Key takeaways:
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CBD gummies are an easy way of dosing and taking CBD.
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The benefits of CBD include better sleep, less anxiety, a calmer mind and better management of chronic pain.
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How long CBD gummies take to work differs between individuals, but on average, you’ll feel the effects of CBD gummies within 30 minutes to two hours.
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Taking a higher potency of CBD gummy doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll feel the effects sooner, as it depends on your metabolism and body chemistry.
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CBD won’t get you high and isn’t addictive.
How long do CBD gummies take to kick in?
CBD (cannabidiol) gummies take around two hours to start working, but you may feel the effects after as little as 30 minutes. How quickly you feel the effects of taking CBD will depend on various factors, including your body chemistry and how much CBD you take.
What happens in the time before the effects kick in?
CBD gummies are designed to be eaten like a chewy sweet, and as such, they enter the digestive system before entering the bloodstream.
Before CBD enters the bloodstream, it’s processed by the liver, specifically through an enzyme pathway called the CYP450 system, which breaks it down into metabolites the body can use.
Many people choose to eat a CBD gummy as a simple way to dose CBD and consume it on the go. Other CBD products, for example, vapes and CBD oil, may work more quickly, but they may not be right for you.
- Vaping bypasses the need for the liver and digestive system to metabolise CBD, allowing it to enter the bloodstream quickly. But vaping CBD often also means inhaling harmful toxins and heavy metals such as lead, cobalt and cadmium.
- CBD oil is a ‘cleaner’ way of taking CBD than vaping. Designed to be used under the tongue, CBD oil enters the bloodstream more quickly than CBD gummies as it bypasses the digestive system. But some people find CBD oil difficult to dose and prefer to eat a CBD gummy for ease and because they enjoy the taste.
If you use CBD gummies regularly, you’ll get used to how long they take to start working for you.
Influencing factors
The time it takes to feel the effects of CBD gummies depends on several factors, including your body weight, body chemistry and metabolism.
Taking a higher dosage of CBD also doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll feel the benefits of CBD more quickly. In fact, the opposite could be true, as it takes longer for the liver and digestive system to metabolise the CBD before it enters the bloodstream.
But again, finding the right dose for you is important, because a higher dosage and potency might start working more quickly for you, depending on your body chemistry and rate of absorption.
It’s recommended that you start on a low dose of 20 to 25 mg CBD per day, to help reduce any side effects. Some people experience mild side effects, including diarrhoea, dizziness and a dry mouth.
The time it takes for CBD to start working also depends on whether or not you took your CBD gummy on an empty stomach. Taking CBD on an empty stomach may help speed up the effects as your body isn’t trying to digest and metabolise other nutrients from your food.
How well and how quickly CBD works for you will be different to someone else, so it’s important to find the right dose for you to ensure you feel the effects of CBD.
How CBD works in your body
CBD is becoming the subject of much research due to its potential benefits for managing conditions such as anxiety, chronic pain and poor sleep.
Unlike THC, or tetrahydrocannabidiol, which is found in cannabis products, which causes a high and can be addictive, CBD doesn’t have psychoactive or addictive properties. In the UK, CBD products have to contain 0.2% THC or less, and therefore won’t give you a high.
So far, studies suggest that CBD has an effect on the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. The ECS is a complex network of cells and signals that runs from the brain throughout the body. The science is still emerging, but it’s thought that the ECS is responsible for helping the body maintain equilibrium, or balance, and helps regulate:
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The sleep-wake cycle
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Mood
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Appetite
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The immune system
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Memory
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Learning
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How we perceive and manage pain
The ECS has thousands of receptors that endocannabinoids can bind to. Endocannabinoids are naturally produced by the body in response to stimuli such as pain or inflammation. When they’re released by the body, they attach to their specific receptors on the ECS.
This then triggers the release of another compound or neurotransmitter, for example, to help the body deal with pain, to calm the nervous system or promote feelings of sleepiness in the evening.
Eventually, however, the body's supply of a specific endocannabinoid becomes depleted, and it can no longer have an effect until the body can manufacture more.
CBD is a type of cannabinoid that’s thought to have a positive effect on the ECS by blocking the breakdown of the naturally occurring endocannabinoids. It’s therefore hypothesised that using CBD could support the ongoing work of the ECS and, for example, help to reduce chronic pain or support a calm mind.
Interactions that can affect CBD metabolism
As well as body weight, body chemistry and metabolism, there’s another factor that can impact how long CBD gummies take to start working, known as the entourage effect.
CBD products are available in three forms: full-spectrum CBD, broad-spectrum CBD and CBD isolate.
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Full-spectrum CBD contains all of the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including compounds called terpenes and flavonoids, as well as very low levels (0.2% or lower) of THC.
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Broad-spectrum CBD contains most of the cannabinoids found in the hemp plant, including terpenes and flavonoids, with the THC removed.
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CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD, usually containing the highest dosage of CBD, with no THC.
The entourage effect is still being studied to fully understand it, and as such, it remains a theory. But researchers think that CBD may work synergistically with compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids, and it’s hypothesised that this could lead to a more significant therapeutic effect.
Therefore, using CBD products that contain full-spectrum or broad-spectrum CBD could mean the effects feel stronger, start working more quickly, or last longer.
However, so far, human studies of the entourage effect are few and far between, and some suggest it isn’t stable or predictable.
CBD products made using CBD isolate remain the purest type available.
How long do the effects of CBD gummies last?
The benefits of CBD tend to last around four to six hours, depending on your dosage and metabolism.
Influencing factors
If you take CBD at a higher dose or you have a slow metabolism, you may find that the effects of CBD last longer.
How long does CBD stay in your system?
Although the effects may be felt for four to six hours, CBD may remain in your body for a few days. The higher the potency and dosage, the longer it will stay in your system.
Can you get CBD out faster?
There’s no evidence to suggest that there are any ways to eliminate CBD from your body faster.
How to maximise the effectiveness of CBD gummies
There is some evidence that taking CBD with a meal containing fat (preferably healthy fats such as those found in avocados, olive oil, and nuts) can help it be absorbed more quickly.
Taking CBD regularly will also give it time to build up in your body, which is thought to help maximise its benefits.
More information and research
This article from Medical News Today goes into more detail on the entourage effect, and here’s an in-depth article on the endocannabinoid system and how it works.
FAQs
Are CBD gummies more effective than other CBD edibles?
Chocolates, baked goods, and snacks that contain CBD are forms of CBD for consumption, but as they’re considered food, they also contain other ingredients, such as sugar. CBD gummies are considered a purer way to consume CBD than other CBD edibles.
How much CBD do you need to take for it to work?
The right dosage of CBD will be individual to you, your body chemistry and your metabolism. It’s recommended that you start at a low dose of 20 to 25 mg per day.
Are some types of CBD more effective than others?
It’s hypothesised that full-spectrum CBD and broad-spectrum CBD may be more effective than CBD isolate due to the entourage effect, but this is yet to be proven, and CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD available.
When should I take my CBD gummies?
When you take your CBD gummies is up to you, but to get the best benefits of CBD, it’s important to take them every day at roughly the same time so the CBD has time to build up in your body.
When is the best time to take CBD gummies?
There is no best time to take CBD, but if you’re taking it to help ease anxiety or pain, taking it early in the day could mean that you benefit throughout the day. If you’re taking CBD to support better sleep, take CBD gummies about an hour before bedtime.
What is the fastest consumption format for CBD effects?
Vaping is considered the fastest way to take CBD, but CBD vaping liquids often contain toxins and heavy metals. CBD gummies will start working within 30 minutes to two hours.
References
Ferguson, S. (2025b, May 1). How long does it take for CBD gummies to work? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-for-cbd-gummies-to-work
Santos-Longhurst, A. (2023, March 14). How long does CBD stay in your system? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-cbd-stay-in-your-system
The Endocannabinoid System and its Modulation by Cannabidiol (CBD). (2019, June 1). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31202198/
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking other medications.
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