How Long Do THC Edibles Stay in Your System?

Want to join the millions of people enjoying and benefiting from THC edibles, but aren't sure what to expect? We break down the science behind edibles to help you determine how long they'll take to get started, cause effects, and remain detectable.

Key Takeaways

• THC edibles are widely used for relaxation, enjoyment, socializing, and more specific purposes such as pain, appetite, and sleep.
• Generally, edibles take at least thirty minutes to kick in.
• Their effects often take a few hours to peak.
• Certain drug tests can detect THC edibles up to 90 days after use.
• Detection times depend on many factors, including your weight, tolerance, dose, and metabolism.

See More: Does Chocolate Enhance the Effects of THC?

The THC Timeline

Meredith Farrow, founder of Clean Remedies, says:

"THC edibles tend to take longer to kick in than other consumption methods, but their effects usually last longer, too. They can stay in your system for anywhere from days to months, depending on many factors."

THC edibles have exploded in popularity in recent years. If you're looking to join the millions of people using them for their wide range of potential benefits, you probably want to know what to expect.

The short answer is: It varies.

No, seriously. Many different factors can influence how your body processes THC. Your size, weight, individual metabolism, tolerance, the type of edible you take, the food products you take it with...

With all these factors, it's really difficult to give general timelines for THC edibles. Two people could take the same edible and experience the potential benefits on different timelines.

However, that doesn't mean we can't come up with some reasonable estimates. After all, if you're going to take THC edibles, you need to know how long those edibles stay in your system.

That question actually has three parts. It covers how long you can expect to wait until the effects kick in, how long those effects should last, and how long THC will stick around in your body.

We'll break down each one of these. But first, we need to explain how THC actually works.

How THC Works

THC's full name is tetrahydrocannabinol. It's the primary psychoactive ingredient naturally produced in the cannabis or hemp plant. The psychoactive effects it causes are widely known as marijuana's iconic high.

THC does this by interacting with your body's endocannabinoid system. That's a complex system of receptors and signal molecules that interacts with all kinds of bodily functions, including mood, memory, sleep, appetite, pain, and more.

However, edibles have another dimension. After you eat them, they travel through your digestive system.

(An exception is when you take THC oil sublingually, which means placing it under your tongue. This method of consuming edibles results in the THC being absorbed straight into your bloodstream. You'll likely swallow some of the oil, though, which will then follow the general route through the digestive system.)

The THC is taken to your liver, where it's metabolized into different compounds, including 11-hydroxy-THC. 11-hydroxy-THC can be more psychoactively potent than THC. Therefore, some people find that edibles produce stronger, longer-lasting effects than other methods of consuming THC.

Effects of THC

Those effects are often described as a sense of calm and euphoria. Many people find that they become giggly, experience increased appetite, and feel a general softening of tension.

To be clear, different people often experience THC differently. As we explained, many different factors can influence the specific effects you might experience.

For example, some people find that THC edibles make them feel relaxed. Others find they enhance creativity. Still others take them before social events.

Potential Benefits of THC

People take THC edibles for many different reasons. But there are a few reasons that are particularly popular.

Research suggests that most people take THC recreationally. Many people say they take it for enjoyment, or for social reasons.

However, many people use THC for other reasons, too. Popular motives include pain, sleep, and appetite.

Is THC Legal?

About half of US states have legalized recreational marijuana edibles, and over 80% have legalized medical marijuana.

However, THC remains a controlled substance under federal law.

There's an exception, though. Hemp plants are legal under federal law. They can't contain more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. But they can, and do, contain high levels of CBD.

CBD is, chemically, very similar to THC. So manufacturers can simply convert the CBD into THC. The resulting THC is called hemp-derived THC.

Local and state laws may vary depending on where you are, so make sure to double-check before buying.

Bonus: Can CBD Topicals Be Absorbed Through the Skin?

How Long Edibles Stay in Your System

There's one more important thing to know about THC. It's lipophilic, or lipid-soluble, which means it mixes well with fats and not water. That means THC can bind to your body's fat cells.

As we mentioned, various factors can influence how long THC edibles last.

Onset

If you've ever smoked THC, you know it can kick in almost instantly. The same isn't true with edibles. They're processed differently.

Actually, if you've looked into edibles, you might've heard about this. There are countless stories of people taking an edible, not feeling anything, and taking another — only for both doses to kick in.

It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours for the effects of THC edibles to kick in. Some edibles that melt in your mouth might produce effects faster. Others might take longer.

That's why patience is key when it comes to edibles. Trust the process.

Duration

Those effects kick in as the THC from your edibles is processed by your body. Generally, that THC tends to peak in the bloodstream around three hours after you take your dose. But the effects might peak anywhere from two to four hours after ingestion.

Edibles might start slow, but they tend to last longer than other consumption methods. Their effects can last anywhere from six to twelve hours.

Detection Time (Drug Tests)

Here's where things get a little more complicated. Once the effects of your edibles have dissipated, you might consider the experience over.

In fact, the THC can remain in your body for much longer. Remember, it can be stored in your body's fat cells.

How long, exactly, depends on a few factors. One is frequency of use.

Occasional users of THC edibles might clear their system within three to seven days. Regular users might need 30 days or longer to clear their system.

One way to measure this is half-life. That describes how long it takes for the concentration of THC to decrease by half.

In occasional users, the half-life of THC is about a day to three days. For regular users, it's about five to 13 days.

The compounds your body makes as it breaks down THC, called metabolites, can also hang around for a while. In fact, they can remain in the body for anywhere from a few days to 90 days.

All this matters because the THC from edibles can cause a positive drug test result. There are a few different methods of drug testing, including urine, blood, saliva, and hair, each with different detection windows. They usually look for THC metabolites, rather than testing THC levels themselves.

The most commonly used drug test is the urine test. It requires a urine sample. Urine tests have a detection window of up to 30 days.

Blood tests are one of the most accurate kinds of drug test. They require a blood sample, which is analyzed. Unlike many other forms of drug tests, blood tests look for THC itself. That means the detection window is shorter, at about 12 hours.

Saliva tests are one of the easiest to conduct. All you need to do is use a swab to take a saliva sample and send it for analysis or use an at-home kit. These tests look for metabolites. But their detection window is relatively short, ranging from 1 to 3 days.

Hair testing has the longest detection window. They work because the THC from edibles can be absorbed from the blood by your hair follicles, where it sticks around for a long time. In fact, THC from edibles can be detected by hair tests for up to 90 days.

Your specific detection window may vary based on several factors.

For example, the quantity consumed, or THC dosage. Higher doses mean the THC tends to stick around in your system longer. That usually extends the detection window.

Higher body fat can also extend the detection window, as it can lead to longer THC retention.

Metabolism also affects the detection window; it generally slows down with age, potentially lengthening the detection window.

Some of these factors are out of your control. Others, like the dose, are generally within your control.

But what can you do to affect the detection window after taking your THC edibles? Well, there's no scientifically proven way to quickly flush the THC out of your system.

However, staying hydrated is a good way to support your body's natural metabolic processes. That's beneficial for many reasons, but it also means supporting the process that breaks down and eliminates THC from your body.

Where to Get High-Quality THC Edibles

Now you know what to expect from THC edibles, it's time to get your hands on some.

But there's one more thing to consider. You don't want to take any old edible. Low-quality edibles can have different concentrations of THC than indicated, and can even be contaminated by potentially harmful substances.

One way to check for quality is by checking that a manufacturer tests their THC products with an independent laboratory. Clean Remedies tests all of its THC products with a third-party lab for potency and purity.

One great option is our natural watermelon-flavored gummies. Each one of these Delta 9 THC gummies contains 10mg of THC for a ritual of uplift and ease.

For a softer option, consider our natural grape-flavored gummies. They contain a carefully curated blend of THC and CBD for calm and clarity.

When people discuss THC, they usually mean Delta-9 THC. But it's not the only version. Another increasingly popular kind is called Delta-8 THC. It's also called "diet weed," because many people find its effects milder than Delta-9 THC.

If that sounds good, try our natural strawberry-flavored gummies. Each gummy contains 10mg of Delta-8 THC, delivering an uplifting clarity paired with a gentle body calm.

For something a little stronger, try our natural green apple-flavored gummies. Each gummy contains 20mg of Delta-8 THC for a stronger, more intentional pathway to that uplifting clarity and soothing body calm.

"These are euphoric," explains Clean Remedies founder Meredith Farrow, "with a calming body sensation. I like to use them to help me unwind in the evening, help me to go to sleep and stay asleep, or even as an alcohol substitute."

Gummies might be one of the most popular kinds of THC edible. But they're far from the only option.

Prefer chocolate? Our Delta-9 THC Chocolate Delight could be perfect. It's a luxurious blend of THC and CBD with smooth milk chocolate.

Want something to drink? Try our Delta-9 THC Drink Mix, which blends THC and CBD into a refreshing natural blue raspberry-flavored drink.

We also mentioned THC oil, which can count as an edible. Our Delta-8 THC Tincture Oil is a great choice. You can take it straight from the dropper, mix it into your favorite drink, or use it to make your own homemade edibles.

Conclusion

THC edibles generally take at least half an hour to kick in. Their effects often last several hours. Depending on various factors, including your body composition and metabolism and the kind of test used, THC edibles can be detected for up to 90 days after use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will One Edible Show Up in a Urine Test?

Yes, it can. Urine tests typically have a detection window of up to 30 days. Theoretically, a THC edible could show up in a urine test for up to 30 days after taking it.

How Long Does It Take for THC Gummies to Get Out of Your System?

That depends on many factors, including how often you take THC gummies, the dose you take, your weight, and your metabolism. It can take anywhere from 3 to 30 days for your body to fully clear out the THC from THC gummies. That timeline can be even longer for regular users.

Does Legal THC Show Up in a Urine Test?

Yes. Drug tests will detect THC regardless of whether it is legal or not.

Keep Reading: How Much Is Too Much CBD? Find the Right Dosage

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