Why Your Edible Took Two Hours to Hit — and Everything Else You Need to Know About Onset Time

Edibles containing THC can vary unpredictably too. If you usually vape or smoke, this can be even more unpredictable. Someone might start feeling effects after 30 minutes but another person might not feel them for two hours or longer. This doesn’t mean the edible is weak or ineffective. How THC is digested, absorbed and processed by the body determines when effects show up.

How Long Do THC Edibles Usually Take to Work?

Edibles usually start working within 30 minutes to two hours, although some people need longer. Effects develop gradually rather than coming on quickly all at once. This delayed onset is one of the main differences from inhalation of cannabis. THC that is inhaled goes directly into the bloodstream through the lungs and people usually feel it quickly within minutes. Edibles first have to go through digestion and the liver.

Why Did My Edible Take Two Hours to Hit?

After edible is swallowed it travels through stomach and intestines and active compounds enter the blood. Liver converts Delta 9 THC into 11 hydroxy THC, a common metabolite that brings stronger and longer lasting effects. This varies a lot among people. Factors that can affect onset:

• Whether the edible was taken on an empty stomach or a full one;
• Food eaten beforehand: amount and type of food;
• Individual metabolism and speed of digestion;
• Body composition and sensitivity;
• Tolerance to THC;
• Formulation, dose and ingredients of the edible.

A heavy meal can slow digestion so that edible takes longer to take effect. But foods high in fat may also improve absorption of cannabinoids and this can change intensity and duration of experience.

Why Edibles Affect People Differently

There isn’t an all-inclusive “edible timeline” for every individual. The time it takes for two individuals to experience the effects of the same product can vary greatly. An individual who has a rapid metabolism will likely be able to detect the effects from consuming edibles more quickly than an individual with a slow digestive system. Additionally, previous cannabis consumption can also play a significant role in detecting the early onset effects of edibles; as experienced users are often better at recognizing the early onset effects of cannabis compared to new users (who may not even recognize they’re experiencing the effects of cannabis until the effects have become significantly more noticeable).

The Most Common Mistake: Taking More Too Soon

Delay in onset (when you start feeling effects from an edible) can make users believe their initial serving didn’t work, and they may end up consuming additional servings. At this point, BOTH doses will have kicked in — leading to much stronger and extended experiences than intended. In order to avoid this; Users should always allow sufficient time between taking one serving and deciding if they need another. Labeling and previous user experience with a particular product can greatly impact how long it takes to feel the first dose’s effects, but typically there should be at least a couple hours between each serving.

How Long Do the Effects Last?

Effects from edibles tend to last much longer compared to smoking or vaping. Typical experiences can last four to eight hours. Stronger effects don’t usually kick in right away. After the very first signs start to show, intensity can continue to build for another hour or so.

These timings are approximate and should never be treated as a guarantee.

Can the Product Type Change the Onset Time?

Yes indeed. Candy, cookies, brownies, chocolates, drinks, tinctures and specially formulated products can vary in how they are absorbed. Usually baked edibles rely on normal digestion. Some drinks and specially formulated products designed to be absorbed quickly start working sooner. Dosage might be the same but delivery method can affect both how quickly effects kick in and how effects develop.

How to Have a More Predictable Experience

Instead of depending on how large the sweet is compared to other treats like biscuits, check the amount of THC per treat. Begin by taking a small amount of edible. Avoid consuming an edible while drinking alcohol. Give the edible sufficient time to begin working for you. It may be beneficial to eat the edible in a place where you are comfortable (home) and will not have to drive, go to work, etc. and can focus on your feelings without making major decisions. Store all edibles away from children and animals. Many edibles look similar to regular candies.

Quality THC Edibles at Weed Wonderland!

It can take up to two hours for an edible to start working. This is different from both vaping and smoking. Edible THC has to go into your digestive system and then pass through the liver before you feel all of the effects. There are many things that will affect how soon you feel the effects. These include the amount of edible you have taken, what kind of food you ate with it, how well your body processes things like this, if you use a lot of weed so your body gets used to it, and just your own chemical makeup. The only thing you should always keep in mind when using edibles is never think that it’s not working and take another one right away. Wait a little while, check the package instructions for the recommended amount, and wait some more because the effects can build longer than you realize.