer: It depends
On average, CBD can stay in your system anywhere from a few hours to around a month. That range may seem broad, but it reflects the many variables involved — from your dose to your metabolism.
Here’s what research tells us:
- The half-life of CBD (the time it takes for half the amount to leave your blood) ranges from 1 hour to 5 days, depending on how it’s taken and how often.
- After oral use, CBD can stay detectable in plasma for 3 to 25 days, especially at higher doses.
- Vaping tends to result in quicker onset and quicker clearance — often gone in a week or less.
- Topical CBD is unlikely to enter the bloodstream in meaningful amounts.
Clinical study spotlight: CBD in the blood
A 2023 clinical review analysed how long CBD and its metabolites linger in the bloodstream. Participants received single doses ranging from 15 mg to 1500 mg, and blood samples were taken more than 7 days later.
Key findings:
- A large proportion still had detectable CBD in their blood 7+ days later.
- The higher the dose, the longer it stayed. Every 100 mg increase extended the detection window by about 4 days.
- Interestingly, a CBD metabolite called 7-COOH-CBD was present more often and at 20x higher levels than CBD itself — showing just how long the body can retain by-products of CBD, even if the original compound is mostly gone.
For example, a 100 mg dose could linger for ~5 days, 300 mg for ~13 days, and 600 mg for ~25 days.
Factors that influence how long CBD stays in your system
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer because every person processes CBD differently. Here are the key things that can influence how long CBD remains in your system:
1. How much you take
Higher doses = longer detection windows. A 15 mg capsule will clear faster than a 1500 mg medical dose.
2. How often you take it
CBD builds up in the body over time. If you’re using it daily, your system may retain it longer than someone who only takes it occasionally.
3. How you take it
- Sublingual oils or tinctures stay in your system longer than vaped CBD.
- Capsules and edibles pass through your digestive system, so they take longer to kick in — and may linger longer too.
- Topicals typically don’t reach the bloodstream in significant amounts..
4. Your body
Your metabolism, weight, body fat percentage, and even hydration levels can affect how CBD is absorbed, stored, and cleared.
5. Food intake
Taking CBD with food slows its absorption and elimination. A fed body may retain CBD longer than one in a fasted state.
Why does this matter?
Knowing how long CBD stays in your system is especially important if:
- You’re undergoing medical treatment that involves multiple drugs (timing can impact results).
- You need to pass a drug test (CBD is legal and non-intoxicating, but some full-spectrum products may contain trace THC).
- You’re in a clinical trial or crossover study, where timing between doses must be carefully managed.
Final thoughts
So — how long does CBD stay in your system? Anywhere from a few hours to 25+ days, depending on your dose, method of use, and personal biology.
At CB1 Medical, we prescribe CBD in specific, controlled doses to help patients manage conditions like anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia. If you’re using CBD under medical supervision, your clinician can help you understand what to expect in your individual case.
Curious if you’re eligible?
Try our free Eligibility Checker to see if medical cannabis is right for you.
