Stoner Health: How Long Does a Weed High Last?

It's a very not-so-common question for a stoner to ask how long does a weed high last. We have all been stoned at the wrong time, wondering when the hazy afternoon will quieten into the mellow evening. As a novice toker, I usually found myself at fixed spots where I was looking to get 'unhigh' but had no idea how long the effect would last. Of course, I learned to ration my weed better, and with time & research understood the relationship between the green buds and the body. 

And so here I am, with all my weedy knowledge, to give you the answers to all the questions that you have regarding the marijuana high. 

The quick answer to the question of how long does the high last is somewhere, between 20 minutes to 12 hours. I know that is a huge time gap, but that is just how unpredictable your high can be. The reason for the wildly long time-range is that the effect is dependent on many factors, including the potency of the strain and the endocannabinoid system. 

For whatever reasons you may be consuming this nature's best gift to humanity, it is good to know the different variables that can affect the experience and the impact. 

Without any further delay, let's look at the factors that decide on the longevity determinant of your high. 

What affects how long does a weed high last?

To put it right across, here are the factors that would influence the weed high, including how high it would last.

• Cannabis Strain & its Potency
• Metabolism & Tolerance
• Method of Consumption
• Body Composition

| Also Read: How Long Does Cannabis Stay in Your System? |

1. Cannabis Strain & its Potency

It seems like an obvious one, but the strain that you are consuming will affect the kind of high that you experience, along with how long it will last. If you opt for a strain that is more inclined towards CBD, you might not feel the intoxicating effect as prominently as you would with other THC-dominant strains. 

Other strains might have different THC content, which in turn, decides the potency and the high of the bud. The THC content can be anywhere between the lower end of numbers to a whopping 27-30%. Moreover, other cannabinoids that are present in the cannabis plant play a role in enhancing the effect. The terpene profile contributes to the entourage effect of this beautiful green bud. 

Naturally, a strain that has a higher THC content will lead to a longer and more potent high. Make sure you read the THC content or ask your budtender or local headshop before making a purchase. 

2. Method of Consumption

Vaping, Smoking, or simply consuming an edible - all these are received differently by the body, and hence makes an effect on how long the high will last. 

How you ingest the weed has a lot to do with how long it will stay in the body. Once the THC reaches the bloodstream, the body reacts with it to reach the 'highness'. For example, Smoking Cannabis will get you high within a few minutes, but then the effect sheds off quickly. On the other hand, edibles take their own sweet time to react with the body, but their high also stays for hours. Similarly, Dabbing leads to a very quick and potent high that might just rip you off completely, leaving you in the pool of intoxicated haze. 

Make sure you know which method of consumption to opt for when you're looking for a particular type of high. 

| Also Read: How to Hide the Smell of Weed after Smoking? |

3. Body Composition

Just like every bud is different, every body is also different. One of the reasons why the cannabis effect is so variable is because of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This is the system that we have to thank for all the times weed helped you through anything since it interacts with the THC, CBD and other Cannabinoids. 

Endocannabinoid System is a collection of enzymes, lipids, and receptors that assist in maintaining the internal balance of the body while regulating bodily functions. When you consume cannabis, the cannabinoids bind with the endocannabinoid system, where they are broken down by enzymes to create the desired effect. Since each body is different and has diverse endocannabinoid receptors, it adjusts the cannabis effects accordingly, including the duration of the high. 

4. Metabolism & Tolerance

Most people associate the THC high with body weight, which is not entirely true. It is known that THC binds with the fat in the body, which naturally makes people conclude that a person with a higher fat concentration will experience a greater high. However, it also depends on the metabolism of the body. Even a person with lower-fat concentration and slow metabolism will experience a longer high, whereas the opposite might also be true. 

Tolerance also plays an important role in deciding how long does a weed high lasts. If you're a seasoned cannabis user, you are likely to feel less high with time as you're more prepared for what is coming. But as a person who has just stepped into the green world, a single hit might wreck you. 

| Also Read: How To Sober Up From Weed: Coming Down from a High |

How Long Does a Weed High Last?

We have understood the various factors that might affect the time span of feeling high. However, the most influencing is the method of consumption, as it determines the amount of time THC takes to reach the peak saturation in the bloodstream and then efface from it. 

When you smoke your rolled masterpiece or vape, the intoxication hits you pretty early and immediately, peaking in the first 30 minutes or so. After the initial stage, the intensity of the high drops down, though you may feel a little bit on the cloud. 

On the other hand, edibles work slightly differently than smoking does. When you consume any edible that contains cannabis, it needs to be broken down by the digestive system. It passes through the liver to get metabolized and then takes around 30 minutes to 3 hours for the effects to show. The peak high may last for around 1-3 hours, depending on the potency, whereas you might feel the effect for an entire day. 

Dabbing Concentrates has the most immediate effect, with their entire potency and high depending on individual tolerance, familiarity, or metabolism. A person well-acquainted with dabs may feel the effect wearing out within 1-3 hours, while a novice person would be zoned out for the entire day. 

Keep in mind that the experience may differ from person to person, depending upon their biological & chemical makeup. Apart from that, the potency and cannabinoid content of the strain also influences the duration of the high. 

| Also Read: Drug Test for Weed: How to Pass a Urine Test? |

Concluding the Stoner Guide

I am sure you have a fair idea of how cannabis influences and interacts with your system to generate the effect that we all love so much. That being said, how long a high lasts and how long weed stays in your system are two very different things. Marijuana can be detected in your system long after the effect has worn out. Remember this if you have regular drug tests at your workplace or elsewhere. 

If you're looking to elongate the high, opt for products with more THC content. You can either smoke more or, if you have the patience, consume edibles for a late-onset, but longer effect.

With this, I am concluding my thoughts on how long does a weed high lasts. I hope you found this informative and helpful. For more such articles, keep watching this space. And if you are looking for dope smoking accessories, check out Olivastu. 

Until next time, Ciao!