Edibles. The yummy, gummy, or chocolatey goodness that we crave for more than the sugar rush. Edibles are truly the best of both worlds. The only issue is that a little bit will go a long way, and when it comes to this decadent deliciousness, that is difficult to stick to.
Another reason people might over-partake in edibles is due to the fact that, unlike smoking marijuana, you do not feel anything right away. The effects of weed edibles feel (and often taste) like you are eating candy…until it doesn’t.
So, how long does it take for edibles to kick in? Here is an explanation answering that question, why edibles take longer than other methods of Marijuana consumption, and how long the high from edibles last.
Time for Edibles to Kick In
Edibles can take between half an hour and three hours for you to start to feel the effects. However, there are a few different factors that contribute to the time it takes for edibles to kick in.
“Typically, it takes about an hour to feel effects when edibles are eaten on an empty stomach,” Elise McDonough, the Brand Manager of Confections at CannaCraft said in an interview, “Or up to three hours when edibles are eaten along with food.”
Food
Food, much like when consumed with alcohol can help absorb the effects of Marijuana. It also takes your body longer to metabolize the THC when there is more than just the edible in your stomach.
Tolerance
Depending on how often you partake will decide how high and sometimes how fast you will get high. If you are a daily consumer of marijuana, even if you smoke it, you may not get as high or feel the effects as quickly as your buddy trying it for the first time.
However, this is cautionary, as if you are a smoker but you are only trying edibles for the first time, the high can take you by surprise. The reason, primarily, is that you are getting every bit of the THC in an edible, whereas when you smoke Marijuana, you are losing anywhere between 40 and 50 percent of the THC in every joint, bong, or vape. This also makes the weed last longer in your system.
So, if you are used to smoking 3-8 mg of marijuana, your tolerance is only up to the level of I.5-4 mg of THC. This means that when you have 3-8 mg of THC in an edible you might be a little overwhelmed.
Fortunately, there have never been any reports of someone dying from a marijuana overdose. The worst that is going to happen if you do take too much is that you are going to feel really weird, likely for a fairly long time. However, you will come down and you will be fine. So, don’t panic.
Metabolism
Having a healthy metabolism is a great way to help your body process the edible quickly and efficiently. The faster your metabolism is, the sooner you will start to feel the effects of an edible.
If you don’t have a great metabolism, don’t worry! There is still hope for you. Here are a few easy ways to boost your metabolism according to Healthline:
- Eat protein
- Drink cold water
- Drink green tea and oolong tea
- Eat spicy foods
- Drink coffee in moderation
- Get enough sleep
- Exercise and lift weights
There are a few other ways too, but these are most conducive to boosting your metabolism as quickly as possible. Plus, as an added bonus, these tips are not overtly unhealthy for you. In fact, drinking cold water is one of the best things you can do for your body.
This is why healthier people generally have better metabolisms. By taking care of your body, you can help yourself feel better, which can also have budding rewards when it comes to your marijuana edibles.
Why Do Edibles Take Longer to Kick In
For Marijuana smokers, you are likely used to taking a few hits and feeling fine almost instantaneously.
Although, with an edible, you are going to have to be patient. It will be worth it, but it is not instantaneous gratification. The reason is that when you smoke, the THC is absorbed into your bloodstream through your lungs. It is a quick process. You take a hit, you get high and after a little while, you come down.
Yet, when you eat an edible a much different process takes place. Instead of the THC almost immediately being absorbed by the lungs, it needs to be metabolized. Therefore, it has to go through the digestive process.
The good news is that once the high starts, it can continue for many hours making a little bit go a long way.
How Long does an Edibles High Last?
Good things are worth waiting for; this is especially true for edibles. If you are looking to have a longer, more pronounced high, edibles are the way to go. While you might have to wait up to a few hours for the high to kick in, the reward is on the backend of the high because you can expect to stay high from edibles for up to eight hours.
Although, the high comes in an elongated arch. Here is the timeline for getting high from edibles:
Eat the Edible→ About 2 hours later: Start to feel high→ 3 hours into your experience: You hit the peak of your high→ You start to come down from your high.
There are two fortunate aspects of this:
The first is that if you do take too much, you won’t be obnoxiously high for the whole six-to-eight hour duration. You will probably start to feel a little better after the third hour and you might even be able to enjoy yourself as you come down.
The second is that you have a few hours after the high to enjoy a slow-burn high. So, it isn’t just gone.
Tips for Beginners
Trying something for the first time is always exciting but when trying edibles, it is important to know at least a little bit of what to expect. So, here are a few tips to help guide you through your first experience:
- Have fun and don’t get upset if another person starts to feel it before you do. Everyone is different.
- Don’t take too much. Edibles are often delicious but it is important to take it slow, especially for your first time. Online Dispensary Canada carries different levels of THC edibles – such as these 10mg THC Watermelon doses for beginners.
- Wait 24 hours before trying it again and make sure you are in a safe place where you intend to stay for as long as you are feeling high.
- Consider making your own THC edibles so you are sure how much weed you have added (as opposed to accepting a batch of brownies for your neighbours).
In summation, edibles are a tasty alternative to smoking marijuana but they affect you in a different way and for a longer period of time. Therefore, edibles should only be taken if you are planning on having a slow-burn high for the majority of the day. The difference in how long it takes for edibles to kick in and how long they last versus smoking marijuana is startling and might even surprise avid weed tokers. That is why it is always important to know what you are consuming and take care of how much you are partaking in.