Edibles, which contain THC, generally start to affect you within 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion, with effects lasting roughly 4 to 12 hours depending on dosage, metabolism, and body fat. In terms of how long edibles stay detectable in your system:
- Urine: For occasional users, THC from edibles can be detected for about 1 to 3 days, but if you consume edibles a few times a week, detection can range from 1 to 2 weeks. Regular or daily use can result in THC being detectable for several weeks to a few months.
- Blood: THC from edibles can usually be detected in the blood for 3 to 4 days after consumption. For occasional use, it may clear within a couple of days, but for chronic use, it can remain detectable for up to a week.
- Saliva: THC can be detected for 1 to 3 days following use.
- Hair: THC can be detected in hair follicles for up to 90 days, although this test is less commonly used.
Several factors influence these detection times, including the dosage of THC, your metabolic rate, frequency of use, and body fat percentage, since THC is fat-soluble and stored in fat cells. People with higher body fat percentages may retain THC for longer periods. Faster metabolism and tolerance to THC can also shorten the detection window. Overall, while the psychoactive effects last hours, traces of THC from edibles can remain in your system and be detected for days to several weeks depending on your consumption habits and individual factors.
