Iftikhar Alam
Author
Reviewed by Cannabis Experts
Published on: October 22, 2020 | Updated on: July 20, 2024
Table of contents
How long until the weed kicks in?
What does being high feel like?
Different cannabis, different high
Other factors involved
How long to expect to be high?
How much cannabis does it take to get high?
How to increase the length of your high?
How to decrease your high?
How long does weed stay in your system?
Is there a faster way to get it out of your system?
One of the most common questions involving cannabis consumption is the question of how long a person can be high for. People who are newer to cannabis will likely want to know how long the effects last so that they can be prepared.
It is also common for new users to ask, “what is it like to be high?”
Well, when you get high for the first time, you will know. Having a reliable sense of how long your body feels the effects of THC is essential for having enjoyable experiences with cannabis time after time.
How long until the weed kicks in
How quickly you can begin to feel the effects of cannabis mostly depends on your method of use:
- Smoking or vaping flower: Within 2-10 minutes you will start to notice a change in your perception. It is a relatively quick process because it enters your bloodstream via your lungs within minutes of inhaling it.
- Edibles: THC is metabolized in the liver into a compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound is more potent than THC, has a longer half-life, and can be very sedating. It is this mechanism in the liver that causes edibles to have different effects in most people. This entire process can take between 30 minutes and 2 hours to kick in.
- Concentrates: One of the leading benefits of concentrates is the rapid onset time and the ability to yield a high that is more potent than consuming cannabis flower. Concentrates have a high bioavailability, meaning the effects you feel and experience, as well as the rate of absorption into your body, happens almost immediately.
What does being high feel like?
This question is difficult to answer with exact certainty. Everybody reacts to THC differently so to fully comprehend what the effects are like you are best to try it for yourself.
With that said, being high generally feels like a heightened sense of euphoria and stimulation. Some strains are more uplifting feeling whereas others are more relaxing and mellow. Of course, for some people being high can feel anxious and paranoid. Being high is not for everybody and sometimes you just have to experiment to find out.
Different cannabis, different high
There are too many different types of cannabis strains to count. Growers can make hybrid plants from two different strains which has led to a multitude of different styles of cannabis flower. Each different flower strain has its effect, just as each different person may feel a unique effect. However, the general experiences with cannabis include an altered consciousness.
Some cannabis strains will reduce anxiety and promote a calm feeling, while others may increase your energy and influence creative behavior. As the high wears down, the more euphoric aspects typically wane back down to a normal level. Again, all of these effects depend on the chemical makeup of a given strain, as well as your genes.
Other factors involved
Different weed strains are only part of what can determine how long a person may be high for. Other factors include:
- Amount of THC consumed: The more cannabis you consume, the longer your high will last. Your body will just keep absorbing THC and while the effects will become less strong, you will still feel lasting effects.
- Quality of consumption: If you are barely inhaling from a joint, you are going to breathe in less THC than you would if you took a large-sized inhalation. Even taking multiple small puffs cannot match the level of strength that comes with a huge inhale.
- Strain and terpenes: Cannabis comes in a variety of strains, each with unique attributes and terpenoid combinations that can manipulate the effects and length of a high.
- Environment and peers: If you have no familiarity with the place where you are going to get high, you may feel pronounced effects whether it be good or bad. The same goes for smoking with strangers.
- Metabolism: Everyone’s digestive system works uniquely. Some people process chemicals slowly and in this case, their high will last longer than their friends’ highs.
- Tolerance and familiarity: A person’s familiarity with cannabis and their body’s tolerance can affect how long a high lasts. When you become more comfortable with being high, you will develop a tolerance and the effects will not come on as strongly. The difference in mentality of getting high for the first time and the 100th time will also affect things like how your mind perceives time.
How long to expect to be high?
So, with all this said. How long can you generally expect to be high?
- Smoking or vaping flower: The effects peak around 10 minutes after consumption and typically last 1 to 3 hours, though they can linger for up to 8 hours.
- Edibles: The effects of edibles usually peak around 1-2 hours after consumption and can last up to 24 hours.
- Concentrates: Similar to smoking flower, the effects of dabbing usually last 1 to 3 hours and potentially up to 8 hours. If using a high-THC concentrate, you could feel the effects for an entire day.
How much cannabis does it take to get high?
This depends on quite a bit on the person. Some people need a lot and others need a little. Specific factors may include:
- Tolerance levels
- Potency of weed
- Method of consumption
- State of mind
People with larger tolerance levels will need more weed to get high than someone who has not smoked for weeks. Also, smoking from a joint will take more hits to get high than smoking from a bong. You intake more smoke at a time via a bong than you do a joint and the potency of your weed will make a huge difference as well.
When it comes to edibles versus flower, this question of “how much” takes on a whole new meaning. Edible potency is measured in milligrams of THC rather than THC percentage. Therefore, it is hard to equate the level of high between smoking a joint and eating a weed brownie. An average dose for edibles is 10-15 milligrams.
How to increase the length of your high?
The more potent your weed is, the less you will need to smoke to get high. To increase the length of your high, you can either smoke more cannabis, eat an edible which has longer-lasting effects or consume a higher quality of weed than you have previously.
How to decrease your high?
It can be tricky for newer weed users to learn to hone in on their high. Sometimes a group of friends can get a little too excited and try for an amount that is unusual for them. If you have ever gone over your limit you know very well that it can make you feel anxious, paranoid, and even nauseous. Luckily, we have found at least 11 proven ways you can counteract the effects of cannabis to decrease the length of your high.
How long does weed stay in your system?
The length of your high and how long THC stays in your system are two completely different things. Drug tests are looking for THC metabolites, which can take up to a month for the compounds to completely leave your system. The specific length of time depends entirely on each person. Such variables include:
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Metabolism
- Frequency of use
- The potency of the cannabis product
- Genetics
THC is detectable in urine for the following amounts of days after the last use:
- Occasional users (3 days a week max): 3 days
- Moderate users (4-5 days a week): 5 to 7 days
- Chronic users (daily): 10 to 15 days
- Chronic heavy users (multiple times per day): more than 30 days
Is there a faster way to get it out of your system?
There is not too much you can do to speed up the process that it takes for weed to leave your system.
Once it has entered your system, your body needs time to break it down. Exercising, eating healthy, and staying hydrated may help, but not drastically. If you are an occasional user it is much easier to clean out your system than if you are a chronic user.
Sources
Footnotes
- Jager G, Kahn RS, Van Den Brink W, Van Ree JM, Ramsey NF. Long-term effects of frequent cannabis use on working memory and attention: an fMRI study. Psychopharmacology. 2006;185:358-68.
- Gonzalez R, Swanson JM. Long-term effects of adolescent-onset and persistent use of cannabis. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2012;109(40):15970-1.
- Battistella G, Fornari E, Annoni JM, Chtioui H, Dao K, Fabritius M, Favrat B, Mall JF, Maeder P, Giroud C. Long-term effects of cannabis on brain structure. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014;39(9):2041-8.
- Freeman TP, Winstock AR. Examining the profile of high-potency cannabis and its association with severity of cannabis dependence. Psychological medicine. 2015;45(15):3181-9.
- Nguyen N, Wong M, Delucchi K, Halpern-Felsher B. Adolescents’ and young adults’ perceptions of risks and benefits differ by type of cannabis products. Addictive behaviors. 2022;131:107336.
References
- Know Your Limit – Cannabis. Northwestern University. Accessed 4/7/2024.
- How long does a weed high last?. Medical News Today. Accessed 4/7/2024.
- How Long Does a Cannabis High Last?. Healthline. Accessed 4/7/2024.
The content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or professional advice. Cannabis use is subject to local laws and regulations, which vary widely by jurisdiction. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment or altering an existing treatment regimen. The authors and publishers of this blog are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided herein. Use cannabis responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws. This blog is intended for adults aged 21 and over. The Sanctuary Dispensaries D186, D187.