How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In? Everything You Should Know!

Cannabis edibles come in many different forms, from brownies to gummy bears. They are a great way to consume cannabis because they offer long-lasting effects that can be enjoyed over a period of several hours. However, many people don’t know that edibles take longer to kick in than smoking or vaping. Onset time for edibles might take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours for a person who has eaten or drunk a cannabis-infused product to feel the influence, and those effects can continue up to 12 hours.

This is an average for edibles effects to kick in and dissipate, however, there are a lot of factors that can influence the above. In this article, we will go into detail and explain why edibles take longer to kick in and how long they last from the first effects to full recovery. We will also discuss the different factors that affect onset time, such as diet, edible potency, metabolism, sex, weight and tolerance to cannabis. Finally, we will provide dosage recommendations for beginners, intermediate and expert consumers.

What are cannabis edibles and their different forms?

Cannabis edibles are food and drink products that contain cannabinoids, the active ingredients in cannabis. These can include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), CBD (cannabidiol) or a combination of both. Edibles come in many different forms, including baked goods, candy, chocolate, gummies, and drinks.

THC edibles are typically more psychoactive, meaning they produce a “high” feeling. CBD edibles are less likely to produce this feeling, and may instead provide relief from anxiety or pain. CBD is non-psychoactive. Each edible comes with a precise dosage of THC or CBD, so it’s important to know how much you’re taking. It can be easy to eat too much, especially if you’re new to cannabis edibles.

Why do edibles take longer to kick than smoking?

When you smoke or vape cannabis, THC enters your bloodstream through your lungs. It then quickly makes its way to your brain where it binds to cannabinoid receptors. This is why the effects of smoking or vaping can be felt almost immediately.

Edibles, on the other hand, have to go through your digestive system before they can reach your brain. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, which is why edibles can seem to take forever to kick in. When consuming edibles, we recommend taking a low dose and waiting until the effects kick in. This process can take much longer so it’s important that you start slow when trying something new like cannabis-infused products!

The different factors that affect onset time

There are a few different factors that can affect how long it takes for an edible to start working. Things like your diet, the type and potency of the edible, your metabolism, sex, weight, and tolerance to cannabis all play a role.

Diet

On an empty stomach, for example, it’s going to be faster for the edible to hit you. As opposed to eating a fatty meal before consuming an edible. The fat in the food will help to delay the onset time because it takes longer to digest. If you want a fast onset to try to eat edibles before eating a meal or simply on empty stomach.

Dosage

Edibles that have a high dosage, such as 50 mg or more will likely take effect quicker than ones with lower doses. It’s important to start slow with edibles, especially if you’re a first-time user. A good start is 5mg THC but we will talk more about that below.

Types of edibles

Different types of edibles will affect how long it takes for the effects to be felt. For example, hard candies or Tinctures might take effect quicker than brownies or edibles because they’re absorbed into your system differently. Brownies have to go through your digestive system before being metabolized whereas hard candies are absorbed through the mucous membranes in your mouth.

Generally speaking, people make a distinction between sublingual edibles (tinctures and hard candy) and digestive edibles (cookies, brownies etc). The first group is metabolized quicker because it doesn’t have to go through your whole digestive system.

Metabolism

A person’s metabolism also plays a role in how long an edible will take to work. Someone with a fast metabolism will likely feel the effects quicker than someone with a slow metabolism.

Weight

Different types of edibles will affect how long it takes for the effects to be felt. For example, hard candies or Tinctures might take effect quicker than brownies or edibles because they’re absorbed into your system differently. Brownies have to go through your digestive system before being metabolized whereas hard candies are absorbed through the mucous membranes in your mouth.

Generally speaking, people make a distinction between sublingual edibles (tinctures and hard candy) and digestive edibles (cookies, brownies etc). The first group is metabolized quicker because it doesn’t have to go through your whole digestive system.

Tolerance

If you’re a regular cannabis user, you’ll likely have a higher tolerance which means edibles will take longer to work. For regular users, we recommend starting at a higher dosage such as 20-25mg THC. For beginners we recommend 5-10mg THC. More on that below.

How long do they last, from the first effects to full recovery?

Cannabis edibles can last anywhere from two to twelve hours. Some people report feeling the effect to up to 24 hours after consumption but that is for exceptional cases. The first effects are usually felt within 30 minutes to two hours after consumption. However, it can take up to four hours to get to the peak of effects. More about How Long Do Edibles Last? Check our dedicated article.

The good news is that once edibles do start working, they tend to last a lot longer than smoking or vaping. This is why edibles are a great you to medicate if you need relief for an extended period of time.

Dosage recommendations for beginners, intermediate and expert consumers

When it comes to edibles, there is no one-size-fits-all dosage. The amount of THC or CBD that you will need to feel the desired effects depends on the many factors we’ve listed above. However, there are some general dosage recommendations that can help you get started.

Beginners

For beginners, it is always best to start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed. A good starting point is between five to ten milligrams of THC. If you don’t feel any effects after two hours, you can then consume another small dose until you find the sweet spot. It is important to note that edibles can take up to four hours to kick in, so be patient!

Intermediate

If you have some experience with edibles but want to up your game, a good middle-of-the-road dose is around twenty milligrams of THC. This is enough for most people to feel the desired effects without being too overwhelming. Of course, you can always start with a lower dose and increase as needed.

Expert

For those who want a strong edibles experience, a dose of 50 milligrams or more is recommended. Keep in mind that edibles can be very potent, it is often indicated for people with health conditions like chronic pain or insomnia.

Now that you know the general dosage recommendations, it’s time to learn how to calculate the perfect dose for you. Check out our cannabis edibles dosage chart by weight!

Read more of BC Weed Edible’s guide to edibles

Risks & Side effects of Cannabis Edibles

Cannabis products are largely safe and non-toxic, though there is always the risk of experiencing an uncomfortable side effect. The risk of dangerous THC overconsumption is more likely with edibles as the body does not give anyone warning signs. By the time any signs o overdoses are apparent, it’s too late.

Side effects of Cannabis and Edibles:

• Low blood pressure
• Rapid breathing
• Muscle spasms
• Elevated heart rate
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Nausea

Less common side effects that may occur are:

• Short term memory loss
• Hallucinations
• Panic attacks
• Delirium

If you do experience any of these side effects, it’s important to remember that they are usually temporary and will eventually go away on their own. However, if you find that the side effects are particularly severe or persistent, it’s always best to consult with a medical professional.

Cannabis edibles offer a unique and convenient way to consume cannabis, but it’s important to be aware of the risks involved. By following the proper dosage and taking things slow at first, you can minimize the risk of any negative side effects and have a positive experience.

Health Benefits of Cannabis & Edibles

There is a lot of research into cannabinoids and their effects. People have found that they help treat a wide range of medical conditions such as:

• Chronic pain
• Inflammation
• Opioid addiction
• PTSD symptoms among
• Nausea
• Appetite loss caused by cancer treatments
• Anxiety
• Glaucoma treatment (
• Epilepsy
• Multiple sclerosis
• Insomnia.

There’s also evidence showing how it can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy to relieve some side effects associated with this latter disease

Last thoughts

In conclusion, edibles are a great way to consume cannabis but it’s important to be mindful of the kick in time and dosage. Edibles take time to digest and for the THC to be metabolized by the liver, among other factors (tolerance, potency…), so it can take up to two hours before you start feeling any effects.

Effects can last anywhere from four to twelve hours, so it’s important to start slow with a low dose and increase as needed. 5-10mg is the best dosage for beginners!If you happen to overindulge in edible treats, your body will not immediately react with symptoms of overdose. Edibles is seldom a cause for serious worry, although it can produce distressing symptoms. If you are experiencing significant symptoms, such as panic attacks, a fast heart rate, or breathlessness, you should seek medical attention.

Buy Your Edibles Today

Now that you know everything about edible onset time you might be wondering “Where to buy edibles in Canada?”. Well, there are many options, but the best option is to get it from a reliable and consistent Online Dispensary, at BC Weed Edible we are expert in edibles (as our name suggest). We carry all types of edibles:

• Gummies,
• Chocolates
• Tinctures
• Brownies
• Cookies and more.

From 10mg CBD up to 1000mg THC, we have something for everyone, whether it is for recreational or medicinal purposes. If you are a fan of Weed, Concentrates and Mushrooms we also have what you need! Check out some of our best sellers’ products below! Don’t forget to use our 10% Off coupon for your first order: FIRST10

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5260817/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5010515/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-long-for-edibles-to-kick-in

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-do-edibles-take-to-kick-in

https://www.leafly.ca/learn/consume/edibles/how-long-do-edibles-take-to-kick-in