June 12, 2025 • 27 mins
Ever wondered why that cannabis brownie can take hours to kick in while smoking gets you high almost instantly? The answer lies in a fascinating biological journey that transforms how cannabis works in your body.
What makes edibles so unpredictable is how many factors influence this process. Your metabolism, what you've eaten, liver function, hydration status, stress levels, medications, and even genetics all play roles in determining how quickly you'll feel effects and how intensely you'll experience them. Continue the conversation in the Bite Me Cannabis Club.
The key to navigating edibles successfully lies in patience and personalization. Ready to transform your relationship with cannabis edibles? Let's go!
Stop lurking and start connecting—head to JoinBiteMe.com right now. Find a private community of cannabis growers, makers and lovers who are just as obsessed or curious as you are.
Visit the website for full show notes, free dosing calculator, recipes and more.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Margaret (00:06):
Welcome back, friends, and today we are doing a dive
into the science of onset timewhy edibles hit different.
Welcome to Bite Me the showabout edibles, where I help you
take control of your high life.
I'm your host and certifiedgonger, margaret, and I love
helping cooks make safe andeffective edibles at home.
I'm so glad you're here andwelcome back my friends, to
(00:31):
another fabulous episode of BiteMe the show about edibles.
I'm your host, margaret, andtoday we're diving into one of
the most important andmisunderstood aspects of
cannabis edibles why they takeso long to work and why the
timing can be so unpredictable.
But before we get into thistopic of today's episode, I of
course am going to pull a cardfrom the Stoner Trivia Race to
(00:54):
420 Trivia Card Game to see ifwe can test your knowledge a
little bit on cannabis.
Generally speaking.
Will there be a test on this?
No, this is a multiple choicequestion you can answer right
now.
Which UFC fighter said I'magainst testing for weed at all?
It's not a performanceenhancing drug.
Was it Conor McGregor, hollyHolmes or Ronda Rousey?
(01:17):
I didn't know the answer tothis one, actually, and I was at
one time in a pretty avid UFCfan.
Not so much anymore.
Actually, I don't watch it atall anymore.
Which UFC fighter said I'magainst testing for weed at all?
It's not a performanceenhancing drug.
Was it Conor McGregor, hollyHolmes or Ronda Rousey?
(01:41):
And if you answered RondaRousey, you would be correct.
I am surprised to learn this.
I didn't know that Ronda Rouseywas an advocate for cannabis.
If I had a dollar for every timeI heard someone say why didn't
my edibles work?
Or why did they take threehours to kick in, I could
(02:03):
probably retire.
They all stem from the samemisunderstanding of how edibles
work in our bodies, and thetruth is edibles are completely
different from smoking or vapingcannabis.
They don't just take longer towork.
They actually work through anentirely different biological
process that creates differenteffects, lasts longer and can be
(02:24):
influenced by dozens of factorsthat most people never consider
.
Today we're going to beexploring the fascinating
science behind why edibles workthe way they do.
We'll talk about what happensto cannabis when you eat it
versus when you smoke it, whythe timing can vary so
(02:45):
dramatically from person toperson and even from day to day,
and what factors influence howquickly you'll feel effects and,
most importantly, how to usethis knowledge to have better,
more predictable experienceswith edibles.
Now, understanding the sciencebehind onset time isn't just
academic curiosity, it'spractical knowledge that can
(03:06):
help you dose more effectively,avoid uncomfortable experiences
because we don't want to haverepeats of those, or avoid them
altogether if you've never hadone and also set realistic
expectations for your ediblesjourney.
And when you understand whyedibles behave the way they do,
you can work with your body'snatural process instead of
fighting against them.
And, of course, I would beremiss if I didn't mention that
(03:31):
journaling your journey isreally helpful so you can go
back and look at what wasworking and the factors that
influenced it at a differenttime, so you can get more
repeatable results, becausethat's really what we're looking
for oftentimes is thatrepeatability of outcomes.
So let's dive into thefascinating world of cannabis
pharmacokinetics and discoverwhy edibles truly do hit
(03:54):
different.
So to understand why ediblestake so long to work, we need to
follow the journey thatcannabis takes through your body
when you eat it.
The journey is completelydifferent from what happens when
you smoke or vape cannabis, andunderstanding these differences
is key to managing yourexpectations and having good
(04:14):
experiences.
So when you smoke or vape, thecannabinoids go directly into
your lungs, where they'reabsorbed into your bloodstream
almost immediately.
From your bloodstream theytravel straight to your brain,
where they're absorbed into yourbloodstream almost immediately.
From your bloodstream theytravel straight to your brain
where they bind to cannabinoidreceptors and create the effects
that you feel.
This whole process just takes afew minutes, which is why you
(04:35):
feel the effects of smokingalmost immediately, unless you
found yourself that creeper.
But when you eat cannabis, ithas a much longer and more
complex journey.
First, your edible goes intoyour stomach just like any other
food.
Depending on what else is inyour stomach and how your
digestive system is functioningthat day, it might sit there for
anywhere from 15 minutes toover an hour before moving on to
(04:57):
the next stage.
From your stomach, thepartially digested edible moves
into your small intestine, wherethe real absorption begins.
The walls of your smallintestine are lined with
finger-like projections calledvilli, which are designed to
absorb nutrient from foods, andthis is where the cannabinoids
from your edible start to enteryour bloodstream.
(05:17):
But here's where things getreally interesting and where the
major difference betweenedibles and smoking becomes
apparent.
When cannabinoids are absorbedthrough your intestines, they
don't go directly to your brainlike they do when you smoke.
Instead, they get swept up inwhat's called the portal
circulation and taken directlyto your liver.
(05:37):
Your liver is like a processingplant for everything you consume
.
It's designed to break down andmodify substances before
they're allowed to circulatethroughout your body.
When THC reaches your liver, itgets converted into a different
compound called 11-hydroxy THC.
This conversion process iscalled first-pass metabolism,
(05:58):
and this is the reason whyedibles feel different than
smoking.
11-hydroxy THTHC is actuallymore potent than regular THC and
it has different effects.
It tends to be more sedating,more body-focused and longer
lasting than the THC that youget from smoking, and this is
why people often describeedibles as having a more body
(06:20):
high compared to the cerebraleffects of smoking.
This conversion process in yourliver takes time usually at
least 30 minutes, but often muchlonger, and the speed of this
process depends on howefficiently your liver is
functioning, how much of thisspecific enzyme you have that
convert THC and what else yourliver is processing at the same
time.
(06:40):
Once 11-hydroxy-THC is createdin your liver, it finally gets
released into generalcirculation and can travel to
your brain and other parts ofyour body, where it creates the
effects that you feel.
But this final step takes time,as the compound has to
circulate through yourbloodstream and across the
blood-brain barrier.
(07:01):
This entire process, fromeating the edible to feeling the
effects, takes typicallyanywhere from 30 minutes to
three hours, with most peoplefeeling peak effects between one
and four hours afterconsumption.
The effects then generallydecline over the next four to
eight hours, though some peoplereport feeling residual effects
for up to 12 hours.
(07:22):
What makes this process evenmore complex is that it's not a
simple on-off switch.
The absorption and conversionhappen gradually, which is why
edibles often have a slowcreeping onset rather than the
immediate effects of smoking.
You might just start to feelsomething subtle after an hour,
with effects building slowlyover the next hour or two.
(07:43):
The gradual onset is actuallyone of the most dangerous
aspects of edibles forinexperienced users, as many of
us know all too well.
Because the effects build soslowly, it's easy to think that
your edible isn't working and totake more, only to have both
doses hit you at the same timeonce your liver catches up with
the processing.
This is why we are all familiarwith those these edibles ain't
(08:06):
shit memes.
The duration of edibles effectsis also much longer than
smoking, because 11-hydroxy-THCis processed more slowly by your
body than regular THC.
While the effects of smokingtypically last one to three
hours, edibles effects commonlylast six to eight hours,
sometimes longer.
So understanding this journeyhelps explain why edibles can be
(08:28):
so unpredictable.
Every step of this process canbe influenced by different
factors what you've eaten, howyour digestive system is
functioning, how efficientlyyour liver is working, your
overall health and even yourstress levels.
And this is why the same doseof the same edible can affect
you differently on differentdays, or affect one person so
(08:50):
differently from the next.
So now that we understand thebasic journey cannabis takes
through your body when you eatit, let's explore the many
factors that can influence howquickly you start to feel
effects.
Understanding these factors canhelp you predict and control
your edibles experience muchmore effectively.
So let's start with probablythe most significant factor what
(09:13):
you've eaten and when you'veeaten it.
Taking an edible on a completelyempty stomach will generally
result in faster absorption, butit can also lead to more
intense effects and, potentially, some stomach discomfort.
The cannabis will move throughyour empty stomach more quickly
and be absorbed faster in yoursmall intestine.
(09:34):
On the other hand, taking anedible right after a large meal,
especially one high in fiber,can significantly delay
absorption.
Fiber can actually bind tocannabinoids and prevent them
from being absorbed efficiently.
Heavy fatty meals can also slowdown your entire digestive
process, meaning your ediblemight sit in your stomach for
much longer before moving on tothe absorption phase.
(09:56):
The sweet spot for most peopleseems to be taking the edible
about an hour after a light mealthat includes some healthy fats
.
The fats can actually help withcannabinoid absorption, since
THC and CBD are fat-solublecompounds and while the light
meal provides enough substanceto aid digestion without
(10:17):
significantly slowing down theprocess.
So your individual metabolismplays a huge role, also in onset
time.
People with faster metabolismstend to feel edibles sooner and
sometimes more intensely, whilethose with slower metabolisms
might wait longer for effectsbut experience them for a longer
duration.
Your metabolism can beinfluenced by factors like age,
(10:40):
body weight, muscle mass,activity level, overall health
stress, and this is why playingaround with taking notes on your
edibles experience is helpful,because you'll start to notice
patterns.
Liver function is anothercritical factor that most people
don't consider.
Your liver is responsible forconverting the THC into 11
(11:02):
hydroxy THC, and people can havevarying amounts of specific
enzymes that perform thisconversion.
Some people have a lot of theseenzymes and process edibles
very differently, while othershave fewer enzymes and might
need higher doses or experiencedelayed effects.
Interestingly, some people havegenetic variations that make
them poor metabolizers ofcannabis through the liver.
(11:25):
These individuals might findthat edibles don't work well for
them at all, regardless of doseor timing.
For these people, sublingualtinctures that absorb under the
tongue and bypass the livermight be more effective.
And I don't know about you, butI know several people now.
I used to think it was more ofan anomaly, but it's a lot more
common than I've realized inlarge part from doing this
(11:47):
podcast, that many people aren'table to metabolize the cannabis
or lack the enzymes that arerequired to metabolize the
cannabis and either have to takemassive doses to feel anything
or they won't feel the effectsat all.
And when I say massive, I meanI know some people who can
easily consume 600 milligramsand barely feel anything, and at
that say massive, I mean I knowsome people who can easily
consume 600 milligrams andbarely feel anything.
(12:08):
And at that point you have toask if you have to take a dose
that is that high, is it worthit?
This is when I would probablyrecommend that people try other
consumption methods that will bea lot more effective at lower
doses.
Your tolerance level affectsnot just how you how much you
need to feel effects, but alsohow quickly you feel them as
well.
People with higher toleranceoften report that edibles take
(12:30):
longer to kick in, possiblybecause their cannabinoid
receptors are less sensitive andrequire higher concentrations
to produce noticeable effects.
Hydration status can influenceedibles absorption more than
most people realize.
Your digestive system needsadequate hydration to complete
to function properly, anddehydration can slow down the
(12:54):
entire process, so I wouldalways recommend staying well
hydrated throughout the day,especially if you're planning to
take edibles and just it'salways a good idea just to stay
hydrated anyway.
Stress levels and overallhealth can also impact how your
body processes edibles.
When you're stressed, your bodydiverts resources away from
digestion, which can slow downabsorption.
(13:16):
Similarly, if you're fightingoff an illness or dealing with
digestive issues, your bodymight not process edibles as
efficiently as usual, and thetype of edible you're consuming
can also make a difference inonset time.
Gummies and other sugar-basededibles might be absorbed
slightly faster than baked goodsor chocolates.
Beverages often have thefastest onset times because
(13:39):
liquids move through yourstomach more quickly than solids
and some edibles are designedfor faster absorption.
Products that dissolve underyour tongue or are designed to
be absorbed through the tissuesin your mouth can bypass the
digestive system entirely andwork much more quickly,
sometimes in as little as 15 to30 minutes.
(14:00):
Your activity level after takingan edible can also influence
onset time.
Light physical activity canstimulate digestion and
potentially speed up absorption,while lying down or being
sedentary might slow things down.
Some people find that taking ashort walk after consuming an
edible helps it kick in morequickly, and if you're doing
this also after dinner, which isknown as a postprandial, then
(14:24):
you're getting the addedbenefits of a little bit of
exercise after having a meal aswell.
The time of day you take youredible can matter too.
Your digestive system tends tobe more active during the day
and slower at night, which mightaffect absorption timing.
Your circadian rhythm alsoinfluences how your liver
processes substances,potentially making edibles work
(14:45):
differently at different timesof the day.
Medications can significantlyimpact how your body processes
edibles.
Some medications affect liverfunction, while others might
speed up or slow down yourdigestive system.
If you're taking anyprescription medications, it's
worth discussing potentialinteractions with your doctor,
and I know a lot of people mightfeel a little sensitive about
(15:08):
this, especially if you'reliving in a place where cannabis
is not legal but doctors do, Ibelieve everywhere have the
doctor-patient confidentialityand you do want to make sure
that, if you are taking anyprescription medications, that
there are no interactions thatyou need to know about.
(15:28):
Age is another factor that caninfluence onset time.
As we get older, our metabolismgenerally slows down, our liver
function might become lessefficient and our digestive
system might not work as quicklyas it used to.
So older adults often reportthat edibles take longer to kick
in, but last longer once theydo.
(15:48):
Maybe at the end of the day,for the older adults that's not
such a bad thing.
Mood and expectations can alsoplay a role in how you perceive
onset time.
If you're anxiously waiting foran edible to kick in, checking
the clock every few minutes, youmight feel like it's taking
forever, as clock watching oftendoes, even if it's working on a
(16:08):
normal timeline.
And conversely, if you'redistracted and not thinking
about it, you might notice thegradual onset until the effects
are quite strong.
So understanding all of thesefactors helps explain why
edibles can be so unpredictable,even for experienced users.
The same person taking the samedose at the same time, can have
a completely differentexperience on different days,
(16:30):
depending on these variousfactors.
One of the most fascinatingaspects of edibles science is
how dramatically differentpeople can respond to the same
dose, even when all the otherfactors seem to be equal, and
these individual variations arelargely due to genetic
differences on how our bodiesprocess cannabis, and
(16:52):
understanding this can helpexplain why your edibles
experience might be completelydifferent from your friends.
The most significant geneticfactor is the variation in liver
enzymes that convert THC to11-hydroxy-THC.
The primary enzyme responsiblefor this conversion is called
CYP2C9, and people havedifferent versions of this
enzyme that work at differentspeeds.
Some people have what's calledthe rapid metabolizer version,
(17:15):
which processes THC very quicklyand efficiently, and these
individuals will often feeledibles effects sooner and might
need higher doses to achievethe same effects as others.
On the other end of thespectrum are the poor
metabolizers, who have versionsof CYP2C9 that work much more
slowly, and these people mightnot feel edibles for several
(17:37):
hours or, in some cases, mightnot feel significant effects at
all, regardless of dose.
This isn't a tolerance issue.
It's a fundamental differencein how their liver processes
cannabis.
Then there's also theintermediate metabolizers, who
fall somewhere in between thesetwo extremes that's probably
where I fall and thedistribution of these different
metabolizers varies amongdifferent populations, which
(17:59):
helps explain why cannabisaffects different ethnic groups
differently on average.
Another important genetic factoris the variation in cannabinoid
receptors themselves.
We all have CB1 and CB2receptors throughout our bodies,
but the density and sensitivityof these receptors can also
vary significantly from personto person.
Some people have more receptorsor more sensitive receptors,
(18:22):
making them more responsive tocannabis in general, to cannabis
in general.
So if that's you, you're lucky,because it probably means that
you need less cannabis to getthe same effects as the next
person.
There's also genetic variationsin how quickly our bodies clear
cannabinoids for our system.
Some people have more efficientclearance mechanisms, meaning
the effects of edibles don'tlast as long for them, and
(18:44):
others clear cannabinoids moreslowly, leading to longer
lasting effects.
Body composition plays a role inindividual variations too.
Since cannabinoids are fatsoluble, they can be stored in
fatty tissues and releasedslowly over time.
People with higher body fatpercentages might experience
longer lasting effects, whilethose with lower body fat might
feel effects more intensely, butfor shorter periods.
(19:06):
That is also lucky for me.
Gender can also influence howpeople respond to edibles, so
the research is still developingin this area because, as we
know, medically speaking, forthe longest time women were not
studied.
They were just considered to besmaller versions of men, and of
course, we're finding out howbeautiful and damn complicated
(19:26):
women's bodies are all on theirown.
Some studies suggest that womenmight be more sensitive to THC
during certain phases of theirmenstrual cycle due to hormonal
influences on cannabinoidreceptor sensitivity.
I would love to see moreresearch on this.
I think that is absolutelyfascinating.
Age-related changes in liverfunction, metabolism and body
composition means that the sameperson might respond differently
(19:48):
to edibles at different stagesin their life, and many people
find that they may need toadjust their edibles dosing as
they get older.
And I'm going to comment onthis as well, because I find
that that has been my experience.
As I'm getting older, I feellike my tolerance is almost
getting lower.
I need less milligrams in anedible to get the same effects.
That once took me more, andit's kind of been an interesting
(20:10):
and pleasant discovery in a lotof ways, because, of course,
anytime you can consume less toget the same effects, you're
able to save money, save time,save energy, save all kinds of
things.
So I have found that to bepretty interesting that I have
noticed a change in my owndosing.
Previous cannabis use can createlasting changes in how people
(20:31):
respond to edibles.
Regular cannabis users oftendevelop tolerance, not just to
the effects but potentially tothe absorption and processing of
cannabinoids as well, and somepeople have genetic variations
that affect their painsensitivity, anxiety levels and
other conditions that cannabisis commonly used to treat, and
these individuals might needdifferent doses or experience
(20:53):
different effects from ediblescompared to those without these
conditions.
There's also rare geneticconditions that can dramatically
affect how people processcannabis.
For example, some people havethe genetic variations that make
them extremely sensitive to THC, requiring much smaller doses
than average to achieve effects.
This is also why you start lowand go slow, because you never
(21:15):
know if you might be that personbefore you start out, and
through doing this podcast, Ihave met people who find that
one milligram is the dose thatwill give them the desired
effect that they're looking for.
One milligram, now, this is,again, not as common, perhaps,
but something to bear in mindthat if you're just starting out
and you're suggesting to people, or you're suggesting to people
(21:38):
to start low and go slow, youreally can't start low enough,
because you never know if you'regoing to be that person who can
consume very little and get theeffects that they're looking
for, that person who can consumevery little and get the effects
that they're looking for.
So understanding these geneticfactors helps explain why
there's no universal right dosefor edibles.
What works perfectly for oneperson might be too much for or
(21:58):
too little for another, even ifthey're the same size, age and
experience level.
And, of course, over time, thatdosing level can change as well
, as I'm experiencing, and thisis why I always emphasize the
importance of finding your ownpersonal dose through careful
experimentation rather thanrelying on what works for other
people.
Your genetics are unique andyour optimal edibles experience
(22:22):
will be unique too, which isalso why cannabis is so
fascinating.
It also explains why somepeople seem to be naturally good
at edibles, while othersstruggle to find the right dose
or timing, and it's notnecessarily about experience or
knowledge.
Sometimes it's just abouthaving genetics that work well
with how edibles are processed.
(22:46):
Now that we understand thescience behind edibles, onset
time let's look at how to usethis knowledge practically to
improve your edibles experience.
First, set realisticexpectations for timing.
Plan for edibles to takeanywhere between one to three
hours to reach peak effects anddon't make any judgments about
whether they're working until atleast two hours have passed.
(23:09):
I always tell people to cleartheir schedule for the entire
day when trying a new edible ordose, because again, you don't
want to take another ediblebecause you're not feeling the
effects.
Pay attention to your personalpatterns.
Keep a log noting what you atethat day, when you took your
edible, when you first felteffects and when you reach peak
(23:30):
effects and over time you'llstart to see patterns that can
help you predict timing moreaccurately.
I do have a journal that canhelp you with this specifically
and of course you can always usea note on your phone and I'm
sure there's other journals outthere or a blank notebook.
Use the factors we discussed toyour advantage.
If you want faster onset, takeyour edible about an hour after
a light meal with some healthyfats, and if you want to slow
(23:51):
things down, go for a moregradual experience.
Take it with a larger meal.
It's kind of cool that you cancontrol things.
Once you figure out what yourpatterns are, consider your
goals when timing your edibles.
If you want effects for sleep,take your edible two to three
hours before bedtime to accountfor onset time.
If you want effects for socialevents, plan accordingly and
(24:12):
maybe take a test dosebeforehand to understand your
timing and don't redose tooquickly.
This is probably the mostcommon mistake that people make
with edibles.
If you don't feel anythingafter an hour, resist the urge
to take more.
Wait at least three hoursbefore considering additional
doses and, depending on thecircumstances, just leave it for
(24:32):
the day and try again the nextday.
Consider sublingual options ifyou consistently have problems
with edibles timing.
Tinctures held under the tonguecan work much faster and more
predictably than traditionaledibles.
They're also pretty easy tomake.
If you don't want to buy themat a dispensary, don't have
access to a dispensary or youjust prefer the DIY.
(24:53):
They're very easy to make.
Stay hydrated and considerlight activity after taking
edibles to potentially help withabsorption.
A short walk or some gentlemovement can help move things
along, literally andfiguratively, and of course
that's just an added bonus foryour health.
And there you have it thefascinating science behind why
(25:14):
edibles work the way they do.
Understanding onset time isn'tjust about satisfying curiosity.
It's about having safer, morepredictable and more enjoyable
experiences with cannabisedibles.
And remember edibles workthrough a completely different
biological process than smoking,involving your digestive system
and liver in ways that createunique timing and effects.
(25:35):
Individual variations ingenetics, metabolism, other
factors mean that yourexperience will be uniquely
yours.
We are all unique littlebutterflies, my friends, and the
key principles we've coveredhere today are patience,
realistic expectations,attention to personal patterns
and using your understanding ofthe science to work with your
(25:56):
body rather than against it.
So thank you for joining metoday.
My friends, if you know someonewho would enjoy this episode,
please get out your phone rightnow and text it to them right
here.
While I wait, consider joiningthe Bite Me Cannabis Club to
continue the conversation overthere.
Until next time, my friends,I'm your host, margaret.
(26:18):
Stay high.
Welcome back, friends, and today we are doing a dive
into the science of onset timewhy edibles hit different.
Welcome to Bite Me the showabout edibles, where I help you
take control of your high life.
I'm your host and certifiedgonger, margaret, and I love
helping cooks make safe andeffective edibles at home.
I'm so glad you're here andwelcome back my friends, to
(00:31):
another fabulous episode of BiteMe the show about edibles.
I'm your host, margaret, andtoday we're diving into one of
the most important andmisunderstood aspects of
cannabis edibles why they takeso long to work and why the
timing can be so unpredictable.
But before we get into thistopic of today's episode, I of
course am going to pull a cardfrom the Stoner Trivia Race to
(00:54):
420 Trivia Card Game to see ifwe can test your knowledge a
little bit on cannabis.
Generally speaking.
Will there be a test on this?
No, this is a multiple choicequestion you can answer right
now.
Which UFC fighter said I'magainst testing for weed at all?
It's not a performanceenhancing drug.
Was it Conor McGregor, hollyHolmes or Ronda Rousey?
(01:17):
I didn't know the answer tothis one, actually, and I was at
one time in a pretty avid UFCfan.
Not so much anymore.
Actually, I don't watch it atall anymore.
Which UFC fighter said I'magainst testing for weed at all?
It's not a performanceenhancing drug.
Was it Conor McGregor, hollyHolmes or Ronda Rousey?
(01:41):
And if you answered RondaRousey, you would be correct.
I am surprised to learn this.
I didn't know that Ronda Rouseywas an advocate for cannabis.
If I had a dollar for every timeI heard someone say why didn't
my edibles work?
Or why did they take threehours to kick in, I could
(02:03):
probably retire.
They all stem from the samemisunderstanding of how edibles
work in our bodies, and thetruth is edibles are completely
different from smoking or vapingcannabis.
They don't just take longer towork.
They actually work through anentirely different biological
process that creates differenteffects, lasts longer and can be
(02:24):
influenced by dozens of factorsthat most people never consider
.
Today we're going to beexploring the fascinating
science behind why edibles workthe way they do.
We'll talk about what happensto cannabis when you eat it
versus when you smoke it, whythe timing can vary so
(02:45):
dramatically from person toperson and even from day to day,
and what factors influence howquickly you'll feel effects and,
most importantly, how to usethis knowledge to have better,
more predictable experienceswith edibles.
Now, understanding the sciencebehind onset time isn't just
academic curiosity, it'spractical knowledge that can
(03:06):
help you dose more effectively,avoid uncomfortable experiences
because we don't want to haverepeats of those, or avoid them
altogether if you've never hadone and also set realistic
expectations for your ediblesjourney.
And when you understand whyedibles behave the way they do,
you can work with your body'snatural process instead of
fighting against them.
And, of course, I would beremiss if I didn't mention that
(03:31):
journaling your journey isreally helpful so you can go
back and look at what wasworking and the factors that
influenced it at a differenttime, so you can get more
repeatable results, becausethat's really what we're looking
for oftentimes is thatrepeatability of outcomes.
So let's dive into thefascinating world of cannabis
pharmacokinetics and discoverwhy edibles truly do hit
(03:54):
different.
So to understand why ediblestake so long to work, we need to
follow the journey thatcannabis takes through your body
when you eat it.
The journey is completelydifferent from what happens when
you smoke or vape cannabis, andunderstanding these differences
is key to managing yourexpectations and having good
(04:14):
experiences.
So when you smoke or vape, thecannabinoids go directly into
your lungs, where they'reabsorbed into your bloodstream
almost immediately.
From your bloodstream theytravel straight to your brain,
where they're absorbed into yourbloodstream almost immediately.
From your bloodstream theytravel straight to your brain
where they bind to cannabinoidreceptors and create the effects
that you feel.
This whole process just takes afew minutes, which is why you
(04:35):
feel the effects of smokingalmost immediately, unless you
found yourself that creeper.
But when you eat cannabis, ithas a much longer and more
complex journey.
First, your edible goes intoyour stomach just like any other
food.
Depending on what else is inyour stomach and how your
digestive system is functioningthat day, it might sit there for
anywhere from 15 minutes toover an hour before moving on to
(04:57):
the next stage.
From your stomach, thepartially digested edible moves
into your small intestine, wherethe real absorption begins.
The walls of your smallintestine are lined with
finger-like projections calledvilli, which are designed to
absorb nutrient from foods, andthis is where the cannabinoids
from your edible start to enteryour bloodstream.
(05:17):
But here's where things getreally interesting and where the
major difference betweenedibles and smoking becomes
apparent.
When cannabinoids are absorbedthrough your intestines, they
don't go directly to your brainlike they do when you smoke.
Instead, they get swept up inwhat's called the portal
circulation and taken directlyto your liver.
(05:37):
Your liver is like a processingplant for everything you consume
.
It's designed to break down andmodify substances before
they're allowed to circulatethroughout your body.
When THC reaches your liver, itgets converted into a different
compound called 11-hydroxy THC.
This conversion process iscalled first-pass metabolism,
(05:58):
and this is the reason whyedibles feel different than
smoking.
11-hydroxy THTHC is actuallymore potent than regular THC and
it has different effects.
It tends to be more sedating,more body-focused and longer
lasting than the THC that youget from smoking, and this is
why people often describeedibles as having a more body
(06:20):
high compared to the cerebraleffects of smoking.
This conversion process in yourliver takes time usually at
least 30 minutes, but often muchlonger, and the speed of this
process depends on howefficiently your liver is
functioning, how much of thisspecific enzyme you have that
convert THC and what else yourliver is processing at the same
time.
(06:40):
Once 11-hydroxy-THC is createdin your liver, it finally gets
released into generalcirculation and can travel to
your brain and other parts ofyour body, where it creates the
effects that you feel.
But this final step takes time,as the compound has to
circulate through yourbloodstream and across the
blood-brain barrier.
(07:01):
This entire process, fromeating the edible to feeling the
effects, takes typicallyanywhere from 30 minutes to
three hours, with most peoplefeeling peak effects between one
and four hours afterconsumption.
The effects then generallydecline over the next four to
eight hours, though some peoplereport feeling residual effects
for up to 12 hours.
(07:22):
What makes this process evenmore complex is that it's not a
simple on-off switch.
The absorption and conversionhappen gradually, which is why
edibles often have a slowcreeping onset rather than the
immediate effects of smoking.
You might just start to feelsomething subtle after an hour,
with effects building slowlyover the next hour or two.
(07:43):
The gradual onset is actuallyone of the most dangerous
aspects of edibles forinexperienced users, as many of
us know all too well.
Because the effects build soslowly, it's easy to think that
your edible isn't working and totake more, only to have both
doses hit you at the same timeonce your liver catches up with
the processing.
This is why we are all familiarwith those these edibles ain't
(08:06):
shit memes.
The duration of edibles effectsis also much longer than
smoking, because 11-hydroxy-THCis processed more slowly by your
body than regular THC.
While the effects of smokingtypically last one to three
hours, edibles effects commonlylast six to eight hours,
sometimes longer.
So understanding this journeyhelps explain why edibles can be
(08:28):
so unpredictable.
Every step of this process canbe influenced by different
factors what you've eaten, howyour digestive system is
functioning, how efficientlyyour liver is working, your
overall health and even yourstress levels.
And this is why the same doseof the same edible can affect
you differently on differentdays, or affect one person so
(08:50):
differently from the next.
So now that we understand thebasic journey cannabis takes
through your body when you eatit, let's explore the many
factors that can influence howquickly you start to feel
effects.
Understanding these factors canhelp you predict and control
your edibles experience muchmore effectively.
So let's start with probablythe most significant factor what
(09:13):
you've eaten and when you'veeaten it.
Taking an edible on a completelyempty stomach will generally
result in faster absorption, butit can also lead to more
intense effects and, potentially, some stomach discomfort.
The cannabis will move throughyour empty stomach more quickly
and be absorbed faster in yoursmall intestine.
(09:34):
On the other hand, taking anedible right after a large meal,
especially one high in fiber,can significantly delay
absorption.
Fiber can actually bind tocannabinoids and prevent them
from being absorbed efficiently.
Heavy fatty meals can also slowdown your entire digestive
process, meaning your ediblemight sit in your stomach for
much longer before moving on tothe absorption phase.
(09:56):
The sweet spot for most peopleseems to be taking the edible
about an hour after a light mealthat includes some healthy fats
.
The fats can actually help withcannabinoid absorption, since
THC and CBD are fat-solublecompounds and while the light
meal provides enough substanceto aid digestion without
(10:17):
significantly slowing down theprocess.
So your individual metabolismplays a huge role, also in onset
time.
People with faster metabolismstend to feel edibles sooner and
sometimes more intensely, whilethose with slower metabolisms
might wait longer for effectsbut experience them for a longer
duration.
Your metabolism can beinfluenced by factors like age,
(10:40):
body weight, muscle mass,activity level, overall health
stress, and this is why playingaround with taking notes on your
edibles experience is helpful,because you'll start to notice
patterns.
Liver function is anothercritical factor that most people
don't consider.
Your liver is responsible forconverting the THC into 11
(11:02):
hydroxy THC, and people can havevarying amounts of specific
enzymes that perform thisconversion.
Some people have a lot of theseenzymes and process edibles
very differently, while othershave fewer enzymes and might
need higher doses or experiencedelayed effects.
Interestingly, some people havegenetic variations that make
them poor metabolizers ofcannabis through the liver.
(11:25):
These individuals might findthat edibles don't work well for
them at all, regardless of doseor timing.
For these people, sublingualtinctures that absorb under the
tongue and bypass the livermight be more effective.
And I don't know about you, butI know several people now.
I used to think it was more ofan anomaly, but it's a lot more
common than I've realized inlarge part from doing this
(11:47):
podcast, that many people aren'table to metabolize the cannabis
or lack the enzymes that arerequired to metabolize the
cannabis and either have to takemassive doses to feel anything
or they won't feel the effectsat all.
And when I say massive, I meanI know some people who can
easily consume 600 milligramsand barely feel anything, and at
that say massive, I mean I knowsome people who can easily
consume 600 milligrams andbarely feel anything.
(12:08):
And at that point you have toask if you have to take a dose
that is that high, is it worthit?
This is when I would probablyrecommend that people try other
consumption methods that will bea lot more effective at lower
doses.
Your tolerance level affectsnot just how you how much you
need to feel effects, but alsohow quickly you feel them as
well.
People with higher toleranceoften report that edibles take
(12:30):
longer to kick in, possiblybecause their cannabinoid
receptors are less sensitive andrequire higher concentrations
to produce noticeable effects.
Hydration status can influenceedibles absorption more than
most people realize.
Your digestive system needsadequate hydration to complete
to function properly, anddehydration can slow down the
(12:54):
entire process, so I wouldalways recommend staying well
hydrated throughout the day,especially if you're planning to
take edibles and just it'salways a good idea just to stay
hydrated anyway.
Stress levels and overallhealth can also impact how your
body processes edibles.
When you're stressed, your bodydiverts resources away from
digestion, which can slow downabsorption.
(13:16):
Similarly, if you're fightingoff an illness or dealing with
digestive issues, your bodymight not process edibles as
efficiently as usual, and thetype of edible you're consuming
can also make a difference inonset time.
Gummies and other sugar-basededibles might be absorbed
slightly faster than baked goodsor chocolates.
Beverages often have thefastest onset times because
(13:39):
liquids move through yourstomach more quickly than solids
and some edibles are designedfor faster absorption.
Products that dissolve underyour tongue or are designed to
be absorbed through the tissuesin your mouth can bypass the
digestive system entirely andwork much more quickly,
sometimes in as little as 15 to30 minutes.
(14:00):
Your activity level after takingan edible can also influence
onset time.
Light physical activity canstimulate digestion and
potentially speed up absorption,while lying down or being
sedentary might slow things down.
Some people find that taking ashort walk after consuming an
edible helps it kick in morequickly, and if you're doing
this also after dinner, which isknown as a postprandial, then
(14:24):
you're getting the addedbenefits of a little bit of
exercise after having a meal aswell.
The time of day you take youredible can matter too.
Your digestive system tends tobe more active during the day
and slower at night, which mightaffect absorption timing.
Your circadian rhythm alsoinfluences how your liver
processes substances,potentially making edibles work
(14:45):
differently at different timesof the day.
Medications can significantlyimpact how your body processes
edibles.
Some medications affect liverfunction, while others might
speed up or slow down yourdigestive system.
If you're taking anyprescription medications, it's
worth discussing potentialinteractions with your doctor,
and I know a lot of people mightfeel a little sensitive about
(15:08):
this, especially if you'reliving in a place where cannabis
is not legal but doctors do, Ibelieve everywhere have the
doctor-patient confidentialityand you do want to make sure
that, if you are taking anyprescription medications, that
there are no interactions thatyou need to know about.
(15:28):
Age is another factor that caninfluence onset time.
As we get older, our metabolismgenerally slows down, our liver
function might become lessefficient and our digestive
system might not work as quicklyas it used to.
So older adults often reportthat edibles take longer to kick
in, but last longer once theydo.
(15:48):
Maybe at the end of the day,for the older adults that's not
such a bad thing.
Mood and expectations can alsoplay a role in how you perceive
onset time.
If you're anxiously waiting foran edible to kick in, checking
the clock every few minutes, youmight feel like it's taking
forever, as clock watching oftendoes, even if it's working on a
(16:08):
normal timeline.
And conversely, if you'redistracted and not thinking
about it, you might notice thegradual onset until the effects
are quite strong.
So understanding all of thesefactors helps explain why
edibles can be so unpredictable,even for experienced users.
The same person taking the samedose at the same time, can have
a completely differentexperience on different days,
(16:30):
depending on these variousfactors.
One of the most fascinatingaspects of edibles science is
how dramatically differentpeople can respond to the same
dose, even when all the otherfactors seem to be equal, and
these individual variations arelargely due to genetic
differences on how our bodiesprocess cannabis, and
(16:52):
understanding this can helpexplain why your edibles
experience might be completelydifferent from your friends.
The most significant geneticfactor is the variation in liver
enzymes that convert THC to11-hydroxy-THC.
The primary enzyme responsiblefor this conversion is called
CYP2C9, and people havedifferent versions of this
enzyme that work at differentspeeds.
Some people have what's calledthe rapid metabolizer version,
(17:15):
which processes THC very quicklyand efficiently, and these
individuals will often feeledibles effects sooner and might
need higher doses to achievethe same effects as others.
On the other end of thespectrum are the poor
metabolizers, who have versionsof CYP2C9 that work much more
slowly, and these people mightnot feel edibles for several
(17:37):
hours or, in some cases, mightnot feel significant effects at
all, regardless of dose.
This isn't a tolerance issue.
It's a fundamental differencein how their liver processes
cannabis.
Then there's also theintermediate metabolizers, who
fall somewhere in between thesetwo extremes that's probably
where I fall and thedistribution of these different
metabolizers varies amongdifferent populations, which
(17:59):
helps explain why cannabisaffects different ethnic groups
differently on average.
Another important genetic factoris the variation in cannabinoid
receptors themselves.
We all have CB1 and CB2receptors throughout our bodies,
but the density and sensitivityof these receptors can also
vary significantly from personto person.
Some people have more receptorsor more sensitive receptors,
(18:22):
making them more responsive tocannabis in general, to cannabis
in general.
So if that's you, you're lucky,because it probably means that
you need less cannabis to getthe same effects as the next
person.
There's also genetic variationsin how quickly our bodies clear
cannabinoids for our system.
Some people have more efficientclearance mechanisms, meaning
the effects of edibles don'tlast as long for them, and
(18:44):
others clear cannabinoids moreslowly, leading to longer
lasting effects.
Body composition plays a role inindividual variations too.
Since cannabinoids are fatsoluble, they can be stored in
fatty tissues and releasedslowly over time.
People with higher body fatpercentages might experience
longer lasting effects, whilethose with lower body fat might
feel effects more intensely, butfor shorter periods.
(19:06):
That is also lucky for me.
Gender can also influence howpeople respond to edibles, so
the research is still developingin this area because, as we
know, medically speaking, forthe longest time women were not
studied.
They were just considered to besmaller versions of men, and of
course, we're finding out howbeautiful and damn complicated
(19:26):
women's bodies are all on theirown.
Some studies suggest that womenmight be more sensitive to THC
during certain phases of theirmenstrual cycle due to hormonal
influences on cannabinoidreceptor sensitivity.
I would love to see moreresearch on this.
I think that is absolutelyfascinating.
Age-related changes in liverfunction, metabolism and body
composition means that the sameperson might respond differently
(19:48):
to edibles at different stagesin their life, and many people
find that they may need toadjust their edibles dosing as
they get older.
And I'm going to comment onthis as well, because I find
that that has been my experience.
As I'm getting older, I feellike my tolerance is almost
getting lower.
I need less milligrams in anedible to get the same effects.
That once took me more, andit's kind of been an interesting
(20:10):
and pleasant discovery in a lotof ways, because, of course,
anytime you can consume less toget the same effects, you're
able to save money, save time,save energy, save all kinds of
things.
So I have found that to bepretty interesting that I have
noticed a change in my owndosing.
Previous cannabis use can createlasting changes in how people
(20:31):
respond to edibles.
Regular cannabis users oftendevelop tolerance, not just to
the effects but potentially tothe absorption and processing of
cannabinoids as well, and somepeople have genetic variations
that affect their painsensitivity, anxiety levels and
other conditions that cannabisis commonly used to treat, and
these individuals might needdifferent doses or experience
(20:53):
different effects from ediblescompared to those without these
conditions.
There's also rare geneticconditions that can dramatically
affect how people processcannabis.
For example, some people havethe genetic variations that make
them extremely sensitive to THC, requiring much smaller doses
than average to achieve effects.
This is also why you start lowand go slow, because you never
(21:15):
know if you might be that personbefore you start out, and
through doing this podcast, Ihave met people who find that
one milligram is the dose thatwill give them the desired
effect that they're looking for.
One milligram, now, this is,again, not as common, perhaps,
but something to bear in mindthat if you're just starting out
and you're suggesting to people, or you're suggesting to people
(21:38):
to start low and go slow, youreally can't start low enough,
because you never know if you'regoing to be that person who can
consume very little and get theeffects that they're looking
for, that person who can consumevery little and get the effects
that they're looking for.
So understanding these geneticfactors helps explain why
there's no universal right dosefor edibles.
What works perfectly for oneperson might be too much for or
(21:58):
too little for another, even ifthey're the same size, age and
experience level.
And, of course, over time, thatdosing level can change as well
, as I'm experiencing, and thisis why I always emphasize the
importance of finding your ownpersonal dose through careful
experimentation rather thanrelying on what works for other
people.
Your genetics are unique andyour optimal edibles experience
(22:22):
will be unique too, which isalso why cannabis is so
fascinating.
It also explains why somepeople seem to be naturally good
at edibles, while othersstruggle to find the right dose
or timing, and it's notnecessarily about experience or
knowledge.
Sometimes it's just abouthaving genetics that work well
with how edibles are processed.
(22:46):
Now that we understand thescience behind edibles, onset
time let's look at how to usethis knowledge practically to
improve your edibles experience.
First, set realisticexpectations for timing.
Plan for edibles to takeanywhere between one to three
hours to reach peak effects anddon't make any judgments about
whether they're working until atleast two hours have passed.
(23:09):
I always tell people to cleartheir schedule for the entire
day when trying a new edible ordose, because again, you don't
want to take another ediblebecause you're not feeling the
effects.
Pay attention to your personalpatterns.
Keep a log noting what you atethat day, when you took your
edible, when you first felteffects and when you reach peak
(23:30):
effects and over time you'llstart to see patterns that can
help you predict timing moreaccurately.
I do have a journal that canhelp you with this specifically
and of course you can always usea note on your phone and I'm
sure there's other journals outthere or a blank notebook.
Use the factors we discussed toyour advantage.
If you want faster onset, takeyour edible about an hour after
a light meal with some healthyfats, and if you want to slow
(23:51):
things down, go for a moregradual experience.
Take it with a larger meal.
It's kind of cool that you cancontrol things.
Once you figure out what yourpatterns are, consider your
goals when timing your edibles.
If you want effects for sleep,take your edible two to three
hours before bedtime to accountfor onset time.
If you want effects for socialevents, plan accordingly and
(24:12):
maybe take a test dosebeforehand to understand your
timing and don't redose tooquickly.
This is probably the mostcommon mistake that people make
with edibles.
If you don't feel anythingafter an hour, resist the urge
to take more.
Wait at least three hoursbefore considering additional
doses and, depending on thecircumstances, just leave it for
(24:32):
the day and try again the nextday.
Consider sublingual options ifyou consistently have problems
with edibles timing.
Tinctures held under the tonguecan work much faster and more
predictably than traditionaledibles.
They're also pretty easy tomake.
If you don't want to buy themat a dispensary, don't have
access to a dispensary or youjust prefer the DIY.
(24:53):
They're very easy to make.
Stay hydrated and considerlight activity after taking
edibles to potentially help withabsorption.
A short walk or some gentlemovement can help move things
along, literally andfiguratively, and of course
that's just an added bonus foryour health.
And there you have it thefascinating science behind why
(25:14):
edibles work the way they do.
Understanding onset time isn'tjust about satisfying curiosity.
It's about having safer, morepredictable and more enjoyable
experiences with cannabisedibles.
And remember edibles workthrough a completely different
biological process than smoking,involving your digestive system
and liver in ways that createunique timing and effects.
(25:35):
Individual variations ingenetics, metabolism, other
factors mean that yourexperience will be uniquely
yours.
We are all unique littlebutterflies, my friends, and the
key principles we've coveredhere today are patience,
realistic expectations,attention to personal patterns
and using your understanding ofthe science to work with your
(25:56):
body rather than against it.
So thank you for joining metoday.
My friends, if you know someonewho would enjoy this episode,
please get out your phone rightnow and text it to them right
here.
While I wait, consider joiningthe Bite Me Cannabis Club to
continue the conversation overthere.
Until next time, my friends,I'm your host, margaret.
(26:18):
Stay high.
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