How Long Does THC Vape Effect Last?

Several factors determine how long THC can stay in one’s body system; this includes when you are vaping THC. Frequency of use, THC tolerance, and how THC is administered are some of the aspects that can impact the result of a drug test. In this post, we will help you understand the duration of THC in your body and how you can detoxify it by various means.

So, how long does it last?

We can find several anecdotal reports regarding how long does THC Vape Pens effect last. Some users suggest they can feel the impact in a couple of hours, while others state that it may take longer. But if you ask us, we would go with the verifiable and measurable evidence since these offer a more structured understanding.

There was a study in 2017 that delved into the onset periods and durations of vape highs. The results provide valuable insights into the temporal dynamics of cannabis consumption. Here are the findings of the mentioned research:

Duration of High

The effects can persist for a duration of 2 to 3 hours, offering detection windows of altered perception and relaxation. But THC can still stay in your system even if the high diminishes.

Onset of High

The effects of THC Oil Vape Pen consumed via vape typically kick in within just a few minutes of inhalation.

Peak of High

The high reaches its zenith around 20 to 30 minutes post-inhalation, signifying the most intense phase of the experience.

Factors that Influence THC Vape Effects

There are various factors to consider that help determine how long THC can stay in your system. Check them out below:

Human Genetics

The makeup of your human body plays a pivotal role in determining how long THC metabolites can stay in your system. Although the understanding of the intricate relationship between human genetics and THC sensitivity is still a work in progress, emerging research suggests that your human genetics can influence how much THC vape stays within you.

Genetic variations in the endocannabinoid system, including cannabinoid receptors such as CB1 and CB2 receptors, can influence individual sensitivity to THC. Variations in receptor structure or density may impact how effectively THC binds to these receptors, affecting the intensity and duration of its effects.

Lipid deposits percentage is a perfect example of human genetics that affect how long can THC vape stay in one’s system. About 65% of THC and its metabolites are excreted through feces, while approximately 20% are eliminated through urine. The remaining THC is stored in the body’s fatty tissues.

Tolerance to THC

Another factor that affects how long THC remains detectable is its tolerance. With frequent cannabis consumption, the body’s cannabinoid receptors become less responsive to THC. This is especially applicable to CB1 receptors in the brain.

The reduced sensitivity means that chronic users must consume higher doses for desired effects. As a result, the duration of the high may seem shorter because the body’s adapted response diminishes the perceived intensity and longevity of the impact.

Method of Consumption

How you consume THC also dictates how long it will stay in your system. This is because different methods impact the absorption, onset, and duration of THC metabolites.

Smoking Marijuana or Vaping THC

• Absorption Rate: When you smoke cannabis, THC becomes rapidly absorbed through the lungs and quickly reaches the bloodstream. This principle also applies to vaping cannabis. The method allows THC to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) almost immediately, leading to a fast onset of effects.
• Onset and Duration: The high from smoking or vaping THC typically begins within minutes. It reaches peak effects within 20 – 30 minutes and may last about 2 to 3 hours. This quick absorption is expected to lead to a short-term high since THC metabolites are quickly cleared from the bloodstream.
• Metabolism: The liver processes the THC that reaches it via the circulatory system. This organ breaks down THC into its known metabolites, which are eventually excreted from the body. The process is relatively quick for inhaled THC, explaining its shorter duration in the system.

Ingesting or Eating THC Products

• Absorption Rate: In this cannabis use, edibles require digestion in the stomach and processing by the liver before THC can enter into the bloodstream. This pathway is much slower compared to inhalation methods.
• Onset and Duration: The onset of effects from edibles typically takes 30-90 minutes due to the digestive process. However, once THC is absorbed, the high can last significantly longer – up to 24 hours in some cases. The delayed onset and prolonged high are due to the gradual release and metabolism of THC in the digestive tract.
• Metabolism: When THC is ingested, it is converted by the liver into 11-hydroxy-THC, a potent metabolite that can produce more robust and longer-lasting effects. This extended metabolism process contributes to the prolonged presence of THC metabolites in the system.

Sublingual and Transdermal Methods

• Absorption Rate: Sublingual methods (such as tinctures) involve placing cannabis products under the tongue, where THC is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes. Transdermal patches release THC slowly through the skin into the bloodstream.
• Onset and Duration: Sublingual methods typically produce effects within 15 to 45 minutes, lasting 4 to 6 hours. Transdermal patches provide a steady release of THC, leading to a gradual onset and prolonged effects that can last for several hours, depending on the dosage and formulation.
• Metabolism: These methods bypass the digestive system, leading to more direct absorption and metabolism in the bloodstream, but they still result in THC metabolites being processed by the liver over time.

Preferred Cannabinoid

The preferred cannabinoid significantly influences how long THC stays in one’s system, as different cannabinoids and their consumption methods impact the onset, duration, and intensity of effects. Here’s an in-depth look at how various cannabinoids affect the duration of THC in the body.

Delta 9 THC

• Typical Dosage and Effects: Marijuana edibles containing delta 9 THC range between five to ten milligrams per serving. Delta 9 THC is the most common and well-known psychoactive component of cannabis, producing solid and lasting effects.
• Duration: The high from Delta 9 THC can last several hours, typically peaking within the first hour or two and gradually tapering off. The psychoactive effects are noticeable and vary based on individual tolerance and metabolism.
• Metabolism and Detection: Due to its potency, Delta 9 THC is metabolized relatively quickly, but its metabolites can linger in the body, especially in frequent users, making it detectable in drug tests for days or even weeks.

Delta 8 THC

• Typical Dosage and Effects: Delta 8 THC products, such as gummies, often contain higher dosages per serving, commonly around twenty-five milligrams. Despite the higher dosage, delta 8 THC is considered to produce a milder high compared to Delta 9 THC.
• Duration: A ten-milligram dose of Delta 8 THC may result in a shorter and less intense high compared to an equivalent dose of Delta 9 THC. Users may find that the effects of delta-8 THC are less potent and wear off more quickly.
• Tolerance: Users often report that tolerance to delta 8 THC builds quickly, leading to milder effects over time. This rapid tolerance buildup can affect how long THC remains detectable in the system, as the body may process it more efficiently with frequent use.

Other Cannabinoids (HHC, THCP)

• HHC: Users claim that HHC (hexahydrocannabinol) builds tolerance rapidly, resulting in milder highs over a short period of use. This quick tolerance development can influence how long HHC stays in the system, potentially leading to shorter detection windows.
• THCP: Known for its potent and long-lasting effects, THCP can have an extended duration, with effects that might persist into the following day. Its potency also means it can drive tolerance quickly, affecting both the intensity and duration of its presence in the body.

Combining Cannabinoids

• Potent and Mild Cannabinoids: Combining potent cannabinoids with mildly or non-psychoactive alternatives, such as CBD, THCV, or CBN, can influence the overall duration and intensity of the high. These combinations may help shorten the high and slow down tolerance buildup.
• Non-Psychoactive Cannabinoids: CBD, THCV, and CBN can modulate the effects of psychoactive cannabinoids, potentially leading to a more balanced and shorter-lasting high. These cannabinoids can also help manage tolerance and reduce the overall accumulation of THC in the system.

Product Quality and Production Standards

• Inconsistencies: Differences in production standards and product quality can lead to inconsistent outcomes, even among products containing the same cannabinoid in the same quantity. This variability can affect both the duration of the high and how long THC remains detectable in the system.
• Regulation: The hemp industry in the United States is currently unregulated, which could lead to product potency and purity discrepancies. Until regulation improves, predicting the exact duration of a high-based cannabinoid alone remains challenging.

Dosage

The amount of THC consumed plays a role in determining how long it remains in the body, as it directly affects the strength and length of its effects. Larger doses of THC lead to more robust and longer-lasting highs since the body requires more time to process more significant quantities.

Regularly using high doses can quickly build tolerance, making the body more efficient at processing THC, which shortens the duration of the high over time, even with the same amount consumed. As tolerance increases, users might need even larger doses to feel the same effects, causing THC to accumulate in the body’s fat tissues and be detectable for extended periods.

Occasional users might find high doses detectable for a few days, while frequent users could see longer detection times due to this buildup. To manage how long THC stays in the system, it’s essential to monitor and adjust dosages, starting with lower doses and gradually increasing as needed, and incorporating periodic tolerance breaks to reset the body’s sensitivity to THC. This approach helps maintain a consistent experience and minimizes prolonged accumulation and detectability of THC metabolites.

THC Vape and Drug Tests

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis and hemp, can be consumed in various forms, including vaping. Understanding how THC from vapes is detected using intensive THC detox kits is crucial for users who might be subject to these tests. This explanation covers the different types of drug tests, how they detect THC, and the duration THC remains detectable in the body.

Types of Drug Tests and THC Detection

Urine Tests

A urine test is the most common form of drug testing used to detect THC metabolites. They look for cannabis components, such as THC-COOH, a metabolite of THC that is produced when the body processes the compound. The detection window for THC in urine can vary based on frequency of use:

• Occasional hemp users (once a week or less): THC-COOH can be detected for up to 3 days.
• Regular cannabis users (several times a week): Detection can extend to about 7-10 days.
• Heavy users (daily use): THC may be detectable for up to 15 days.
• Chronic heavy users (multiple times daily): Detection can extend to over 30 days.

Blood Tests

A blood test detects the presence of active THC in the bloodstream. THC is rapidly metabolized and redistributed into tissues, making its presence in blood relatively short-lived:

• Occasional users: THC may be detectable for 1-2 days.
• Frequent users: Detection can last for seven days or more.

Saliva Tests

A saliva test detects THC itself rather than its metabolites. The detection window is generally shorter for saliva tests:

• Occasional users: THC can be detected for 24-72 hours.
• Frequent users: It can be detectable for up to a week.

Hair Follicle Tests

A hair test can detect THC and its metabolites over a much more extended period:

• All users: THC can be detected for up to 90 days in this specific drug test, depending on hair growth rates and the length of the hair tested.

How THC Vapes Affect Marijuana Drug Tests

Cannabis Use via Vapes

When THC is consumed through vaping, it enters the bloodstream almost immediately through the lungs. This results in rapid onset of effects but also influences how quickly THC metabolites are formed and excreted.

THC Detection and Metabolism

The body metabolizes THC into THC-COOH, which is then stored in fat cells and gradually excreted, primarily through urine. The rate of metabolism and excretion can be affected by various factors, including body fat percentage, metabolic rate, and frequency of use.

Implications for Users Undergoing Drug Tests

Urine Drug Tests

For users concerned about a urine drug test, it is essential to be aware that THC-COOH, the metabolite tested in urine, accumulates with repeated use. Vaping regularly increases the likelihood of detection, even if the user stops using it for several days before the test.

Blood Tests

Since a blood drug test measures active THC, the timing of the test relative to the last vaping session is critical. Frequent users may have residual levels of active THC that can be detected several days after use.

Saliva Tests

A saliva test is susceptible to recent cannabis use, as THC is present in saliva shortly after vaping. Even occasional users might test positive if the test is conducted within a few days of use.

Hair Follicle Tests

Hair tests offer the most extended detection window. Even infrequent use can be detected up to three months later, as THC metabolites are deposited in hair as it grows.

THC Detoxification Options

THC detoxification is an essential concern for individuals who aim to pass a specific drug testing method (either a urine test or a blood test). This is also true for those who use a THC vape pen. Understanding the detoxification process to eliminate THC is necessary to remove THC from one’s system effectively.

Natural Detoxification Methods

Hydration and Diet

Drinking plenty of water can help dilute urine and support the body’s natural detox process. While hydration alone cannot remove THC, it may help reduce THC traces in a urine sample. Also, consuming a healthy diet rich in fiber may aid the process of eliminating stored THC.

Exercise and Sweating

Regular exercise can help burn fat cells that store THC, thereby aiding its release into the bloodstream and eventual excretion. However, if one exercises too close to a drug testing schedule, it might temporarily increase THC levels in the blood and urine. Thus, there is a high possibility of failing urine tests.

Commercial Products to Remove THC

Detox Pills

Detox pills are engineered to accelerate the body’s detoxification process. These pills contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements that may boost the burning of body fat that contains THC.

Detox Drinks

Detox drinks are beverages that aim to flush out toxins, including THC, from the body. These drinks often contain diuretics and other compounds that increase urine production and dilute the concentration of THC in the urine sample.

Detox Kits

Detox kits combine pills, drinks, and dietary guidelines into a structured program designed to eliminate THC from the body over several days. These kits often include detailed instructions and support to maximize effectiveness.