From the Guidelines
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil can stay in the blood for approximately 2-5 days after a single use, but can be detected for up to 2 weeks in some individuals. The duration of CBD in the blood varies significantly based on several factors, including dosage, frequency of use, method of consumption, individual metabolism, and body composition, as noted in studies on the pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids 1. Regular users may have CBD present in their bloodstream for longer periods, potentially up to a month, as CBD is fat-soluble and can accumulate in fatty tissues over time. Key factors influencing detection time include:
- Dosage: Higher doses lead to longer detection times
- Frequency of use: More frequent use results in longer periods of detection
- Method of consumption: Oral, inhaled, or topical use can affect how long CBD stays in the system
- Individual metabolism: Variations in liver function and metabolism rate can significantly impact how quickly CBD is processed and eliminated
- Body composition: Body weight and percentage of body fat can influence how CBD is stored and released in the body
The liver's cytochrome P450 enzyme system plays a crucial role in metabolizing CBD, breaking it down into metabolites that are eventually excreted through urine and feces, as discussed in the context of drug interactions with cannabis and/or cannabinoids 1. While CBD itself may clear from the blood within days, some metabolites can remain detectable for longer periods in laboratory tests. It's essential to consider these factors when assessing the duration of CBD in the blood, especially in the context of medical use and potential interactions with other therapies.
From the Research
CBD Oil in Blood
- The duration that CBD oil stays in the blood is not directly stated in the provided studies, but we can look at the pharmacokinetic profiles of CBD and its metabolites to estimate this timeframe 2.
- A study on the pharmacokinetic variability of oral cannabidiol found that the mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of CBD was 389.17 ng/mL, and the mean area under the curve (AUC) was 1,542.19 ng/mL*h 2.
- Another study examined the urinary pharmacokinetic profile of cannabinoids following administration of vaporized and oral CBD, and found that CBD concentrations peaked 5 hours after oral ingestion and within 1 hour after inhalation of vaporized CBD 3.
- The study also found that CBD concentrations in urine were higher after oral administration (mean Cmax: 776 ng/mL) compared to vaporized CBD (mean Cmax: 261 ng/mL) 3.
- A study on the safety and side effects of CBD found that chronic use and high doses up to 1,500 mg/day of CBD were reportedly well tolerated in humans, but did not provide information on the duration of CBD in the blood 4.
- A study on THC and CBD concentrations in blood, oral fluid, and urine after smoking "light cannabis" found that THC and CBD concentrations in blood peaked at 0.5 hours after smoking, with THC concentrations ranging from 7.0-10.8 ng/mL and CBD concentrations ranging from 30.2-56.1 ng/mL 5.
Factors Affecting CBD Duration in Blood
- The duration that CBD stays in the blood may be affected by factors such as the method of administration (e.g. oral, vaporized), the dose, and individual differences in metabolism and body weight 2, 3.
- A study found that female subjects had a 2.25-fold higher Cmax and a 1.97-fold higher AUC for 7-COOH-CBD, a metabolite of CBD, compared to male subjects, suggesting that sex may be a factor in the pharmacokinetics of CBD 2.
- Another study found that body weight was a significant factor in the pharmacokinetics of 7-OH-CBD, another metabolite of CBD, with a significant linearity observed between 7-OH-CBD AUC and body weight in female subjects 2.