Edibles have become more popular than ever, and there is more information on how to consume them properly. However, there can still be concerns about how to take them because everyone reacts differently. There are so many factors that impact an edible high, from taking edibles on an empty stomach, the edible type, THC content, portion size, metabolism, and even tolerance. Education is helpful to staying safe.
Edibles are notorious for being the most unpredictable way to consume cannabis. It seems like almost everyone has a story about the time they got too high from edible cannabis, and it's easy to see why.
I mean, who looks at a brownie and thinks, “That looks great – I'll just have a quarter of it!” No one, unless they already know what eating an entire weed brownie entails. Also, an edible high is way different than the high you get from smoking or vaping a zip of weed.
Experience may help determine how long edibles last, but not everyone wants to experience overindulging in edible cannabis. Sometimes it’s better to learn from the mistakes of others, especially when it comes to finding out how long edibles last.
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How Long Does An Edible High Last?
The main question consumers have about edibles is, how long do they last? Well, it is important to consider a few things. One is whether you take the edible on a full or empty stomach.
It seems counterintuitive, but on an empty stomach, it generally takes longer for the high to kick in and is less effective. On a full stomach, the THC has something more to combine with and is ingested more quickly. This also ensures that most of the THC content is not lost during the digestion process. The mere fact that we have to wait for our bodies to break down the food shows why edibles take longer to kick in and wear off.
This is why it is essential to start out with a low dosage. Many consumers think that if you don’t feel it, then you should eat more. This is not the case. Certified Ganjiers say makesure to wait up to 2 hours before trying more. Experts recommend starting at around 5 mg for a true beginner. This way, if it is not enough, a consumer has some room to slowly work their way up to the recommended dosage.
The duration of the high from an edible depends on the dosage that is consumed, a person’s tolerance to cannabis, and what the consumer ate before the edible. It is safe to say that the average length of an edible high is around 4 to 6 hours. However, if a consumer eats more than the recommended dosage, then it is possible for the high to last longer.
Again, experts say this is why it is important to start low and work up slowly. An edible is a cannabis product that is great for a day off but is usually not the best for a busy day. It is also good to understand that cannabis affects every person differently. So keep a journal of how specific dosages made you feel. It will help you as a consumer to know your tolerance level.
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What Affects How Long An Edible Lasts?
Cannabis consumers need to know how much THC they’re going to consume, but that isn’t always an option. Homemade edibles have no warnings or guides, and that’s why it’s important to know what else affects the duration of edible weed:
Edible Type
The word ‘edible’ (in this context) is used to describe any food item that contains cannabis oil. This means, quite simply, that there’s no end to the edible weed products that can be created. And while variety is excellent, it makes controlling an edible high’s duration difficult.
THC Content
By knowing the THC content of an edible cannabis product, a consumer can estimate how long the high will last. Mainstream edibles range anywhere between 5mg THC to about 100mg THC, with room for extremes on either end.
Even with such precise numbers, the problem remains that THC content alone isn’t enough to determine precisely how long edibles last. THC is important, but there’s more to consider when it comes to edible cannabis.
Form of the Edible
Instead of choosing a simple edible, a consumer can decide what kind of edible cannabis is best for them. Small dose or large, sweet or savory, liquid or solid – the choice is yours!
Baked Goods
Classic edibles like brownies, cookies, and such can all be classified as baked. It’s easy to whip together a dessert using cannabis oil, and the results are often as tasty as they are potent.
Candies
Lollipops, gummy bears, chocolates — there’s no end to the constant parade of weed-infused candy products. But beware of the innocent exterior, as cannabis-infused candy packs a punch. One gummy bear can go a long way, so take care!
Mints
Cannabis mints are low-impact compared to other available edible weed products. Usually, between 5mg to 10mg of THC, mints are perfect for people who are new to edibles. Getting too high off such a small dose is virtually impossible, so they're as safe as they are tasty.
Drinks
Yes, drinks can get you high too! Drinkable edibles (or should we say drinkables?) are gaining popularity in the cannabis community. Now, you can get your weed fix from cannabis beer, coffee, and even soda!
Meals
Edibles don’t just come in snack form anymore. Full-on weed-infused food now offers a unique way to experience edible cannabis. Any of your favorite meals, from spaghetti to salad to steak, can deliver a tremendous high.
Portion Size
How long an edible lasts depends largely on how much cannabis you consume. Eating a small portion of an edible to start increases the control you have over the length of your edible high. On the other hand, eating large portions of edible cannabis at once gives you no option but to ride the high until the end (and that could take a while).
Metabolism
No two people metabolize edible cannabis products at the same rate, which may be why it’s so hard to know precisely how long edibles last. Other forms of cannabis consumption, like smoking and vaping, don’t rely as heavily on your personal metabolism. This difference is due to the way your body absorbs edibles versus smoke. A slow metabolism means that the edibles take longer to process, making the high last longer.
Tolerance
Measuring tolerance is difficult, but consider this: Person A has never tried cannabis, and Person B is a chronic stoner. Who do you think sobers up from weed faster? Person B, who has a higher tolerance to cannabis, is going to get over edibles before Person A. This difference may not be expressed in hours or minutes, but that doesn’t mean tolerance is negligible when determining how long edibles last.
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Cannabis experts say as a consumer, make sure that you are educating yourself on the products you are consuming. Ask your local budtender how edibles work for them and gather your own knowledge. These products are very new. It is important to ask questions and know what you are purchasing.
- Edibles, in particular, are not for everybody. Be a smart consumer and understand the product before trying it. One last tip before you go eat a delicious pot brownie: If you ever get a little too high from an edible, experts say you can take a little CBD to mellow you out!
