How long do Edibles stay in your system?
Edibles are food products such as drinks, candy and baked goods that contain cannabinoids. The cannabinoids in the edibles often produce a psychoactive effect without the user having to inhale the substance into their lungs. Edibles are a tastier and often easier way to consume, an alternative to smoking cannabis. Cannabis edibles can affect every user differently. However, an edible can stay within your system anywhere from 3-12 days. This is much longer than when a users smoke or vapes cannabis.
Cannabis edibles can include brownies, beverages, candies, breath mints, chocolates, savory snacks and even ice cream. Not all cannabis-infused edibles contain the same active ingredient. There are three main categories of cannabis edibles: THC-dominant edibles, CBD-dominant edibles and edibles that contain both THC and CBD. Some edibles can contain other types of cannabinoids such as cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN) and delta 9 tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV).
Depending on the type of cannabinoid that is in your edible, you will experience different effects after consumption. In edibles with higher levels of THC, users will experience more intoxicating and psychoactive effects. In edibles with higher levels of CBD, users can experience feelings of intense relaxation and decreased anxiety. When the substance is abused, some users can experience adverse effects such as extreme paranoia and increased anxiety.
Cannabis is a Schedule I controlled substance with no federal regulations and differing policies that vary from state to state. The drug is habit-forming and leads to the development of an addiction. When in edible form, it can make the substance easier to consume as well as easier to consume more than intended. This can easily lead to dependence and addiction to the drug.
How do Edibles work?
When consuming an edible, the substance will work its way through the digestive system first. It gets absorbed by tissues and organs and then goes to the liver. Some of it is stored away in fatty tissue deposits, which also helps lead to the prolonged presence in the body. THC is metabolized in the liver. In the liver, the body converts the cannabis from THC to a chemical called THC-COOH. This is the chemical metabolite that drug tests detect when looking for THC.
Dangerous side effects from excessive edible consumption can include cannabis-induced psychosis causing hallucinations, confusion, and paranoia. Other common symptoms include panic attacks or hyperemesis syndrome which can lead to nausea, vomiting, cramping and abdominal pain.
How long do Edibles stay in your system?
THC edibles can remain in the system for much longer compared to traditional smoking or vaping the substance. It takes longer for the body to process edibles. This is because digestion takes more time with a delay of up to 2 hours between consuming the product and experiencing the psychoactive effects. How long do cannabis edibles stay in your system? The duration of the drug life in the body is dependent on many different factors.
Factors that influence how long edibles can stay in your system:
- Frequency of use – regular users have THC metabolites already stored in their system for longer, compared to occasional and first-time users. Those who have a history of marijuana use are more likely to have higher levels of THC already within their system.
- Dosage – higher doses of cannabis will take longer to process making the effects of the drug last longer as well as remain in the system for longer. The amount of CBD or THC in each edible will also vary and can impact how long the chemicals stay in your system.
- Strain and strength of THC – some strains or types of cannabis or cannabinoids are more powerful than others. Some edibles may also contain higher levels of THC or CBD.
- Individual body fat percentage – THC is a fat-soluble chemical, which means it will accumulate in the fatty tissues around the body. People with a higher BMI can retain the drug for longer due to increased fat stores.
- Individual metabolism – each person has a unique metabolism process and that can determine how fast or slow the drug is processed.
- Type of drug test taken – the type of drug test taken to determine drug use can impact how long edibles stay in the body. Different drug tests have differing levels of sensitivity and detection windows for screening cannabis.
Edibles can remain detectable in blood for 3-4 days after initial dose. Edibles can remain detectable in urine for 3-30 days after the initial dose. Edibles can remain detectable in saliva between 24-72 hours after the initial dose.
Because both THC and CBD differ slightly in chemical composition, the duration in which they can remain in the system also slightly differs.
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How long do the effects of Edibles last?
In general, the effects of edibles tend to last longer than the effects of smoking or vaping cannabis. The onset of effects for edibles can take around 30-90 minutes after the initial dose. In some cases, it can take up to a few hours for the user to begin experiencing the effects. When inhaling THC, it allows the chemical to reach the bloodstream much quicker and can have an impact of effects within 5 minutes of smoking. The chemical is absorbed directly into the lungs with a quick onset that can last around 2-3 hours. When smoking, as soon as the levels of THC begin to decline, the effects and the high of the drug will also begin to wear off.
When eating an edible, the edible has to be digested and processed in the stomach first before being absorbed into the bloodstream. This chemical has to go through a longer process before reaching the bloodstream, but this also means the duration of effects lasting between 2-8 hours. Some people are unaware that it can take much longer for the effects of edibles to kick in. This can lead to overconsumption and even an overdose of the drug because users cannot feel the effects as quickly as they assumed.
In some cases, edible users can experience residual effects lasting up to 24 hours after the initial dose. Sometimes edibles such as chocolate or candies can work more quickly because the chemicals melt in the mouth and allow the THC to be absorbed from the membranes more quickly into the bloodstream.
Factors that can impact how your body reacts to Edibles
- Genetics – Edibles are processed by enzymes in the liver. Some people naturally have more of the enzyme compared to others and they can process THC or CBD more quickly than other people.
- Overall health – Cannabis works by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is constantly changing based on stress, diet and exercise.
- Meals – If you take edibles on a full stomach, it will take longer to feel the effects because your body will have to process the food first. Cannabis also dissolves into fat. Fatty foods can help your body absorb more of the cannabis materials.
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Do you have an addiction to Edibles?
Because of the lack of regulation in the cannabis industry, edibles and other THC and CBD-infused products can be risky to consume. Researchers have proposed using 5mg as the THC dosing standard to allow consistency and for better comparative research studies. Creating a standard does not make the products any more risky or safer to consume. An addiction to psychoactive substances such as THC can be difficult to overcome. Professional behavioral health treatment programs like Hotel California by the Sea provide clients with a marijuana addiction, and intensive and evidence-proven treatments to help them reach recovery.
We provide detox, residential treatment, PHP and IOP. We utilize rigorous treatment methods such as CBT, DBT, group therapy and family therapy. Some of our patients also require medication-assisted treatments. At Hotel California by the Sea, we are dedicated to providing a well-rounded approach to sobriety and helping our clients overcome their addictions.
References:
https://ocrevive.com/how-long-do-edibles-stay-in-your-system-2
https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/cannabis/how-long-edibles-last
https://recovered.org/marijuana/edibles/how-long-do-edibles-stay-in-your-system
https://www.sprouthealthgroup.com/substances/how-long-do-edibles-stay-in-your-system/