Wondering whether to vape or pop an edible? Understanding how your body processes cannabis can help you pick the product that fits your lifestyle, timing, and desired effects. Whether you’re looking for quick onset, a social boost, or a slow-burn experience, the form you choose makes a big difference.
This guide walks you through the key differences between inhalation and ingestion—how each method works, what effects to expect, and how to make the most of your experience.
How Inhalation Works (Vaping, Smoking, Dabbing)
When you inhale cannabis (through a vape pen, smoking flower, or dabbing concentrates) the active compounds, primarily THC and CBD, are drawn into your lungs. From there, they quickly pass through the thin lining of the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli and enter your bloodstream. This direct route means the cannabinoids bypass digestion and go straight to your brain and body, resulting in effects that come on quickly.
Because of this fast absorption, inhalation is one of the most efficient ways to feel cannabis. Most people report noticeable effects within a few minutes. The experience builds quickly, peaks around the 30–60 minute mark, and gradually tapers off over the next few hours.
Vaping, in particular, heats cannabis oil or flower just enough to release cannabinoids and terpenes as vapor, without combustion. This makes it a cleaner, more discreet alternative to smoking for many users. Smoking flower, on the other hand, involves combustion and may offer a fuller terpene profile, which some people feel gives a more complex effect.
Dabbing. using high-potency concentrates like shatter, wax, or live resin, produces a very fast and often intense experience. It’s not typically recommended for beginners but can be ideal for seasoned consumers looking for a strong effect in a short window.
Key points:
- Onset: Effects usually begin within 1–10 minutes
- Peak effects: Around 30–60 minutes
- Duration: Typically lasts 2–4 hours
- Why it feels this way: You absorb cannabinoids almost instantly, so the high hits quickly and can feel intense, though it often tapers off sooner
This makes inhalation great for situations where you want more control. You can “dose” in smaller amounts and feel the effects quickly, helping avoid overconsumption. Browse our vapes here.
How Ingestion Works (Edibles, Capsules, Drinks)
Ingesting cannabis is a totally different process from inhaling. When you eat an edible, capsule, or cannabis-infused drink, the cannabinoids first travel through your stomach and intestines. They are then metabolized by your liver, where delta-9 THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is a more potent compound that can cross the blood-brain barrier more easily.
This liver conversion is what gives edibles their reputation for being more intense and longer lasting than smoking or vaping. But it also means there’s a delay. It can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to feel the initial effects, depending on your metabolism, what you’ve eaten that day, and other individual factors.
Once the effects kick in, they tend to build slowly and last much longer, often 6 to 8 hours, sometimes more. Some people enjoy the immersive, body-centered nature of edibles, especially for activities like watching a movie, relaxing on a weekend, or enjoying a cozy evening at home.
However, edibles can be trickier to dose, especially for newer users. Since the onset is delayed, it’s easy to think it’s “not working” and take more before the first dose hits, which may lead to a stronger effect than intended.
Cannabis drinks and sublingual edibles (like tinctures or lozenges) may start working a little faster since they can partially absorb through the tissues in your mouth. But the bulk of their effect still relies on digestion and metabolism, like traditional edibles.
Key points:
- Onset: Effects may take 30–90 minutes to begin
- Peak effects: Around 2–4 hours
- Duration: Can last 6–8 hours or more
- Why it feels this way: Because the THC is metabolized by your liver, the high can feel heavier or more “body-focused,” and can be more intense for some people
This method is ideal for longer-lasting effects or if you’re planning a drawn-out evening with no pressure to redose. But it also comes with a higher risk of overdoing it, especially if you don’t wait long enough before ingesting more. Shop edibles.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Inhalation (Vapes/Flower) | Ingestion (Edibles/Drinks) |
| Onset Time | 1–10 minutes | 30–90 minutes |
| Peak Effects | 30–60 minutes | 2–4 hours |
| Duration | 2–4 hours | 6–8+ hours |
| Potency Type | Δ9-THC | 11-hydroxy-THC (stronger) |
| Best For | Quick relief, short-term | Long-lasting, deeper effects |
| Control | Easier to titrate dose | Harder to adjust once taken |
Which One Is Right for You?
The best method depends on your situation, preferences, and goals.
Choose vapes if you want:
- Faster onset with more immediate effects
- Shorter duration that won’t interfere with plans later
- Better ability to “microdose” and adjust your experience
Choose edibles if you want:
- A long, slow-burn experience
- A product that lasts through the evening
- Discretion and convenience (no odor, no smoke)
Still unsure? Ask a DDM Cannabis budtender to walk you through your options. They can recommend a product based on how you want to feel, how long you want the experience to last, and your personal tolerance level.
What to Know Before You Try Either
Start low, go slow: Especially with edibles. If you’re new or haven’t consumed in a while, start with 2.5–5mg of THC and wait at least 2 hours before taking more.
Consider your setting: A vape may be better for a social situation where you want flexibility. An edible might suit a cozy night in.
Mind your metabolism: Everyone processes THC differently, especially with edibles. Your body weight, recent meals, and metabolism can all affect the onset and intensity.
Mixing methods: Some people combine methods (e.g., taking a small edible and vaping later). Just know that this can intensify and extend the experience, so plan accordingly.
Know Your Body, Know Your Product
Cannabis affects everyone differently, especially when comparing methods like vaping and edibles. If you’re newer to cannabis or trying a new product type, take the time to understand how it might interact with your body.
Want help choosing the right product? Swing by DDM Cannabis and ask a team member for guidance. We’ll help you match your goals—whether it’s quick relief, long-lasting support, or something in between—with the perfect form and dosage.
