Cannabinoid products come in a surprising array of product types, including tinctures, vape oils, topicals, flowers, dabs, and, of course, edibles. Gummies and other types of cannabinoid-infused edible products remain some of the most popular, and a huge part of their popularity is the fact that this delivery method offers the longest-lasting effects of all.
But, exactly how long do the effects of edibles last? That can be a pretty important question if you’re someone who’s new to taking cannabinoids – especially psychoactive ones – or someone who wants to take an edible but just wants to make sure that the effects don’t interfere with plans that they have later on in the day. Let’s explore everything there is to know about how long edibles last, because as you’ll see, providing a simple answer isn’t as easy as you may think.
Edibles: What to Know About This Unique Product Type
Before we talk about how long the effects of edibles can last, we need to talk a bit about what makes this delivery method so unique from the others. Edibles refer to any product type that allows us to ingest a cannabinoid, rather than, say, inhale it as we do with vapes, or absorb it sublingually (below the tongue) as we do with tinctures. The most popular type of edible is the gummy, but plenty of other product types fall into this category, including capsules and beverages.
The reason why edibles create such a long-lasting high compared to other delivery methods is because of how the cannabinoid is absorbed into the body. By ingesting a cannabinoid like, say, delta 8 THC, the cannabinoid has to travel through the digestive tract, before reaching the liver, where all THC cannabinoids are converted into a new cannabinoid metabolite known as 11-hydroxy THC. This new metabolite then enters the bloodstream, with the entire process taking up to about 2 hours – in other words, the reason why edibles take so long to kick in compared to other product types.
At this stage, you have a specific THC metabolite causing the effects associated with edibles, and these effects can last for quite a long time – several times longer than the effects of smoking a cannabinoid, in some cases.
How Long Do Edible Highs Last?
So, how long do edible effects last? The most general answer we can offer is about 8 hours after the time the effects kick in – and again, it can take up to 2 hours for the effects to really start. The effects usually peak around the 1-2 hour point after they first kick in, and then taper off gradually after about the 4-5 hour mark. From that point, there may be a bit of a “hangover” effect, in which you’re no longer actually intoxicated, but you do feel foggy, drowsy, or fatigued.
All of that being said, there are actually a number of factors that have to do with how long your edibles high will ultimately last. And, there’s no easy formula that we can give you so that you can calculate that length of time in advance. Let’s talk about the most important things that play a role in the duration of your high.
#1: If It’s Your First Time
How long does an edible high last for the first time? Probably longer than it would last a person who has taken edibles many times. The lower your tolerance to THC, the longer the effects can last, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. For the same reason, the effects can be a lot more potent, as well – which, by the way, is the reason why beginners should make a point to go easy with their dosing if they’re new to THC in any product form. Overall, those who are totally new to THC edibles may find the effects stretch into the 10-hour mark, although keep in mind that this is long after the effects have peaked, so at that point, they should be quite mild effects.
#2: How Much You Took
The dosage matters as well, as you may have imagined already. Taking two gummies is obviously going to get you higher than taking one, and the same goes for the duration of effects. Taking two gummies at once doesn’t mean double the length of the high, but it does mean that you might notice the effects last for a couple of extra hours, depending on the rate at which your body metabolizes THC (more on that later).
#3: The Cannabinoid in the Edible
The cannabinoid itself plays a big role as well. There are many different kinds of THC cannabinoids – Delta 8, Delta 9, Delta 10, THC-O, THC-P, THC-V – the list goes on, and is only getting longer as we make new discoveries within the hemp plant. But, the bottom line is that each cannabinoid behaves differently, and some may last longer than others in terms of effects. Most notably, THC-V is a famously mild cannabinoid, and its high is known to last for about half the length of Delta 9. Delta 8 and Delta 10 may also last for a slightly shorter length as they’re milder than Delta 9 THC.
#4: The Product’s Milligram Strength
How strong the product is matters for the same reason as the dosage. Maybe you’re wondering something along the lines of, “how long does a 10mg edible last, as opposed to a 50mg edible?” Basically, the lower the milligram strength, the shorter the effects will last, but it’s not like a 10mg edible will last for a 5th of the duration of a 50mg. In fact, a 10mg edible can still offer a high for 6-7, or even 8 hours, depending on the user’s tolerance, and the other factors we’re discussing here.
#5: How Fresh is the Product is
The freshness of the edible is a bigger deal than you might realize. Generally, edibles last for about 4-6 months, depending on the types of ingredients used (the fresher/more natural the ingredients, the shorter the shelf life). Besides that, the actual hemp extract in the edible loses its effectiveness after about 2 years, and after that point, the active cannabinoid will have degraded so much that its potency is all but diminished. Taking an “old” edible can give you a much shorter high because the cannabinoid is weak at that point.
#6: If You’ve Taken Another Cannabinoid Product
It should go without saying that if you’ve, say, vaped some Delta 10 THC around the time during which the effects of the edible would have worn off, then you’re going to be high for a little bit longer than you would have otherwise. Not only would you be feeling the effects of the second product you took, but the second product could actually potentiate the effects of the edible.
#7: How Your Body Processes Cannabinoids
As for “how long does it take for edibles to wear off,” a lot of that really comes down to your own body. Our metabolisms each handle cannabinoids in their own way, and for some of us, our bodies just start breaking them down more quickly than others, meaning that the high just doesn’t last as long as it does for other people.
#8: Medications You’re on
Yes, some medications can alter your edibles high. Any medication that is broken down via the enzyme CYP3A4 can, in rare cases, extend the high of your THC. That’s because THC is also broken down through this enzyme, and if the enzyme is “tied up” breaking down your medication, it can take THC longer to metabolize, allowing it to remain in the bloodstream for longer.
#9: Your Health
Some people find that the high of their edibles last longer when they’re experiencing certain health-related circumstances. For instance, many have reported that the duration of an edible high coincides with certain phases of the menstrual cycle – mainly, during the ovulatory phase, it seems that the high can last longer. And, some people find that when they’re sick, their high doesn’t last as long as it normally does, although science still hasn’t given us a clear idea as to why that can be the case.
Can Edibles Last for 2 Days?
Some people have reported feeling the effects of an edible go on for 24-48 hours. This is unbelievably rare, and what’s more likely happening is that the person is experiencing a pronounced hangover effect. Earlier, we talked about how after the actual high has worn off, you might feel lethargic, foggy, and drowsy. This can be even more pronounced if you have a low THC tolerance.
If this is something you’re dealing with, we recommend just waiting it out. It’s no cause for alarm, and you should gradually start feeling more like yourself over the next 24 hours.
Bottom Line: For Most People, an Edibles High Lasts for About 8 Hours
So, how long does a high last after edible? 8 hours, give or take, but that ultimately depends on a number of key variables, as you now know. Ultimately, if you’ve been wondering, how long gummy edibles last, the best way to know the answer to that question is to simply try edibles on your own and find out. At Kore Original, we’ve got a wide array of edibles for you to try, all made with lab-tested hemp extract and fresh, clean ingredients. Explore our selection of edibles, and simply enjoy their long-lasting effects for yourself.
