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There are a lot of things to consider before consuming edibles and other types of THC gummies. How long do weed gummies last? Do they go bad? Read on to learn everything you need to know about how long THC gummies take to kick in and how long you'll feel them so you can choose an excellent edible for your needs.
What are THC gummies?
THC gummies are tasty gummy treats infused with THC and natural fruit flavors. These edibles are made with THC distillate, a cannabis extract that undergoes the distillation process to isolate the THC and remove any trace weed flavors, so it leaves behind an edible product without the weed flavor. They come in a few different shapes, sizes, and potency levels, ranging from as low as 5mg per serving to as high as 100+mg per serving.
Some THC gummies may be infused with other cannabinoids, like CBD, CBN, or CBG. Each variation is popular since they offer a convenient and easy way to enjoy the potential benefits of THC. However, the edible high is different than other types of THC highs (learn more about delta-t THC and its effects).¹
THC edibles tend to come with a more powerful body high and longer-lasting cerebral effect compared to other delivery methods, which may be beneficial if you're looking for longer-lasting effects. However, it's essential to keep in mind that THC edibles take up to two hours to kick in, so patience is crucial. Eating a second gummy before you feel the psychoactive effect from the first one may have you stopped in for up to 8 hours of feeling too high, leading to paranoia and anxiety.
How long do they take to kick in?
In order for THC gummies to work, they need to be metabolized through your liver during the process of digestion.² Basically, you need to be eating edibles and letting your body begin to break them down before you can start feeling their effects. However, metabolization speeds vary from person to person. Some people may start to feel the psychoactive effect of an edible in as little as 30 minutes, while others may need to wait a few hours.
With that said, the amount of time it takes to feel the edible’s effects depends on your weight, body composition, how much you've eaten recently, and how potent the gummy itself is. Typically, you might begin feeling the effects of a THC gummy in 30 minutes to two hours. Since THC in gummies needs to be broken down before it can interact with your endocannabinoid system. That just means you want to start with a small serving and wait up to two hours to feel the effects before taking more.
How long do THC gummies last?
Just like the time it takes for THC gummies to kick in, the amount of time you might feel them also varies from person to person based on a few different physiological factors. Your weight, metabolic speed, and body composition all play a role in how fast your body might process the THC found in edibles. These factors may make it so that you stop feeling high after four hours, or they could make it so that you're feeling them for up to eight hours.
Body chemistry aside, the more significant factor in how long THC gummies may last boils down to your serving size. If you take a hefty dose of edibles, you're most likely going to be high for eight or more hours.³ On the other hand, a smaller serving tends to be more manageable. At the end of the day, it's best to start with a small serving, around 5mg, and work your way up to find your desired effects before sending it with a heroic dose all at once.
Always remember to start low and go slow by waiting a full two hours before increasing your serving size. The average time you'll spend high from a THC gummy ranges from 4-8 hours and averages around 6 with an average serving.
What happens if you add CBD to the mix?
If you've been shopping around for THC gummies, you may have noticed that many of them are made with CBD in various ratios. The biggest difference between these two cannabinoids is that THC will get you high, and CBD won't. However, some evidence suggests that the two share a synergistic relationship and may alter the experience of an edible for the better.
Both CBD and THC interact with the endocannabinoid system to promote different potential effects. THC mainly binds to the CB1 receptors found throughout the central nervous system, which is where the high is believed to come from.⁴ However, CBD has the unique ability to interact with both CB1 and CB2 receptors.⁵ When it's taken with THC, it may block some of THC's effects on the CB1 receptors and, ultimately, the consequential high.⁶
Science words aside, CBD may limit some of the effects of THC and leave you with a more balanced effect. Taking CBD with THC may create a buffer against some of the potential adverse side effects of THC, like anxiety and paranoia.⁷ Evidence suggests that CBD may help balance mood and reduce anxiety, so it might make it easier to combat potential stress as the edibles kick in and throughout the duration of their effects.
How long do THC gummies stay in your system?
THC gummies may stay in your system for up to six weeks before your body has fully metabolized all of it. Even though your high may only last up to eight hours, the cannabinoid sits around in your system by binding to fat cells. It may hang tight, leaving metabolites in your urine, blood, and hair for several weeks.⁸
If you think you might have to take a drug test soon, you may want to avoid THC gummies altogether. Even hemp-derived THC gummies can cause you to fail a drug test since standard THC tests test for metabolites of delta-9 THC.⁹ Whether you eat it or smoke it, THC won't fully leave your system for a few weeks based on your body composition, and how much you ate, and other physiological factors.
Do THC gummies go bad?
If you're wondering, "how long do THC edible gummies last?" in the traditional sense— like all foods, they can go bad. Typically, gummies are made with fewer perishable ingredients than chocolate and are considered relatively shelf stable. But they can still get stale and may be susceptible to mold or bacterial blooms.¹⁰ A good rule of thumb is to throw out unused THC gummies after six months. After that, your potency may decrease. They will most likely still make you feel high, but they may feel weaker than they usually would.
While the odds of contracting food bourne illness from properly stored THC gummies are relatively low, the bigger concern is the degradation of THC making your edibles less potent.
How does THC degrade over time?
THC, like other cannabinoids, has a half-life. THC degrades over time, but you usually can count on an edible product to remain at the potency levels marked on its packaging for 3-6 months after the edible was made.¹¹ This information can usually be found on a THC product's packaging as the batch date or a company's website and certificate of analysis. Most edible companies will also include a use-by or freshness date to help you keep track of how quickly you should enjoy your edibles.
A few factors contribute to the degradation of THC, including heat, oxygen exposure, and sunlight. Keeping your THC gummies stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator in a light-proof and oxygen-tight container may help preserve the THC within the gummies for more extended periods of time.
THC Gummies at Lazarus Naturals
Whether you’re looking to experience the benefits of THC gummies on their own or with the addition of CBD edibles, you can rely on Lazarus Naturals for lab-tested, hemp-derived THC and CBD gummies that are made to work.
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Sources:
¹https://www.vice.com/en/article/bj5mza/edible-high-vs-smoke-high
²https://www.encore-labs.com/11-hydroxy-thc-why-edibles-can-feel-more-potent
³https://www.vice.com/en/article/53nx9k/what-happens-when-you-drink-an-entire-bottle-of-weed-lube
⁴https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/marijuana/how-does-marijuana-produce-its-effects
⁵https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476
⁶https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4621983/
⁷https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/cannabis-marijuana
⁸https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324315
¹⁰https://stratcann.com/news/challenges-to-making-shelf-stable-cannabis-gummies/