Why Don’t Edibles Get Me High? (14 Most Likely Causes)

You pop an edible, wait for the high to hit… and nothing happens.

Maybe you wait another 30 minutes, still nothing. You start wondering, Did I get a bad batch? Did I take too little? Am I immune to edibles?

Frustrated, you take another dose—only for it to suddenly hit all at once an hour later, leaving you way higher than you planned.

Sound familiar? If edibles don’t seem to work for you—or they’re too unpredictable—don’t worry, we’re here to help.

In this guide, we’ll break down why your edibles aren’t working and what you can do about it, so you can actually enjoy the experience instead of second-guessing every bite.

How Long Do Edibles Take to Work?

Edibles typically take 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in because they need to be digested and processed by the liver before THC enters your bloodstream. If you’re not feeling anything after taking one—and after waiting—it’s best to check the possible reasons why down below.

Why Don’t I Get High From Edibles?

If edibles don’t get you high, it’s likely due to how your body processes THC, your tolerance, or the type of edible. Some people metabolize THC too fast, take too low a dose, or eat CBD-heavy products.

For more details, check out the section below.

1. You’re Not Giving It Enough Time

Alright, let’s start with the most common mistake—impatience.

Edibles aren’t like smoking or vaping, where you feel the effects almost instantly. They have to go through your stomach, get digested, and then processed by your liver before the THC actually hits your bloodstream.

This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and in some cases, even longer depending on your metabolism, what you ate that day, and how your body handles THC. If you don’t feel anything after 30 minutes and decide to take more, you’re setting yourself up for a “too high” rollercoaster ride later.

Seriously, give it at least two hours before thinking about a second dose, and if you’re new to edibles, wait a full day before trying again so you can gauge how your body reacts.

RECOMMENDED: Reasons Why Your Edibles ARE STILL Not Kicking In After 3 Hours

2. Your Dosage Is Too Low

THC in edibles is measured in milligrams (mg), and getting the right dose is key to actually feeling the effects.

If you’re new to this, 2.5 to 5 mg is a good starting point—but for some people, especially those with a higher natural tolerance, that might not be enough to do much. On the flip side, if you take too much too soon, it can lead to an uncomfortable high that lasts for hours.

The golden rule? Start low and go slow.

If you’re unsure, take one dose and wait at least two hours before deciding if you need more. And if you feel absolutely nothing, gradually increasing in small increments (like 2.5 mg at a time) will help you find that sweet spot without overdoing it.

3. You Have a High THC Tolerance

If you’re a regular cannabis user, your tolerance might be the reason edibles aren’t hitting the way you expect. Over time, the body gets used to THC, meaning you might need a higher dose than someone who doesn’t consume regularly.

If you’ve been smoking, vaping, or taking edibles often, your cannabinoid receptors aren’t as sensitive as they used to be, so what used to get you high might not work as well anymore.

The fix? A tolerance break (T-break)—basically, taking a break from THC for a few days to a couple of weeks can help reset your system.

If taking a break isn’t an option, trying a higher dose or switching up your consumption method (like using sublingual products) might help you feel the effects more noticeably.

4. You Bought a CBD-Dominant Edible

Here’s something that trips up a lot of people—you might be eating the wrong type of edible without realizing it.

Some edibles have more CBD than THC, and while CBD is great for relaxation and pain relief, it doesn’t get you high. In fact, CBD can actually counteract some of THC’s effects, making your experience feel much weaker or even nonexistent.

This happens a lot with edibles labeled as “full-spectrum” or “balanced” products, which means they contain both THC and CBD.

Before buying, always check the THC-to-CBD ratio—if you’re looking to actually get high, make sure the THC content is higher than the CBD content.

5. Your Body Metabolizes THC Too Fast (Ediblocked)

Yep, some people are just built differently when it comes to processing THC.

This is something known as being “ediblocked”, where your body metabolizes THC too quickly, preventing you from feeling the effects as strongly as others.

This is mostly due to genetics—some people have more active CYP2C9 liver enzymes, which break down THC faster than usual. If this sounds like you, traditional edibles might not be the best option.

Instead, try sublingual tinctures, cannabis-infused drinks, or smoking/vaping. These methods allow THC to bypass the liver and enter your bloodstream more directly, meaning you’ll actually feel the effects instead of just wondering why nothing’s happening.

6. Sublingual vs. Digestive Absorption

The way you consume cannabis plays a huge role in how quickly (or slowly) you’ll feel the effects.

Traditional edibles—like gummies, brownies, and chocolates—have to go through your digestive system before they kick in. That means THC has to travel to your liver, where it gets converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a stronger and longer-lasting version of THC.

This process takes time, usually anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your metabolism and whether you ate recently.

But here’s the thing: not all edibles work this way.

Sublingual edibles, like tinctures, lozenges, and dissolvable strips, don’t go through digestion at all. Instead, they absorb directly into your bloodstream through the tissues under your tongue. This means you’ll feel the effects much faster—usually within 15 to 30 minutes.

If traditional edibles aren’t hitting you like they should, it might be because your body isn’t breaking them down efficiently. In that case, switching to sublingual products could be a game-changer.

RECOMMENDED: Which is Better Between Edibles and Tinctures?

7. Digestive Issues Affecting THC Absorption

Since traditional edibles need to be broken down in your stomach before the THC gets into your bloodstream, digestive issues can really mess with their effectiveness.

If you have conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, or other gut-related disorders, your body might not be absorbing THC properly.

Even if you eat the edible, it could be passing through your system without getting fully processed—which means little to no high.

Another factor? Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or past gastrointestinal surgeries can also impact how edibles work for you.

If you’ve got any of these conditions and edibles never seem to hit, it’s not just in your head. You might have better luck with sublingual tinctures or vaping, since these methods bypass your digestive system entirely and deliver THC more directly into your bloodstream.

8. You Took the Edible on an Empty Stomach

You might think taking an edible on an empty stomach would help it hit faster, but actually, it can make it weaker.

THC is a fat-soluble compound, meaning it binds to fat in your body to be properly absorbed. If there’s no food (especially fats) in your stomach, your body might not absorb the THC as efficiently, which can lead to a weaker or delayed high.

The fix? Eat something with healthy fats before or with your edible.

Foods like avocados, nuts, cheese, or even a drizzle of olive oil can help THC absorb better and make the high more consistent and long-lasting. So, if your edible didn’t hit the way you expected, it might just be because your stomach was running on empty.

READ MORE: Do Edibles REALLY Work Less on an Empty Stomach?

9. Your Edibles Were Stored Improperly

Just like any food product, edibles don’t last forever—especially when they’re not stored properly.

THC degrades when exposed to heat, light, and oxygen, which means if you’ve left your gummies sitting in a warm car or your brownies sitting out on the counter for weeks, they might have lost a lot of their potency.

Over time, THC converts into CBN (cannabinol), which is more of a sedative than a psychoactive compound. So, instead of feeling high, you might just feel sleepy.

To keep your edibles fresh and effective, store them in a cool, dark place, preferably in an airtight container. If your stash has been sitting around for a while and isn’t working like it used to, it might be time to grab a fresh batch.

CHECK MORE: How to Properly Store Edibles in 4 Simple Steps

10. Mislabeled or Weak Products

Not all edibles are created equal, and not every product on the market is as strong as it claims to be.

Some edibles—especially homemade or unregulated ones—can have less THC than what’s advertised or an uneven distribution of THC, meaning you might get a weak dose in one bite and a super strong dose in another.

Even some commercial products can have inconsistent potency due to how they’re manufactured.

The best way to avoid this? Buy from licensed dispensaries that sell lab-tested edibles. These products list their actual THC content and have been tested for accuracy, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

If you’ve been buying from unreliable sources and your edibles don’t seem to be working, it could be the product itself—not you.

RELATED: How Do You Read Cannabis Labels?

11. Your Liver Isn’t Converting THC Properly

Ever wonder why edibles hit some people hard while others barely feel a thing? Well, a lot of that comes down to how your liver processes THC.

When you eat an edible, THC doesn’t go straight to your brain like when you smoke—it first has to pass through your liver, where it gets converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a super potent version of THC that crosses the blood-brain barrier way more efficiently. This is what gives edibles their long-lasting and often more intense high.

But here’s where things get tricky: not everyone’s liver processes THC the same way.

Some people have genetic variations in liver enzymes (mainly CYP2C9) that either speed up or slow down THC metabolism.

If your body processes THC too quickly, you might not feel much before it’s already broken down. On the flip side, if your liver metabolizes THC more slowly, the effects might take forever to kick in but could last much longer than expected.

If edibles never seem to work for you, it could be that your liver just isn’t great at converting THC. In that case, sublingual cannabis products (like tinctures or dissolvable strips) or inhaling THC might work better since they bypass the liver altogether.

12. Previous Cannabis Use Might Alter Effects

If you’ve been using cannabis for a while, your tolerance might be the culprit.

The more frequently you use THC, the more your endocannabinoid system adapts, making your cannabinoid receptors (CB1 receptors, mainly) less sensitive. This means that a dose that used to get you super high might barely register now—especially with edibles.

It’s like coffee: If you’re a daily drinker, one cup won’t do much for you, but for someone who rarely drinks caffeine, that same cup will have them wired for hours.

If your edibles aren’t hitting anymore, consider taking a tolerance break (T-break). A few days to a couple of weeks off can reset your receptors, making THC feel stronger again. If quitting cold turkey isn’t an option, you can switch up your consumption method (maybe try a different edible brand or a higher dose) to see if it makes a difference.

13. Your Body Chemistry Affects How THC Works

THC doesn’t affect everyone the same way, and a lot of that comes down to individual body chemistry. Things like metabolism, body fat percentage, hormone levels, and overall health all play a role in how you experience edibles.

For example, THC is stored in fat cells, so people with higher body fat percentages may store THC for longer, leading to a more gradual, prolonged high rather than an immediate hit. On the other hand, if you have a fast metabolism, your body might break down THC faster than usual, meaning the effects don’t last as long.

Hormones can also make a difference. Estrogen increases THC sensitivity, which means women may feel stronger effects at certain points in their menstrual cycle. Testosterone might affect THC metabolism, though research on that is still developing.

Bottom line? Your unique body chemistry influences how THC affects you, so if edibles don’t seem to work the way they do for your friends, it might just be how your body processes cannabinoids.

If that’s the case, experimenting with different dosages or consumption methods might be the key to finding what works best for you.

14. Alcohol or Medications Can Interfere

Mixing alcohol and edibles can be a wild ride—sometimes in a fun way, other times in a “why is the room spinning?” kind of way.

Alcohol actually increases THC absorption, which means it can make your high feel way stronger than usual. If you’ve ever had a drink before taking an edible and then got way higher than expected, that’s why.

But it’s not just alcohol—certain medications can mess with THC absorption too. Some drugs (like antifungals and antibiotics) slow down THC metabolism, making your high last longer and feel stronger. Others, like some epilepsy meds or antidepressants, speed up THC breakdown, meaning you might not feel much at all.

If you’re on any prescription meds, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before experimenting with edibles, just to be safe. And if you’re drinking? Just be mindful that alcohol can amplify the effects of THC—so start low and go slow unless you’re prepared for a potentially overwhelming experience.

Final Thoughts

Here at BMWO, we want to make sure you’re well-informed about everything you’re consuming.

If you’re looking to explore other options, check out our edibles section. We offer high-quality products like BLISS Edibles 375mg THC Tropical, Cara-Melts – Twisted Extracts, and more—perfect for experimenting with different types of edibles.

Still not feeling the effects? It might not be the edibles—it could be your dosage, metabolism, digestion, or tolerance. If that’s the case, you might want to try our other products, including flowers, concentrates, and vapes, to see what works best for you.

For more insights, head over to our blog section, where you can find helpful topics like “What’s the Difference Between Hemp and CBD Gummies?”, “Edibles Aren’t Working After 3 Hours”, and more.

At the end of the day, if edibles aren’t hitting, it’s usually a matter of adjusting your approach. Understanding how your body processes THC can help you get the experience you’re looking for.

We hope this guide has helped! Drop a comment if you have any more questions—and as always, take care!

FAQs

How long should I wait before redosing an edible?

Always wait at least 2 hours before taking more edibles. Since edibles take longer to kick in than smoking, many people get impatient and take another dose too soon, which can lead to a way stronger high than expected. If you’re new to edibles, it’s even safer to wait a full day before increasing your dose to avoid an uncomfortable experience.

Does what I eat before taking an edible affect how high I get?

Yes! THC is fat-soluble, which means it absorbs better when taken with food, especially healthy fats like avocados, nuts, cheese, or oils. If you take an edible on an empty stomach, it might not hit as hard or could take longer to kick in. If you want a stronger, more consistent high, eat something fatty before or with your edible.

Do different types of edibles hit differently?

Absolutely! Not all edibles work the same way. Traditional gummies and brownies take longer to kick in because they’re digested first. But things like sublingual tinctures, infused drinks, or fast-dissolving tablets absorb directly into the bloodstream, leading to a much faster onset. If regular edibles don’t work well for you, trying a different type might make a big difference.