By Max Sargent


When we take drugs, we expect to feel high. However, we don’t expect to feel the effects days, weeks, or certainly months after consuming them. Though rare, some people do report these so-called “flashbacks”.

Here we investigate how cannabis is stored in the body, and whether this could have some relation to user reports of experiencing the effects of cannabis long after consuming it.

Can You Feel High Without Taking Anything?

LSD is famous (or infamous) for purportedly causing flashbacks. Though a contested phenomenon, they’re reported often enough to have entered the realm of general drug knowledge. But what about cannabis flashbacks? Considering how widely weed is consumed, its ability to “reappear” and make us feel high when we haven’t taken anything seems far-fetched. Yet, for some, it does appear to happen.

In a very small number of cases, chronic cannabis users may find that they feel high even when abstaining from the herb. This isn’t just the next day, either. Some people describe instances of feeling high weeks or months after they’ve quit smoking, prompting the question: why do I feel high when I’m not high?

Studies relating to this are scarce, though they do exist. But before we get into them, we must understand a little about how cannabis interacts with the body, and how it exerts its effects in the first place.

What Is THC?

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol—or THC—is the psychotropic compound in marijuana that produces the high. Though it’s by no means the only active cannabinoid in cannabis, it’s the one most relevant to our discussion.

THC binds with CB1 receptors, found most abundantly in the brain, mimicking the naturally produced endocannabinoid anandamide. This is chiefly how it exerts its effects. Although it takes longer to break down than anandamide, THC is still metabolised fairly quickly; else we'd be high for days! However, it remains in the body for much longer than its initial effects last.

  • How Long Is THC Detectable in the Body?

But surely after the high wears off, the THC has been cleared from our bodies? Not quite. THC is actually detectable long after the high has faded away.

Most cannabis drug tests rely on urine samples. In heavy users, samples can test positive up to six weeks (or more) after abstaining. But here’s the catch; they’re not actually testing for THC. The vast majority of weed drug tests look for THC-COOH, which is a metabolite produced in the liver following the consumption of THC. While it does indicate that THC has been present in the body, it does not indicate that it is at this moment.

More advanced tests that look for active THC (blood tests) are rarely used. When they are, they can detect THC for up to around one week after it was last consumed.

But if active THC is cleared from the blood after a week, how can people still feel high months later?

How Long Is THC Detectable in the Body?

Why Do I Feel High When I Haven’t Smoked?

Various studies indicate that THC can be stored indefinitely in fat cells. And the more people smoke, the more THC gets stored. It seems that certain activities can trigger the release of stored THC, potentially leading to people feeling high when they haven’t smoked.

However, though it seems evident that THC is stored in fat for long periods of time, what is less clear is whether this can cause a high when released.

Below, we’ll examine some studies investigating THC storage and release.

  • Effects of Fasting on THC Release

A 2014 study by Wong et al.[1] investigated the behaviour of THC stored in the fat cells of rats, under different conditions. They hypothesised that if THC is indeed stored in fat cells, then activities that utilise fat would cause this to be released into the bloodstream. If accurate, the purpose of the research was to discover whether that release leads to observable behavioural changes.

The results showed that rats given 10mg of THC for five days, followed by a four-day “washout”, demonstrated both heightened levels of THC in blood plasma and behavioural changes. They were fasted for 24 hours, causing body fat to begin breaking down. Compared to the control, who were not fasted, they exhibited significant changes.

Two other groups were given a single dose of 5mg of THC, and were then either exercised or fasted. While both groups demonstrated heightened concentrations of THC in blood plasma, neither showed any observable changes in behaviour.

The fact that the fasted rats given a five-day course of THC were the only ones to show behavioural changes supports the anecdotal evidence that chronic cannabis users are most likely to experience potential flashbacks. Nevertheless, it cannot be taken as definitive proof.

  • THC Release During Exercise

Another study by Wong et al. investigated human participants[2]. In this study, 14 regular cannabis users completed 35 minutes of exercise after either a fed or overnight fasted state. Again, this was to test what happens when the body has to utilise its fat reserves.

The results showed that in each group, exercise increased THC levels in blood plasma. The fasting seemed to make no significant difference to THC levels. However, they acknowledged that the scale of the fasting may not have been enough to cause the body to begin utilising fat. Therefore, they concluded that exercise can cause body fat to release THC.

Behavioural changes were not recorded in this piece of research, and so it is not possible to ascertain whether the increase in THC levels could cause people to feel high.

  • THC Levels in Chronic Users

In opposition to the above findings, Westin et al.[3] found that neither fasting nor exercise in abstinent, chronic cannabis users caused an increase in THC levels in blood serum, or THC-COOH levels in urine samples.

This study used five participants from a drug detoxification ward. Urine and blood samples were taken from the first day of admission through to the seventh. On day three and six, they either fasted for 24 hours or spent 45 minutes on a treadmill. No differences in THC levels were observed on the exercise or fasting days compared to the others.

How Long Is THC Detectable in the Body?

But — Why Do I Still Feel High?

The answer to this question, it seems, remains unknown. We do know that THC can be stored in fat, especially in chronic cannabis users. And some of the above studies could support the idea that THC is released back into the blood when fat is broken down. However, while they may support it, the scale of this research is by no means large enough to say that this is the case.

It’s also important to recognise that chronic cannabis use does more than leave THC in your body fat. Studies indicate that regular adolescent use of cannabis can cause permanent thinning of the frontal lobes[4]. Exactly what effect this has is not entirely clear. But the point is, cannabis use causes many changes within the brain, any of which could be contenders for making you feel high even when you’re not.

There is hope, though. Anecdotal reports of feeling high without taking anything do seem to have a time limit on them. It appears that, with continued abstinence, people will cease to experience this phenomenon.

External Resources:
  1. Fasting and exercise increase plasma cannabinoid levels in THC pre-treated rats: an examination of behavioural consequences - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Exercise increases plasma THC concentrations in regular cannabis users - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Can Physical Exercise or Food Deprivation Cause Release of Fat-Stored Cannabinoids? https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. Effects of Cannabis on the Adolescent Brain 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: