The High Factors
Delta 8 feels a lot like the active ingredient in cannabis, Delta 9, and the two effects have a similar duration. On average, a THC high lingers for between two and eight hours. That is obviously a huge variation in time, and where you fall on that spectrum is dictated by a number of factors.- Potency: How concentrated is the THC product you’re using? Higher THC content will lead to a stronger high, which will in turn stay in your system for a longer period.
- Method of Absorption: The way you take Delta 8 dramatically changes both how quickly you feel the effects, and how long they stay in your system. This is by far the most important factor in determining the length of a high. Edibles are absorbed and processed by your liver, which breaks the THC down more slowly and extends the duration significantly. Smoking, whether it be dabbing, vape cartridges, or joints and pipes, causes the THC to be absorbed by the soft tissue of your lungs. This results in an experience that hits quickly but fades relatively fast.
- Tolerance: How frequently you use Delta 8 will also determine how powerfully you feel the effects. A first-time user may experience the effects up to twice as long as a seasoned vet.
- Body Type and Metabolism: Like any substance, your gender, age, and weight will influence how your body responds to the THC. Someone with a faster metabolism will process the cannabinoids more quickly, and the effects will fade sooner as a result. Additionally, a full stomach will help absorb some of the chemicals and contribute to a shorter high.
Thanks for the excellent article! I just got and tried some hemp-derived Delta8 THC oil. Haven’t touched THC in decades, so I was very measured in my approach. Even so, I made the mistake of having a bit more when, after an hour and a half, I was feeling nice but not really high. A couple or so hours later, I was ‘altered’ on a new level and stayed that way for several hours (3-4, maybe more… a very long time!). Maybe this was due to my 30-year tolerance break, but I cut the dose in half today and only added a bit more 4 hours later. I will ever-so-slowly increase the dose slightly with each use to find the best dosage.