One of the most common questions for a newbie cannabis user is, “How long do edibles with THC last?” It’s an excellent question, and in fact, a question that Flavor Fix can answer before you eat a bag full of THC gummies.
How Long do Edibles With THC Last
With the legalization of marijuana, edibles have become super popular, especially for those seeking relief from chronic pain and anxiety but who don’t enjoy smoking (although, if you are a smoker, check out Big Kush for anxiety relief.) The edible experience differs from that of other cannabis products.
An edible high can feel more intense and last longer than the high you get from smoking. However, edibles are notoriously sneaky, sometimes waiting until the moment you decide to eat another THC-infused goodie before hitting you. Edibles take a lot longer to make you feel high than smoking or vaping, although many factors affect timing.
The Edible Experience
With the legalization of marijuana, edibles have become super popular, especially for those seeking relief from chronic pain and anxiety but who don’t enjoy smoking (although, if you are a smoker, check out Big Kush for anxiety relief.) The edible experience differs from that of other cannabis products.
An edible high can feel more intense and last longer than the high you get from smoking. However, edibles are notoriously sneaky, sometimes waiting until the moment you decide to eat another THC-infused goodie before hitting you. Edibles take a lot longer to make you feel high than smoking or vaping, although many factors affect timing.
How Long Does it Take Before Feeling the Effects of THC Edibles?
On average, edibles usually take around 30 to 60 minutes to take effect. However, the start time depends on many factors.
First, it depends on the active ingredients of the product. If the edible goodie contains a high dose or concentration of THC, it may work faster. The start time also depends on where the food breaks down and is absorbed into your bloodstream.
Sublingual Treats
Lozenges, gums, and lollipops kick in faster because they are absorbed sublingually (applied under your tongue). Some edible products like lozenges, gums, and lollipops are ingested but not actually swallowed. In these cases, absorption occurs through the mucous membranes of the mouth. This is known as sublingual absorption, and the effects are likely to occur more rapidly.
Chewable Foods
Chewable foods take longer to act, as they are absorbed through your digestive system. Chewable foods like gummies, cookies, and brownies can take longer to take effect. This is because absorption occurs in your digestive tract first. Then, active ingredients (THC) enter the bloodstream and reach the liver.
The THC metabolizes in the liver before getting back into the bloodstream and reaching the brain. This is when the effects occur.
Sweets
Edibles like chocolate have a faster effect than baked goods because they melt quickly in your mouth when ingested. This allows the THC to be absorbed into your bloodstream much faster.
Other Factors That Effect Start Time
According to a 2015 report released by the Colorado Treasury Department, the behavioral effects of consuming 1 mg of THC are equivalent to those of smoking 5.71 mg of THC. But, lots of factors that can affect how quickly you feel the high are related to your habits and physical condition. This includes your:
- Diet
- Metabolism
- Gender
- Weight
- Tolerance to cannabis
Because edibles don’t get you high immediately, it’s tempting to take more soon after your first dose, which we don’t recommend.
How Long Do Edibles Last?
So, how long do edibles last? THC edible effects last much longer than smoking or vaping marijuana, anywhere from six to eight hours on average. Plus, the length of an edible high depends on various factors, including dose and effectiveness. Their effects can even last up to 12 hours.
You’ll experience peak blood levels of THC about three hours after eating a weed edible. This is when the high is usually most intense.
The highs of chewed and swallowed products may last longer than the highs of products that are orally absorbed. Specific considerations such as metabolism, weight, and tolerance also influence the duration of your edible high.
Still, it might not be possible to predict how long the effects of weed edibles will last. In an interesting report, researchers analyzed over a hundred thousand tweets about weed edibles in a 2016 study asking, “How long do THC edibles last?” An unpredictably long duration was one of the most common side effects listed.
How Much Should You Take?
Now that you know how long an edible with THC lasts, most products identify how much THC is in a single serving. For example, a single gummy bear typically contains 10 milligrams mg of THC.
But, sometimes, the manufacturer lists the THC content of the total package or food. To use the gummy example, a pack can contain 100 mg of THC. If the pack includes ten gummies, that’s 10 mg per gummy.
This can be very confusing with foods like brownies and cookies. In some cases, this can mean that a single dose is a fraction of the product. Thankfully, many edible companies offer products with pre-portioned doses, such as a chocolate bar with “perforations” so that each chunk you tear off gives you a 10 mg THC high.
Want to Know How Long THC Edibles Last? Read Your Labels
It’s essential to read the label carefully before consuming any edible product. Look for the THC content per serving and determine whether the serving size refers to the entire product or just one serving.
Even if you know exactly what you are consuming, an edible dosage isn’t always predictable. Start slowly. It’s always best to start with a low dose and work your way up to an amount that gets the desired effect.
The THC content of handmade edibles can be hard to predict and even licensed distributors have difficulty matching their products’ advertised doses. It’s not uncommon for consumers to overestimate the dose because of the delay between ingestion and the onset of effects.
Standard Edible Dosing
Knowing how long THC edibles last is part of being a responsible cannabis user. The “standard” THC dose in legal markets is 10 milligrams, which delivers typically mild effects. Generally, 100 mg edibles are much more potent and should be divided into several doses. You won’t die from massive amounts of THC, but you’ll have a great time if you dose responsibly and patiently.
Now that you have a better understanding of how long THC edibles last and you’re channeling your inner Martha Stewart (or Snoop), take a stab at making your own edibles with the help of some of Flavor Fix’s best recipes here.
