The Science Behind Edibles’ Duration of Action
Edibles, a popular form of cannabis consumption, have a distinctive and prolonged duration of action compared to other methods like smoking or vaping. The science behind this extended effect involves several key processes: digestion, metabolism, and the body’s interaction with cannabinoids on how long do edibles last when taken.
When edibles are ingested, they first pass through the digestive system. The journey begins in the stomach, where the edible is broken down, and cannabinoids are released. Though, how long do edibles last when taken, this process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on factors such as the individual’s metabolism, the presence of other food in the stomach, and the specific formulation of the edible.
Once the cannabinoids are released, they are absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the small intestine. The compounds then travel to the liver, where a significant transformation occurs. The liver metabolizes Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, into 11-hydroxy-THC, a metabolite known to be more potent and have a longer half-life in the body. This conversion is crucial in explaining the more intense and extended effects experienced with edibles.
The effects of edibles can last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, with peak effects occurring around 2 to 4 hours after consumption. This extended duration is primarily due to the gradual release of cannabinoids into the bloodstream during digestion and the potent effects of 11-hydroxy-THC. Factors such as the individual’s body weight, metabolism, tolerance to cannabis, and the specific dose consumed also play significant roles in the duration and intensity of the effects.
The prolonged duration of action of edibles is a result of the digestive and metabolic processes that cannabinoids undergo. The conversion of THC to the more potent 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver, combined with the slow absorption rate, leads to the extended and intensified effects that make edibles a unique and potent form of cannabis consumption.
