Whether you’re a newbie to cannabis, a seasoned roaster or somewhere in the middle, there’s one question of overriding importance: How long does being high last? If I’m higher than I want to be, what can I do about it? And if I want to stay high longer without taking more cannabis, is there any way to extend the high?
These are big questions, no doubt about it. And as with so many topics in the world of cannabis, it can be hard to find definitive answers. We’ll share what we know, in the hopes that you can make better-informed and more objective decisions about your cannabis use.
How Long Does Being High Last? The Basics
There’s a short answer and a long answer. Let’s make it easy by starting with the short one:
Being high typically lasts about one to three hours.
But of course, there’s more to the story. Let’s start with the question of delivery method. If you smoked or vaped your cannabis, expect your high to be on the lower side in terms of duration. If you consumed it via an edible, expect the high to last a good deal longer—perhaps twice as long—and the effects to be stronger compared with a similar dosage of inhaled weed.
And, as we’ve said time and time again, plan to wait at least two hours for the full effects of edibles to become apparent!
Secondly, there’s your metabolism. Is it fast or slow? In other words, if you tend to “run hot” and feel the effects of food intake or medications quickly, there’s a good chance your high will pass more quickly than others.
There are other factors as well, including “set and setting”—essentially, your emotional comfort level and familiarity with your surroundings—and potential interactions with alcohol and other drugs. That’s one reason the answer to “How long does being high last?” can vary so widely.
How Long Does Being High Last? Make It Stop!
Sometimes, we just want the high to end. It could be that we’ve had more than we’re comfortable with, we need to drive to the airport, or any number of reasons. Is there a way to simply make your high disappear?
The short answer is: Not completely.
But there are some tricks. Our favorite is to consume—or even smell—some ground black pepper. Pepper contains a terpene called caryophyllene—also found in many strains of cannabis—which tends to heighten THC’s more relaxing (as opposed to anxiety-producing) qualities.
Speaking of which, most of the bummer of being too high can be chalked up to anxiety. Remembering not to panic, drinking plenty of water, relaxing in a warm shower or bath, or simply distracting yourself can work wonders. You’re going to be fine.
How Long Does Being High Last? I Want It to Be Longer!
There are a few “folk remedies” about staying high longer. The most prevalent is—like the black pepper cure—terpene-based. Some sources suggest that consuming a myrcene-rich mango an hour or so before cannabis will supercharge your high; others recommend combining cannabis with black or green tea for a sort of antioxidant “entourage effect.” But the most reliable (and scientifically grounded) approach we know is to reset your cannabis tolerance by taking a little “t-break,” or “tolerance break.”
If you take a cannabis break lasting anywhere from two and four days, you can bring the majority of your tolerance back to its baseline. If you go further—many clinicians recommend a month—there’s an excellent chance you can effect a near-complete “reset.”
When you return to cannabis after your t-break, you’ll feel rested and ready. Take advantage of your reset by “starting low and going low;” the longer you can keep your intake at the smallest effective level, the better chance of keeping your tolerance at a low and manageable level. You’ll enjoy your hard-earned cannabis more (and it will last longer), two things we can all agree are a good thing!
Ready to pack a bowl and enjoy? Make sure to grab your bud from your favorite Have a Heart location. Find yours below!
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