How Long Does It Take for Edible Mints to Kick In?

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

While standard edibles can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to start working, edible mints often produce effects much quicker. Their faster onset time is primarily due to a different absorption method that bypasses the traditional digestive process, allowing cannabinoids to enter the bloodstream more directly and efficiently.

Quick Summary

Edible mints typically take effect faster than traditional edibles, often within 15-45 minutes, due to sublingual absorption under the tongue. Several factors influence the onset and intensity, including dosage, metabolism, and whether they are consumed on a full or empty stomach. Patience is crucial to avoid overconsumption.

Key Points

Faster Onset: Edible mints typically kick in faster than traditional edibles, often within 15-45 minutes, due to sublingual absorption under the tongue.
Dual Absorption: Mints offer a dual absorption method: quick sublingual absorption directly into the bloodstream, and slower digestive absorption for any part that is swallowed.
Patience is Key: Resist the urge to redose too quickly. Wait at least 60-90 minutes to feel the full effects to avoid an overwhelming experience.
Metabolism Matters: Your individual metabolism, body weight, and tolerance level significantly influence how quickly and intensely you will feel the effects.
Optimize Absorption: For a faster onset, let the mint dissolve completely under your tongue and consider consuming it on an empty stomach or with a fatty snack.

What Makes Edible Mints Different?

Unlike traditional edibles like gummies, brownies, or cookies, edible mints utilize a dual-absorption method. When a mint dissolves in your mouth, cannabinoids like THC and CBD are absorbed through the mucous membranes under the tongue and in the cheeks, a process known as sublingual absorption. This allows the compounds to enter the bloodstream more directly and bypass the first-pass metabolism in the liver, leading to a much quicker onset of effects. Any residual product that is swallowed will still go through the standard digestive process, but the initial sublingual absorption is key to their fast-acting nature.

Factors Influencing the Onset Time

Even with the fast-acting properties of mints, several individual factors can influence exactly how long they take to kick in. Your unique body chemistry, metabolism, and tolerance level all play a significant role.

Body Metabolism: Individuals with a faster metabolism tend to process and absorb cannabinoids more quickly, potentially shortening the onset time.
Tolerance: Regular cannabis users may have a higher tolerance, which can result in a longer wait time or a less intense experience from the same dose compared to new users.
Stomach Contents: While sublingual absorption bypasses the stomach, some of the mint is still swallowed and digested. Consuming on an empty stomach can lead to a faster onset for this portion, but with a potentially more intense effect.
Dose and Potency: A higher concentration of cannabinoids might not always mean a faster onset, but it can make the effects more noticeable sooner. Beginners should always start with a low dose and wait for the full effects to appear before considering more.

The Importance of Patience

One of the most common mistakes people make with edibles is redosing too soon. Because the effects of mints and other edibles are not instant, it can be tempting to take another dose if you don’t feel anything within 30 minutes. This can lead to an overwhelming and uncomfortable experience when the second dose, and the delayed effects of the first, finally kick in simultaneously. It is crucial to wait the full recommended time—at least 60 to 90 minutes—before deciding if you need more. For mints, with their faster sublingual component, waiting 45 minutes to an hour is a safe bet before considering an adjustment.

How Edible Mints Stack Up Against Other Edibles

To understand why mints are a faster option, it helps to see how they compare to other popular edibles. The key difference lies in the method of absorption and metabolism.


Edible Type	Typical Onset Time	Primary Absorption Method	Metabolism Process
Mints (Sublingual)	15-45 minutes	Sublingual (under the tongue) & Digestive	Bypasses liver for direct bloodstream absorption, some digestive processing	,
Gummies/Baked Goods	30-90+ minutes	Digestive System	Must be fully digested and metabolized by the liver
Tinctures (Sublingual)	15-30 minutes	Sublingual (under the tongue)	Bypasses liver, direct bloodstream absorption
Fast-Acting Drinks	10-30 minutes	Mouth & Stomach Absorption	Uses nanoemulsion technology for rapid absorption

How to Speed Up the Onset of Edible Mints

For those seeking the quickest possible effect, there are a few tips to maximize the sublingual absorption of your mints.

Allow Full Dissolution: To get the full benefit of sublingual absorption, allow the mint to dissolve completely under your tongue without chewing it. This gives the capillaries in your mouth maximum time to absorb the active compounds.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking water before and during consumption can help promote blood flow and keep your mouth moist, which assists in absorption.
Consider a Fatty Snack: While mints work sublingually, consuming them with a small, fatty snack can help with the portion that is swallowed, as cannabinoids are fat-soluble.
Light Exercise: Gentle movement like walking can increase your heart rate and blood flow, which may slightly accelerate the circulation of cannabinoids.

Conclusion

Edible mints offer a more controlled and faster-acting experience than many other traditional edibles, thanks to their sublingual absorption pathway. While onset times typically fall within 15 to 45 minutes, individual body chemistry, dosage, and tolerance all play a part in the exact timing. The key to a positive experience is patience: start with a low dose, wait for the full effects to set in, and resist the temptation to redose too soon. By understanding how edible mints work, you can manage your expectations and enjoy a more predictable experience. For additional tips on safe consumption, visit the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before trying any cannabis product.

Authoritative Source: Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)

Frequently Asked Questions

Edible mints use sublingual absorption, where cannabinoids are absorbed through the blood vessels under your tongue and cheeks, bypassing the slower digestive system and liver metabolism.

While it varies by person, edible mints generally begin to take effect within 15 to 45 minutes, which is faster than most other edible products.

Consuming edible mints on an empty stomach can lead to a faster and potentially more intense effect for the portion of the mint that is swallowed. However, the primary sublingual absorption is less affected by stomach contents.

Most edibles like gummies and baked goods rely solely on the digestive system, which means the active compounds must pass through the liver before entering the bloodstream, a much slower process.

In rare cases, some individuals, known as being 'ediblocked,' may not feel the effects of edibles due to unique metabolic differences. It is also possible that an improper dose was taken or not enough time was given.

To potentially speed up the process, hold the mint under your tongue without chewing, consume it on a mostly empty stomach, or try a light activity to increase blood flow.

Initial signs often include a warm, relaxed feeling, a change in mood (often euphoria or giggling), and heightened senses. Patience is needed, as these signs build gradually.