The effects of weed can last for several hours to days at end depending on the method of consumption, the quality of the product, and the frequency of use.
In that, edibles certainly have the longest-lasting effects that can be felt even after a long night’s nap and through the next day.
Likewise, popular methods such as smoking and vaping have the fastest onset of effects that can start taking over your senses as soon as you take the hit and can last for up to 6-24 hours.
As a psychotropic plant, the primary reason for such a lengthy duration of the ‘high’ is none other than THC which is the main psychoactive ingredient in weed.
Apart from that, several other factors can also influence the duration of weed effects on any given day.
As a complex and mysterious herb, weed is known to work differently for every individual.
Nevertheless, some of the most common factors that can affect the duration of weed effects include:
1. The type of the product/strain
The type or quality of the product or strain is perhaps where it all begins.
Since some strains are more potent than others, they can significantly influence the overall intensity and duration of the effects of any product.
In general, though, Sativa-dominant strains and hybrids are more likely to have a higher THC than Indica.
As a result, products based on Sativa strains may have a longer duration of ‘high’ when compared to Indica-dominant strains.
2. THC content
More than the type of the strain; it is the THC content in it that makes a product potent and longer-lasting.
As such, any product with a higher THC is guaranteed to give you stronger and longer-lasting psychoactive effects.
CBD, on the other hand, the main medicinal compound of cannabis, does not cause any intoxicating effects which makes it rather safe and short-lived.
3. Dosage
Similarly, higher doses of weed, especially THC can also also contribute to the intensity and duration of the effects in both new and experienced users.
To be safe, it is important to limit your dosage to the recommended limit of 2.5-5 mg of THC once or twice a day.
4. Method of consumption
Perhaps the most important factor that changes the entire equation is the method of consumption.
Since every method has its pros and cons, the duration, onset, and intensity of effects may also vary from product to product.
For instance, edibles despite being the slowest method have some of the strongest and longest-lasting effects.
5. Personal health (metabolism, tolerance, etc.)
Personal factors such as your weight, metabolism, mindset, and overall health can play a crucial role in sustaining the effects.
At the same time, your tolerance levels can also define the effects of cannabis on your body and mind.
6. Frequency of use
Speaking of which, those who consume cannabis regularly and often may need a stronger hit to feel and carry the effects of weed for long.
On the contrary, those with occasional use and first-timers tend to experience stronger and longer-lasting effects with even the slightest of high-quality THC.
Typical Duration of Weed Effects by Consumption Method
• Smoking and Vaping
Smoking and vaping are two of the most popular methods of consuming cannabis and gaining its effects.
As fast as they are in delivering the effects, both are also way easy to use as they do not need a lot of preparation compared to cannabis-infused edibles.
To be specific, inhaling, be it through smoking, vaping, or dabbing can initiate the effects as soon as you inhale/exhale the drag.
Along with a faster onset of effects of just a few seconds to minutes, their full effects can peak within 30 minutes of inhaling and can last for upto 6 hours.
At the same time, some residual effects of it can even go on for up to 24 hours.
• Edibles and Beverages
Next up, we have another popular method of consuming weed i.e. eating or drinking which might very well be the tastiest and the safest of methods.
The good news is that there are tons of cannabis-infused edibles and beverages that you can try off-the-shelf or even prepare at home using edible oils and concentrates.
Among all the methods of consumption, edibles certainly offer the longest-lasting effects that can even continue to show the next day.
Although the strongest, they usually have the slowest onset of effects due to the time it takes for digestion and metabolization which is about 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion.
As such, the full effects of edibles can peak within 4 hours which can last for up to 12 hours and more.
Depending on the quality of the weed, the residual effects can take more than 24 hours to wear off completely.
• Tinctures and Oils
Tinctures are liquid solutions that are made from high-quality cannabis extracts and are meant for oral or sublingual use only.
That is, through the gastrointestinal tract and the mucus membrane present under the tongue respectively.
In that, taking them sublingually over oral consumption is said to be much faster with an onset of 15 minutes or so, peaking in an hour, and lasting for about 4-6 hours.
The same applies to oral sprays, pills, and capsules.
• Topicals
As the only non-consumable product out there, topicals are designed to be applied directly over the skin or the affected area such as hair and nails just like a lotion, balm, oil, or creme.
Being medicine-oriented, they are typically rich in CBD but may also have a THC profile. In either case, topicals do not cause any “high” and are purely used for therapeutic reasons such as pain management and anti-inflammation.
They have an onset time of about 15-30 minutes and the effects can last for 6 or more hours.
Now that you know the different products and their respective effects, let’s get familiar with how the effects take place in the system.
Phases of Weed Effects
Like any psychoactive substance, weed also goes through several stages from setting on to wearing off.
Here’s how it works:
1. Initial Onset is the time it takes to show the effects which varies from product to product.
It is defined by a sudden feeling of light-headedness, euphoria, or relaxation.
2. Timeframe and what to expect
As we mentioned above, the time for the onset of weed effects varies largely based on the product or the method of consumption.
In general, though, you can feel the sensation in a few minutes to half an hour.
In any case, upon taking weed, especially when through edibles and other slower methods, make sure to give it time and not overdo it in desperation.
3. Variability based on the consumption method
Apart from the onset and the duration, the method of consumption can also influence both the therapeutic and recreational properties of cannabis.
4. Peak effects
Peak effects or plateau is the most intense phase of being stoned.
5. Description of the peak experience
By this time, you will feel extreme euphoria, an altered state of consciousness, sharpened sensory functions, and a whole lot of potential for laughing, giggling, and creative thinking.
When taken in heavy doses, you might also experience a heightened sense of anxiety, paranoia, or confusion.
A sudden urge to eat or binge eating aka munchies is yet another byproduct of too much weed that you should be wary of especially if you are weight-conscious.
6. Duration and Intensity
As mentioned above, the duration and intensity of weed varies based on the method of consumption and the quality of the product among other things.
On average, the effects of weed can last for up to 2-6 hours.
7. Come-down
Come-down or afterglow is the period after the peak hours when the high begins to fade and you start feeling sober, calm, relaxed, and even sleepy.
These may range from 1-3 hours after peak effects in the case of smoking and vaping. And 4-6 hours post-peak effects for cannabis-infused edibles.
8. Gradual reduction of effects
As the effects start to diminish, you may also feel a little fatigued or foggy-headed or better yet more physically relaxed than before.
9. How long the come-down lasts
Again, the complete wear-off of weed effects can take about 2-4 hours or longer for vapes and smokeables, and 6-12 hours for edibles.
How to Manage the Duration of Weed Effects
A few tips you could use to better manage the duration of the desired effects of weed include:
• A low dosage especially when starting.
• Choosing a suitable method of consumption.
• Sufficient hydration and eating beforehand as an empty stomach can further intensify the effects.
• Pick a moderately potent strain.
• Use THC with CBD as the latter can counteract the intoxicating effects of THC.
Conclusion
Weed is a strong and potent drug that can stay in your system for quite a long especially if you are a frequent or daily user.
To avoid any over-intoxication and dependency over time, it is better to stick to lower/ideal doses of weed i.e. 2.5-5 mg of THC.
At the same time, you should wait for at least 4 hours before consuming any more weed be it through smokes, vapes, or edibles.
