Edibles provide a delicious, discreet, and convenient way to enjoy a high, but how long do edibles stay in your system? How do they compare to other methods of introducing THC into the body? And how much should you be ingesting to get the experience you are seeking?
Have you been needing guidance regarding how long a recently enjoyed edible will be hanging out in your system? If you’re genuinely curious about how THC edibles work in the body, this deep dive into the world of edibles will answer some of these questions and more.
So what exactly are edibles? Simply put, edibles are food products infused with cannabis at some point in the making process. They can contain either one or both of the active ingredients in marijuana: THC and CBD.
Many people choose this method of ingesting cannabis products because they are discreet and more convenient than smoking in some situations. Edibles come in many shapes and size including, but not limited to baked goods, candies, and beverages.
To truly understand how edibles work, we must first understand how THC enters the body and the bloodstream. When THC enters the body in more traditional ways like smoking, smoke enters the lungs, where chemicals enter the bloodstream, and then THC is quickly carried to the brain.
Here the THC (Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol) will snuggle into the cannabinoid receptors that will mistake it for the naturally occurring endocannabinoids. The resulting high is more immediate, likely to peak more quickly, and last for a shorter time.
The process when ingesting an edible is not so simple or so quick. With edibles, THC is absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive tract, where it must undergo a metabolic pass through the liver before it can even enter the bloodstream for the first time.
THC then converts to a different type of THC called 11-Hydroxy-THC which is why people experience different highs when consuming edibles compared to smoking a joint. It can take up to 60 minutes for that to take place, making the onset of the high much more gradual and often lasting much longer than a traditional high.
So now that you know how edibles will be working in your system, it is time to decide what kind of high you would like to achieve and how to go about it. The following will be an easy-to-follow edible dosage chart you can reference when wondering what to look for when buying edibles in person or buying edibles online:
| TYPE OF DOSE | AMOUNT | EFFECTS | DURATION |
| MICRODOSE > First-time consumers > Microdosers | 1 – 2.5 MG THC | Mild relief of pain, stress, anxiety, etc. Improved focus & creativity | Up to 8 hours |
| MILD DOSE > People with persistent symptoms > Restless Sleepers > Social Butterflies | 2.5 – 15MG THC | Stronger symptom relief Euphoria May impair coordination & alter perception | Up to 8 hours |
| MODERATE DOSE > Medical patients with developed tolerances > Well-seasoned consumers > Experienced consumers seeking deeper sleep | 15 – 30 MG THC | Strong euphoria or unwanted effects in unaccustomed users May impair coordination & alter perception | Up to 8 hours |
| LARGE DOSE > People with poor GI absorption of cannabinoids > People with significant tolerance to THC | 30 – 50MG THC | Very strong euphoria in unaccustomed customers Likely to impair coordination & alter perception | Up to 8 hours |
| MEGADOSE > EXPERIENCED THC USERS ONLY > Patients with cancer, inflammatory disorders, etc. | 50 – 100 MG THC | Can cause extreme side effects such as rapid heart rate, and pain Highly likely to impair coordination & alter perception | Up to 8 hours |
* To make sure you have the best time possible, it is recommended you start your dosing small, and work up to the desired effect.
Each edible experience will differ from person to person, as will the amount of time it will remain detectable in the bloodstream, urine, saliva, and hair follicles. Things like body fat, sex, hydration, how often a person uses THC, and the sensitivity of the drug test administered will all affect the outcome of a drug test. But in general, most people can expect THC to remain detectable in their system for 3-12 days.
So how long does THC stay in urine? Often the most common way of getting drug-tested, cannabis consumers can expect edibles to be traceable in urine for 3-30 days.
THC leaves the blood faster than any other type of body fluid or material. But this will still be dependent on the amount of THC consumed regularly. Typically, THC from edibles will be traceable in the blood for 3-4 hours, peaking at about 3 hours after consumption.
Like traceability in the blood, THC will be detectable for a short amount of time in comparison to other tests. THC from an edible will be traceable in saliva for 24-72 hours, as always, depending on the frequency of THC usage.
A hair follicle test is by far the test with the most extended detection window. THC can be traced in hair follicles for up to 90 days. With follicle tests, even infrequent users have traceable amounts in their system after 90 days.
In short, yes, while the detection windows vary by test, cannabis edibles can and will be traced by a drug test at one point or another. If you happened upon this article because you were hoping that that would not be the case and you need to pass a drug test, there is good news. There are several reliable detox products on the market you can purchase to pass a drug test successfully.
For example, an industry leader in detox solutions, Pass Your Test, sells premium detox kits, detox shampoos, and detox drinks, ridding the body of any (and all) THC toxins within 10 days or less. This product is an all-natural and stress-free way to rid your body of unwanted toxins, including THC. Because everyone’s reason for needing to pass a drug test will differ, and so will the toxicity levels, their products come in a wide array of kits suitable for every circumstance.
Whether you only have one day and need to be toxin-free for 24 hours or are looking for a quick permanent cleanse, Pass Your Test has a detox product that will help you pass your next drug test. To give you even more peace of mind, they offer a money-back satisfaction guarantee with all their detox products.
While we have a plethora of information about how cannabis edibles are metabolized and detected, the answer to “how long do edibles stay in your system?” are mostly guesses. But one thing is for sure: ridding the THC body from edibles, flowers, or concentrates.
This is due to the body’s processing of edibles and the different THC derived from consuming them. So instead of trying to guess when or if you will be clear of any traces of THC by peeing a lot, exercising, or hoping you will pass, you can guarantee it with the help of a detox.
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