Not everyone wants to smoke a joint or use a vape pen to feel the effects of cannabis. Edibles are the perfect way to enjoy cannabis without lighting up, and they offer all of the benefits of THC and other cannabinoids. Yet, many people are hesitant to try edibles because they’ve had a bad experience in the past, or are just unsure about how to dose. If you’re wondering how long do edibles take to kick in, or how long your edibles high will last, or what to do in case you accidentally eat too much, read on.
THC Edibles in the Body
When smoking cannabis, cannabinoids like THC enter your bloodstream within seconds of inhalation. The effects peak within minutes and slowly dissipate over an hour or two. However, edibles work very differently within the body. How we process them, how long they take to kick in, and how long they last are very different from smoking.
Edibles Kick-in
When you eat a THC edible, it is digested in the stomach like any other food. Our digestive juices break down the components, and the THC is absorbed by the stomach and lining of the small intestine and then circulated through the bloodstream. The liver extracts the THC and sends it off throughout the body, making its way to the heart and brain.
How long do edibles take to kick in? Everyone digests a little differently, but most people begin to feel the effects of edibles in 45-60 minutes. The effects tend to come on slowly, and you’ll notice a few telltale signs like a slight pinching sensation behind your eyes or a light, fuzzy feeling throughout your body.
Edibles Duration
How long do edibles last? Since the effects come on slowly, you can expect the peak of the edible high to hit somewhere between 90 minutes and two hours after you eat it. The duration of the high varies, but most people feel noticeably different for about four to six hours. So, if you eat an edible at 2 p.m., you will probably experience the strongest part of the high around 4 p.m.
By 6 p.m., the effects will be less noticeable, although you may still not feel entirely sober. However, by 8 or 9 p.m. you will probably feel unaffected by the edibles, although there are some slight after-effects. It’s not at all like a hangover, but it’s not uncommon to feel a bit sleepy or mellow.
Tips to Decrease an Edible High
Figuring out your perfect dose takes a little bit of practice. It’s always important to start with less than what you think you need and only increase your dosage after you have waited a total of two hours for effects to settle in. If you have taken a little too much, don’t panic. While getting too high can be very uncomfortable, remember that you are simply stoned and not in danger. Here are a few things that will help when trying to figure out how to recover from edibles.
Lie Down and Relax
The best thing to do if you feel too high is to find a comfortable place to lie down and relax. If you are not home, find a quiet place or ask a friend to sit with you for a little while. Have a glass of water and focus on taking a few slow, deep breaths to ground yourself. Keep reminding yourself that you are high, and it won’t last forever. You are safe.
Light Stretching
If possible, put on some relaxing music and stretch. Moving the body helps move energy and can be a saving grace when you overeat THC. A hot shower after some light yoga is a refreshing way to settle into your high.
Eat Something
Having a snack might help you feel a bit more normal. While any snack you enjoy can help, consider crunching on two to three black peppercorns or munching on pine nuts. The terpenes found in these foods have been shown to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC.
Distract Yourself
Sometimes sitting around and waiting is the worst thing you can do. The uncomfortable effects tend to subside quickly, even though it might feel like time is standing still. Snuggle up or pet your furry friend for its soothing effects if you have a pet. Watching a funny TV show or movie is a great way to pass the time and amuse yourself.
FAQ
Do edibles work less on a full stomach?
If your stomach is already in the process of digesting a belly full of food, it can take longer to digest an edible. However, just because it takes longer to process the THC doesn’t necessarily mean that the effects are weaker. If you take an edible after eating a meal, it could extend the time it takes to kick in. It might produce a slightly less potent high, but everyone digests and processes THC differently.
It’s not a fact that eating edibles on a full stomach will get you less high. Always eat a small amount and wait at least two hours before consuming more.
Why don’t edibles get me high?
Some people can eat a large amount of THC edibles and experience no results. Cannabis experts have reported that this is a rare occurrence, but it does happen. Research is ongoing, but it’s believed that some people have a liver enzyme that processes the THC super efficiently, meaning it is metabolized before it even has a chance to provide effects.
People who fall into this category may try to consume ten times the amount of THC as the average person and feel nothing. However, keep in mind that this is rare, and it’s essential that you still wait up to two hours before increasing your dosage.
