Cannabis Science

Do Edibles Work Less on a Full Stomach?

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You’ve just finished eating lunch but remember you have delicious edible brownies in the fridge. Should you have it as a dessert or wait until you’re hungry later? You’ve probably heard that edibles work less on a full stomach. We’re here to set the record straight.

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How Long for Edibles to Hit on Full Stomach?

Generally, edibles take about 30 minutes to an hour to kick in. However, if you’re eating edibles on a full stomach, it can take you longer to feel the effects. According to Ohio Marijuana Card, “it can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours before you begin to feel the effects.”

If your stomach is full, the cannabinoids will take longer to get to the liver. When the cannabinoids get to the liver, the THC is metabolized. After the metabolism, you’ll begin to feel the effects. Have you ever noticed if you drink alcohol on a full stomach, it takes longer for you to feel the effects? It’s the same concept with weed.

Even though the effects of edibles take longer to show up compared to other methods (like smoking from a bong), the effects last longer. However, if you eat edibles on a full stomach, you will have a duller high than if you ate edibles on an empty stomach.

How quickly or slowly the edible’s effects take depends on other factors as well. According to Ohio Marijuana Card and Healthline, the following affects the onset and the length of high from edibles:

  • How much food you’ve eaten
  • The type of food
  • Metabolism
  • The amount of THC
  • Weight
  • Tolerance

So, do edibles work less on a full stomach? Not quite, they just work differently.

Should I Eat Edibles on an Empty Stomach?

Maybe you’re hungry, and the last thing you want to do is cook or order something. Is it safe to eat the edibles in your fridge?

Yes!

If you eat edibles on an empty stomach, the effects will hit quicker, and your high will be more intense.

But we have to caution you on eating too many edibles. While overdosing on weed is very unlikely, and eating edibles is safe, it can be an unpleasant experience, especially if you’re a newbie.

To avoid these adverse side effects, you can start with an edible lower in THC and only eat one dose at a time. Ohio Marijuana Card says that you can decrease your usual dose by 50% if you’re enjoying them on an empty stomach.

Healthline says, “Since edibles don’t kick in right away, it can be tempting to take more soon after your first dose. Wait at least 24 hours before taking another dose.”

Are you wondering about some of the unpleasant side effects you can get after noshing on too many edibles? Healthline says you may experience:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Delusions
  • Agitation
  • Extreme sedation

If you’re still hungry after your first dose, have a different snack instead of opting for another edible. You’re probably going to have the munchies anyway, so have some snacks on hand.

How Do I Stop Being High?

If you had edibles on an empty stomach, you’re probably having an intense high. If you’re not used to intense highs, you may feel overwhelmed and want it to stop. That’s okay! You can try a couple of methods even though we can’t guarantee anything. The good news is that the high will wear off eventually.

The first thing we’ll suggest is avoiding foods that claim to intensify your high. That includes mangoes, beer, chocolate, and nuts. On the other hand, Healthline says some foods may decrease your high such as:

  • Lemons
  • Pine nuts
  • Peppercorn

Need a suggestion? Squeeze some lemon in some water. At the very least, you’ll be hydrated. In addition to that, Healthline says that some stoners swear by fatty food or carbs to decrease high. However, as they stated, there’s no evidence to back up these claims. Therefore, you can just grab what you can, and you may start feeling better.

Our final tip is simply to relax. Even though you may feel; super uncomfortable, chances are you’re fine. Just find a quiet place where you can breathe. Healthline says if quiet isn’t working for you, “If you do decide to go for some music, consider something you know all the words to, and sing along. This can help you stay grounded in the present moment.”

Time is really the best remedy for curing too intense of a high.

Conclusion

Do edibles work less on a full stomach? The short answer is yes. The effects of the high will be delayed, longer, and typically won’t be as intense. However, if you eat an edible on an empty stomach, the opposite is likely. That is a quicker and more intense high. In addition to that, several factors impact the intensity and length of a high outside of how full you are. Finally, if you want your high to end sooner, the best thing to do is wait it out.

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About Trevann

Trevann is Stoner Rotation’s Jamaica-based lead writer for the Science section of our cannabis blog. She graduated with honors receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular Biology from the University of West Indies, Mona. For the last three years, she has covered some of the biggest questions around cannabis and health underpinned with research from supporting studies, medical journals and scholarly articles. Got something on your mind? You can reach her at [email protected].