By Ryan Najjar

Many factors are involved when it comes to the intensity and duration of a cannabis high. The type of weed you consume and how you take it can greatly impact how long you'll feel the effects. Individual factors, including your weight and height, can also dictate the duration of your red eyes and deep thoughts.

Explore the primary factors that influence how long you'll stay high for below. You'll discover which methods will keep you stoned the longest and what you can do to cut a high short if you ever need to.


What Factors Influence How Long a Weed High Lasts?

Sometimes smoking a joint delivers a fast-acting high that sends a jolt of inspiration through your body before dissipating. Other times, hitting a bowl might result in a high that creeps on overtime and lingers for hours.

Below, you'll learn about the key variables that underpin how long a cannabis experience lasts.

  • THC Percentage

Every time you buy a seed online or pick up a bag of buds from a coffee shop or dispensary, you'll notice your products are marked with a percentage sign. This number displays the potency of your purchase.

The average strain offers a THC content of between 15 and 20%. However, the modern era of breeding has unleashed a wave of genetics that easily churn out 25–30% THC concentration.

The more concentrated the THC you inhale or eat, the stronger, and potentially longer, your high will last. You'll start to feel the effects of smoked THC in as little as two minutes after taking a bong hit.

If you felt brave and packed a bowl with a strain that harbours 25% THC, or a creation such as a moonrock, then you can expect to ride out the effects for a while before your feet touch the ground.

THC Percentage
  • Amount of Weed Consumed

The amount of weed you smoke or eat during the same session will also change the length of the high. In many ways, the amount of cannabis you consume supersedes the strength of each bud.

One bowl of potent weed with a THC content of 25% will keep you toasted for a while. But smoking blunt after blunt of moderate strength cannabis will blast you higher and keep you there for longer.

Every time you take a hit, THC enters the bloodstream through the alveoli of the lungs. Soon after, it passes through the blood-brain barrier and begins to latch onto CB1 receptors in the brain.

The psychoactive molecule lights up these receptor sites, which leads to a temporary shift in how your brain sends and receives neurotransmitters. The more THC you inhale, the more receptors you'll activate. When your smoke sessions last for several hours, you'll keep your CB1 receptors engaged and prolong the psychoactive effect.

  • Method of Consumption

There are three main routes of administration when it comes to consuming THC. All of them involve slightly different pathways in the body and therefore offer a different rate of onset and duration.

⇢ Smoking/vaping: Offer a rapid onset, with total effects lasting between 30 and 60 minutes (but can be much longer depending on other variables).

⇢ Edibles: Take up to 1 hour to take effect. The intense high usually lasts between 4 and 6+ hours.

⇢ Sublingual: Sublingual ingestion refers to placing a cannabinoid-infused oil under the tongue and holding it there. This allows THC and other molecules to diffuse into the capillary bed under the tongue, bypassing the digestive tract. Immediate access to the bloodstream means sublingual cannabis shares a similar onset and duration to smoked or vaped cannabis.

Method of Consumption
  • Tolerance

The body adapts to the amount of cannabis you consume over time. If you pass a novice smoker and an experienced smoker the same bowl of weed, they'll both experience very different effects.

The novice will feel much higher for a longer period of time, whereas the experienced user might ask for another hit five minutes later.

But why does the same amount of weed produce different effects in both people? Well, the experienced smoker has developed a tolerance to THC.

After long term exposure to THC, the brain decides to reduce its number of CB1 receptors. Because THC creates its effect by binding to this site, the fewer CB1 receptors that are available, the more THC it takes to diffuse out and reach these sites.

In contrast, the novice's brain features CB1 receptors all over the place. It only takes a small amount of THC to pass through the brain before the molecule comes across one of the many landing sites available to produce an effect. For those who smoke a lot, this is not irreversible. A tolerance break can have you feeling fresh and like a novice smoker again in no time.

  • Metabolism

Everybody possesses a slightly different metabolism. Put simply, the word "metabolism" describes the chemical processes in the body that use up energy and burn calories.

We all have that friend with a monumental appetite that never seems to put on weight. These people possess a fast metabolism capable of using energy quickly. Our metabolic rate can also impact how long a cannabis high lasts.

Somebody with a faster metabolism can clear THC from the system quicker than somebody with a slower metabolic process. This becomes particularly impactful when it comes to edible cannabis.

Metabolism
  • Age

Very little evidence points towards age as a factor that influences the duration of a cannabis high. However, tolerance can increase with age if a person smokes frequently. An older person with an increased tolerance will likely experience highs of shorter duration, especially if smoking relatively weak flowers.

  • Height and Weight (Mass)

Height and weight have little effect on the high/psychoactive effects of cannabis. Most of the action occurs in the brain, so body mass and height don't really dictate too much.

However, somebody who is overweight partly due to a slow metabolism may experience drawn out effects when consuming edibles. Their bodies may process cannabis slower, resulting in a slightly extended experience.

How Long Will My Cannabis High Last?

The way you consume cannabis will impact the duration of the high more than any other factor. Explore the general timeframe for each route of administration below. Then, discover methods to extend your high when you're having a good time, or ways to cut it short if you want it to end.

  • Smoking & Vaping

Smoking joints and blunts or hitting vapes delivers a swift dose of THC into the bloodstream. The effects of smoking peak after 10 minutes and last anywhere between 1 and 3 hours, depending on other variables.

Even after the obvious effect wears off, you can still expect an "afterglow" to linger for up to 6–8 hours after taking that first hit.

Smoking & Vaping
  • Edibles

Edible takes a very different route in the body. THC must pass through the throes of the digestive tract and liver before entering the brain and firing up CB1 receptors. You can expect to wait around 30–60 minutes before you start to feel anything.

Once the effects take hold, get ready to endure a powerful and almost psychedelic high for the next two hours as the effects peak. Then, you'll ride out the comedown for at least another four hours.

Edibles
  • Concentrates

Concentrates such as hash and dabs are inhaled through dabbing rigs, vapes, or bongs. These preparations produce a longer-lasting effect than raw flowers, as they deliver a much more concentrated hit of THC. Expect the effect to peak during the next 10 minutes. You'll stay elevated for the next 2–3+ hours.

Concentrates

How To Make a Cannabis High Last Longer

Some cannabis users employ different methods to extend their high. When you're having a blast with friends, sometimes you just don't want to come back down. Check out these tips to make your high last longer:

Stick with edibles

Edibles will keep you high for hours longer than inhaled weed. Just be prepared for a more intense and introspective experience. It can also be harder to dose edibles as getting an even distribution in food can be tricky.

Eat some mango

Although we don't have evidence to back up this claim, many cannabis users report that a slice of fresh mango keeps them baked for longer. This tropical fruit contains myrcene, a terpene found in cannabis that exerts a stoning and relaxing effect.

Sip on some beer

Many don't like to mix these two. However, if you're smart about it, you can harness the power of a good beer to make your high last longer. Research shows that alcohol may improve the absorption of THC[1]. Remember, take things one sip at a time to avoid overdoing it.

How To Cut a Cannabis Higher Shorter

Sometimes it helps to cut your high short. Whether you need to get to work, or you're getting a bit panicky, these tips can help you bring your high to a premature end:

Black pepper

If you feel panicky, try chewing on a couple of peppercorns. If you can handle the spice, compounds within black pepper can help to take the edge off your high. The spice contains high levels of caryophyllene. Research shows this terpene exerts a relaxing effect[2] that can help with nervousness and agitation.

Pine nuts

These delicious snacks contain high levels of the terpene pinene[3], which may help to relax an overthinking mind.

CBD

This non-psychoactive cannabinoid may help to bring your high back down to Earth quicker. CBD is thought to blunt the peak of a THC high.

Lemon peel

Lemon peel also contains relaxing terpenes that create a tranquil and refreshing effect. Simmer some lemon peel into a tea for a relaxing brew alongside your joint if you're prone to bad experiences.

Cannabis High: Take It at Your Own Pace

There you have it. By changing the way you consume cannabis, you can alter the duration of your high. Of course, you should also consider other variables, such as your personal tolerance and metabolism.

You can use these factors to estimate how long you'll stay high, and you can also use the tips above to attempt to extend or reduce the duration of your experience.

At the end of the day, it's all about being as high for as long as you find comfortable. Play around with different strain, potencies, and routes of administration until you find your personal sweet spot.

Promoting Responsible Cannabis UseRQS emphasizes the importance of responsible cannabis consumption.

While many individuals use cannabis frequently without complications, some may be susceptible to developing adverse behaviours. We believe the herb should enhance one’s life, not hinder it.

Responsible use involves limiting consumption to adults only, refusing to operate cars or machinery while under the influence, and making an effort to resist abuse.

Stay Cultivated.

External Resources:
  1. Ethanol increases plasma Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels and subjective effects after marihuana smoking in human volunteers - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. β-Caryophyllene, a CB2 receptor agonist produces multiple behavioral changes relevant to anxiety and depression in mice - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: