A Marijuana high can last anywhere from 2 to 10 hours. That range is very large, and that's because the duration of a marijuana high can vary depending on the following:
- How much you consume
- How much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it contains
- Your body weight and body fat percentage
- Your metabolism
- Whether or not you've eaten
- Your tolerance
How Long Does It Take for My High to Kick In?
How quickly you feel the effects depends on your method of use:
- Smoking or Vaping. Smoking flower will make you high fast, you can begin to feel the effects of cannabis within 2 to 10 minutes, and THC levels in your blood will peak within a half-hour of your first puff.
- Eating Edibles. Edibles tend to kick in within 30 to 60 minutes but can sometimes take as long as 2 hours. It can be hard to predict as this can depend on all kinds of digestive and metabolic processes in your body.
- Dabbing Concentrates. With this method, highly concentrated Dabs have a higher THC content than other forms of cannabis, so the high kicks in almost instantly.
How long do the effects last?
In a [2021 study](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763421000178?via%3Dihub#!), published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Danielle McCartney led researchers of the University of Sydney to identify a "window of impairment" that lasts anywhere from three to ten hours - all depending on the THC dose, the mode of ingestion, and the consumer's previous cannabis experience.
After taking 20mg of THC, most consumers shed the high within four to five hours.
There are a lot of factors, but the TL;DR is: generally four hours.
The differences between inhaled THC and ingested THC (edibles) were significant.
How to come down from a high that's too high
If you wish to reduce your THC effect, some of these methods can help.
- Taking a cold shower or am ice bath can increase a person's alertness and in turn, reduce the high.
- Foods that contain terpenoid compounds, such as lemon, pine nuts, and black pepper, can serve as an antidote to a weed high.
- If possible, the best way to wear off the effect of THC is through sleep.
Many vet cannabis users have been here before, and while these methods can help, the most common rule of thumb is to try to find somewhere comfortable and ride it out. At this point, it’s unfortunately just a waiting game.
How do I get higher?
On the flip side, If you're looking to get higher or looking for a longer-lasting high, consider sticking with edibles. They can take longer to kick, but the effects will hang around for much longer.
To get higher, you could re-dose or try a higher THC strain for a longer high. This is probably isn’t a big deal for a seasoned consumer, but a newbie may find the impact of a bigger dose to be a bit much.
Some websites recommend drinking alcohol with cannabis to extend your high, but it isn't the best idea. It can be fun, sure, but the downsides can be rough.
This combo can cause these unpleasant symptoms:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Increased impairment
First-timer tips
If you are new to marijuana, we think you should keep these tips in mind:
- Start your dose with a low-THC strain.
- Try to keep your amount low and wait at least 2 hours before re-dosing, especially if using edibles.
- Have some water handy to help avoid dry mouth and a cannabis hangover.
- Avoid mixing cannabis with alcohol or other substances.
Conclusion
A weed high generally lasts between 2–10 hours. However, the time varies depending on how a person ingests the product, alongside other factors.
Cannabis affects everyone differently, so it's hard to predict exactly how long you'll feel the effects, but at the end of the day, whether you’re stoned or kinda high, feel at ease because marijuana effects will always fade off.
