Daily Dose Q&A

2025-12-24

How long after an individual smokes cannabis do the euphoric effects appear?

When herbal cannabis is smoked, whether through a cigarette, pipe, blunt, or bong, THC, CBD and other phytocannabinoids, as well as terpenoids, are vaporized by the heat of combustion and inhaled. Inhaled constituents quickly pass from alveoli into the bloodstream and readily cross the blood-brain barrier. The euphoric effects (and the "high") appear within seconds to a few minutes of inhalation, reach a maximum after 15-30 minutes, and taper off within 2-5 hours. The cognitive and psychomotor impairment typically peak 30-60 minutes after smoking and last for about 4-5 hours.

Grotenhermen, F. (2003). Clinical pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 3(1), 3-51. https://doi.org/10.1300/J175v03n01_02 Huestis, M. A. (2007). Human cannabinoid pharmacokinetics. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 4(8), 1770-1804. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.200790152. Zamarripa, C. A., Vandrey, R., & Spindle, T. R. (2022). Factors that impact the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of cannabis: A review of human laboratory studies. Current Addiction Reports, 9(4), 608-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00429-4

2025-12-23

Where are CB2 receptors primarily located?

CB2 receptors are primarily located throughout the immune system. For example, they are found in the tonsils, spleen, and on various immune cells, including lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, monocytes, macrophages, mast cells, and microglia. CB2 receptors are also expressed outside the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract, hematopoietic cells, bone, keratinocytes, reproductive tissues, and the cardiovascular system. The expression of CB2 receptors is relatively low under normal conditions but in states of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, the expression of CB2 receptors is upregulated.

Chung, M., Kim, H., & Abdi, S. (2020). Update on cannabis and cannabinoids for cancer pain. Current Opinion in Anesthesiology, 33(5), 825-831. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACO.0000000000000934 _miarowska, M., Bia_ecka, M., & Machoy-Mokrzy_ska, A. (2022). Cannabis and cannabinoids: Pharmacology and therapeutic potential. Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska (Polish Journal of Neurology and Neurosurgery).https://doi.org/10.5603/PJNNS.a2022.0015 Wilson, G., Yang, L., Su, X., Ding, S., Li, L., Yang, Y., Wang, X., Wang, W., Sa, Y., Zhang, Y., Chen, J., & Ma, X. (2023, October 31). Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural compounds modulating the endocannabinoid system in various diseases and disorders: Review. Pharmacological Reports.

2025-12-22

What are the onset, intensity, and duration of effects of swallowed cannabis?

There is significant interindividual variability in the onset, intensity, and duration of effects of orally consumed (and swallowed) cannabis. Grotenhermen reported that the psychoactive and physiological effects of orally consumed cannabis appear about 90 minutes after ingestion, reach their maximum within 2-3 hours, and last for 4-12 hours. Zamarripa and colleagues found slightly different results; the effects of orally consumed THC peak between 1-5 hours after ingestion and last for ~ 6-12 hours.

Grotenhermen, F. (2003). Clinical pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids. Journal of Cannabis Therapeutics, 3(1), 3-51. https://doi.org/10.1300/J175v03n01_02. Zamarripa, C. A., Vandrey, R., & Spindle, T. R. (2022). Factors that impact the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of cannabis: A review of human laboratory studies. Current Addiction Reports, 9(4), 608-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00429-4

2025-12-19

Are CB-1 and CB-2 the only receptors with which cannabinoids interact?

No. In addition to interacting with CB-1 and CB-2 receptors, some endocannabinoids and some cannabis-derived compounds also interact with other targets, including transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) channels, G-protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs).

Wilson, G., Yang, L., Su, X., Ding, S., Li, L., Yang, Y., Wang, X., Wang, W., Sa, Y., Zhang, Y., Chen, J., & Ma, X. (2023, October 31). Exploring the therapeutic potential of natural compounds modulating the endocannabinoid system in various diseases and disorders: Review. Pharmacological Reports.

2025-12-18

Compare the efficiency of vaporizing cannabis to that of smoking cannabis.

Vaporization, as compared to smoking, is generally more efficient at delivering cannabinoids. When vaporizing, consumers absorb approximately 33% of available cannabinoids compared with about 25% during smoking. This greater efficiency is due to reduced thermal degradation of THC and a decrease in side stream loss.

Peters, J., & Chien, J. (2018). Contemporary routes of cannabis consumption: A primer for clinicians. Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, 118(2), 67-70. https://doi.org/10.7556/jaoa.2018.020 Zamarripa, C. A., Vandrey, R., & Spindle, T. R. (2022). Factors that impact the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of cannabis: A review of human laboratory studies. Current Addiction Reports, 9(4), 608-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-022-00429-4