Marijuana is one of the most popular drugs around, and it has been used for centuries. If you’re wondering how long a weed high will last, this article can help!
We’ll cover everything from what happens to your body during a marijuana high to why some people might not experience an intense feeling at all. You’ll also learn about ways to prolong or shorten the duration of that heady feeling with various methods.
Get ready to get educated on one of America’s favorite drugs!
What Happens to Your Body During a Weed High?
Different ways of taking the substance can also play a role in how it affects your body. Smoking marijuana is one of the fastest routes of administration that produces rapid changes in your brain and body.
In order to understand the possible risks of marijuana, it is important to first understand what happens to your body when you smoke weed.
The reaction you may have when using cannabis can vary considerably based on many factors. Some people report feeling nothing when they smoke weed. In other cases, people said they felt comfortable or “high.”
Depending on the cannabinoids present, different cannabis strains offer different effects. THC-dominant strains offer psychoactive effects. But if your consuming a CBD-dominant strain, you’re more likely to feel calm and relaxed.
Short-Term Effects of Cannabis Consumption
Studies show that the effects of using cannabis can be unpredictable, especially when mixed with other drugs. You may feel high while, but cannabis comes with a host of other side effects.
For example, other things you might not expect with pot use include rapid heart rate, dry mouth, bloodshot eyes, and other unpleasant symptoms such as anxiety and paranoia.
Describing a Cannabis High or Pot High
Weed is the general term for products derived from the cannabis sativa plant.
The use of these cannabis products can be medicinal or recreational. Weeds contain different compounds called cannabinoids, while the amount each plant has depends on the cannabis strain.
The two most common cannabinoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Elevation a person experiences depends on the composition of these compounds in the product. THC is the main psychoactive compound that causes high and more mind-altering effects.
A cannabis high can last from about two hours to 10 hours, depending on a number of factors. These include:
- Amount of THC consumed
- Strain of weed
- How you consume cannabis (smoking or edibles)
- How much THC percentages it contains
- Your body weight and body fat percentage
- Your metabolism
- Your tolerance (a person with a higher tolerance for marijuana may find that the effects of cannabis are weaker and do not last long)
- Other factors: whether alcohol or other drugs are taken too
Types of Cannabis
There are many different types of cannabis or weed strains. Cannabis refers to the dried seeds, stems, leaves or flowers of the Cannabis plant. The specific weed type is defined by the way the plant is prepared and what type of Cannabis plant it is.
The two main types of weed include:
Indica: Indicas are usually heavier, with higher levels of THC and a sedative effect. It can cause your eyelids to droop, making it difficult for you to stay awake.
Sativa: Sativas offer an uplifting feeling that makes users feel energized and creative. Sativa-dominant strains are often nice for hikes and other outdoor activities, as well.
Some strains are hybrids, or a combination of indica and sativa that’s created through crossbreeding. Cannabis consumers appreciate hyrbids because they can offer the best of both worlds.
Regardless of how much weed marijuana users consume, the delivery method impacts the intoxicating effects, too.
Smoking vs. Vaping vs. Cannabis Edibles
Cannabis use refers to the variety of ways in which cannabis is consumed, of which inhalation and ingestion are the most common.
But which method is best?
More cannabis isn’t always better, especially when it comes to edibles. While smoking, vaping, and eating cannabis all involves partaking in a product that’s consumed orally, the THC levels in these products produce different cannabis highs.
This has to do with how the effects of THC reach the cannabinoid receptors.
Smoking cannabis, which involves burning toxins, manifests itself rapidly but lasts for a short time. this delivery method offers a quick THC dose that makes a high last not so long. The bioavailability of smoked cannabis is quite high, but it offers a moderate dose in comparison to vaping.
Eating a cannabis product with high THC content pushes high doses of THC through the digestive system. As the liver digests the THC, it gives a potent high that lasts while. This is why complex tasks should be avoided with an edible high.
Different factors play different roles in the endocannabinoid system. But for informational purposes, if you’re using a particular strain that has larger quantities of THC, you can expect a potent edible to last five hours, or even several hours, even for heavy users.
Metabolism
Genetics as well as other biological factors can affect how a body takes and metabolizes a substance. Age, hydration level, body mass, metabolism, gender and frequency of use may all play a role.
For example, women tend to metabolize THC at a slower rate than men, which can affect how the drug affects them. In other words, the weed high lasts longer or is more intense.
Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol can actually make a high last longer. Taking other substances can affect how cannabis affects your mind and body, too. These substances can interact to increase the negative effects of both substances, and if you’re having a bad time, you should probably just stick to water.
Your Tolerance
Researchers found that a person with a higher tolerance for marijuana may find that the effects of cannabis are weaker and while the high lasts, it might not last as long.
If you are a regular cannabis users, it may mean that you have developed a tolerance to the substance. This means that higher doses are needed to produce the same effects you initially felt.
How to Make a Cannabis High Last Longer?
You can smoke more weed or consume cannabis products with higher levels of THC to make the length of your high last longer. But there are some other options to increase the longevity of a weed high.
Consumed cannabis smoke or vapor will make a high last, especially if you maintain it. This is why vape pens are quite nice. It’s a quick, easy way to dose THC and other cannabinoids over a shorter period without needing to spark a flame.
Just be careful of couch lock if you overdo it!
How to Reduce the Cannabis Effects?
Take a cold shower
Cold water can work wonders on sobering up the mind. At worst, it’ll take your mind off of how stoned you’re feeling. But at best, you’ll walk out of that shower feeling like a million bucks!
Take deep breaths
Calm down and know that it’ll be over soon. While you might feel like you’re dying, it’s always good to remember that no one has ever died from an overdose of cannabis. As Willie Nelson says, the only way to die from cannabis is to have a bale of it dropped on you.
Hydrating
Sometimes, reduce the effects of a potent strain could mean drinking some water. You might feel tempted to overdo it with the hydration, but make sure you don’t drink alcohol as this might enhance the high and make it last longer.
Take CBD oil (take several drops)
CBD can counteract the THC, which is the cannabinoid that’s causing you to feel overly high. This is because this compound impacts the same receptors as THC, effectively blocking it and dissipating the buzz in the process.
How Long Does It Take for the Weed to Wear Off?
Weed’s short-term effects begin to fade after one to three hours. But it all depends on several factors.
The time it takes for a high to fade will vary depending on the dose concentration, amount consumed, whether you’re consuming edibles, and how much THC is in the product consumed.
Some effects for cannabis consumers, like memory problems or trouble sleeping, can last several days. However, researchers still don’t know how long the effects of chronic drug use last. The lasting effect can last days, weeks or months after the end of cannabis consumption. Some effects may be permanent.
Concluding on the Cannabis High
Whether you’re experimenting with a new strain or have other strains you’re waiting to try, how long a high lasts varies. To determine how long it lasts for you, you’ll ultimately have to experiment with the dose and strains you have available.
Keep in mind, the consumption method will impact how long the buzz lasts. And if you feel too stoned, keep these tips in mind to dissipate the effects fast.
If you do feel like you’re too high, remember that this isn’t forever. You might feel sick at the moment, but you’re going to be just fine. If you continue to feel sick long-term from the cannabis you consumed, it’s always best to contact a doctor. This is especially the case if you purchased your product from a street dealer or at a discounted price.
While the black market has been operating for decades, it’s still not safe. Without testing, there’s no telling what’s in the products you’re purchasing, which is why we recommend buying products that offer testing reports. This is the way you’ll know your products are safe for consumption.
Did we miss anything in this article? Feel free to leave a comment down below if you’d like us to add something!
