Weed Edibles and Your Body: How Long Do They Last in Your System?

Last Updated on April 18, 2023

Marijuana consumption has represented a growing trend for decades now. However, cannabis consumption was prohibited (and still is in some countries) globally, making this plant very controversial. Fortunately, many countries started to legalize marijuana and came to comprehend and understand its potential.

In the last century, weed enthusiasts mainly ingested this majestic plant by smoking since this method is quite simple because you feel the high within minutes.

Now, we all have preferences, even when it comes to getting high. So naturally, as in any industry, weed lovers started experimenting and infusing THC with various foods creating one of the top-selling, highly beneficial weed products.

What are Marijuana Edibles?

Marijuana Edibles are mainly food products that contain marijuana and hence produce the high.
Weed lovers tend to prefer marijuana-infused chocolate and cookies.

Besides food, edibles include various THC oils, gummy bears, drinks, tablets, mints, and cooking oils. The main benefits of consuming edibles are feeling cannabis effects without smoking and straightforward consumption (eating).

How do Edibles Differ From Other Marijuana Products?

Edibles are a convenient and quick way to get the right amount of marijuana. However, the effects of edibles may not be immediately apparent, in contrast to smoking, vaping, or oil use.

The edible must be broken down in the stomach by the body, so it may take longer to take effect than marijuana absorbed through the skin or lungs. Additionally, this indicates that edibles’ effects may last longer than those of other marijuana products.

The results of edibles can last anywhere from 5 to 6 hours, depending on the individual. Product-specific dosing varies greatly; as with all products, it starts low and builds up gradually.

In the process of using medical marijuana, there is a lot of trial and error. You will discover the best product or combination of products for your needs as you test them out in various doses.

How To Consume Edibles?

It is pretty simple to consume edibles: You need to open up and eat them, which can’t be that hard since it’s one of our primal urges.

However, be cautious since some edibles are very potent and may induce a bad trip if you overeat. Some weed enthusiasts recommend making your cannabutter or merely taking a good look at the desired edible dosage and potency.

How Long Does It Take For Edibles To Kick in?

Every food has to go through the digestive system, meaning the effects will not kick in for a few hours.

Since every organism is different, the onset period ranges from 20 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the edible ingested potency and the consumer’s digesting system. Also, the food you already ate will differentiate the onset time.

How Does Your Body Process Edibles?

The digestive system is involved in the digestion of food that a person consumes. Cannabis enters the liver as it is digested. There, delta-9 THC is transformed into 11-hydroxy THC by the body. The result is more psychoactive than that of smoking THC when this happens.

Keep in mind that, compared to smoking or vaping, the THC in edibles does take longer to affect many people. There may be a delay of up to two hours between consumption and feeling high due to digestion. In contrast, the THC can enter the bloodstream and begin to have an effect as soon as five minutes after being inhaled.

This lag can result in dangerous overconsumption for regular smokers. Some baked goods, like candy or chocolate, may work more quickly than others. This is because the product can “melt” in your mouth, making it easier for the THC to get into your bloodstream.

How Long do Weed Edibles Last in Your System?

As mentioned before, weed edibles need some time to digest, while the effects can last from 6-12 hours. However, remember this is not a universal rule. Edibles release cannabinoids into the organism producing a highly potent trip that lasts longer than merely smoking marijuana. The average duration from a weed edible lasts about 6 hours, whereas the peak appears after 3 hours.

Again, we can’t say these enough-these traits vary from one person to another and depend on various factors. For example, if you take a more massive dose, the high will be longer and way stronger since the body will need more time to get it out of your system.

Also, there is a considerable difference between frequent, infrequent, and daily smokers, as infrequent smokers will feel those effects stronger.

If your tolerance is higher than the average smoker’s, try to explore and test various doses to find the right one.

Generally, the trip from eating the edible will last for a couple of hours (probably about 6-9 hours).

Still, don’t be surprised if the effects last in an unusual timeframe ranging from 4-13 hours, as it reacts differently from system to system.

Sometimes people tend to overdo it and eat up many edibles that can be very strong and potent, so it’s essential to know your limits.

In general, THC stays in the organism from a couple of days to even a couple of months, which solely depends on your traits and habits, including:

• Exercise
• Amount of Weed Ingested
• Smoking Frequency
• Metabolism

When you consume an edible, THC will mostly flush out of your organism through urine. However, some THC will most likely get trapped in your fat cells, which means you won’t get it out that easily in normal circumstances.

What to Do to Get Rid of THC in Your System?

If you need to get rid of THC as fast as possible, consider the following tips:

1. Stop ingesting edibles instantly. This way, you will get more time as long as you don’t smoke or eat edibles at all.
2. Exercise to burn fat faster and release that unwanted THC
3. Drink plenty of water
4. Cut back on sugar, fats, and salt since you want to maintain a fast metabolism, and these ingredients won’t help.
5. Drink coffee or tea (moderately)
6. Try to consume a lot of fruit, greens, grain, seeds, seafood, and healthy and lean meat (crucial for your metabolism)

For heavy smokers and those who consider themselves daily smokers, the maximum time your body will need to get THC out of your system is around six weeks.

FAQs

Do Edibles Show Up in Drug Tests?

Yes, edibles and other products containing THC show up on drug tests. Additionally, THC may actually last longer in the body than weed that has been smoked because it is processed differently when ingested.

Do Edibles Affect your Organs?

Despite the possibility of experiencing discomfort in the digestive system as a result of using cannabis edibles, it is highly unlikely that any real liver damage or acute health risks will occur. The high sugar content of edibles or a low-quality infusion method may be the cause of digestive or gut issues.

Wind Up

Weed edibles are a good substitute for smoking marijuana, especially for individuals who don’t tolerate smoke and have health problems related to the lungs and the respiratory system.

Also, productive weed enthusiasts enjoy mixing exquisite taste and potent weed, where this kind of trip is very different from merely smoking a joint or two.

However, try to analyze your organism and prepare for the trip before eating cannabis-infused food. Bear in mind that it is way easier to overdose with edibles than smoke marijuana since it’s not easy to measure the exact dose you ingested.

Besides apparent reasons, including a different and more potent trip alongside health benefits, users report another perk: very discrete and easy to use and consume; hence you need to eat it.

Yet, be cautious and only eat edibles in a safe and healthy environment while dosing correctly. If, by any chance, you overeat and experience an elevated heart rate or a panic attack, contact the doctor immediately.

Let us know what you think, and share your experiences in the comment section.