Edibles are food goods that are infused with cannabis. They usually contain THC, which is marijuana’s main psychoactive compound. Edibles include gummies, chocolates and baked goods, and they’re popular for recreational and medicinal purposes because of their long-lasting effects.

Because edibles are commonly used, the question of how long they stay in your system is often asked.

Understanding how long edibles stay in your system is important for a number of reasons, including for those subject to drug testing or who are concerned about the lingering effects.

The duration of time edibles stay in the body is based on factors such as dosage and metabolism. We’ll explore how long edibles stay in your system and the key factors influencing their presence in your body.

Understanding Edibles

Edibles are cannabis-infused food products, and they are available in a range of different forms, including beverages as well. People who use edibles may feel it’s a more discrete or enjoyable way to consume cannabis compared to smoking or vaping.

The primary active ingredient in edibles is THC, which, when consumed, is metabolized by the liver and converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a compound more potent and with longer-lasting effects than the THC inhaled through smoking. The process can result in a delayed onset of effects, typically taking from 30 minutes to 2 hours to begin. Once the effects start, they can last for several hours, so edibles become a preferred choice for those seeking a prolonged experience.

Recreational users might enjoy the longer-lasting high and variety of flavors from edibles. At the same time, medical marijuana patients may use edibles for therapeutic reasons, like managing chronic pain, depression, anxiety or insomnia.

The controlled dosing of edibles also allows users to regulate their intake more easily, offering a more predictable experience compared with other methods of consumption.

How Edibles Affect the Body

When consumed, edibles have a different onset and duration of effects compared to other techniques of cannabis consumption.  

Typically, it takes 30 minutes to 2 hours for the impact of edibles to be felt because the body has to first digest the food and metabolize the THC in the liver. The delayed onset happens because of the digestive process, which makes edibles a slower-acting but longer-lasting option for users.

Once effects set in, they usually last between 4 and 8 hours, varying on the dose and individual factors. The peak effects are typically within the first 2-3 hours after ingestion, with users feeling more intense psychoactive effects like euphoria, altered perceptions and relaxation.

When someone takes higher doses of THC in edibles, they might experience more intense, long-lasting effects. That could also lead to unpleasant side effects like paranoia, anxiety or dizziness.

Timeline for Detection in Drug Tests

When it comes to drug testing, numerous methods can be used to detect the presence of THC and its metabolites in the body. The most widespread drug tests are urine, blood, and hair tests, each of which has its own detection timeline.

The most commonly used drug test for THC detection, especially in work or legal settings, is a urine test. Edibles in urine can show up for around 30 days on average in chronic users who consume them regularly. Infrequent or first-time use could mean THC is detectable in urine for a shorter period, often between 3 to 7 days after consumption.

Since THC from edibles is metabolized into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is stored in cells, it tends to stay detectable longer than THC from smoking.

Blood tests are typically used more to detect current impairment than long-term use.

THC might be detectable in blood for only a few hours to a day after consumption. However, in chronic users, trace THC amounts may be present for up to a week.

Hair follicle tests can detect THC use for up to 90 days, but they’re less common and not typically used for cannabis testing due to the high cost and longer processing times.

Edibles overall tend to stay in the system longer than when marijuana is smoked because of how THC is metabolized and stored. Smoking marijuana results in a quicker start of effects, but the THC clears the body faster, typically in a few days.

Factors Affecting Duration of Edible Detection

A few main factors play a role in how long edibles stay in your system and can be detected.

The amount of THC consumed is a major one. Higher THC doses can result in a more significant accumulation of THC metabolites in the body. Since THC is fat-soluble, higher doses are stored in fat cells and can take extended periods to be metabolized and eliminated.

As a result, those consuming higher doses of THC will likely have a longer detection window in urine, blood or hair tests compared to someone consuming smaller doses.

Frequency of use is another factor. Regular THC users tend to have THC metabolites stored in their fat cells. Since THC is fat-soluble, it accumulates over time in the body’s fatty tissue and for chronic users, this can extend how long THC is detectable in the system. Infrequent users will generally have a shorter detection window.

Individual body composition, especially body fat percentage, also influences how long THC stays in the system. Those with more body fat might retain THC metabolites for a longer period. Individuals with a lower body fat proportion may metabolize and excrete THC faster.

Overall health, including liver and kidney function, also affects how efficiently the body processes and eliminates THC.

Hydration and diet also impact how THC is metabolized and excreted. Staying well-hydrated can help the kidneys flush out THC metabolites through urine, potentially shortening how long it stays in the system. On the other hand, high-fat or low-fiber diets can slow metabolism, making THC remain in the body for longer periods.

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