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PL Cannabinoid · THC metabolite (active)
11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC) is the active metabolite your liver makes from THC — and it is the main reason edibles feel stronger and last longer than inhaled cannabis. When you swallow THC, first-pass liver metabolism converts a large fraction of it into 11-OH-THC, which crosses into the brain readily and is at least as psychoactive as THC itself.
Why edibles hit differently
First-pass metabolism
Swallowed THC goes to the liver before it reaches the brain, and the liver turns much of it into 11-OH-THC. Inhaled THC largely bypasses this, so it produces far less 11-OH-THC. That difference — more of an active, brain-penetrating metabolite from oral doses — is why edibles feel more intense, come on slowly, and last for hours. It is also why edible dosing is easy to get wrong. See our dosing calculator.
FAQ
Is 11-hydroxy-THC stronger than THC? It is at least as psychoactive as THC and crosses into the brain readily. Because oral THC produces a lot of it, edibles often feel stronger than the same amount smoked.
Why do edibles take so long to work? Swallowed THC must pass through the liver to become 11-OH-THC first, which delays onset to 30-90+ minutes.
Sources
- 11-hydroxy-THC metabolism and oral vs inhaled THC, PubMed. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Part of the NOIDS cannabinoids index. Educational reference, not medical advice.
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