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Exactly how marijuana affects the brain and produces its unique form of high is a long story and one we're not going to cover today. What we want to talk about today is how long that altered state lasts, what factors (a custom bong perhaps?) affect the length of a high, and whether there's anything that can be done to hasten the return to normalcy.
Factors That Determine the Duration of Your Buzz
Generally, whether you use a customized water pipe, rolling papers, or another delivery method doesn't determine how long your buzz lasts. It may influence how fast you get high. Still, for the most part, a person's reaction to cannabis and the duration of the effects they experience will depend on other factors like their metabolism, genetics, the quality of the herb involved, and more. Let's go through some of the most important factors individually.
Metabolism
"About one in four people have a gene that causes these enzymes to break down THC less effectively than others, which can increase the strength and duration of the effects of cannabis."
—Anna Tsyrulnikov, Medical University of South Carolina
A person's metabolism can significantly affect how they process THC. Once introduced into the body, either by smoking, vaping, or eating, THC is metabolized by the liver, which transforms it into a variety of compounds, including 11-hydroxy-THC. 11-hydroxy-THC is the main compound responsible for the euphoric feelings produced by weed. If you have a fast metabolism, this compound will be produced and run its course faster than it would for someone with a slow metabolism.
Tolerance
Make no mistake: People who consume cannabis products regularly build up a tolerance to weed's psychoactive effects. That is, the more you smoke, the more it takes to produce the same intensity of buzz you enjoyed when you first started. For this reason, some people take a tolerance break from time to time to reset their system.
Genetics
Each person's endocannabinoid system is different and largely determined by genetics. That's important because cannabis produces its effects by binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors in this system. Research on cannabis receptors suggests that the endocannabinoid system's genetic makeup varies by individual, with these variations yielding different effects that last for different lengths of time.
THC Content
Anyone here at the Puffr wholesale smoke shop can tell you that there is herb, and then there is HERB. And they are not the same thing. Some strains of cannabis contain 6-7% THC, while many of the strongest cannabis strains have a THC content of 30% or more. The more potent the weed, the more intense and long-lasting the high.
Method of Consumption
How you consume cannabis is another factor that determines how long your high is likely to last. Smoking weed or dabbing concentrates is likely to produce almost immediate effects, and once those effects kick in, the clock starts ticking on your high. On the other hand, if you consume edibles, your system needs to break things down in the same fashion as when you eat a meal. As a result, the effects of edibles take longer to appear and typically last longer than the effects from smoking or vaping.
With all that said, how long can the average cannabis user expect their high to last? Review the table below for an estimated timeline for different methods of cannabis consumption.
Timelines of Cannabis Effects
| Form of Cannabis Consumption | Estimated Onset of Effects | Estimated Time of Peak Effects | Estimated Length of Effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking | 10 minutes | 30 minutes - 1 hour | 1-3 hours |
| Vaping | 10 minutes | 30 minutes - 1 hour | 1-3 hours |
| Dabbing | Immediate to 5 minutes | Immediate to 5 minutes | 1-3 hours |
| Eating Edibles | 30-120 minutes | 2 hours | 4-12 hours |
Can I Make a Weed High Last Longer?
It is theoretically possible to extend the life of a buzz, but there are no guarantees. If you are interested in making your high last longer, you could try any one of the following techniques:
- Smoke-infused pre-rolls: An infused pre-roll has concentrates added to the cannabis flower. Most people we talk to at the wholesale head shop who have tried them say they often result in a longer, more intense high.
- Eat fatty foods before smoking: High-fat food can significantly increase the absorption of cannabinoids. The downside is that most fatty foods are not good for you. If you decide to try this method, we suggest you exercise moderation.
- Take a tolerance break: People who consume cannabis regularly eventually build up a tolerance to it that can undermine the intensity and length of their high. If that sounds like what you're going through, try taking a tolerance break. A tolerance break should last at least a week, and ideally 2-3 weeks.
- Buy better weed: Low THC weed just isn't going to produce those long, intense highs. So, if you're intent on experiencing a longer buzz, bite the financial bullet and buy more potent weed.
Does THC Leave Your System Once the Buzz Wears Off?
We live in the age of the drug test, which understandably causes a lot of consternation among cannabis users. Some are under the impression that once their high wears off, it means the THC has left their system. Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that.
While your high may be a pleasant memory, the psychotropic compounds that created it do not simply exit your body through your pores or get metabolized into belly fat. Instead, THC remains detectable in your body weeks (or even months) after you last smoked. The amount of time THC remains in your system depends on the method of testing and how often you used cannabis prior to your last high.
"THC and its metabolites may stay in your system anywhere from several days to several months after you last use cannabis. Different drug tests for cannabis have different detection windows. In general, detection time will be longer with a higher dose and more frequent cannabis use."
—Healthline Medical Reviewer Eloise Theisen, RN, MSN
Review the following table for estimates of how long THC can be detected in the body after you last consumed cannabis.
How Long THC Can Be Detected in the Body
| Method of Testing | Occasional User (1-3 times/week) | Moderate User (4 times/week) | Frequent User (daily) | Heavy User (multiple times/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urine Test | 3-7 days | 7-14 days | 15-30 days | 30+ days |
| Blood Test | 1-2 days | 2-3 days | 3-4 days | 7 days |
| Saliva Test | 1-3 days | 1-3 days | 1-3 days | 1-3 days |
| Hair Test | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days | Up to 90 days |
Despite marketing claims to the contrary, there are no magical products available that will purge your system of THC in a matter of hours. As such, if your job calls for you to have regularly scheduled or even random drug tests, you must be careful when you choose to imbibe your favorite herb.
Is There Any Way to Shorten the Duration of Your High?
While you cannot magically flush THC from your system, you can counteract its effects to some degree and hasten the end of your high. The following guide outlines a few recommended ideas for neutralizing your buzz.
Shop Puffr for Wholesale Customized Glass Pipes and More
As you can see, the answer to the question "how long does a weed high last?" is complicated. But if you want to ensure your cannabis experience is as enjoyable as possible, shop the Puffr wholesale head shop for customized glass pipes, customized bongs, and a vast array of cannabis-related accessories.