How Fast Do THC Drinks Work, and What Should You Expect? – Herbal Oasis

By Tyler Edge

How Fast Do THC Drinks Work, and What Should You Expect?

Of all cannabis drinks, the THC drink has become one of the most popular beverage choices. Promising a faster onset of the effects and a slightly different experience than traditional edibles, these drinks are changing the way people consume cannabis. 

But how fast does a THC drink start to work? Do they hit faster than other methods? What does the high from a THC drink feel like? This guide will dive into some common questions about cannabis-infused beverages.

THC Drinks: How It Works

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of just how fast the effects take hold with THC drinks, let’s briefly look at what makes these drinks different from the rest of the cannabis product lineup.

Nanoemulsion Technology

Most THC drinks are designed around a technology called nanoemulsion. This means the THC is reduced into tiny particles and then covered in a water-friendly coating. This process allows the THC to blend well with liquids and helps the body absorb it more readily.

How Your Body Processes THC Drinks

When you drink a THC beverage, absorption begins right away in the mouth. As the drink makes its way through your digestive system, the THC continues to be absorbed. That’s not the case when you consume a THC gummy or brownie, wherein the THC doesn’t get activated until it’s digested completely.

How Quickly Do THC Drinks Take Effect?

Now, to the big question: how fast can you expect it to kick in?

Super Fast Onset Time

THC drinks boast the fastest-acting times. Effects for most begin within a time frame of 10 to 30 minutes after consumption. This is so much quicker compared to the traditional edible, which takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 full hours to take effect.

Factors Affecting Onset Time

While drinks hit relatively fast across the board, the exact time can depend on a few factors:

  1. Your metabolism

  2. Whether you have eaten recently

  3. Your tolerance to THC

  4. The strength of the drink

Peak Effects

You will typically feel the full effects of a drink within 45 minutes to an hour after drinking. This is when the high will be at its strongest.

Do THC Drinks Hit Faster Than Other Methods?

Now, let’s pit THC drinks against other ways of consuming cannabis and how they hold out against each other in terms of speed.

THC Drinks vs. Edibles

Conversely, drinks most certainly work faster than traditional edibles like gummies or brownies. While the onsets for edibles can take upwards of 2 hours to kick in, drinks start working in as little as 10 minutes.

THC Drinks vs. Smoking or Vaping

This still makes smoking or vaping the fastest way to get onset effects, which take within seconds to minutes. THC drinks are slower than this, but still much quicker than consuming cannabis in food form.

THC Drinks vs Tinctures

Tinctures, taken under the tongue, can take effect in around 15-30 minutes, which is pretty similar in onset time to THC drinks.

What Do THC Drinks Feel Like?

The Come-Up

As a drink containing THC starts to kick in, you can expect to notice:

  1. A subtle shift in mood, perhaps relaxed or happy

  2. A gentle wave of physical comfort

  3. Heightened senses, such as brighter colors or sounding music

At its peak effects, which generally occur around an hour after consumption, you may feel:

  1. An even more intense euphoria

  2. Physical relaxation

  3. And perhaps an increase in appetite

The Duration

The effects of THC drinks typically last 2 to 4 hours. This is shorter than those of the more traditional edibles which can take 6 to 8 hours or even longer.

Tips for Trying THC Drinks

If you’re new to THC drinks or cannabis in general, here are some tips to ensure a positive experience:

Start Low and Go Slow

Begin with a low amount, especially if you’re new to cannabis. You can always drink more, but you can’t undo what you’ve already consumed.

Be Patient

Even though THC drinks act more quickly than edibles, it is still important to wait at least an hour before determining whether to take more.

Stay Hydrated

Sometimes THC can cause dry mouth, so keep some water nearby.

How Fast Do THC Drinks Work? 

THC drinks are an innovation when it comes to cannabis consumption. Their effects appear faster compared to common edibles but are still much slower when compared with smoking. Overall, they may kick in anywhere between 10-30 minutes; the peak appears in about an hour and persists for 2 to 4 hours.

Give THC drinks a try to see if they work for you.