You ate the gummy 45 minutes ago. Nothing yet. So you eat another one. Thirty minutes later, both kick in at the same time and suddenly you're way higher than you wanted to be for the next six hours.

This story plays out constantly with first time edible users. And it happens because people don't understand how long edibles last or how differently they work compared to smoking. The timing isn't intuitive, the intensity can surprise you, and the duration outlasts almost every other consumption method by a wide margin.

If you're wondering how long do edibles last, you're asking the right question before trying them. This guide covers everything: when effects start, when they peak, how long the high lasts, what influences duration, proper dosing, and what to do if you accidentally overdo it. Whether you're a first timer or someone who wants to understand edibles better, this will help you have a better experience.

---

Why Edibles Hit Different Than Smoking

When you smoke or vape cannabis, THC enters your lungs and moves directly into your bloodstream. Effects start within minutes and typically fade within one to four hours. The process is fast in, fast out.

Edibles work completely differently.

When you eat cannabis, it travels through your digestive system before reaching your liver. Your liver then converts delta-9 THC into a different compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite crosses the blood brain barrier more easily than regular THC, which is why many people report that edibles feel stronger and more intense than smoking the same amount.

This conversion process takes time. Your stomach needs to break down the food. Your intestines need to absorb the cannabinoids. Your liver needs to metabolize them. Only then do effects reach your brain. The whole process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on various factors.

The tradeoff for this slower onset is duration. Because your body processes edibles through the digestive system rather than the lungs, the effects release gradually and stick around much longer. What takes an hour to fully kick in might last six to eight hours or more.

Understanding this difference prevents the most common edible mistake: impatience. People expect edibles to work like smoking. When nothing happens after 30 minutes, they assume the dose was too low and take more. Then everything hits at once and they spend hours uncomfortably high.

---

The Edible Timeline: Onset, Peak, and Comedown

Knowing the general timeline helps you plan your experience and avoid surprises.

Onset: 30 Minutes to 2 Hours

Most people start feeling effects between 30 and 90 minutes after eating an edible. Some feel it sooner, especially with sublingual products like lozenges or tinctures that absorb through mouth tissue rather than the stomach. Others might wait up to two hours, particularly if they ate the edible with a large meal.

The onset often feels subtle at first. A slight shift in mood. Some warmth in the body. A gentle relaxation. This builds gradually rather than hitting all at once like smoking does.

Peak: 2 to 3 Hours After Ingestion

Effects typically reach maximum intensity around two to three hours after you eat the edible. This is when you'll feel the strongest version of whatever the edible does, whether that's relaxation, euphoria, creativity, or sedation depending on the product.

The peak window is also when side effects are most likely if you took too much. Anxiety, paranoia, rapid heartbeat, or disorientation tend to show up here before gradually fading.

Duration: 4 to 8 Hours (Sometimes Longer)

The average edible high lasts between four and eight hours for most people. Some report effects fading after just a few hours, while others feel them for ten to twelve hours, especially with higher doses or lower tolerance.

Residual Effects: Up to 24 Hours

Even after the main high fades, some people notice lingering effects for up to a day. This might include grogginess, mild mental fog, or just feeling slightly off. These residual effects are usually subtle but worth knowing about if you have responsibilities the next morning.

Edible Effects Timeline Table:

Phase	Timeframe	What to Expect
Onset	30 min to 2 hours	Subtle mood shift, warmth, initial relaxation
Building	1 to 2 hours	Effects intensify gradually
Peak	2 to 3 hours	Maximum intensity, strongest effects
Plateau	3 to 5 hours	Sustained effects at moderate intensity
Comedown	5 to 8 hours	Gradual decrease, effects fading
Residual	8 to 24 hours	Possible mild grogginess or aftereffects

---

What Affects How Long Your Edible High Lasts

Two people can eat the same 10mg gummy and have completely different experiences. One might feel moderate effects for four hours. The other might be floored for eight. Several factors explain this variation.

Metabolism

People with faster metabolisms process THC more quickly. This can mean faster onset but also shorter duration. Slower metabolisms take longer to feel effects but may experience them for extended periods.

Tolerance

Regular cannabis users develop tolerance over time. Someone who consumes daily might barely feel a 10mg edible, while a first timer could find the same dose overwhelming. Tolerance affects both intensity and duration.

Dosage

Higher doses produce longer lasting effects. A 5mg edible might wear off in four hours. A 50mg edible could keep you high for twelve hours or more. This relationship isn't perfectly linear, but generally, more THC means longer duration.

Body Weight and Composition

THC is fat soluble, meaning it binds to fat cells in your body. People with higher body fat percentages may experience longer lasting effects because THC releases gradually from fat stores. This also affects how long THC remains detectable in drug tests.

Food Intake

Eating an edible on an empty stomach typically leads to faster onset and potentially more intense effects. Eating it with a meal, especially one containing fats, may slow absorption but could also increase bioavailability, meaning more THC actually makes it into your system.

Product Type

Different edible formats have different absorption rates. Drinks and tinctures often kick in faster than solid foods because liquids move through the digestive system more quickly. Baked goods and gummies tend to take longer but may also last longer.

Individual Biology

Genetics influence how your body processes cannabinoids. Some people naturally produce more of the enzymes that metabolize THC. Others have endocannabinoid systems that respond more or less sensitively to the same compounds.

---

Edible Dosing Guide: How Much Should You Take?

Proper dosing is the single most important factor in having a good edible experience. Too little and you might not feel anything. Too much and you could spend hours wishing you'd been more careful.

First Time or Low Tolerance: 2.5 to 5mg THC

If you've never tried edibles or rarely use cannabis, start here. Some people feel noticable effects from just 2.5mg. This dose is unlikely to overwhelm anyone but provides enough THC to actually experience something.

Occasional Users: 5 to 10mg THC

This is the standard single serving on most commercial edibles. If you use cannabis occasionally and have some sense of your tolerance, 5 to 10mg usually produces clear effects without being excessive.

Regular Users: 10 to 20mg THC

People who consume cannabis frequently often need higher doses to feel significant effects. The 10 to 20mg range typically works for this group, though individual tolerance varies.

High Tolerance: 20mg+ THC

Some experienced users consume 50mg, 100mg, or more. These doses produce powerful effects that can last twelve hours or longer. They also carry higher risk of uncomfortable side effects. Only people who truly understand their tolerance should go this high.

The Golden Rule: Start Low, Go Slow

Whatever your experience level, the safest approach is starting with a lower dose than you think you need. Wait at least two hours before considering more. You can always take another dose later, but you can't un-eat what you already consumed.

Dosing Quick Reference:

Experience Level	Recommended Dose	Expected Duration
First timer	2.5 to 5mg	4 to 6 hours
Occasional user	5 to 10mg	4 to 8 hours
Regular user	10 to 20mg	6 to 8 hours
High tolerance	20mg+	8 to 12+ hours

---

How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System?

This question usually comes from people concerned about drug testing. The effects might last eight hours, but THC stays detectable in your body much longer.

When your liver metabolizes THC, it creates metabolites that your body stores in fat cells and eliminates gradually through urine and other pathways. Detection windows depend on the type of test and how frequently you use cannabis.

Saliva Tests: 1 to 3 Days

Saliva tests detect recent use. Edibles can show up in saliva for one to three days after consumption, though this window is shorter than for some other methods.

Blood Tests: 3 to 4 Days

Blood tests also focus on recent use. THC from edibles typically remains detectable in blood for three to four days, though heavy users might test positive longer.

Urine Tests: 3 to 30 Days

This is the most common drug test type. For occasional users, edibles might be detectable for three to ten days. Regular users can test positive for 30 days or more after their last dose because THC accumulates in fat tissue with repeated use.

Hair Tests: Up to 90 Days

Hair follicle tests have the longest detection window. THC metabolites can remain in hair for up to 90 days regardless of how often you use cannabis. However, these tests are less common and more expensive.

Factors Affecting Detection Time:

The same factors that affect how long you feel high also influence detection windows. Higher doses, frequent use, slower metabolism, and higher body fat percentage all extend how long THC remains detectable.

If you have an upcoming drug test, the only guaranteed way to pass is abstaining long enough for your body to clear all metabolites. There's no reliable way to speed up this process despite what some detox products claim.

---

What to Do If You Took Too Much

It happens. You misjudged the dose, didn't wait long enough before eating more, or encountered an unexpectedly potent product. Now you're way higher than you wanted to be and wondering how to get through it.

First, know that you're going to be fine. No one has ever died from consuming too much cannabis. The experience might be uncomfortable, but it will pass.

Find a Safe, Comfortable Space

If you're out somewhere, get home or to a friend's place where you can lie down without worrying about anything. Familiar environments help reduce anxiety.

Stay Hydrated

Drink water. Avoid alcohol, which can intensify THC effects. Some people find that eating helps them feel more grounded, though this won't speed up how quickly the high fades.

Distract Yourself

Watch something lighthearted on TV. Listen to calm music. Talk to a trusted friend. Anything that occupies your mind helps time pass faster and keeps you from spiraling into anxiety.

Try CBD

Some evidence suggests CBD can moderate THC's effects. If you have CBD tincture or gummies available, they might take the edge off. This isn't guaranteed to work, but many people report it helps.

Remember It's Temporary

The most important thing is knowing this will end. Even an intense edible high fades within several hours. Remind yourself that you're safe and this feeling is temporary.

Sleep If You Can

Often the best solution is sleeping it off. If you can relax enough to fall asleep, you'll likely wake up feeling much better. Many people use this approach when they realize they've overdone it.

When to Seek Help

In rare cases, extremely high doses can cause significant distress. If someone is having a genuine panic attack they can't manage, has a pre existing heart condition and is experiencing concerning symptoms, or is otherwise in distress beyond normal overconsumption, seeking medical attention is appropriate. Emergency rooms treat cannabis overconsumption regularly and can provide support.

---

Buying Edibles You Can Trust

Everything we've discussed assumes you know what's actually in your edible. The dosing guidelines only work if the label accurately reflects the THC content.

This is why buying from reputable sources matters. Properly labeled edibles from trusted dispensaries tell you exactly how many milligrams are in each piece. You can dose confidently because you know what you're getting.

Unlabeled or homemade edibles are unpredictable. A brownie from someone's kitchen might have 5mg or 50mg depending on how it was made. That uncertainty makes proper dosing impossible.

At no STeMs, every edible we carry includes clear labeling with THC content and effect notes. Our staff can walk you through options based on your experience level and what kind of experience you're looking for. First time trying edibles? We'll help you pick something appropriate and explain exactly how to dose it.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do edibles last for beginners?

First time users often feel effects for six to eight hours, sometimes longer. Lower tolerance means THC affects you more strongly and stays active longer. Start with 2.5 to 5mg and plan for a full day where you don't need to be anywhere.

How long does a 10mg edible last?

For most people with moderate tolerance, a 10mg edible produces effects lasting four to eight hours. First timers might feel a 10mg dose for longer, while daily users might only feel it for a few hours.

Why don't I feel anything from edibles?

Some people have naturally high tolerance or metabolize THC differently. If you've waited two full hours and feel nothing, the dose may have been too low for your body. Try slightly higher next time, but increase gradually.

Can I make edibles wear off faster?

Not really. Your body needs time to process the THC. Staying hydrated, eating food, and trying to sleep can help you feel better, but nothing will significantly speed up how quickly effects fade.

How long should I wait before driving after an edible?

Effects can last six to twelve hours and impairment continues throughout. Wait until you feel completely sober, which often means waiting until the next day after consuming. Driving while high is illegal and dangerous.

---

Making Edibles Work for You

Understanding how long edibles last transforms them from unpredictable to manageable. When you know to expect a slow onset, a two to three hour peak, and effects lasting well into the evening, you can plan accordingly.

Start with low doses. Be patient. Give effects two full hours before considering more. Choose properly labeled products from sources you trust. And if you overdo it, remember that the uncomfortable feeling will pass.

Edibles offer something smoking can't: long lasting effects without inhaling anything. For pain relief that lasts through the night, relaxation that carries through an afternoon, or a social experience that doesn't require repeated dosing, edibles deliver.

Want help finding the right edible for your experience level? Stop by no STeMs and talk to our staff. We carry gummies, chocolates, and other edibles at various dosage levels, all clearly labeled so you know exactly what you're getting. We'll help you pick something that matches what you're looking for, whether that's a gentle introduction or something with more kick.

No tax. No judgment. Just good guidance and quality products.