How Long Do Delta 8 Gummy Highs Last?

The popularity of delta 8 THC has recently grown so much that, at this point, it’s pretty much a household name. In the span of just a couple of years, the questions surrounding this new cannabinoid have quickly gone from things like “what is delta 8?” to “how long do you stay high from delta 8?” and “how long does delta 8 last?”

To answer those questions, we have to take a look at a few different things. The window for a typical delta 8 high is pretty broad and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 6 hours. The reason for those dramatic time variations is because there are some critical factors at play that go into how long a delta 8 high may last for each individual person.

We want you to know exactly what to expect when you’re enjoying delta 8 THC, whether it’s bud, concentrate, tinctures, or delta 8 gummies. So, we’re here to break down those factors for you to help you determine just how long a delta 8 high may last for you. 

Looking for an unforgettable edible? Delta Munchies has you covered.

How Does Delta 8 THC Affect the Body?

Delta 8 is a cannabinoid form of THC that is extremely similar in molecular structure to its cannabinoid cousin delta 9 THC, which is the THC that we are most familiar with. Delta 8, in terms of strength and potency, is considered to be a milder version of delta 9.

Although it’s not as potent as delta 9, since delta 8 is a form of THC it can still get you high. And because it’s a little less intense, many users have reported that delta 8 comes without a lot of the adverse side effects that can sometimes come with delta 9. Delta 9 THC is a wonderful cannabinoid for many reasons, but it’s important to remember that cannabis affects every individual differently––and delta 9 can be very strong.

Some users have reported negative side effects with delta 9 use such as anxiety, paranoia, lethargy, or couch-lock. (And if you don’t know what couch lock is, remember that anti-drug commercial from the early 2000s with the girl literally melted into the couch? It’s pretty much exactly like that.) Delta 8 THC lets you enjoy the great things about being high like the munchies, the giggles, and the creative vibes, without all of the negative side effects that can come with delta 9.

Delta 8 THC, delta 9 THC, and other cannabinoids may have somewhat differing effects after consumption, but they all still interact with the body in the same way. This is because the human body contains a system called the endocannabinoid system (or ECS), that’s a natural, built-in way for us to process different cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. The ECS is made up of two different kinds of cannabinoid receptors, CB1 (cannabis receptors type 1), which are found in the nervous system, and CB2 (cannabis receptors type 2), which are found in the immune system. 

When we consume cannabis of any kind, the body processes the cannabinoids through the endocannabinoid system to produce the different feelings, effects, and benefits of the cannabis plant that we’ve come to know, including:

• Pain relief.

• Inflammation relief.

• Sleep aid and relief from insomnia.

• Appetite stimulation.

• Help with stomach issues such as nausea and indigestion.

• Anxiety relief.

• Elevated mood and feelings of happiness and/or euphoria.

• Psychoactive experiences, or “highs.”

But how long does a high last from delta 8? The answer to that question depends on a few different factors and variables.

How Long Does a Delta 8 High Last?

As we’ve said before, delta 8 (and cannabis in general) will affect every individual completely differently. This is mostly based on everyone’s own unique physiology, but there are a few universal factors that can help you determine how long a delta 8 high may last for you.

• Tolerance

Your personal tolerance is arguably the most crucial factor when determining how long you will stay high from delta 8. If you are someone who has a low tolerance or who doesn’t use delta 8 very often, you’ll probably remain high a lot longer than someone who uses delta 8 or delta 9 THC regularly and has a higher tolerance.

• Metabolism, height, and weight

Your body mass can also determine how long a delta 8 high will last, too. If someone of a larger or taller stature and someone of a smaller or shorter stature were to consume the same amount of delta 8, the smaller person would feel the effects for longer. This is partly because of their body mass but also partly because of their metabolisms. The faster your metabolism is, the faster you process cannabinoids like delta 8, and the faster they will leave your system.

• Overall health

Your overall health also plays a role in how long a delta 8 high will last. The healthier you are, the easier it is for your body to process cannabinoids. And since both types of cannabis receptors live in our nervous and immune systems, any compromise to those systems will affect how cannabinoids interact with your body, which in turn has the potential to produce more robust and prolonged effects.

• Method of consumption 

Besides your personal tolerance, this is probably the most important variable when considering how long a delta 8 high will last. Things like smoking and vaping will produce the shortest highs since they’re absorbed by the body very quickly. In comparison, methods of consumption like tinctures, edibles, and delta 8 gummies will last a lot longer since they are digested through the stomach. Edibles can take some time to kick in, but when they do, they aren’t messing around.

How Long Do Delta 8 Edibles Last?

Cannabis edibles are by far the best way to get super high and stay super high. Methods like smoking and vaping, on the other hand, are fast but fleeting. Here are some Q and A’s that will help answer how long does edible delta 8 last and the highs of other products. 

Q: How long does a delta 8 gummy high last?

Depending on the variables that we’ve listed above, a typical delta 8 gummy high can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. This is because edibles are ingested through the mouth, digested through the stomach, and metabolized through the liver. When they reach the liver, the THC turns into a metabolize called 11-Hydroxy-THC, which is an astounding five times stronger than regular THC. This is responsible for why edibles are so potent as well as why the high from them lasts so long. 

Q: How long does a delta 8 high last from smoking or vaping?

When you smoke or vape delta 8 flower or concentrate, the smoke is inhaled through the lungs and absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This makes for an intense onset, but it will go away pretty quickly as you’re actually blowing out a lot of the THC in the smoke you exhale. (In comparison, when you take edibles, you’re absorbing 100% of the THC content.) Depending again on the above factors, a typical high from smoking and vaping can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Q: How long does a high last from a delta 8 tincture?

A delta 8 tincture is processed through the body the same way that edibles are, so they will follow a similar timeline. A typical high from a delta 8 tincture can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. Although, because tinctures are absorbed sublingually (or under the tongue) directly into the bloodstream, the effects will begin to take a lot more quickly than edibles. Edibles can take a couple of hours to fully kick in, but you should be able to feel the effects of a tincture in as little as 30 minutes.

How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System?

It’s important to note that although the duration of a delta 8 high may only be for a couple of hours, delta 8 can stay in your system for a lot longer than that.

Similar to other cannabinoids like delta 9 THC (and even some strong strains of CBD), delta 8 THC may stay in your system on average anywhere from 1 week up to 30 days after use. This also depends on a wide variety of factors as well, but the same principles apply–– if you’ve used a large dose at once or are a regular user, delta 8 will stay in your system a lot longer versus if you used a small dose or are an infrequent user.

(And a pro tip: yes, delta 8 will show up on a drug test!)

To wrap it up, if you’ve ever had a regular THC gummy, you’re already very well equipped to try out delta 8 gummies. The timeline of their high and effects will be very similar to what you’re used to. The main difference between them is potency, but some regular THC users prefer a delta 8 gummy high because they find it more relaxing than delta 9 gummies. Whichever you prefer, we want you to have a safe, fun, and enjoyable high!