How Long Does a Marijuana High Last?

If you have ever used cannabis, you may have found yourself “stoned” or “high” and wondering “how long does a weed high last?” Or perhaps you phrased the question, “how long does being high last?” Either way, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll answer how long being high lasts, how long edibles last, and discuss some factors that affect how long a marijuana high lasts. There are many reasons that someone might want to know how long a weed high lasts. For example, cannabis can help you relax, but if you ingested too high of a dose and you experience paranoia from weed, you might want to know how long it will be until you return to normal. Another common reason you might want to know how long a weed high lasts is if you need to operate a motor vehicle or heavy machinery. As a general rule, if you intend to drive or operate heavy machinery, you should wait until you feel completely sober, however long that takes you. Now let’s dive in and find out the answer to, “how long does a weed high last?”

How Long Does a Weed High Last?

So, how long does a weed high last? Smoking (or vaporizing) marijuana can be a vastly different experience than taking an edible. For an overview of smoking versus edibles, check out our article on cannabis ingestion methods. According to a study done by the University of Sydney, a weed high from smoking cannabis can last from a mere 3 hours to a whopping 8+ hour trip. The duration and intensity of your high can vary based on the potency of the cannabis product, as well as numerous other variables that can affect the intensity and duration of your cannabis experience.

THC Percentage

In general, the potency of a cannabis product is tied to its THC percentage. Smoking a cannabis strain with a THC percentage of 10% will give you a different experience than smoking one with 28% THC. The higher the percentage of THC, the more potent the cannabis product.

Your Tolerance Affects How Long a Weed High Lasts

You might be asking yourself “how long does a weed high last if I don’t smoke weed often?” In general, if you rarely use cannabis, a weed high will last considerably longer for you than for a regular cannabis user. That is because if you don’t use cannabis regularly, your tolerance level will be much lower than someone who uses cannabis on a regular basis. As Jointly explored in Your Unique Endocannabinoid System, weed tolerance is largely related to the way THC and cannabis affect your endocannabinoid system. If you have a high tolerance, your high will be shorter and more mild than an infrequent cannabis user with a low tolerance.

How Long Do Edibles Last (THC)?

Marijuana edibles will produce a longer lasting high than smoking weed. This is due to two primary factors: an edible must go through your digestive tract before THC reaches your bloodstream, and digesting cannabis orally produces a super-potent metabolite that is much stronger and longer lasting than THC. For an in-depth look at this super-potent metabolite that you get from eating weed edibles, check out our articles on cannabis ingestion methods. You might be wondering how long it takes for a weed edible to fully kick in. Many people begin feeling the effects within 30 minutes to an hour, however this time span could be shorter or longer based on a variety of factors like what you ate that day or how hydrated you are. With edibles that contain more fats or oils (like savory edibles) it is a good idea to wait 2.5 to 3 hours before taking more. This is because fat takes a long time to digest. Many individuals who are not familiar with edibles eat another dose before feeling the full effects of the first dose. In some situations, these people will experience adverse side effects from marijuana, or even experience a THC overdose. We recommend always starting out slow and following the directions located on the label of your edible.

How Long Does Being High Last?

In general, an edible high could last anywhere from 4-5 hours if you ingest a low dose or have a high tolerance, to more than 12 hours if you ingest a high dose or have a low tolerance. In fact, eating large quantities of edibles can produce a high that lasts through a full night of sleep, a feeling commonly described as being “stoned over.” Smoking or vaporizing cannabis produces a high that lasts anywhere from 90 minutes, if you ingest a microdose and have a tolerance, to more than 8 hours. In general, if you smoke weed and take a nap or go to sleep for the night, you should wake up feeling normal. However, as with edibles, if you have a low tolerance to cannabis, and you smoke or vaporize a lot of THC in a short period of time, you may experience residual effects the next morning. It’s important to understand the variables related to how long a marijuana high lasts. Beyond the factors we have discussed here, Jointly has identified 15 Factors that impact how cannabis makes you feel. To enjoy consistent cannabis wellness experiences, make sure you are using the best products for your goals and tracking the 15 Factors on the Jointly app.

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