Every year, millions of people take cannabis in various forms, but by far the most common is in the form of inhaled smoke or vapor from its dried product. Whether this is done recreationally or for medical reasons, it cannot be forgotten that cannabis affects our bodies on many levels.
How long do the effects last after smoking marijuana and THC?
Most people who make the decision to smoke marijuana are hoping for at least one of its effects. This can be the introduction of a euphoric state, but also the treatment of anxiety, insomnia whether to deal with chronic pain. Regardless of the purpose of smoking it, they want to know how long the effects will last and what it depends on. Therefore, we decided to discuss the most important information in this area.
Pharmacokinetics of marijuana
Pharmacokinetics is a branch of pharmacology that is responsible for the study of drugs and medicinal preparations. It encompasses the processes through which a medicinal substance passes from the moment it is administered until it is excreted from the body. These processes are most often referred to by the acronym ADME, which stands for: absorption (the path of absorption), distribution (the path of the drug through the human body), metabolism and elimination (the complete clearance of the drug from the body).
This is important because any active substance that is approved for medicinal use must have this process perfectly described. So does marijuana, so let's take a close look at the durability of its effects.
The duration of marijuana's effects depends on how it is administered, so we will discuss the one related to smoking and vaporization, which are considered the fastest-acting, as the first pronounced effects of its administration occur up to a few minutes after the smoke/vapor is first introduced into the lungs.
How long do the effects last after smoking marijuana?
All of this depends on several determinants. Some of these depend on the species of marijuana or the dose taken at one time, and others on individual factors.
It is assumed that most of the beneficial effects of smoking marijuana occur 1-3 hours after initial exposure, but the effect can also last a long time longer. It is also worth knowing that the euphoric peak occurs about 30 minutes to 1 hour after consumption. Much, on the other hand, depends on how often and in what quantities you take marijuana.
In people who do it occasionally, the effects may be experienced as more intense and lasting than in those who consume marijuana regularly. Individual metabolic factors or interactions with other drugs or psychoactive substances such as alcohol, which can interfere with the effects of marijuana, also matter.
A study published by Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (The "Next Day" Effects of Cannabis Use: A Systematic Review) specifies that the effects after smoking marijuana usually last up to a maximum of 10 hours, although it mentions that people who are sensitive to its effects may feel them for up to 24 hours, while these situations are sporadic and require further attention from researchers.
