How long do the effects of smoking marijuana and THC last? We're working out the consequences

Every year, millions of people consume marijuana in various forms, but most often in the form of inhaled smoke or vapor from the herb. Regardless of whether it is done recreationally or for medical reasons, we cannot forget that cannabis affects our body on many levels.

How long do the effects of smoking marijuana and THC last?

Most people who decide to smoke marijuana count on at least one of its effects. It may be the introduction of a euphoric state, but also a therapy for treating anxiety, insomnia or dealing 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. That's why we decided to discuss the most important information in this field.

Pharmacokinetics of marijuana

Pharmacokinetics is a field of pharmacology that is responsible for research on drugs and medicinal preparations.

It covers the processes through which a medicinal substance passes from the moment of its administration until its excretion from the body. These processes are most often referred to by the abbreviation ADME, which means: absorption (the way of absorption), distribution (the way of the drug through the human body), metabolism and elimination (complete cleansing of the body of the drug). This is important because each active substance that is approved for medicinal use must have this process perfectly described. Marijuana too, so let's take a closer look at the durability of its effects.

The duration of the effects of marijuana depends on the method of administration, so we will discuss smoking and vaporization, which are considered the fastest acting because the first visible effects of its administration occur within a few minutes of the first introduction of smoke/vapor into the lungs. 

How long do the effects of smoking marijuana last?

All this depends on several determinants. Some of them depend on the species of marijuana or the dose taken at one time, and others on individual factors.  

It is assumed that the most beneficial effects of smoking marijuana occur within 1-3 hours of the first contact, but the effect may also last longer.

It is also worth knowing that the euphoric peak occurs approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour after ingestion. Much depends on how often and in what quantities you use marijuana. In people who do it occasionally, the effects may be felt as more intense and longer lasting than in people who consume marijuana regularly.

Individual metabolic factors and interactions with other drugs or psychoactive substances, e.g. alcohol, which may disturb the effects of marijuana, are also important. Research published by Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research (The “Next Day” Effects of Cannabis Use: A Systematic Review) specifies that the effects of smoking marijuana most often last up to 10 hours, although they mention that people sensitive to its effects may experience them even up to 24 hours, but these are sporadic situations and require further attention from scientists.