Even as consumers become more familiar with the THC beverage space, there are still many questions to be answered. And one of the most pressing questions is: How long do THC infused beverages last? You might be asking this about the effects of the drink, or the shelf life, and that's why we are going to answer both!
Length of Effects for THC Beverages
The length of the effects from cannabis infused drinks will vary from person to person, but usually depend on the following three factors: dosage, emulsion type, and tolerance.
Dosage
One of the biggest factors in the length of effects from cannabis drinks is the dosage amount. Dosage for cannabis infused beverages can vary, but the most common THC dosages are 2.5mg, 5mg, and 10mg.
Currently, BRĒZ offers two dosages for our THC blends: 2.5mg and 5mg. Just like when consumers first experimented with alcohol, we always suggest a start low and go slow approach, as typically new consumers will feel lower doses more strongly if they are new to cannabis.
Both of BRĒZ's THC drinks are considered low-dose, but if you are apprehensive or anxious at all before your first experience, we suggest trying out our 2.5mg can and adjusting from there based on how you feel.
Tolerance
The next most important (and potentially equally important) factor in the length of effects from a cannabis drink. Just like tolerance to alcohol, caffeine, or any other everyday substance, it takes time to build a tolerance when first consuming. Tolerance can also be effected by things like genetics, digestive system, and other factors. There are some people who haver never tried a THC infused drink that might not feel much from a small to medium dose, while others will feel the effects from a very small dose on the their very first time.
As mentioned earlier, the start low and go slow philosophy is important to adopt especially for those who are unsure of their tolerance.
Emulsion
Finally, emulsion is the final factor that typically effects the length of effects from cannabis beverages. Emulsion are a relatively new technology that possess the potential to completely transform cannabis consumption through edibles forms.
BRĒZ uses a special method to micronize and emulsify the THC in its beverages, breaking it down into tiny particles, which makes the THC water soluble, homogenous, and more bioavailable. This means that not only will each sip contain the same amount of THC, but that the THC will hit you faster, making it much more of a comparable experience to drinking alcohol.
With a traditional cannabis edible or early versions of THC beverages, it used to be that onset would take place after 1 - 2 hours, and then the effects could last up to two hours more. Now with emulsion technology, most will feel the effects in 5-10 mins, and will feel them last for approximately 45 - 60 minutes.
THC Drink Shelf Life
Expiration Date & Shelf Life
Generally, most THC beverages have an average shelf life of 1 year stored in the right environment. The main factors at play here are the use of preservatives, any pasteurization methods, and the type of emulsion used.
Both of BRĒZ's blends are shelf stable for up to 1 year. We use citric acid as a preservative agent to keep our product fresh. We use a proprietary method to micronize and emulsify our THC, CBD and Lion's Mane to make it stable, homogenous, and water soluble for up to a year. And finally, we tunnel pasteurize all of our products, which involved spraying hot water on our finished cans to eliminate any pathogens or microorganisms.
Expiration or best by dates are always printed on the bottom of any of our cans.
How to Properly Store THC Drinks
Most cannabis beverages do not need to be refrigerated (except after opening), and are fine to be stored outside the fridge as long as they are kept in an ambient temperature (no higher than 70 degrees).
However, if you want to get the ideal drinking experience, especially with BRĒZ, we suggest keeping as many as you can fit in your fridge for an ice cold, refreshing drinking experience!
How to Tell if Your THC Drink Has Expired
The best way to tell if your cannabis beverages have expired is looking at the best by date on the bottom of the can. If this date has passed, we do not recommend consuming the beverage. Another way to tell is if during your first few sips the cannabis beverage still tastes sour or unpleasant, that it has likely expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for THC drinks to wear off?
This completely depends on the beverage, but for BRĒZ, we find that our THC beverages last for about 45-60 minutes depending on the users tolerance and what dosage they have selected.
This make the drinking experience most comparable to drinking an alcoholic beverage, instead of having the effects linger for too long which can sometimes happen with smoking cannabis or cannabis products.
Are THC drinks better than edibles?
A THC drink can be a more approachable and familiar experience for new cannabis users because of its familiar form factor and onset time. Traditional edibles are not ideal for socializing because they don't replace that "drink in hand" experience that people are looking for in social environments.
THC infused drinks also typically have a more rapid onset, which helps consumers ease into the experience and give them a more comparable feeling to that of drinking alcohol.
What is the onset of THC drinks?
This can also vary by brand, but the typical onset time for THC infused beverages is 10-20 minutes. With BRĒZ THC drinks, we've found that most feel it in about 5-10 minutes, thanks to our unique micronization and emulsification process.
What is the shelf life of THC liquid?
Always check the best by date on the bottom of the can, but most THC drinks will last from 6 -12 months. All of BRĒZ's blends have a shelf life of 12 months, provided they are stored at an ambient temperature or kept refrigerated.
How long do THC seltzers last in your system?
While there is no exact timeline for this, cannabis will typically stay in your system and will show up on a medical test for up to 30 days and sometimes longer. If you are concerned about passing a test, we suggest avoiding BREZ's THC blend (which contain cannabis extracts) and trying BREZ Lion's Mane only, that only contains functional mushrooms that will not show up on any type of testing.
How do you store THC infused drinks?
It's best to store THC infused beverages at an ambient temperature at a minimum (70 degrees fahrenheit or less), or in a refrigerator if you have enough space. Avoid leaving cans in direct sunlight for an extended period of time.
What are the benefits of THC drinks?
There are a number of awesome benefits to THC infused drinks.
The first is that they are extremely approachable for first time cannabis users. Instead of trying to smoke or taking a gummy and waiting, you can enjoy cannabis in liquid form a familiar format that even tastes similar to your favorite alcoholic beverages.
The second is that they are a more discrete form of cannabis consumption, and don't involved any smoke or smell that could bother others. They blend in perfectly with any other adult beverage you would enjoy at a social function.
The third is that THC infused drinks avoid any of the hangovers an regrets you might feel from other adult beverages. Using THC and CBD instead of alcohol, consumers are able to achieve a similar light, social buzz without any of the downsides.
What are the effects of THC drinks?
THC infused drinks generally make people feel light, happy, euphoric, relaxed, calm, giggly, and sometimes even hungry! At BREZ we like to say "Brighter colors, louder laughs, and tastier snacks are often reported." For some people, THC infused drinks create a very similar feeling to alcohol, and for others it is a totally different experience.
If you are someone who is worried about the effects THC infused drinks might have on you, you should always consult your doctor first, and start with a low dose until you know how you'll feel.
Do THC infused drinks last for the same amount of time as other edibles?
Thanks to our micronization and emulsification methods, BRĒZ THC cannabis infused drinks not only hit you quicker, but leave you faster too.
Traditional cannabis consumption methods like smoking or edibles can take awhile to kick in, but also last for hours, sometimes creating an experience thats a bit too prolonged or overwhelming.
When we developed BREZ, we want the experience to be as close to your favorite adult beverages as possible, and due to our proprietary technology we were able to!
What factors influence the duration of effect from cannabis drinks?
The main factors influencing the duration of effect felt from cannabis drinks are dosage, tolerance, and emulsions. It's best to try a low dose when consuming cannabis for the first time or trying out a unfamiliar cannabis product beforehand.
Do the effects of a THC infused beverage vary between types of drinks (soda, teas, tonic, etc)?
The effects of a cannabis drink mainly vary based on what active compounds it contains. THC, CBD, minor cannabinoids, or other adaptogens or nootropics that are included in the beverage are generally what dictates the effect felt from the drink, regardless of what flavor or style the beverage is.
Can THC beverages lose potency overtime?
Once a THC infused drink has passed its expiration date, the THC potency may begin to decrease. This is because THC emulsions are usually only stable for one year, so once it has reached this point they begin to degrade and become less stable.
