Why Do Edibles Last So Long?

CBD and cannabis edibles are a popular choice for many seeking the therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids. Not only are edibles— foods and drinks infused with cannabinoids— a more tasty and discreet way of consuming CBD and cannabis, but their effects also last longer. Long-lasting effects can be a double-edged sword, though. Some users unfamiliar with how edibles work may unintentionally stack their doses, overindulge, and ask themselves: “Why do edibles last so long?”

Understanding how the body processes edibles is crucial for safe and effective consumption. In the rest of this post, we’ll discuss why edibles last much longer than other cannabinoid ingestion methods and walk you through the edible digestion process step-by-step.

Why Edibles Last Longer

Edibles are a peculiar class of cannabinoid consumption because not only do they last longer than other methods like smoking and sublingual (taken under the tongue), but they also take the longest to kick in. The two are somewhat related.

Edibles take longer to kick in because the cannabinoids must pass from our digestive system into our bloodstream. They do so by passing through our intestinal walls, which can take some time. Thankfully, our intestinal walls aren’t the most porous. This gradual dosing into our bloodstreams is partly the reason the come-up on cannabinoid edibles takes a while.

The other reason edibles last so long is how our livers process the cannabinoids once they enter our bloodstream. When we eat cannabinoids, our liver processes them into more potent metabolites. For example, when we eat certain cannabinoids like THC, our liver changes them into cannabinoid metabolites that are 5 to 7 times stronger. We’ll delve deeper into this piece in the section below.

Couple these two facts with variations in individual metabolisms, and it’s easy to see how the effects of edibles can last an average of 6 to 8 hours. Depending on dosage, the effects of edibles can last upwards of 24 hours.

What Happens When You Eat An Edible in 6 Steps

Ingestion

Everyone’s cannabinoid edible journey begins where else but at the ingestion stage. Unlike the edibles of yesteryear, edibles come in all shapes and sizes. Baked goods, candy, ice cream, sodas, you name it. If it undergoes some processing, odds are you can shove some cannabinoids in there.

Digestion

Once you eat your dose, the edible travels to your stomach and intestines. Here, the cannabinoids are chemically released from the food (or drink) and absorbed into your bloodstream via your intestinal walls. As mentioned in the section above, this absorption can take some time.

Note that cannabinoid-infused beverages are faster-acting than edibles. That’s because they don’t have to be digested in the same way as edibles. In cannabinoid-infused beverages, the cannabinoids are usually just suspended in solution and can be more readily absorbed by your intestines.

First-Pass Metabolism

After the cannabinoids find their way into your bloodstream, they undergo what we call “first-pass” metabolism. This is when your liver converts a handful of cannabinoids, like THC, into more potent versions. THC turns into 11-hydroxy-THC, a powerful form of THC that can have stronger (5-7x) psychoactive effects. First-pass metabolism is unique to edibles.

There is also no such thing as a “second-pass” metabolism. After first-pass metabolism, your body treats all of the cannabinoids the same as they do during other consumption methods.

Distribution

After your liver converts the cannabinoids to super-strong versions of themselves, your bloodstream distributes them throughout your body. The cannabinoids find the CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout your body (all parts of the endocannabinoid system) and influence various bodily processes.

For more on what the endocannabinoid system is and does, see our blog post about it here!

Effects

As the edible cannabinoids reach your CB1 and CB2 receptors, you’ll start to feel the effects. The longevity of effects can also vary wildly based on several factors, including:

Individual metabolism
Current medications
Dose
Eaten with or without a meal

The latter two are especially important as they are something you can control. If you want to enjoy your edible experience, we recommend you start with a low dose. Only experienced users who know their body and their tolerance should consume more than 5mg of edible THC at a time. CBD is slightly different as it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects.

You should also always try to eat your cannabinoid edibles with or after a meal. Doing so will lead to more gradual absorption and, in turn, effects. Eating edibles on an empty stomach can lead to upset stomach, dizziness, and an unpleasant experience.

Elimination

When your endocannabinoid system metabolizes cannabinoids, they are discarded from your body through various waste products (see: How does your body get rid of foods and drinks normally).

Some metabolites can take longer to remove from your bloodstream, which is why drug tests can find cannabis and THC metabolites weeks after use. Be careful what you consume if you’re subject to drug screenings. Read more about how CBD can appear on workplace drug screenings here.

Wrap-Up

There’s no doubt that with the rapid evolution of CBD and cannabis markets and technologies, edibles will become a larger share of the market. They’re tasty, discreet, and offer consistent dosing options.

For those using cannabinoids therapeutically, there is no arguing with edibles’ efficacy either. Edibles last longer, are gentler, and offer consistent experiences across batches—something that flowers just can’t do (yet!).

Just be sure to follow two rules when using your cannabinoid-infused edibles. Start low and slow, and don’t take another while waiting for the first to kick in.