How Long Before Surgery Should I Stop Eating Edibles?

There’s no doubt cannabis can relieve physical discomfort for some people - but did you know it could actually exacerbate issues when it comes to surgery? 

Consuming cannabis edibles or even smoking can impact anesthesia and other critical factors on the road to recovery. So, how long before surgery should I stop eating edibles - and how long after surgery can you take edibles again?

The plant's potential healing properties are fantastic, but there’s quite a bit of uncertainty when you go under the knife. We’ll cover everything you need to know about edibles and surgery, including why you need to stock up on our delta 9 gummies for sale for the road to recovery!

How Edibles Work

Whether they’re gummies or chocolates, edibles go through the digestive system in order for your body to tap into the cannabinoids they contain (THC, CBD, CBN, etc.). 

That’s why it takes so long for them to kick in compared to smoking or vaping. It can sometimes take between 45-60 minutes before you start to feel anything. That, of course, is not the case with all types of edibles. Our nano-emulsion gummies can be felt in as little as 15 minutes!

Edibles can last a really long time, which is part of the appeal - especially when managing discomfort or supporting a better night’s sleep. That’s why you might think edibles and surgery actually go hand in hand. That’s not exactly true, though. 

So, how long before surgery should I stop eating edibles? First, let’s talk about the why behind stopping edible usage leading up to an operation.

Do I Need to Stop Eating Edibles to Prepare For Surgery?

Short answer is yes. Anyone planning to undergo surgery stop using cannabis in the days leading up to the procedure. The warnings come with quite a bit of risk to patients, with some potentially life-threatening outcomes if cannabis use isn't factored in correctly before surgery.

Respiratory Complications

THC has been linked to depressed respiratory functions, resulting in a slower breathing rate and potentially not breathing enough oxygen during surgery. This can cause significant concern during surgery, where the patient's controlled breathing is paramount. 

Cardiac Effects

Consuming cannabis affects heart rate and blood pressure. The dosage consumed creates drastically different effects. For example, a low dose can increase heart rate and blood pressure. On the other hand, a high dose will do the opposite. 

In both cases, this effect can increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes during a surgical procedure. Blood pressure may also drop as cannabis can induce vasodilation. This may lead to circulatory problems during and after surgery.

Anesthesia Interactions

Cannabis has been known to alter anesthesia drugs' metabolism, producing abnormal effects that could potentially complicate surgery. This has led to some patients overdosing on anesthesia, while others have received inadequate dosages to keep them sedated.

Pain Management

Regular to chronic cannabis consumers have been linked to heightened pain sensitivity after surgery. This may lead you to need higher pain medication doses post-operation.

How Long Before Surgery Should I Stop Eating Edibles?

So, how long before surgery should I stop eating edibles? Most guidelines suggest stopping at least three days before surgery. This of course depends on your usage habits. You might want to stop sooner if you are a heavy user to fully clear out THC metabolites.  

We know it sounds like the last thing you need on top of all the stress as surgery looms. But with the intoxicating cannabinoid increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiac complications during procedures, it is strongly recommended to take a little tolerance break.

Communicating with your healthcare providers and the surgical team is important. Medical professionals are open or at least understanding to cannabis consumption, be it edibles, smoking, or vaping. Anesthesiologists need to factor cannabis use into their anesthesia dosing during the surgical procedure, so be honest and upfront.

Can I Still Smoke or Vape?

No - you came here curious about edibles and surgery, but honestly, the same advice applies to smoking. You want to be THC-free for at least a few days leading up to your operation. Like we said, look at it as a little tolerance break - you’ll be better off in the long run! 

How Long After Surgery Can You Take Edibles Again?

We know you’re probably wondering if you can use edibles after surgery as part of your road to recovery. They can help alleviate the physical discomfort while supporting better sleep, which can be so elusive with some procedures.

The answer is yes - but how long after surgery can you take edibles again? Definitely not for at least 24 hours. Just as going under anesthesia with THC in your system can be dangerous, introducing THC while you have anesthesia in your system could be problematic.

Some people say you should stay away from edibles while continuing to use painkillers, as THC can impact medication absorption and efficacy. We think it’s something you should talk to your prescribing doctor about, though, as they know your health status and the specific drug interactions of your painkillers better than anyone else.

Stock Up at Snoozy to Support Your Recovery!

Whether you’re looking for THC gummies for sleep, CBD gummies for sleep, or even sex gummies, your search ends here at Snoozy. 

We create expertly-crafted formulas featuring not just cannabinoids like THC, CBD, and CBN, but complementary botanicals including L-theanine and chamomile.

You can choose from a variety of formulas and strengths depending on your goals and tolerance. Everything is carefully dosed and lab-tested for potency and purity. And because we make our edibles from hemp, they’re legal to buy online. Shop now! 

Related Resources

CBN vs CBD | Is Delta 9 Bad For You | CBN Dose For Sleep

Frequently asked questions

Do edibles affect local anesthesia?

Possibly. THC and CBD interact with your body's enzyme system (the same one that processes anesthesia drugs), which means the dosing your anesthesiologist planned might not hit the way it should. Some people need more anesthesia, some react differently to sedation. It’s not a gamble worth taking on surgery day.

Can you take edibles a few days before surgery?

We get asked all the time, how long before surgery should I stop eating edibles? We recommend 48-72 hours, so stop usage AT LEAST 3 days before your operation. Longer if you are a heavy user taking big doses, since THC lingers in the body longer than you may think.

What else disqualifies you from anesthesia?

Uncontrolled heart conditions, severe respiratory issues, allergic reactions to anesthesia drugs, and certain medications that don't play well with sedation. Even something like eating too close to your procedure time can delay things. Your anesthesiologist will run through all of it beforehand. Be honest with them about everything, including supplements and gummies.