How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System? Timeline and Facts

Edibles are food or drink products that are infused with cannabis, specifically THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) or CBD (cannabidiol), the active compounds found in marijuana. Unlike smoking or vaping, edibles are ingested and absorbed through the digestive system.

When you eat an edible, THC is processed by the liver, which converts it into a stronger compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. This can result in more intense and longer-lasting effects compared to smoking.

Cannabis edibles produce effects that are different from smoking or vaping because they are processed through the digestive system. Some of them are:

• Longer-lasting effects
• Delayed onset
• Euphoria or feelings of happiness
• Altered perception of time and space
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea or upset stomach
• Relaxation
• Dry mouth (“cottonmouth”)
• Increased appetite (“the munchies”)
• Red eyes
• Increased heart rate

THC from edibles is measured in your body through blood, urine, saliva, or hair tests. The method of detection and its sensitivity influence how long THC remains measurable in your body. Each test has a different detection window based on your body’s processing and other factors like metabolism and frequency of use.

Edibles take longer to process. This is because edibles have to go through the digestive system first before finally getting absorbed into the bloodstream. This difference in method means that the effects last longer and that THC is traceable within the body for extended periods.

Therefore, for occasional users, THC from edibles can take a week or two weeks to leave the body, while regular users may retain THC from edibles in the body for over a month.

Detection Timelines by Test Type

Edibles can remain in your blood for 3-4 days. Blood tests are more likely to detect THC shortly after use and are most effective within the first couple of days.

Edibles can be detected in urine for 3-30 days, depending on use. Chronic users tend to retain the metabolites of THC longer compared to once or seldom users.

Edibles can be detected in the saliva for 24-72 hours. Saliva tests are less invasive and, therefore, are typically utilized for roadside drug testing.

Edibles can be detected in your hair for up to 90 days. Hair tests present the longest detection window but are less common because of the higher costs.

Compared to smoking or vaping, the body digests an edible much differently. Here is a breakdown of how edibles are absorbed by the body, metabolized, distributed, and eliminated:

• Absorption

Once ingested, the edible moves down the digestive system and is broken down. The psychoactive cannabis chemical, THC, is absorbed into the body via the stomach and intestines. 

Since smoking delivers THC to the bloodstream by way of the lungs, whereas edibles require digestion, the onset of the effects can be expected to be delayed by 30 minutes to 2 hours in edibles.

• Distribution

Once THC is in your blood, it will move to your brain and other tissues. It is during this phase that you will begin to feel the psychoactive effects. 

Edibles cause a more severe and longer-lasting high due to THC distribution throughout the body, which is much slower compared to smoking.

• Metabolism

The liver is an indispensable part of the breakdown process for THC. It breaks down delta-9 THC into 11-hydroxy THC, a more potent and psychoactive metabolite. This serves to explain why edibles feel stronger and can last as long as 12 hours or even more.

• Elimination

Finally, the metabolites of THC are excreted through urine, sweat, and feces. How long THC remains in the system depends on various factors: rate of metabolism, body fat, and frequency of use. 

For occasional users, most THC is eliminated from the body within a week, but their traces can linger for much longer in frequent users.

Various factors will determine how long THC from edibles can actually stay in your system.

• Dosage: A higher dosage of THC takes more time to digest in the body. For example, consuming 10mg of THC may last for 4–12 hours, while 20mg can prolong the effects beyond 12 hours.
• Duration of Use: Habitual users build up THC in fat cells, where detection is possible over a longer period.
• Metabolism: A faster metabolic rate eliminates THC more quickly than a low metabolic rate.
• Body Fat Percentage: THC binds to fat cells. Hence, people with the highest percentage of body fat are likely to retain the THC for the longest period.
• Food Intake: If the edible is taken on an empty stomach, then absorption is faster compared to taking it with food, which will slow the process.
• Tolerance: Cannabis users with higher or constant rates of use may metabolize it faster due to tolerance.
• Age and Gender: Changes in metabolism and body composition with age, along with hormonal differences between genders, may provide a basis for variability in the elimination of THC.

The half-life of THC from Edibles can range from 20 to 30 hours on average. It can also vary up to several days in chronic users or those with slower metabolisms

This means it can take several days for THC to be mostly eliminated from your system, especially after high doses or repeated use.

While time certainly is the most efficient remover of edibles, aka THC, from your system, there are some definitive ways you can speed up the process. Here’s how to help your body naturally clean out its system:

• Stay Hydrated- It helps the body get rid of toxins, including THC metabolites, through urination. Try to be hydrated throughout the day.
• Engage in Physical Activity- Burns fat in the places where THC is usually stored. Workout sweating helps to release toxins through the pores.
• Eat a Clean Diet- Avoid processed foods and too much fat, which might slow down the metabolism of THC.
• Use Natural Detoxifiers- Include in your diet some detoxifying foods like green tea, lemon water, and other vegetables such as broccoli and kale, which encourage the breakdown of THC metabolites.
• Avoid Further THC Consumption- This gives your system the required time to rid itself of THC completely.
• Get Rest- You need to get enough sleep so that normal processes of the body, anywhere in the body, will provide detoxification.
• Consider Detox Products- Over-the-counter detox products that promise to speed up the process of getting rid of THC.

Edibles can have very different effects depending on dosage, tolerance, and metabolism. Here are things you should know:

The Onset of Effects

Edibles take longer to kick in compared to smoking or vaping THC. It takes most people 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in. This usually triggers overconsumption whenever users are not patient enough to wait.

Duration of Effects

The effects remain in place from 4 to 12 hours once they have set in, depending upon the dose. For higher doses, residual effects may linger as long as 24 hours.

Common Immediate Effects

• Euphoria or relaxation
• Sedation or somnolence
• Increased appetite
• Loss of coordination
• Impaired thought and memory
• Anxiety or paranoia, in some cases

Long-Term Risks of Overuse

The habitual consumption of edibles might lead to edible addiction. Over time, an individual may become used to its effects and start depending on the substance to deal with stress or emotional problems, which in the long term may affect their mental and physical health.

• Cannabis Use Disorder

Regular overuse of edibles can lead to dependence. Over time, this can develop into Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD), a diagnosable addiction.

• Cognitive Impairment

Long-term THC consumption can impair memory, attention, and learning. These effects may persist even after stopping use, particularly if edibles are consumed frequently during brain development.

• Mental Health Issues
• Increased Tolerance and Withdrawal

When trying to stop, some experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, sleep issues, mood swings, and cravings.

• Impact on Daily Functioning
• Physical Health Effects

If marijuana edibles abuse is affecting you or a loved one, it is time to take action in pursuit of recovery. Here’s how to get help:

• Recognize the Problem

The first step is acknowledging the signs of abuse, such as increased tolerance, difficulty controlling usage, or negative impacts on your daily life and relationships.

• Seeking Professional Treatment

These rehab centers could provide a range of services, including but not limited to therapies, detoxification, and the development of education skills specifically designed to help individuals overcome their addiction to edibles.

• Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other counseling approaches can help individuals identify triggers, manage cravings, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

• Support Groups

Narcotics Anonymous and other peer-led support groups can further encourage one and create a sense of accountability concerning individuals who have faced the challenge of edible abuse.

• Sober Living Homes

Facilities such as Bridges Sober Apartments LA have given individuals a structured sober living environment to provide the support, structure, and community needed for individuals to rebuild their lives from addiction and maintain long-term recovery.