Notoriously, THC — the psychoactive cannabinoid present in Cannabis Sativa L. — can be detected in your bloodstream for up to a month after consumption. But what about its non-psychoactive counterpart, CBD? The bread to THC’s butter — CBD doesn’t get you “high” and is sold legally as a wellness supplement in the UK, categorised as a Novel Food.
So, how long does CBD oil stay in your system? And can it be detected alone? This guide covers everything you need to know about how long CBD sticks around in your body, including:
- How long CBD stays in your system
- The factors that impact CBD remaining in your system
- How to get CBD out of your system quickly
How long does CBD stay in your system?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The time it takes for CBD to leave your system completely can vary. As a general guideline for moderate users, CBD will likely stay in your system for between 2 and 5 days.
However, this depends heavily on individual factors. If you consume higher doses or take CBD more frequently than average, it could remain detectable in your system for longer than usual.
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4 factors that affect how long CBD stays in your system
CBD oil impacts everybody differently. Here’s what influences how long CBD will stay in your system:
1. Body composition
Body composition — the ratio of fat, bone, water and muscle — plays a key role. The main influence here is metabolism. A body with higher lean muscle mass burns more calories and processes substances faster. Therefore, the more muscle you have, the quicker your body can metabolise and excrete CBD.
2. Activity level
Activity level also increases metabolism. CBD oil is fat-soluble, meaning it’s stored in fat cells. Regular exercise helps burn fat faster, so the more active you are, the faster CBD will be excreted from your system. An athlete will likely eliminate CBD faster than someone sedentary.
Read more: CBD for athletes
3. How often you take CBD
Frequent users may retain CBD longer. For example, someone taking CBD every other day may find that it stays in their system for 10–15 days.
4. Whether you take it with food
Food can slow CBD digestion and metabolism. Taking CBD on a full stomach causes slower absorption and longer effects; taking it on an empty stomach allows it to metabolise and leave your system faster.
How long does CBD last?
- Body composition: The quicker your metabolism, the faster CBD is excreted.
- Exercise: The more you move, the faster CBD leaves your system.
- Usage level: The more regularly you use CBD, the longer it stays.
- Taking CBD with food: Full stomach = slower elimination.
How does the method of taking CBD affect how long it stays in your system?
Your consumption method impacts both how quickly CBD takes effect and how long it lingers, since bioavailability differs between methods. However, dosage and frequency remain the biggest factors.
Read more: How to take CBD oil
Sublingual
This involves placing drops under your tongue and holding for up to a minute to absorb directly into the bloodstream. Sublingual CBD avoids first-pass liver metabolism, making it highly bioavailable and longer-lasting.
Sublingual CBD acts faster and stays in your system longer than other methods.
Ingestion
CBD edibles and capsules (like brownies, gummies, smoothies) take longer to work because they pass through the digestive system first. This delay can extend the duration of CBD in your system.
Read more: CBD oil vs capsules
Vaping
Inhaling CBD via vaporisers or flowers allows near-instant absorption through the lungs, producing effects in minutes. However, because it enters and exits the bloodstream quickly, it also leaves the body faster.
Read more: Can you vape CBD oil?
Topical
CBD topicals (lotions, balms, creams) interact with local receptors in the skin rather than entering the bloodstream. Effects are mild and shorter-lived compared to oral or inhaled forms.
The effects of topical CBD wear off faster than other methods.
6 ways to get CBD oil out of your system faster
CBD is stored in fat cells, so traces can remain for weeks even after the effects fade. To help your body metabolise and eliminate CBD faster:
- Hydrate: Drink more water to increase urination and help flush out CBD metabolites.
- Try diuretics: Increase urine output (only under medical guidance) while staying hydrated.
- Eat more fibre: A high-fibre diet promotes bowel movements and excretion of waste products.
- Avoid high-fat foods: Healthy fats can slow CBD absorption and prolong its presence.
- Exercise regularly: Sweating and fat metabolism accelerate elimination.
- Skip alcohol: Alcohol dehydrates the body. Choose detoxifying juices rich in fruit and vegetables instead.
Read more: CBD and alcohol
Will CBD show up on a drug test?
CBD and THC come from the same plant, but standard drug tests detect THC and its metabolites, not CBD. Legally regulated UK CBD products should contain no more than 0.2% THC.
If your product contains trace THC (common in full-spectrum oils), it’s unlikely but not impossible for CBD to trigger a positive THC result. To minimise the risk, opt for broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate with no THC content.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clear CBD from your system?
Exercising and drinking more water are the most effective ways to speed up elimination and flush CBD from your system.
How long does CBD stay in urine?
Traces can remain for 2–15 days. Heavy users may test positive for up to a month after last use.
How long do CBD effects last?
It depends on your body and dose, but most people experience effects lasting 2–6 hours.
