Why Don't I Feel Anything After Eating Edibles? A Pharmacological Deep Dive

October 14, 2025 •

4 min read

The bioavailability of ingested THC is only 4% to 12%, a stark contrast to other methods [1.3.1]. This metabolic process is a key reason behind the common question: 'Why don't I feel anything after eating edibles?'

Quick Summary

Not feeling edibles can be due to your unique metabolism, including liver enzymes, genetic factors, and built-up tolerance. The edible's dosage, quality, and what you've eaten also play crucial roles in the onset and intensity of effects.

Key Points

Metabolism is Key: When you eat an edible, your liver metabolizes THC into a more potent compound, 11-hydroxy-THC, but this "first-pass effect" also filters much of it out [1.4.1, 1.4.5].
Genetics Play a Big Role: Variations in liver enzyme genes, like CYP2C9, can cause some people to process THC so fast they don't feel effects, a state known as being "ediblocked" [1.2.2, 1.2.3].
Tolerance is Real: Regular cannabis use leads to tolerance, meaning you'll need a higher dose to achieve the same effect as your body's receptors become less sensitive [1.9.1, 1.9.4].
Food Matters: Taking edibles with a fatty meal can increase THC absorption, while an empty stomach leads to a faster, more intense, but potentially overwhelming experience [1.7.2, 1.8.1].
Dose and Quality Are Crucial: Effects require an adequate dose (typically 10mg+), and product quality can vary greatly; always buy lab-tested products from reputable sources [1.2.2, 1.2.3].
Patience is Required: Edibles take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in, with effects lasting much longer than smoking, so wait before taking more [1.2.3, 1.10.1].
Alternatives Exist: If edibles don't work for you due to metabolic reasons, methods that bypass the liver like sublingual tinctures may be more effective [1.2.4].

The Journey of an Edible: Why Patience is a Virtue

When you smoke or vape cannabis, THC enters your bloodstream almost instantly through your lungs, with effects felt in minutes [1.2.4]. Edibles, however, embark on a much longer journey. After ingestion, the edible must travel through your digestive system to the liver [1.2.4]. This entire process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours or more before effects are felt [1.2.3, 1.10.3]. Because of this delay, a common mistake is to consume more, thinking the first dose didn't work, which can lead to over-intoxication later [1.10.3]. The effects of edibles are not only delayed but also last much longer, often for several hours, with peak effects occurring around two to four hours after consumption [1.2.3, 1.10.2].

The Science of Edible Metabolism: The First-Pass Effect

The primary reason for the unique effects of edibles lies in a process called "first-pass metabolism" [1.4.2]. When you eat an edible, the THC (delta-9-THC) is absorbed through your digestive tract and sent to the liver [1.2.4]. In the liver, a significant portion of the THC is metabolized by enzymes before it ever reaches the bloodstream [1.4.1].

During this process, liver enzymes, primarily from the Cytochrome P450 family (like CYP2C9 and CYP3A4), convert delta-9-THC into a more potent compound called 11-hydroxy-THC [1.3.3, 1.4.5, 1.11.3]. This metabolite crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively and is considered more psychoactive than the THC you inhale [1.4.1, 1.11.1]. This conversion explains why edibles can feel stronger and more intense than other consumption methods, but it also means much of the original THC is filtered out, with oral bioavailability being as low as 4% to 12% [1.3.1, 1.4.2].

Factors Influencing Your Edible Experience

If you've ever wondered "Why don't I feel anything after eating edibles?", the answer is likely a combination of several personal and product-related factors. This phenomenon is so common it's sometimes called being "ediblocked" [1.2.2].

Individual Metabolism and Genetics

The way your body processes edibles is highly individual. Genetic variations can significantly impact the efficiency of your liver enzymes [1.2.3, 1.5.5]. Some people have a genetic makeup that causes their liver enzymes, specifically CYP2C9, to metabolize THC very rapidly and efficiently [1.2.3, 1.6.3]. In this case, THC might be broken down and eliminated so quickly that it doesn't reach sufficient levels in the bloodstream to produce a noticeable effect [1.2.3]. Conversely, others metabolize THC very slowly, which can lead to stronger and longer-lasting effects from the same dose [1.2.3, 1.5.5]. Roughly one in four people may have a gene variant that leads to slower THC metabolism [1.5.1, 1.5.4].

Digestive Health

Your overall digestive health can also play a role. Conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn's disease can affect how your body absorbs cannabinoids from edibles, potentially diminishing their effects [1.2.3, 1.2.5].

Stomach Contents: Full vs. Empty

Whether you take an edible on a full or empty stomach significantly alters the experience [1.8.1].

Empty Stomach: Taking an edible on an empty stomach generally leads to a faster and more intense onset of effects because there is less food to slow down absorption [1.8.1, 1.8.4]. However, this can be overwhelming for some [1.8.2].
Full Stomach: A full meal slows down digestion, leading to a slower, more gradual onset of effects that may last longer [1.8.2, 1.8.4]. Because THC is fat-soluble, consuming edibles with a meal containing healthy fats (like avocado, nuts, or olive oil) can actually enhance absorption and potency [1.7.2, 1.8.4].

Tolerance

If you use cannabis regularly, your body develops a tolerance. This happens because chronic exposure to THC can cause the cannabinoid receptors in your brain (CB1 receptors) to become less sensitive or decrease in number, a process called downregulation [1.9.1, 1.9.4]. As a result, you'll need a higher dose to achieve the same effects you once felt [1.9.2]. This tolerance applies to all forms of cannabis, including edibles [1.9.4]. Taking a "tolerance break" (abstaining from cannabis for a period) can help reset your system's sensitivity [1.9.3, 1.9.4].

The Edible Itself: Dosage and Quality

Not all edibles are created equal. The product's quality and stated dosage are critical.

Incorrect Dosage: In unregulated markets, the THC content listed on the package can be inaccurate. You might simply be consuming a product that is too weak to have an effect [1.2.2]. Generally, a dose of at least 10mg of THC is needed to produce a noticeable high for most users [1.2.2].
Product Quality: Always purchase edibles from licensed, reputable sources that provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from a third-party lab [1.2.3, 1.2.4]. This ensures the product's potency and purity have been verified.


Feature	Smoking/Vaping	Edibles
Onset Time	1–10 minutes [1.3.1, 1.10.1]	30 minutes – 2 hours [1.2.3, 1.10.1]
Peak Effects	~30 minutes [1.10.3]	2–4 hours [1.10.1, 1.10.2]
Duration	1–3 hours [1.10.1]	4–12 hours [1.2.3, 1.10.3]
Metabolism	Absorbed via lungs, bypasses liver initially [1.3.1]	Absorbed via GI tract, extensive liver "first-pass" metabolism [1.3.1, 1.4.5]
Primary Active Compound	Delta-9-THC [1.11.1]	11-hydroxy-THC (more potent) [1.4.1, 1.11.1]
Bioavailability	10–35% [1.3.1]	4–12% [1.3.1]

Conclusion: Finding What Works for You

Answering "Why don't I feel anything after eating edibles?" involves looking at a complex interaction of pharmacology, genetics, and personal habits. The primary culprits are often an efficient liver metabolism (the "first-pass effect"), specific genetic variations in metabolic enzymes, a high tolerance, or simply an inadequate dose. By understanding these factors, you can make more informed choices. If edibles consistently don't work, alternatives like sublingual tinctures, which are absorbed under the tongue and largely bypass the liver, might be more effective [1.2.3, 1.2.4]. Always remember to start with a low dose (2.5-5mg), be patient, and choose high-quality, lab-tested products from reputable sources.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before consuming cannabis products. [1.2.5]

For more in-depth information on cannabinoid pharmacokinetics, you can review research from the National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8803256/

Frequently Asked Questions

When you digest THC, your liver converts it into 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite that is more potent and crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily than the delta-9-THC you get from smoking [1.4.1, 1.11.1].

While not technically an immunity, some people have a genetic variation in their liver enzymes (like CYP2C9) that metabolizes THC so efficiently it's cleared before significant effects can be felt. This is often called being "ediblocked" [1.2.2, 1.2.3].

You should wait at least two to four hours before considering another dose. Edibles can take up to two hours to begin working and peak effects may not occur until the four-hour mark [1.10.1, 1.10.3].

Eating a meal containing fats can help increase the absorption of THC, which is fat-soluble, potentially making the effects stronger and last longer. A full stomach will, however, slow the onset time [1.7.2, 1.8.4].

A common recommendation for beginners is to start with a low dose of 2.5mg to 5mg of THC. You can then gradually increase the dosage in subsequent sessions to find what works for you [1.10.1].

The first-pass effect, or first-pass metabolism, is a phenomenon where a substance gets metabolized at a specific location (like the liver) which reduces its concentration before it reaches the bloodstream. This is why the bioavailability of oral THC is so low [1.4.1, 1.4.2].

If edibles consistently don't work, it's likely due to your unique metabolism. You could try other consumption methods that bypass the digestive system and liver, such as sublingual tinctures or inhaled products [1.2.4].