Peak

"Peak" has two overlapping meanings: (a) pharmacokinetic peak — the maximum plasma/serum concentration (Cmax) and its time (Tmax); and (b) subjective peak — the point of greatest perceived intoxication. These do not coincide exactly. After inhaled cannabis, plasma THC Cmax occurs within 3–10 minutes of the first puff, but subjective peak follows at ~15–30 minutes due to CNS equilibration (counterclockwise hysteresis; Grotenhermen 2003; Huestis 2007). After oral dosing, both plasma and subjective peak shift later (1–3 hours, range 1–5 h; Vandrey 2017; Newmeyer 2017). For infrequent users, Cmax for ~10 mg inhaled THC averages 50–130 ng/mL whole blood; for oral 10–50 mg brownie doses, Cmax is substantially lower (~1–3 ng/mL) but 11-OH-THC peaks are comparable or higher (Vandrey 2017; Spindle 2019 J Anal Toxicol). Peak intensity is dose-dependent and blunted in tolerant users. Citations: Grotenhermen F. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2003;42:327-360; Vandrey R et al. J Anal Toxicol. 2017;41:83-99; Spindle TR et al. J Anal Toxicol. 2019;43:233-258.