How Long Do The Effects Of Edibles Last?

Pot brownies, firecrackers, weed tea… there are a lot of different edibles out there, all with diverse effects dependent on dosage and strain. Unfortunately, there’s no specific answer to the question “how long do edibles last?” However, you can, at the very least, approximate how long you’re going to be under the influence. Before you reach for another pot brownie, take a moment to read this article and learn about how edibles are different from smoking!

How Is Smoking Weed Different From Eating It?

When you smoke, your lungs immediately absorb the THC, allowing it to quickly enter the bloodstream. That’s why you feel high within minutes of smoking and for another 4-5 hours afterward. Edibles, on the other hand, are absorbed by the body in a completely different way, which takes a bit longer. When ingested orally, cannabis needs to be metabolized in the liver before the THC can enter the bloodstream. That means you need to give it at least 30 minutes, but possibly even 2 hours, to feel the effects of edibles.

You Gotta Break It Down Before You Get High

So how long does it take for edibles to metabolize? As mentioned before, there’s a delay between consumption of edibles and the high you get as a result, which can take up to 2 hours. The THC from your edible won’t be detectable in the bloodstream until an hour or 2 after you eat it because it’s released slowly as it’s metabolized by the liver and absorbed into the fatty tissues. This also means that the high itself has a longer duration than when you smoke. You can expect your high to last around 6 hours, with several peaks as your body continues to process the edible. However, even after 6 hours, you probably won’t feel completely sober. Chances are, you’ll experience some light aftereffects that have you feeling chill for the rest of the day.

Is It Just Me, Or Was That Edible Really Strong?

Some stoners believe that edibles hit harder than smoking, and there’s a scientific reason for that! When you eat cannabis, your body absorbs it differently than when smoking or vaping. After you ingest weed in the form of an edible, half of the THC gets converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is a more powerful version of THC. This happens in the liver before being released into the bloodstream. 11-hydroxy-THC has a slightly different effect than normal THC, inducing a special “edible high” that’s a bit stronger than what you’d experience from smoking and at times even psychedelic.

Cookies, Cannacaps And CBD, Oh My!

The exact length of your edible high will be determined by the THC content and form of edible. The amount of THC in the edible will dictate just how high you get, and the form can also play a role in how quickly this THC is absorbed into the body.

THC Content: Keep An Eye On It

Cannabis legalization means that any commercial edibles out there are going to have a lot of information on the packaging! That means you can carefully control your dose and figure out what suits you best. Depending on your weed experience and the type of high you’re looking for, you can find edibles with dosages of (usually) 5 to 30 milligrams of THC and/or CBD, but of course, there are some even stronger edibles out there! If you’re unsure, start with 5mg and work your way up from there – slowly.

Edibles Of All Kinds: A World Of Pure Imagination

There are plenty of different forms of edibles out there. Especially if you live in a place where cannabis is legalized, you have access to a wide array of edible products with clear labels regarding THC content. You can choose what you want based on your personal tastes: are you more of a chocolate fan, do you like fruity gummies, or maybe you’re feeling in the mood for a THC-infused soda? As every treat is metabolized at a different rate, the form of the edible you choose will affect the length and onset of the high. The possibilities are virtually endless – it’s worth experimenting to know what suits you best.               

I Ate An Edible – How Long Will The High Last?

First of all, whether or not your stomach is empty will play a part in when your high kicks in. If you eat an edible on an empty stomach, it’s going to take longer to kick in and won’t be as strong. On a full stomach, the THC has other stuff to bind to, and will be processed more quickly since the stomach and liver are already at work. Eating a meal before your edible is also helpful to ensure that no THC content is lost in the digestion process.

The short answer is that an edible high is going to last at least 4 to 6 hours. So, what affects the duration of an edible high? How long an edible high lasts is dependent on the dosage, your tolerance, and whether or not you ate beforehand. It can last even longer if you have a slow metabolism, took a large dose, or are an infrequent consumer of cannabis.

Factors Affecting The Duration Of An Edible High

THC content and edible type aren’t the only influences on the duration of an edible high. There are other factors also at play such as the size of dose, your body’s metabolism, and of course your general tolerance level, which are all key to determining how long the effects of edibles will last for you.

You Can Always Eat More, But You Can’t Eat Less

If you want to maintain control over the duration of your edible high, starting with a small portion is always a good call. You can always have more later! By controlling the size of your dose and exercising a little patience, you can avoid getting too baked. If you eat a higher dose than you’d usually consume, you’re going to be stuck riding out the high until it fades away, which could easily take hours!

Slow Metabolism, Long High

Everyone has different metabolic rates, so it’s hard to say exactly how long an edible will last. In general, if you have a slow metabolism, it will take longer for your body to process the edible, extending the length of your high. Metabolism isn’t as relevant to smoking or vaping, because THC absorption with these methods isn’t as dependent on personal metabolism.

Tolerance: How Much Can You Take?

Of course, your tolerance also determines how hard the edible will hit and how long it will last. Veteran stoners are probably going to sober up more quickly than those who rarely indulge in cannabis. Measuring tolerance is difficult and far from an exact science. You know your own body best! If you’re not experienced in eating edibles, eat a small dose and take it slow. Be honest with yourself in regard to your cannabis consumption, and be careful not to overdo it!

The Weekend Is The Best Time For A Weed Brownie!

The bottom line is, an edible is ideally saved for a day off when you have nothing important to do. Considering the high from edibles is quite long, eating a pot brownie is probably not best for a busy day – better to enjoy the experience on the couch watching your favorite show and surrounded by snacks!

So, how long do edibles usually keep you high? Tell us about your favorite edible experience in the comments below!