How Long for Edibles to Kick In: the Complete Guide
Interested in edibles? You’re not the only one. Data shows that edibles are one of the most popular ways to ingest THC and CBD these days. And those numbers are only growing. But if you’re new to edibles, there’s some information you need to know. Specifically, one piece of information can make or break your edible experience. In this post, we answer the long-standing question: how long does it take for edibles to kick in?
How Long Does it Take for Edibles to Kick In?
So how long does it take for edibles to kick in exactly? That’s actually a fairly complex question. To answer it, we’ll first explore how edibles work after you ingest them. Then, we’ll examine how edibles differ from inhaled cannabis.
How Edibles Work
Taking edibles is easy. Just pop one into your mouth, chew and swallow. However, your body actually needs to perform several functions before you can actually feel the THC within an edible.
When you eat an edible, it passes through your digestive system and reaches your liver. Once it arrives, your liver metabolizes it into a new compound. This compound, called 11-hydroxy-THC, exhibits some different effects compared to typical THC.
Edibles vs Inhaled Cannabis
For one, 11-hydroxy-THC features more pronounced psychoactive properties than THC does. Not only that, but it lasts longer, too. While inhaled THC only lasts for 1-2 hours, you can feel edibles for up to 6 hours.
That comes with a caveat, though. Remember, edibles have to pass through your entire digestive system before they reach your liver. And it’s only once they reach it that your liver converts it into 11-hydroxy THC. This entire process takes some time–in some cases, up to an hour.
As a result, you won’t feel the effects of edibles for that amount of time, either. Keep this in mind when considering how long to wait for edibles to kick in! You don’t want to take a single dose of edibles, not wait long enough, and then take more. If you do, you’ll end up twice as high as you were intending. And since edibles can last for up to six hours, you could be in for a long ride.
How Long You Should Wait for Your Edibles to Kick In
Fortunately, it’s easy to figure out how long you should wait for your edibles to kick in before taking more!
Edibles are kind of like swimming pools. With a swimming pool, you want to wait half an hour before eating so you don’t cramp up. With edibles, you should wait an hour between doses. As you become more experienced with edibles, you’ll get familiar with how your body reacts to them. Then you can fine-tune your dosage schedule.
Shopping for Cannabis Edibles
Feel like you want to experience edibles for yourself? You’re in the right place! Our West Hollywood dispensary boasts a great selection, friendly staff, and competitive pricing. Stop by and fall in love with your new favorite dispensary!
