How Long Does It Take for Delta 8 to Kick In?

Delta 8 quickly became one of the most popular hemp cannabinoids available on the internet. Many D8 users, however, still don’t know some of the most important facts regarding this cannabinoid—including how long it takes to feel delta 8’s effects. In this guide, learn when to expect to feel the effects of delta 8 after you take it, and find the answers to other related questions you didn’t know you needed to ask.

How long does it take to feel the effects of delta 8?

You should feel the effects of a delta 8 product you used within 1-30 minutes. The amount of time it takes to feel the effects of delta 8 varies considerably depending on the type of product you used, its potency, the dose you consumed, and your personal metabolism.

— Factors that affect the activation time of D8

Let’s take a look at each of the major factors that can affect the activation time of delta 8 in more detail:

Product type

Different types of delta 8 products kick in at different rates. Orally ingested delta 8 products, like capsules, gummies, and tinctures generally take around 30 minutes to take effect. Since they absorb somewhat through the lining of your mouth before you swallow, though, you might feel the effects of gummies or tinctures faster than you’d feel the effects of capsules.

Inhaled D8 products are another story. Bypassing your digestive system and absorbing directly through your lungs, delta 8 vapes and flower usually kick in within 1-2 minutes. Delta 8 topicals don’t get you high, but you should feel their effects in the area of application within around 10 minutes.

Potency

The potency of the delta 8 product you used can affect its activation time to some degree. Low-potency delta 8 products often fail to yield the desired results with the first dose you take, so you may need to take multiple doses to get high. A high-potency D8 product, on the other hand, will kick in as soon as possible within the restraints of its particular method of ingestion.

Dose

Another factor that can affect the activation time of delta 8 is the size of the dose you consume. If you use a dose of D8 that’s too small, for instance, it might take a long time to feel the desired effects—or you might not feel them at all. Flooding your system with a large dose of delta 8, however, might allow you to feel the effects of this intoxicating cannabinoid faster than you would after taking a medium-sized dose.

Metabolism

Everyone’s metabolism is slightly different, and depending on your personal metabolism, you might feel the effects of delta 8 faster or slower. Individuals with fast metabolisms, for instance, process delta 8 more quickly, leading to a more rapid onset of effects. If your metabolism is slow, however, it might take longer to feel the effects of delta 8—especially if you consume this cannabinoid orally.

— Delta 8 activation times by product type

Now, let’s deepen our inquiry by breaking down the activation time of delta 8 by product type:

How long does it take for delta 8 gummies to kick in?

You might start to feel the effects of delta 8 gummies within a few minutes after swallowing as the small amounts of delta 8 that absorbed through your mouth lining while chewing make their way into your bloodstream. You won’t feel the main effects of delta 8 gummies, however, until around 30-45 minutes have passed.

How long does it take for delta 8 capsules to kick in?

You won’t feel the effects of delta 8 capsules at all until the capsules you consumed dissolve in your stomach, releasing their contents. Gel caps generally dissolve within 5-10 minutes of ingestion, and from there, it takes around 30 minutes for delta 8 to make its way through your gut lining and into your bloodstream.

How long does it take for delta 8 tincture to kick in?

If you hold your delta 8 tincture under your tongue for a minute or so before swallowing, you’ll start to experience its effects immediately. With no gel cap to dissolve, the tincture you swallowed will also activate relatively quickly—expect to feel the full onset of the effects of your delta 8 tincture within around 25-30 minutes.

How long does it take for delta 8 flower to kick in?

Delta 8 flower should kick in practically instantaneously. It doesn’t take long at all for cannabinoids to be absorbed through the alveoli in your lungs, which are directly connected to your bloodstream. Most users feel the full effects of delta 8 flower within 1-2 minutes.

How long does it take for delta 8 carts to kick in?

Delta 8 cartridges should kick in within 1-2 minutes—just like D8 flower. You might feel the effects of delta 8 carts slightly faster, however, since they contain more delta 8 than flower. Hold the vapor produced by D8 cartridges in your lungs for a few seconds to increase potency and speed up activation times.

How long does it take for delta 8 dabs to kick in?

Like other types of inhaled delta 8 concentrate, you should feel the effects of delta 8 dabs practically instantly. Taking D8 dabs with a dab rig or portable dab pen provides you with unparalleled control over dosing, possibly allowing you to feel the effects of delta 8 within less than a minute.

— FAQ: Delta 8 activation times

Want to learn more about the activation times of delta 8 products? Check for answers to related questions below:

How long does it take for delta 8 to wear off?

The amount of time it takes for delta 8 to wear off depends on a few factors, most importantly the type of product you use. While individual metabolism also plays a role, most users will feel the effects of orally ingested delta 8 wear off within 2-3 hours, and the effects of inhaled delta 8 stop being noticeable after around an hour.

How long does delta 8 last in your system?

Like other cannabinoids, delta 8 can remain detectable in your system for up to 30 days. The main factors determining how long delta 8 stays in your body are how much of this cannabinoid you use and how frequently you use it.

If you only use a small amount of delta 8 once, for instance, it’s likely that a drug test will be incapable of detecting the presence of this cannabinoid after 3-5 day. If you habitually use large amounts of delta 8 on a daily basis, however, D8 may stay in your system for a full 30 days.

Does delta 8 stay in your system longer than delta 9?

No, delta 8 stays in your system for the same amount of time as delta 9 THC—up to 30 days. While there are significant chemical differences between delta 8 and delta 9, these differences do not cause disparity between the amount of time each cannabinoid remains in your body.

Does delta 8 show on a hair follicle test?

Yes, delta 8 can show up on a hair follicle drug test just like any other cannabinoid. Unlike urine drug tests, which can only detect drug use 30 days into the past, hair follicle tests can tell if you used drugs as long as 90 days ago. Hair follicle tests, however, cannot detect drug use that occurred within the last few days.

Does delta 8 speed up your metabolism?

Research into the effects of delta 8 on metabolism are inconclusive. A single study from 2004 found that delta 8 increased food consumption in animal subjects, suggesting a corresponding increase in metabolism. These results have not been replicated in a clinical setting, however.

Can you build a tolerance to delta 8?

Yes, it’s possible to build a tolerance to delta 8. A tolerance is when your body becomes acclimated to the effects of a substance, reducing its effectiveness and encouraging the user to ingest increased doses. Taking a simple tolerance break, however, is all it takes to desensitize your body to delta 8 or any other cannabinoid.

Does delta 8 give you a hangover?

Delta 8 is not commonly known to cause symptoms reminiscent of an alcohol hangover. In some users, however, consuming delta 8 at night can result in grogginess the following morning. This grogginess is not usually reported as being considerably unpleasant, however, and it can be countered simply by not using delta 8 right before bed.

How long does a gram of delta 8 last?

Most users find that a gram of delta 8 concentrate lasts them around 3-30 days. The amount of time it takes you to move through a gram of delta 8 varies considerably based on your use habits.

If you continually dab or vape delta 8 throughout the day, it’s possible a gram might last you as little as 48 hours. Users who only take 1-2 hits of delta 8 per day, however, often find that their grams last up to a full month.