The experience of an edible high is often different from smoking or vaping cannabis, primarily due to the way your body processes the active compounds. When you smoke, THC enters your bloodstream via the lungs, providing a near-instant effect that fades relatively quickly. With edibles, the journey is much longer and more complex, leading to a delayed onset and a significantly longer, more intense peak. For some, this can result in lingering effects that persist for days after consumption, a concerning and disorienting experience.
The Unique Pharmacokinetics of Edibles
Unlike inhaled cannabis, edibles must pass through your digestive system before the psychoactive compounds can take effect. This involves a crucial metabolic step in the liver.
- THC to 11-hydroxy-THC Conversion: When you ingest THC (delta-9-THC), your liver converts a significant portion of it into a metabolite called 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound is not only more potent than standard THC but also has a longer half-life, allowing it to produce stronger and longer-lasting psychoactive effects.
- Delayed Onset: The time it takes for your body to digest and metabolize the edible means the onset of effects can be delayed by 30 minutes to two hours, or even longer. This delay is a primary reason for accidental overconsumption, as people often take another dose when they don't feel effects immediately.
- Extended Duration: Because 11-hydroxy-THC is longer-acting and crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively, the overall duration of the high from an edible is extended. While the average peak is around 2–4 hours after ingestion, effects can last up to 12 hours, with residual feelings persisting into the next day.
Key Factors Contributing to a Multi-Day High
Several variables can explain why effects might linger far longer than anticipated, sometimes for multiple days.
Dosage and Potency: The 'Too Much' Factor
This is often the most significant contributor to a prolonged high. A dose that is too high for an individual's tolerance level can saturate their system, overwhelming the liver's ability to process the THC quickly. In contrast to smoking, where effects are more immediate and easier to gauge, the delayed nature of edibles makes it easy to miscalculate and consume a very large dose unintentionally. Recommendations for new users often begin at just 2.5–5 mg of THC, with higher doses reserved for experienced individuals.
Individual Metabolism and Physiology
Everyone's body is different, and this holds true for how we metabolize cannabis. People with slower metabolisms will process THC more gradually, extending its effects. Furthermore, THC is fat-soluble, meaning it is stored in the body's fat cells and released slowly over time. This creates a reservoir effect that can cause residual psychoactive effects long after the initial peak has subsided. Factors like body weight and composition also play a role in how THC is distributed and eliminated.
The Role of Food
What you eat alongside your edible can influence both its onset and duration. Consuming edibles on an empty stomach can hasten the onset of effects, but can also make them more intense. Conversely, eating a high-fat meal with an edible can enhance THC absorption, potentially leading to a stronger and longer-lasting effect.
Tolerance and Frequency of Use
An individual's tolerance level is a major factor. Infrequent cannabis users will be far more sensitive to a given dose than daily users. While chronic users develop a tolerance, an unusually high dose can still overwhelm their system, leading to unexpected and prolonged effects.
Psychological Factors
Anxiety, panic, or fear experienced during a powerful edible high can make the effects seem to last much longer than they actually do. A person might focus intently on residual feelings of disorientation, paranoia, or altered perception, convincing themselves they are still under the full influence of the drug. This is not to say the THC isn't still present, but psychological distress can amplify the perception of its effects.
Edibles vs. Inhaled Cannabis: A Comparison
| Feature | Edibles (Ingested) | Inhaled (Smoked/Vaped) |
|---|---|---|
| Onset Time | 30 minutes to 2+ hours | Seconds to minutes |
| Peak Effects | 2 to 4 hours after ingestion | Within 30 minutes |
| Duration | Up to 12 hours, with residual effects up to 24+ | Up to 6 hours |
| Metabolism | Passes through digestive system and liver | Enters bloodstream via lungs directly |
| THC Form | Metabolized to 11-hydroxy-THC | Delta-9-THC |
| Potency | Often more potent and intense due to 11-hydroxy-THC | Less potent, easier to dose accurately |
What to Do If You Feel High for Too Long
If you find yourself in a prolonged and uncomfortable high, the following steps can help you manage the experience while waiting for the effects to subside naturally.
- Stay Calm: Find a safe, quiet space and remind yourself that the feeling will pass. Anxiety can make the high feel more intense.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water. This can help with dry mouth and aid your body's natural metabolic processes.
- Eat a Light Meal: A non-fatty meal can help ground you and absorb some of the cannabinoids in your digestive system.
- Consider CBD: If available, taking a small dose of CBD (cannabidiol), a non-intoxicating cannabis compound, may help to counteract some of the psychoactive effects of THC.
- Distract Yourself: Engage in a low-stress, engaging activity like listening to music, watching a lighthearted movie, or talking to a trusted friend.
- Rest and Sleep: If possible, taking a nap can help your body process the remaining THC and allow you to wake up feeling more clear-headed.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While a prolonged edible high is generally not life-threatening, it can be extremely distressing. However, if you experience any of the following severe symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention:
- Severe anxiety or panic attacks
- Troublesome hallucinations or psychosis
- Chest pain or a racing heart
- Uncontrollable vomiting (which, in chronic users, could indicate Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome)
- Difficulty breathing
Conclusion
Feeling high for an unexpectedly long time after consuming edibles is a result of the unique way your body metabolizes THC. Unlike the quicker process of inhaling, edibles are converted into a more potent and enduring compound by the liver, which, combined with a high dose, can lead to lingering effects. While the experience can be disconcerting, staying calm, hydrating, and resting are the best courses of action. For future experiences, remembering the mantra to 'start low and go slow' is crucial for avoiding a prolonged and overwhelming high. If you are concerned about persistent symptoms or experience severe distress, it is always best to consult a medical professional. For more in-depth information, you can read more about the next-day effects of cannabis in a systematic review published in the National Institutes of Health.
