The effects of cannabis, commonly referred to as a “weed high,” can vary from person to person. Many factors influence how long the high lasts, including the method of cannabis consumption used, the potency of the cannabis, and individual physical and physiological differences.
In this article, we’ll explore the general duration of a weed high, what being high feels like, how to increase or decrease the cannabis high, and the time it takes for cannabis to leave your system.
How Long Until the Weed Kicks In?
How long does a weed high take to kick in? The onset of a weed high depends on the method of consumption. When smoking cannabis, the cannabis high kicks in within minutes for most people, with the peak high occurring within 30 minutes to an hour. This is also the case when vaping cannabis.
Cannabis edibles, on the other hand, take longer to take effect than smoking or vaping marijuana. They typically require 30 minutes to two hours to kick in and peak because the cannabis compounds must be metabolized by the digestive system.
What Does Being High Feel Like?
Being high can result in a variety of subjective experiences, but there are some common effects. Cannabis can induce a sense of euphoria, relaxation, and an altered perception of time.
Users may feel an increased appreciation for sensory stimuli, such as food tasting better or colors appearing more vibrant. Other effects may include heightened creativity, laughter, talkativeness, and a general sense of well-being. However, it’s important to note that individual experiences may differ.
How Long to Expect to be High?
How long does a weed experience last? The duration of a weed high can vary depending on several factors, including the ingestion method and the person’s body mass index. Generally, when smoked or vaporized, the effects of cannabis last for about one to three hours. However, it’s not uncommon for residual effects to persist for several more hours, especially with high THC concentrate products.
With edibles, the weed high lasts much longer than smoking or vaping. The high from consuming cannabis-infused edibles can last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours. The extended duration is due to the slower THC absorption and metabolism of cannabinoids in the digestive system.
How Much Cannabis Does it Take to Get High?
The amount of cannabis required to affect a person depends on different factors such as the individual’s tolerance to marijuana and body weight, the consumption method used, how much THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) the product contains, and other factors.
Generally speaking, beginners or individuals with lower tolerance may feel high with a relatively small amount, such as a single inhalation or a low-dose edible (e.g., 5-10 mg of THC). More experienced or heavy users might have to smoke or consume cannabis products with higher doses of THC to achieve the desired marijuana high.
It’s important to start with a low dose, especially for newcomers, and gradually increase as needed. Cannabis tends to affect everyone differently, so finding the right dosage for an optimal high requires personal experimentation and caution to avoid potential side effects.
How to Increase the Length of Your High?
If you want to make your weed high last, there are a few strategies you can try:
- Choose higher potency strains or products: Marijuana strains with higher THC content are generally associated with stronger and longer-lasting effects.
- Consume edibles: Edible cannabis products tend to produce longer-lasting effects compared to smoking or vaporizing. An edible high can last from 4 to 12 hours and even longer with higher doses.
- Combine consumption methods: By using different consumption methods together, such as smoking and consuming edibles, you can extend the duration of your cannabis highs.
- Take breaks between sessions: If you want to make your weed high last several hours, try taking breaks between each smoke or consumption session. This approach can help avoid building an immediate tolerance.
How to Decrease Your Cannabis High?
The methods for taming THC vary for different people. If you feel overwhelmed or want to reduce the intensity of your high, here are some suggestions:
- Stay hydrated: Drinking water can help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with being too high.
- Find a calm and comfortable environment: Relaxing in a familiar and comfortable setting can help reduce anxiety or paranoia sometimes associated with a strong high.
- Distract yourself: Engaging in activities like watching a movie, listening to music, or talking with friends can divert your attention and potentially help you relax.
- Try consuming CBD: Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-intoxicating compound derived from the cannabis plant. Free of psychoactive effects, it is often used for pain relief. CBD may counteract the effects of THC and help reduce the intensity of a high. You can try using CBD products or strains that have higher CBD-to-THC percentages.
- Take deep breaths: Focusing on deep, slow breaths can help you relax and potentially lessen the intensity of the high.
- Take a cold bath: For some people, a cold shower or bath can help restore alertness and refresh them.
- Ingest black pepper: Some people consume pepper to alleviate the effects of being high, attributing this property to the presence of the compound caryophyllene. You may also breath in the pepper aroma or chew on whole peppercorns for similar effects.
Keep in mind that the effectiveness of these methods is supported only by anecdotal evidence rather than peer reviewed studies. The effects of weed can vary from person to person, so it’s essential to listen to your body and consume responsibly. If you feel excessively uncomfortable or have any concerns, it’s always a good idea to seek medical assistance.
How Long Does Weed Stay in Your System?
The duration that cannabis compounds stay in your system depends on the frequency and intensity of use, metabolism, body fat percentage, and the type of drug test being conducted.
The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, THC, can be detected in urine, blood, saliva, and hair for different lengths of time.
- Urine: In infrequent users, THC metabolites are typically detectable in urine for up to 3 days. For regular users, it can be detected for several weeks after the user smoked marijuana or even longer.
- Blood: THC is detectable in the blood for a short period, usually up to 36 hours after use. However, regular users may have detectable levels for a longer duration.
- Saliva: THC can be detected in saliva for up to 72 hours after use. However, it’s worth noting that detection times can vary.
- Hair: THC and its metabolites can remain in hair follicles for a more extended period, usually up to 90 days or more.
It’s important to note that drug and substance tests may vary in their sensitivity and the detection thresholds used. Additionally, these detection windows are general estimates, and individual results may vary.
Is There a Faster Way to Get It Out of Your System?
While there is no guaranteed method to speed up the elimination of cannabis compounds from your system, certain steps may help:
- Staying hydrated: Drinking plenty of water and fluids can potentially assist in flushing out metabolites through urine.
- Engaging in physical activity: Regular exercise and sweating may contribute to the elimination of THC metabolites.
- Eating a healthy diet: Consuming a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables can support your body’s natural detoxification processes.
- Time: The most reliable way to completely eliminate cannabis from your system is to allow your body enough time to metabolize and eliminate the compounds naturally. This can range from days to weeks, depending on various factors.
It’s worth noting that attempting to cheat or manipulate drug tests is not recommended, as it can have legal and professional consequences. If you have concerns about drug testing, it’s best to consult with a medical professional or seek legal advice.
Remember, the information provided here is for general knowledge and should not replace professional medical or legal advice.