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If you’re a fan of edibles, you’re probably curious about their ins and outs. Well, you’re not alone. Many, in fact, are curious about the big question, “how long do edibles last in your system?”
There is a more complicated answer to this question than you might expect. Unlike smoking and vaping, your liver processes the edibles and metabolizes the cannabinoids. This results in a longer and stronger potent high, which means the effects stay in your system longer.
Whether you’re concerned about a drug test or simply curious about when you can expect the effects to wear off, understanding the timeline of edibles in your system is crucial. Hence, we’ll explore the factors that affect this—from dosage and metabolism to body fat.
So, grab a snack (or an edible), and get ready to learn everything you need about how long edibles stay in your system.
If you’re tired of the same old smoking and vaping, then online cannabis edibles might be just what you need. Edibles refer to food items infused with marijuana compounds. They come in various types, flavors, potencies, and forms—ranging from baked goods like cookies and brownies to sweet treats like candies and gummies.
Edibles come in two main types: CBD-infused and THC-infused. CBD has non-intoxicating effects that can offer various health benefits, while THC is the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” sensation.
CBD-infused edibles don’t have the psychoactive effects of THC. You will often hear these edibles marketed as a potential and natural remedy for anxiety, pain, and inflammation.
Meanwhile, THC-infused edibles provide longer-lasting and more potent effects than smoking marijuana. These edibles also tend to be more popular compared to their CBD counterparts.
You can find CBD and THC-infused edibles in many forms, such as gummies, candies, chocolates, baked goods like brownies and classic cookies, savory snacks like chips and popcorn, and beverages.
How Long Does It Take for Edibles to Work?
Another common question when talking about edibles is how long edibles take to work. Unlike smoking or vaping, edibles take longer to effect because the psychoactive compound THC needs to be metabolized by the liver before it can enter the bloodstream and reach the brain.
The onset time can vary depending on several factors: the potency, the dosage, and your metabolism are among the most common factors. You generally feel the high or effects anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours. However, some edibles take even longer to effect, as their type also impacts the onset time.
For example, drinks and tinctures tend to have a faster onset time than solid edibles, as your body absorbs them more quickly. Meanwhile, solid edibles, such as brownies and cookies, can take longer to take effect since your body must digest them first before entering the bloodstream.
Typically, edibles can last for up to eight hours or more. Hence, starting with a low dosage when trying edibles for the first time is essential. Planning accordingly and ahead is nonnegotiable, especially if you’re driving or set to operate heavy machinery. Be patient to avoid overconsumption to ensure a safe and enjoyable cannabis edible experience.
Also Read: Royal Apothecary’s Guide to Cannabis Edibles
How Long Do Edibles Stay In Your System?
The effect of the edible itself usually only last for several hours. However, THC can be detectable in your bloodstream for up to several days after consuming an edible. In some cases—and for heavy and frequent users, it can take up to a month or more.
Hence, if you’re subject to drug testing sooner, you must know how long edibles last in your bloodstream. Drug tests somehow detect THC in the body even if you feel the effects have already worn off. Usually, the duration edibles last in your system depend on these three factors: frequency of use, potency, and body composition.
Frequency of Use
The length of time edibles stay in your bloodstream varies depending on how frequently you consume edibles. If you often take in edibles, THC may be present in your system longer due to the buildup of THC in your fatty tissue. The accumulation of THC in your fatty issues increases over time.
For example, suppose you regularly consume cannabis and edibles. In that case, the THC will be absorbed in your bloodstream and stored in your fatty tissue. As you continue to use cannabis and eat or drink edibles, the THC in your system also increases. This potentially prolongs the duration that THC can be detected in your system.
In contrast, if you consume edibles infrequently, the amount of THC in your system is lower and can be eliminated more quickly—resulting in a shorter duration of detectable THC in your system.
Potency
Another factor affecting how long edibles last in your system is the potency of infused food or drinks. The higher the potency, the more THC is present in edibles. This leads to a longer duration of effects and a more extended period of THC in your system or bloodstream.
For example, suppose you eat an edible cookie with a high potency level, such as 50mg of THC. In that case, your body takes longer to process and eliminate the THC than when you eat a cookie with a lower potency of only 10mg of THC. The higher potency edibles may take up to 24 hours or more to leave your system entirely, whereas the lower potency edibles may only take a few hours.
Furthermore, if you consume an edible designed to release the THC slowly, such as time-release cannabis pills or capsule, the effects last longer, and the THC remain even longer in your system.
Body Composition
Body composition, or factors such as weight, metabolism, and body fat percentage, can all affect how long edible lasts in your body.
When it comes to weight, heavier individuals may experience longer-lasting effects than lighter individuals. THC is stored in fat cells; hence, the more overweight a person is, the more THC can be absorbed and stored. Someone weighing 250 pounds may have THC in their system way longer than those weighing only 120 pounds.
Moreover, individuals with a faster metabolism may process THC more quickly, leading to shorter-lasting effects and a shorter period of THC detection in their system. Meanwhile, those with a slower metabolism may take longer to eliminate THC, which stays in their system longer than it intends to.
Body fat can also impact how long edibles stay in your body. You may store more THC in your cells with a higher body fat percentage. This prolongs the effects and THC’s duration when leaving your system. Naturally, those with lower body fat percentages eliminate THC from their system more quickly.
Aside from these three, hydration levels and overall health can also impact the duration of edibles in your system. Staying hydrated can help your body flush out THC more quickly, while certain health conditions or medications may likely slow down your body’s ability to eliminate THC.
These individual body factors can also interact in complex ways. For example, if you have a slow metabolism and high body fat percentage, expect THC to stay way longer in your system. The general rule of thumb states that THC can remain detectable in your bloodstream for up to 30 days after consumption.
Do Edibles Show Up in Drug Tests?
If you have reached this far, you most likely have an answer already to this question. But to set the record straight—YES, edibles can appear in drug tests.
The purpose of drug tests is to detect the presence of THC. When you consume an edible, drug tests will catch it in your bloodstream for several days, weeks, or months. It’s important to note that drug tests can’t distinguish between THC from edibles and THC from other forms of marijuana consumption.
Therefore, if you want to go through an edible drug test smoothly, you should be aware of the potential consequences before consuming any form of cannabis—including edibles. You should also know the regulations and policies of the organization administering your drug test.
Do Edibles Stay In Your System Longer than Smoking?
Edibles vs. Smoking are two standard methods of cannabis consumption—each with its unique consideration and effects.
When it comes to who stays longer in your system, edibles do. YES. Cannabis edibles stay in your system longer than when you smoke cannabis. When you smoke, your body rapidly absorbs and processes the THC in your bloodstream. Conversely, your liver must metabolize edibles before it releases them into your bloodstream. This takes way longer as the THC is released gradually.
Note that edibles can also be more intense and longer-lasting than smoking. They can both appear in drug tests, so be aware of the consequences of whatever cannabis consumption method you choose.
In Conclusion
Understanding how long edibles stay in your body is essential to consider before consuming any cannabis-infused food or drink. The duration can vary depending on several factors, such as your frequency of use, body composition, and the edible’s potency.
Whether you choose edibles over smoking, both show up on drug tests. Hence, consume cannabis—such as edibles, responsibly and always consider the duration it stays in your system.
