Cannabis Edible Duration Estimator
Important: This calculator provides estimated timeframes only. Effects vary based on individual factors. Always prioritize calm breathing and hydration as described in the article.
If you just ate a brownie and realized it was laced with marijuana, your heart might be racing. Your mouth is dry. Your thoughts are spinning. You’re not high yet-but you know it’s coming. And now you’re scared.
You’re not alone. Thousands of people accidentally eat cannabis edibles every year. Some think it’s just a regular brownie. Others get handed one at a party and assume it’s harmless. But when the effects hit-sometimes hours later-it feels like the world has tilted.
The good news? You’re not in danger. You won’t die from eating too much marijuana in a brownie. But you will feel awful for a while. And knowing what to do next can turn panic into calm.
Stay Calm-It Will Pass
The first thing to do is breathe. Seriously. Slow, deep breaths. In for four seconds. Hold for four. Out for six. Repeat. Panic makes the high feel worse. Your brain starts imagining worst-case scenarios: "Am I having a stroke?" "Will I lose my mind?" None of that is true.
Cannabis edibles like brownies take longer to kick in than smoking. You might eat it at 6 p.m. and feel nothing until 9 p.m. That delay is what trips people up. They eat another one. Or another. Then they panic when the effects hit hard.
Remember: this is temporary. Even if you ate a whole brownie full of THC, your body will process it. The peak usually hits between 2 to 4 hours after eating. After that, it slowly fades. Most people feel normal again within 6 to 8 hours. Some take up to 12, especially if they’re new to edibles or have a slow metabolism.
Don’t Eat More-No Matter What
If you think you didn’t eat enough, don’t reach for another bite. That’s the biggest mistake people make. The brownie you already ate is still working its way through your digestive system. Adding more will only make things worse.
Think of it like this: your body is a slow cooker. It doesn’t react instantly. It takes time to absorb the THC and turn it into its active form, 11-hydroxy-THC-which is stronger and longer-lasting than the THC you get from smoking. So even if you feel nothing after 30 minutes, wait. Give it at least two hours before even thinking about eating more.
Find a Safe, Comfortable Space
Go somewhere quiet. Sit or lie down. Put on soft music. Watch something familiar-a comedy you’ve seen before, a childhood cartoon. Avoid screens that are too bright or fast-paced. Don’t try to drive. Don’t go outside alone. Don’t try to talk to people who might not understand what’s happening.
Having someone you trust nearby helps. Not someone who’s also high. Not someone who’s going to laugh or panic with you. Just someone calm who can sit with you, hand you water, and remind you: "You’re safe. This will end."
Drink Water and Eat Something Light
Dehydration makes the experience worse. Drink water slowly. Don’t chug it. Your stomach might be sensitive.
Eating something light can help slow the absorption of THC. Try crackers, toast, or a banana. Fats and carbs can help your body process the compound more evenly. Avoid sugar-heavy snacks-they can spike your anxiety.
Some people swear by black pepper. Sniffing or chewing a few whole peppercorns may help reduce anxiety. There’s limited science behind it, but it’s harmless and worth a try.
Don’t Try to "Sweat It Out"
You might hear advice like: "Go for a walk," "Take a cold shower," or "Exercise to burn it off." None of these work-and some can make things worse.
A cold shower might shock your system and increase anxiety. Walking might make you feel dizzy or unsteady. Exercise raises your heart rate, which can mimic panic symptoms. Let your body rest. Your nervous system is already working hard.
What If You Feel Like You’re Losing Control?
If you start feeling paranoid, hallucinating, or like you’re detached from reality, don’t fight it. Say to yourself: "This is the THC. It’s not me. It’s not real." Repeat it like a mantra.
Try grounding techniques:
- Name five things you can see.
- Four things you can touch.
- Three things you can hear.
- Two things you can smell.
- One thing you can taste.
This brings your focus back to your body and the present moment. It doesn’t stop the high-but it stops the spiral.
When to Call for Help
You don’t need to go to the ER just because you’re high. But if you have any of these symptoms, call emergency services or have someone take you:
- Chest pain or pounding heart that doesn’t slow down
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures or uncontrollable shaking
These are rare. Most people just feel uncomfortable. But if any of these happen, it’s not worth risking it. Emergency rooms are used to this. They’ve seen it before. They won’t judge you. They’ll give you fluids, monitor your vitals, and help you ride it out.
How Much THC Is Too Much?
There’s no universal "safe" dose. It depends on your weight, tolerance, metabolism, and whether you’ve used cannabis before.
For beginners, 2.5 to 5 mg of THC is a low dose. A typical store-bought edible might have 10 mg per piece. A homemade brownie? It could have 50 mg-or more-if the maker used a whole gram of cannabis. That’s a lot.
Most people who panic after eating a brownie consumed 20 mg or more. If you’re under 120 pounds or have never used cannabis, even 10 mg can feel overwhelming.
How to Avoid This Next Time
Once you’ve been through this, you’ll never make the same mistake again. But here’s how to make sure no one else does:
- Always check labels. If it’s store-bought, look for the THC content per serving.
- Never eat something labeled "special" or "trippy" unless you know exactly what’s in it.
- Ask before accepting food at parties. "Is this laced?" is a perfectly normal question.
- If you’re cooking with cannabis, label everything clearly. Use different containers. Write "THC: 10mg" on the wrapper.
- Start low. Go slow. Wait two hours before taking more.
It’s Not Your Fault
If you ate a brownie without knowing, it’s not because you’re careless. It’s because cannabis edibles are often disguised. They look like regular snacks. They’re passed around without warning. And in places where marijuana is legal, people assume everyone knows the rules.
But not everyone does. Especially kids, teens, visitors, or people from places where cannabis is still illegal. You’re not stupid for eating it. You’re human.
And now you know what to do next time. Or if someone else does it. You can help them stay calm. You can be the person who says, "Breathe. I’ve been here. It’s going to be okay."
How long does a marijuana brownie high last?
The effects usually start within 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating. The peak hits between 2 to 4 hours. Most people feel back to normal within 6 to 8 hours, but strong doses can last up to 12 hours. Sleep often helps it pass faster.
Can you overdose on a marijuana brownie?
You can’t overdose in the fatal sense. There’s never been a recorded death from cannabis alone. But you can have a very unpleasant experience-extreme anxiety, paranoia, nausea, rapid heartbeat. That’s called a "bad trip," and it feels scary, but it’s not life-threatening.
Does drinking water help reduce the high?
Drinking water won’t flush out the THC, but it helps with dry mouth, dizziness, and anxiety. Staying hydrated makes the experience more manageable. It won’t stop the high, but it makes it easier to sit through.
Why do edibles hit harder than smoking?
When you eat cannabis, your liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, a compound that crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily than regular THC. This makes the high stronger, longer-lasting, and sometimes more psychedelic than smoking.
Should I take CBD to counteract the high?
CBD may help reduce anxiety and paranoia if you have it on hand. It doesn’t reverse the high, but it can smooth out the edges. A 10-25 mg dose of CBD oil or gummies might help you feel calmer. But don’t wait to get CBD-focus on breathing, hydration, and rest first.
What Happens After?
When the high fades, you might feel tired. Maybe a little embarrassed. Maybe even a little proud-you survived it.
That’s normal. Your body is recovering. Drink water. Eat a balanced meal. Get some sleep. Don’t use cannabis again for a while. Give yourself time to reset.
And if you’re ever in doubt next time-don’t eat it. Ask. Wait. Walk away. Better safe than sorry. You’ve earned that wisdom now.
