Cannabis sativa, the plant from which marijuana is derived, is often referred to as weed. It is possible to utilize these products for both therapeutic and recreational purposes. Each strain of marijuana has a unique mix of molecules known as cannabinoids, which are found in high concentrations in marijuana.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the most widely used cannabinoids in the cannabis plant (CBD). Depending on the product's content, a person will feel a different form of high than someone else. There are several psychotropic compounds, but THC is by far the most important.
Find out how long cannabis highs endure and what variables might alter their length by reading on.
What affects how long the high lasts?
The length of a person's high depends on a variety of circumstances, including:
- the type or strain of weed
- a person’s individual characteristics, such as metabolism and tolerance
- the method of consumption, for example, smoking or edibles
- taking other substances, such as alcohol
Type of weed
The gender of the cannabis plant, as well as the presence or absence of seeds, are two factors that impact the genetic makeup of a marijuana variety. The amount of THC and CBD in cannabis determines the sort of high it produces.
Weed is stronger in the forms of sinsemilla and hashish than in other strains, since they have significant THC levels. Because of this, they are prone to generate extended highs.
Cannabis producers have been boosting the THC level in their plants over recent years, leading the leaves to cause a more intense high.
Method
There are a number of ways to get high on marijuana, including:
- smoking
- inhaling vapor
- consuming edibles
The potency and duration of the effects of cannabis may be influenced by the mode of intake.
THC is readily absorbed by the body once it enters the circulation, resulting in a variety of psychoactive effects.
People commonly consume pot with tobacco in cannabis cigarettes. Depending on how much marijuana and tobacco are in each cigarette, the effects might vary.
Smoking marijuana immediately delivers THC to the bloodstream, resulting in a short-lived high lasting between one and four hours.
The high from cannabis vapes lasts about the same amount of time as the high from smoking the drug, but the effects are higher. When cannabis products are burned, resin formed, and this is what we're inhaling. Different items, such as water pipes, bongs and vapes, may create this vapor while the effects vary depending on their size and the amount of cannabis they contain.
Edibles are any food items containing cannabis, such as brownies or cookies. Eating edibles produces effects 30–60 minutes after administration, although blood THC concentrations peak three hours after ingestion. They provide a long-lasting high that may last up to 6 hours or more.
Metabolism
To get the most out of cannabis, you'll need a strong metabolism. As a result, THC may enter their circulation more quickly, but the effects will last less time.
Eating
Chemicals included in some foodstuffs have the ability to heighten and prolong the effects of a high. Mangoes, for example, may have this effect based on anecdotal evidence. Other dietary components, such as those high in fat, may have the opposite impact.
Alcohol
The usage of cannabis and alcohol is often linked. They enhance each other's abilities. Also, the THC stays in the body's system longer when paired with drinking since alcohol slows down the metabolic process. This helps to lengthen the high's endurance.
Be cautious of the dangers of combining cannabis and alcohol.
Tolerance
A person's tolerance to marijuana will be higher if he or she consumes the drug on a regular basis. The effects of cannabis may be milder and last shorter in someone who has developed a greater tolerance to the drug.
How long it takes to kick in
A cannabis high's duration is determined by the same elements that govern how long it takes for it to kick in. In terms of THC levels in the blood, how a person consumes cannabis is the most important factor.
The speed with which you experience the benefits is largely determined by your mode of use:
- Whether you smoke or vape. The effects of cannabis might be felt within 2 to 10 minutes. It takes effect immediately since it reaches your bloodstream via your lungs within minutes of inhalation.
- Eating. When you ingest marijuana, your digestive system processes it, which might take some time. Edibles normally start working within 30 to 60 minutes, but it might take up to 2 hours.
- Dabbing. This approach involves smoking a highly concentrated strain of marijuana using a customized pipe. Dabs contain more THC than other types of cannabis, therefore the high is felt practically immediately.
The euphoria from smoking marijuana may be felt within a few minutes.
Inhaling vapor has a quicker and more potent impact on the body, with greater blood THC levels.
The effects of edibles take between 30 and 60 minutes to take effect.
What could make you ‘unhigh’
Paranoia and anxiety are just a few of the unpleasant side effects that may be brought on by marijuana. Some approaches may assist minimize the effects of THC if these responses occur or if a person desires to do so for some other reason.
Drinking cold water in the shower or bath can help you stay awake and decrease the effects of an overdose.
Foods strong in terpenoid chemicals, such as lemon, pine nuts, and black pepper, may help alleviate the effects of a cannabis high, according to research. Lemon's sourness, in addition to the terpenoid concentration, might diminish a high by making one more attentive.
However, if you can, the best approach to get rid of the effects of THC is to go to sleep.
What could extend the high?
How long a drug's effects endure depends on the person's mode of consumption. While edibles don't provide the benefits as rapidly, they do keep you feeling good longer.
The more THC a person ingests, the longer it takes the body to break it down, and the more intense the effects.
If you're searching for a more long-lasting high, try using edibles. They take longer to take effect, but the benefits last longer, which is beneficial if you're taking cannabis for medicinal reasons.
You might also re-dose or try a stronger THC strain for a longer high, but be aware that you will experience more powerful effects. This is usually not a significant concern for seasoned users, but a newcomer may find the effects of a higher dosage too overwhelming.
There are several anecdotal strategies for prolonging your high on the Internet, such as eating mango, but none of them are supported by research.
Some websites propose combining cannabis and alcohol to prolong your high, but this is not the greatest option.
Even one drink prior to consuming cannabis might increase the effects of THC. This combination might cause some people to "green out" and suffer some unpleasant symptoms, such as:
- nausea
- vomiting or dizziness
- Sweating worsened impairment
This combination does not function well in the other way. Using cannabis before drinking may reduce the effects of alcohol, making you seem less inebriated than you are. This makes it simple to get very inebriated.
Furthermore, combining cannabis and alcohol may raise your chance of becoming dependent on one or both drugs.
Precautions
In many places, the use of recreational marijuana is prohibited, making it a contentious issue. A person should make sure that they buy legal marijuana.
People who use cannabis products should be aware of both short- and long-term risks.
Short-term risks include:
- increase in heart rate
- anxiety
- paranoia
Long-term risks include:
- memory issues
- difficulty learning
- insomnia
- schizophrenia, for those with a higher genetic risk of the condition
Using cannabis while pregnant may have a negative impact on the fetus's growth.
When to see a doctor
If a person develops a dependence on cannabis or notices unpleasant side effects, such as sleeplessness or memory loss, they should seek medical attention.