Ediblocked: Why Can’t Some People Get High From Edibles?

Have you ever shared some edibles between friends, only to discover that one of you is feeling nothing at all? Unfortunately, it’s more common than you think. Many people, particularly on social platforms like Reddit, report no reactions to the effects of ingested cannabis. This is often known as being “ediblocked.” 

Being ediblocked is a frustrating experience. You may have spent hundreds of dollars on dispensary treats, flower, or countless hours trying to decarb and cook them yourself, eventually giving up on the process entirely. It can make you wonder: What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I get high? 

It’s important to note that being ediblocked isn’t the same as taking longer to feel the effects of edibles. Depending on your digestion and other factors, you may start to feel high anywhere between 30 minutes and 3 hours after consuming an edible. You may feel the effects more quickly on an empty stomach and longer on a full stomach, but regardless, a non-ediblocked person will eventually feel them. 

But what makes an ediblocked person’s body so resistant to ingested THC? Although the science behind this is still somewhat uncertain, answers are starting to emerge as to why this happens – and whether it may, one day, be fixable. 

What Does It Mean to Be “Ediblocked”?

In 2021, the Boston Globe reported on this unusual phenomenon, describing an “unknown portion of the population that appears to be functionally ‘immune’ to edibles, or at least has exceptionally high tolerances.” They described this group of people as being “ediblocked,” but also explained that when they smoke cannabis, they experience it as normal. People who are ediblocked can reportedly consume amounts of cannabis that would send most people on an intense trip, yet feel nothing.

One interviewee described conducting a rather “reckless experiment,” drinking hash tea, and only starting to feel any effects after consuming about 700 milligrams of THC.

Experts generally advise cannabis users to start with a small dose of 1–2.5 mg of THC and limit it to no more than 10 mg to reduce the risk of adverse effects from high THC potency. Cannabis flower only needs over 1% THC to be considered effectively intoxicating, and lower-THC strains have fewer risks of adverse effects, such as increased anxiety. 

The Boston Globe explains that researchers and medical professionals acknowledge the phenomenon of being ediblocked — but have not yet been able to definitively explain it. For now, we just have some theories, which we’ll explore in a moment.  

But why does it matter if people can just smoke weed instead? Unfortunately, being ediblocked can have negative impacts on the individual. It may ultimately affect their ability to use medical marijuana treatment for various physical or mental health disorders, which prevents them from accessing the care they need. 

Why Don’t Edibles Work on Some People?

There are a few leading hypotheses on why some people can’t get high from edibles. Research on the topic remains limited; however, scientists suspect that genetic variations affecting how the liver processes THC may cause this phenomenon. In some cases, the body may metabolize THC too efficiently, converting it from its active form to an inactive byproduct before it can reach the bloodstream or brain. 

In some people, the body processes THC so slowly that it converts very little of it into the active compound responsible for the psychoactive “high.” Variations in liver enzymes – such as CYP2C9 and a few others, likely cause these differences in how the body breaks down cannabinoids.

MedlinePlus explains that the CYP2C9 gene “provides instructions for making an enzyme that is found in a cell structure called the endoplasmic reticulum, which is involved in protein processing and transport.” They further clarify that the CYP2C9 enzyme plays an important role in the metabolism and breakdown of many common drugs, including over-the-counter products like warfarin and ibuprofen. 

Essentially, this enzyme mainly guides THC through its multistep metabolic process in the body. In some people with certain genetics, this enzyme may break down THC before it can produce any noticeable psychoactive effects.

A 2020 study by the Institute of Legal Medicine in Germany found that levels of THC metabolites found in the consumer’s blood varied drastically depending on which variant of the enzyme they had. 

Recent 2024 research also shows that liver fatty acid binding protein (FABP1) binds very effectively to THC in the blood to help metabolize it. In fact, mice without FABP1 aren’t effectively able to clear THC. This research also shows that FABP alters CYP activity directly, too, and genetic changes in both could plausibly affect the speed and rate of THC clearance in humans.

While more research is needed to fully confirm this theory, it seems likely that the liver is certainly partially to blame. 

Can Genetics Affect How You Process THC?

Since genetics play a role in liver enzymes, they can certainly impact how the body metabolizes the THC in cannabis in other ways, too. 

We already know that genetic differences affect people’s reactions to weed – some enjoy it, and others find it awful. Many people are able to use cannabis every day and quit with no bad reactions, while others might develop cannabis use disorder and experience withdrawals if they stop abruptly. 

If genetics alter every other part of our cannabis experience, does it not then make sense that they would cause us all to break it down differently? 

A 2024 study conducted by the Medical University of South Carolina stated as much, with the author writing: “THC metabolism, the process by which this active component gets broken down in your body into psychoactive and inactive components, can be influenced by genetic differences in enzymes. About one in four people have a gene that causes these enzymes to break down THC less effectively than others, which can increase the strength and duration of the effects of cannabis.” 

Other 2024 research shows that some may be carriers of the slower CYP2C9*3/*3 variant activity, carrying only about 7% of the normal activity and increasing THC exposure 3-fold.

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Genetics is also a key component in building the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which is directly responsible for how we respond to cannabis use. The CB1 and CB2 receptors in the ECS are the most impacted by weed, and scientists have found 60 possible variations in CB1 alone – with over half of them of “uncertain significance” – so it’s highly probable that genetics can make a person ediblocked. 

READ: Where Is Cannabis Legal? A State-by-State Guide to U.S. Marijuana Laws

Does Metabolism or Body Composition Play a Role?

Your body’s metabolism is responsible for how quickly you convert food and drinks into energy for exercise, digestion, and other essential processes, and it also plays a role in how you absorb and use THC. 

When you smoke or vape cannabis, your lungs metabolize it and send it into your bloodstream. Edibles, however, must be absorbed through your digestive system – which is a very different and lengthier process. During this, the liver converts delta-9 THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, a more potent metabolite that produces a stronger high. 

This conversion depends on the liver enzymes we discussed earlier (estimated 70–90% by CYP2C9), and we already know that not everyone’s body handles it the same way. But it doesn’t work alone; several other factors—including weight, age, and gut health—also work alongside the liver to influence how the body metabolizes cannabis.

Our bodies change as we age, and so do our cannabis preferences. Data show we generally become drier, metabolism slows, take more medications, prefer oral routes, and our brain chemistry changes regarding dopamine, judgment, memory, and more.

Interestingly, people with certain variations of the CYP2C9 enzyme are more likely to have incredibly fast metabolisms that break down THC too quickly to be felt. So, although metabolism isn’t a major player entirely on its own, it does have an impact that goes hand in hand with your liver. The exact cause likely involves a combination of multiple factors, including genetics, biology, and individual tolerance to cannabis. 

Can Other Substances or Medications Reduce Edible Effects?

Weed demonstrates cross-effects with certain medications, with some merely reducing the effects of cannabis and others crossing into much riskier territory (as with alcohol and recreational substances). Edibles and medications are both absorbed through the same parts of the body—the stomach, liver, and other organs—and both interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

Cannabinoids often affect how efficiently pharmaceuticals work, but in some cases, the reverse occurs. For example, antibiotics can reduce THC and CBD levels in the body. Similarly, antacids, blood thinners, sedatives, and painkillers commonly interact negatively with cannabis because their levels are increased while waiting to be metabolized.

Roughly 400 different medications have mild to severe interactions with THC, so it’s difficult to say for certain if one may be causing ediblocked effects. To stay safe, always check with your doctor before mixing cannabis with any pharmaceutical. Because both edibles and medications pass through the liver, combining them can strain your organs, which can make future edible use more difficult.

Final Thoughts 

Being ediblocked prevents people from medicating with cannabis through oral ingestion instead of inhalation. When one is unable to feel the effects of edibles or cannabis, they may experience both social FOMO and the inability to benefit from the medicinal properties that cannabis contains. Edibles make for a great alternative means of cannabis consumption when smoking is not an option. 

When CYP2C9 acts on THC in the liver, the active intermediate is 11-OH-Δ9-THC, which is up to 2–7 times more psychoactive than THC. After this step, the 11-OH-Δ9-THC is inactivated by CYP2C-MALDO. Therefore, the secret of the ediblocked theory likely lies in one or both of these steps. This ultimately means ediblocked people are unfortunately missing out on a stronger, more discrete, and cost-effective medical use altogether. 

While more research is still needed to confirm this hypothesis, researchers have pinpointed a probable cause. Hopefully, more studies will soon be underway to support these findings so that we can find solutions for ediblocked people. Everyone who wants to use edibles – whether it’s for fun or medicine – deserves the chance to try. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don’t edibles work on me?

Your body likely processes THC differently from most people’s. Genetic or metabolic factors can cause your liver to break down THC too quickly or too slowly for you to feel the effects.

What does ediblocked mean?

Being ediblocked means cannabis edibles don’t make you feel high, no matter how much you take.

Can your body be immune to edibles?

You may not necessarily be immune to cannabis edibles, but it can seem that way. Some people’s livers process THC so unusually that almost none of the active compound actually reaches the brain.

How do I fix edible tolerance?

Unfortunately, there’s no proven fix yet. You can experiment with different forms of cannabis, like tinctures or flower, which skip the digestive process. 

For people with known, diagnosed digestive disorders or fat malabsorption, treating the underlying condition or adding supplemental digestive enzymes recommended by your doctor may help.

Why do edibles work for some but not others?

Everyone’s body processes THC differently. Factors like genetics, metabolism, diet, and medications can all affect how strongly edibles hit.

Can metabolism affect edible effects?

Yes. A fast metabolism can break THC down before it becomes active, while a slower one may not convert enough to cause a high.

Do genetics play a role in edible response?

Absolutely. Genetic variations in liver enzymes like CYP2C9 affect how your body converts THC and determine whether you feel its psychoactive effects.