How Long Do Edibles Take to Hit?

Edibles are a popular way to consume THC. They're easy, they're available, they often have a nice taste, and they can make it easier to control just how much THC you're getting. That doesn't mean they're perfect, though. In fact, one of their downsides is how long it can take for an edible to take effect.

On average, you'll have to wait between 30 minutes and 2 hours to feel the effect of a THC edible. This is very different from smoking or vaping, where you can feel the impacts within minutes. Curious about why this is and about what you can do to get more out of your edible experience? We've got you! Keep reading to find out more.

Why Edibles Take Longer to Kick In Compared to Smoking or Vaping

Before you can feel any psychoactive effects from THC, it first has to enter your bloodstream. This is the main reason why edibles take longer to take effect than smoking or vaping. 

When you inhale THC, it enters your bloodstream directly from your lungs. This gives it a very quick onset, sometimes as quickly as a few minutes. The full effects of the THC tend to peak about 30 minutes in and generally last for about six hours after you use it.

How Your Body Processes Edibles

Edibles, on the other hand, have a longer road ahead of them. First, your body has to digest the edible you've consumed. Then, the liver has to do its job, converting the Delta-9 THC you consumed into 11-Hydroxy-THC. If you've ever heard that edibles have a more intense effect than smoking, 11-Hydroxy-THC is why. This process can lead to effects that are more potent and longer lasting.

All that is to say, smoking THC allows for an experience that comes on faster but is more short-lived. Edibles take longer to kick in, but can last longer. The reason for the difference is how long it takes for the THC to enter your bloodstream.

What Factors Influence How Fast Edibles Hit?

So, now that we know why edibles can take some time to take effect, let's dig a little deeper. Your experience will likely vary from other people's and may even vary each time you have a gummy. Why is that? Well, there are several reasons. 

Your Metabolism

Your metabolism is the process by which your body breaks down what you consume and creates something you can use. For example, metabolism controls how your body turns food into energy.

Metabolism is an individual process, and the speed at which it happens can vary from person to person. That's why it can impact how quickly your edible takes effect. If you have a fast metabolism, your edible will hit quickly. If your metabolism is slower, however, it will likely take more time to feel your edible's effects.

Cannabis Strain

There's a whole world of cannabis strains out there. Each strain impacts the body a little differently. Much of this effect comes from the concentration of THC that is in a particular strain. The amount of THC in a strain can lead to differences in your experience. A higher concentration of THC may lead to a more intense experience, or may allow effects to last longer than a strain with a lower concentration of THC.

How Full Your Stomach Is

In order to experience the effects from an edible, your body first has to digest it. You're going to notice a big difference in how quickly this digestion occurs based on what else you've eaten at the time. The fullness of your stomach can impact:

• How quickly an edible can kick in: If you've recently eaten a big meal, your edible will have to wait its turn to be digested. This can make it take longer to hit. An empty stomach, however, gives your edible priority in the digestion process. The end result? A faster high.
• How intense your edible feels: When your stomach is full, it slows down the absorption of THC by your body. This, in turn, reduces the speed at which THC enters your bloodstream. The result is a less-intense high. An empty stomach, on the other hand, does nothing to slow down the THC's absorption. The result is a more intense experience. 

One is not better than the other, but some people find that the intensity of eating an edible on an empty stomach is uncomfortable. If you're new to edibles and aren't sure how your body will react, we recommend starting with a small amount of THC after having something to eat. That way you're less likely to have a negative first experience. 

• How long your high lasts: Because THC is absorbed more slowly on a full stomach, its psychoactive effects can be felt for longer. The opposite is true on an empty stomach: your edible may kick in fast, but you won't feel its effects for as long. 

It's important to keep this in mind when planning when to consume your edible. If you enjoy one late on a full stomach, you may still feel the effects when you wake up the next morning. Plan accordingly!

Your Individual Tolerance 

Your individual tolerance for THC can have a big impact on how quickly an edible kicks in and on how intense the experience will be once it does. If you use edibles that contain THC regularly, your body can build up a tolerance to it. This means it may take a higher amount of THC for you to feel the same effect. You may also find it takes longer for your edible to hit if your individual tolerance is high.

Remember: all bodies are different. Your tolerance for THC may be very different from someone else's. We can give you all the advice in the world, but your individual experience will be the best method for understanding how your tolerance impacts the speed with which an edible kicks in. If you're new to THC, start low and go slow. This will give you the best insight into how your body responds.

How to Make Edibles Hit Faster or Feel Stronger

Interested in how to make the most out of your edible? Trust us: you're not the only one! Here are a few of our go-to tips for increasing the speed and intensity of your edible experience. 

Eat Your Edible with a Fatty Meal

Here's your fun fact for the day: THC is a fat-soluble compound. This means it binds to fat molecules during digestion. Eating your edible alongside a fatty meal may help speed up its absorption into the body. 

Now, sure, chowing down on a Big Mac with your edible sounds pretty blissful, but we recommend opting for healthy fats like what you'd find in avocados, nuts, and seeds. When you eat those kinds of fatty foods, your body produces bile. Bile helps break down the fat into smaller particles, which makes it easier for your body to absorb. Bile can also help break THC down into smaller particles, which - you guessed it - are easier for your body to absorb. 

We do want to note that research in this area is ongoing. Most of the advice provided here is backed by the experiences of our customers and others in the cannabis community. Your best bet? Try it for yourself and see! Worst-case scenario you end up with a tasty snack. And don't forget to let us know how it goes!

Eat them on an Empty Stomach

We've already covered this further up in this blog, but just to reiterate: the contents of your stomach have a lot to do with how quickly an edible kicks in. If your goal is to experience effects as quickly as possible, an empty stomach is your best bet for getting there. If there's nothing else in your digestive tract, your edible won't have any competition for digestion. Just bear in mind that an edible on an empty stomach is likely to give you a shorter, more intense experience. If that's what you're going for, godspeed! If it's not, you may want to reconsider if this is the right approach for you.

Exercise

Remember how THC is fat-soluble? It's also stored in your body fat. This may have a connection with exercise.

Studies into this area are still ongoing, but there may be a link between exercise and THC blood levels. When you work out, stored THC can be released back into your bloodstream, which might give your high a noticeable boost or second wind. That said, everyone’s body reacts differently, so your experience may vary.

Here's our take: exercise is great for you and can make you feel great too. We recommend it to everyone, whether your goal is a faster edible experience or just a healthier, better life. 

Take a THC Break

If you're using THC regularly, you'll likely find yourself building a tolerance to THC. This can have all sorts of impacts on your experience, including the speed at which your edible hits. Taking a break can help you get back to a faster, more intense experience.

Generally speaking, it takes about three weeks of abstaining from THC to significantly lower your tolerance. There's also research to suggest that taking a guided, mindful approach to this break is the best way to be successful. If this interests you, you may want to check out this guide from the University of Vermont. 

Switch Up the Type of Edible

Different types of edibles are absorbed by the body at different speeds. For example, a baked good like a brownie can take a long time for your body to process - up to two hours. Liquid-based edibles like drinks can take effect much more quickly, even as fast as a half hour. Gummies fall somewhere in the middle, usually between half an hour and ninety minutes.

If you're not happy with how quickly your edibles are kicking in, try experimenting with a different type and see if that makes a difference. 

What to Avoid If You Want Edibles to Work Properly

Now that you know how to increase how quickly your edible kicks in, here's what you need to avoid to make sure you're not accidentally sabotaging your experience.

Consuming Too Much

There's an art to consuming the right amount of THC. If you're new to cannabis, it's important to start with a small amount. This will give you a chance to determine what the right amount is for you. If you go in guns ablazing with a high serving size, you could find yourself feeling confused, anxious, and nauseous. No good. Instead, start low and see how you feel. From there you can build up to get to the experience you're looking for.

Consuming Too Quickly

This goes hand in hand with being mindful of how much THC you consume. This is true for everybody, but it’s especially true if you're new. Give yourself lots of time after trying an edible before deciding that it didn't work. It can take more than two hours to feel the full effects. It's easy to consume too much if you have another edible before giving your body a chance to absorb it fully. There's a reason "start low and go slow" is a mantra in the cannabis community; it's your best bet for having a positive experience. 

Eating in a Hectic or Stressful Environment

The tone of the space you're in can absolutely have an impact on your edible experience, as can the mindset you bring with you. If you're stressed out and tense or in a hectic, uncomfortable space, you may not have as good of an experience as you would if you were in a calmer, more peaceful location and state of mind.

Our advice? Set the scene! Get your clothes, your lighting, and your entertainment all lined up before you enjoy a gummy. This will help you have the best experience possible, even if it takes a little while for the THC to kick in. 

Consuming with Alcohol

Enjoying THC with other substances like alcohol can have a negative effect on your outcome. Alcohol can amplify the effects of THC, which can lead to a more intense or unpleasant reaction. If you want your edibles to work the way they should, avoid mixing them with alcohol. 

Improper Storage

If you want your edibles to keep their potency, you'll want to make sure they're stored correctly. That means keeping them in a cool, dry space and in an airtight container. It's also important to keep them away from where children or pets might find them. If you're looking to store your edibles for a while, refrigerating them is a great choice.

Improperly stored edibles can lose their potency after time. As they grow less potent, they grow less predictable. This gives you less insight into what your experience will be like and may keep you guessing as you try to find the right serving size. Store carefully and enjoy!

In Conclusion…

You deserve to have an edible experience that is fun, relaxing, and everything you want it to be. Being mindful of how you take your edibles can have a big impact on how quickly they kick in, as well as how enjoyable you find them. Speed isn't everything, but there is definitely a lot you can do to impact how quickly your edibles hit. Be safe, enjoy responsibly, and have fun!