How to Know When Edibles Are Kicking In & How Long They Last

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What to expect before, during, and after you have an edible

Co-authored by Lauren Forsch and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: December 8, 2024 Fact Checked

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• How long does it take for an edible to hit?
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• 13 Signs Your Edible Has Kicked In
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• How long does an edible high last?
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• Best Practices for Taking Edibles
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• Video
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips
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• Warnings

|Show more |Show less

Edibles can be a fun and satisfying alternative to smoking weed from a vape, joint, or vaporizer, but they don’t “hit” (have effects) as quickly. That’s why it’s important to have the right expectations while you’re waiting for your edibles to kick in—and we’re here to help you out. Keep reading for plenty of guidance on how long it takes edibles to hit (and last) and some effects you can expect to feel once your edible kicks in, along with some tips and tricks on having the most relaxing and safe high possible.

Disclaimer: Only take cannabis edibles if you’re legally allowed to do so in your state or country. Click or tap here for more info if you live in the United States.

Best Ways to Tell if an Edible is Kicking In

Common positive signs that an edible is kicking in include relaxation and euphoria, along with physical symptoms like increased pulse, poor coordination, boosted appetite, poor memory, anxiety, and dry mouth. Typically, edibles start kicking in anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours after consumption.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How long does it take for an edible to hit?

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1. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours. For some people, the body can break down and process edibles in 30 minutes to 2 hours. For others, tangible symptoms of a high won’t pop up for around 4 hours after the fact. Since edibles are processed and metabolized via your digestive system, the onset time really depends on the individual.

   • Inhaling weed (like through a joint, vape, vaporizer, etc.) causes the THC (the compound in cannabis that makes you high) to go directly to your brain, which allows you to feel high right away. Consuming weed, on the other hand, causes the THC to go through the digestive tract, so it takes longer to experience the effects.
   • To get a better idea of how and when edibles impact you, start a stopwatch (either on your phone or a free website) and time how long it takes for you to feel symptoms. Keep this time in mind whenever you take edibles in the future.
   • Many factors influence how long an edible takes to kick in, like your sex, metabolism, weight, and how recently you've eaten. Your high may kick in more intensely if you take an edible on an empty stomach.
   • Some people find that fattier edibles (like a cookie or brownie) hit a little harder than other edibles, due to the way the cannabis is processed in the body. Others report that dissolvable edibles (like lollipops) tend to hit more quickly than gummies and baked goods.
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Section 2 of 4:

13 Signs Your Edible Has Kicked In

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1. 1
   Relaxed feelings You may start feeling a lot more relaxed and blissful once the edible starts kicking into your system.
2. 2
   Euphoria You might start feeling an intensified state of happiness (known as euphoria), which is often associated with the general experience of being high.
3. 3
   More extreme senses When you start feeling high, you might feel really tuned into your senses, whether that’s your sight, hearing, smell, taste, or a combination.
4. 4
   Faster pulse If your heart starts beating significantly faster than it usually does, it could mean that your edible is starting to kick in.

   • Try measuring your resting heart rate to get a sense of what it normally is. Then, measure it again when you suspect that you’re getting high.
5. 5
   Poor reaction time and coordination You probably won’t feel super nimble on your feet after an edible starts to hit. If anything, your reaction time will likely be a lot slower as your body embraces the effects of the high.
6. 6
   Dry mouth Better known as “cotton mouth” within the weed community, edibles (along with other types of cannabis) are infamous for making your mouth feel dry (or like it’s full of cotton).

   • Sipping on a drink, chewing gum, and rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwash can all help if you’re struggling with a bad case of cotton mouth.
7. 7
   Strong appetite Also known as the “munchies,” cannabis in general tends to boost your appetite. If you find yourself reaching for your favorite snack all of a sudden, it could mean that your edible has kicked in.
8. 8
   Bloodshot eyes From a biological perspective, THC tends to reduce the blood pressure in your body overall; this, in turn, makes your blood vessels a little more prominent and noticeable. This phenomenon is commonly observed in the eyes, which can look red after you get high.
9. 9
   Anxiety While some people take cannabis products as a means to help with their anxiety, cannabis can unfortunately have the opposite effect and create more anxiety in the process.
10. 10
    Poor memory When you consume cannabis in any form (inhaled or ingested), the THC eventually reaches and interacts with certain components of your brain. As a result, you may have trouble creating new memories.

    • You might find yourself losing your train of thought in the middle of a standard conversation.
11. 11
    Paranoia People who take edibles are sometimes known to feel a bit paranoid and suspicious after the fact. In extreme cases, these experiences might turn into paranoid and unrealistic thoughts.
12. 12
    Sleepiness Research points to cannabis products helping promote sleep. In one study, over 70% of people struggling with their sleep found that cannabis helped boost their sleep.
13. 13
    Vomiting If you use marijuana (and edibles) really frequently, you might experience Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CMS), a condition that causes people to intensely throw up several times in a row.
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Section 3 of 4:

How long does an edible high last?

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1. The effects of an edible can last anywhere from 4 to 24 hours. You guessed it—there isn’t a concrete estimate for how long an edible high can last, since it depends on the individual body processing it. With that being said, don’t be alarmed if your high peaks after 4 hours, or if you’re still feeling the effects after 12 (or if some leftover symptoms even last a full day).

   • The core symptoms should be gone after around 12 hours, but you might not feel 100% for up to a day after the fact.
   • Make sure you don’t have any major obligations in the hours after you take an edible, like needing to drive somewhere.

Section 4 of 4:

Best Practices for Taking Edibles

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1. 1
   Start out with a really small dose, like 2.5 mg. Officially, 10 mg of THC is the recommended amount for people to take at one time. However, this amount could be way too potent for a first-time edible user, so it’s best to start off with a smaller dose, like 2.5 mg.
2. 2
   Check the label for serving recommendations and the THC content. Make sure you know how much weed is in your edibles, and what the total THC percentage is—this gives you a better idea of how strong the edibles are and how long you can expect them to kick in. Double-check the serving size, too, before enjoying multiple edibles at once.

   • If you’re making homemade weed edibles, calculate the dosage manually.
   • Always aim to eat edibles that were purchased from an established dispensary or were made with weed purchased from an established dispensary.
3. 3
   Snack on something before you take your edible. When there’s a little food already in the tank, it can help prevent the cannabis from hitting you like a truck. Instead, you might find that your symptoms are a bit more manageable as you get high.
4. 4
   Give the edible time to work its magic. After an hour or 2 of waiting, it can be tempting to munch on another edible to speed the process along. This isn’t a good idea, though, since edibles can hit you very severely. Instead, be patient and wait for the initial dose of the edible to kick in.
5. 5
   Skip any alcoholic beverages. Drinking alcohol while being high (also known as getting “cross-faded”) can lead to some pretty nasty side effects, like dizziness, nausea, and throwing up.
6. 6
   Take your edible in a place where you feel really safe and comfortable. While getting high from marijuana can be enjoyable, the effects of an edible high can definitely be disorienting at first. Make sure that you’re in a really comfortable, private place where you can get stoned safely.

   • If possible, ask a trusted friend or loved one to spend time with you while you get high.
7. 7
   Stay aware of how much you’ve taken. Edibles can take a while to wear off, so it’s important to be aware of how much you’ve ingested already (and about how long you have to wait for any side effects to disappear). If you plan on taking another edible, note what type it was, how potent it was, and when you took it.
8. 8
   Stash your edibles in a safe place when you’re done taking them. While edibles can be a tasty treat for young adults, they can be really dangerous in the hands (or mouths) of pets and young children. Once you’re done portioning out an edible for yourself, seal the rest away and store it in a place where no one else can get them.

   • You might get a small safe in your room to store your edibles so no one else can access them.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  I'm not high anymore but my eyes are still red, how do I deal with this?

  

  Lauren Forsch
  CBD Expert

  Lauren Forsch is a CBD Expert and Founder of Popped.NYC based in New York. Popped.NYC is a cannabis company and lifestyle brand that creates CBD products designed to provide people with relief and promote wellness, self-care, and health. With first-hand experience of managing physical pain and anxiety, Lauren found relief from plant-based, CBD remedies. She created Popped.NYC from a desire to help people manage their pain and offers consultations and a wide variety of handmade, THC-free, vegan CBD products.

  

  Lauren Forsch

  CBD Expert

  Expert Answer

  You can try taking a shower or splashing your face with cold water, which can help you feel more refreshed and clear-headed. You can also use eye drops to relieve eye redness and irritation.

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Tips

• If you’re dealing with some nasty paranoia during your high, consider munching on a couple of black peppercorns. As gross as this may sound, the chemical compound in the peppercorns may help you calm down.
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Warnings

• Some marijuana enthusiasts swear that CBD is the magic ingredient to helping you scale back during an intense high, but not everyone agrees with this life hack. According to new research, CBD may prevent your body from processing the THC as efficiently.
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• Never drive after taking an edible (for your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road).
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• If you’re experiencing extreme symptoms, don’t hesitate to call 911 or Poison Control at [1].
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