How To Take Edibles: Pro-Tips For Consuming Cannabis Products
How To Take Edibles: The Ultimate Guide To Responsible Dosing
Cannabis edibles are everywhere, but getting the perfect dose can be a little tricky. Whether you're a seasoned stoner or a total newbie, we'll show you how to take edibles the right way!
Edibles are all the rage these days, especially since they give us some of the longest and strongest highs. But on the flip side, weed edibles have earned themselves a notorious reputation over the years.
So, why are there so many horror stories about trying edibles for the first time? How do people end up taking more than they can handle? The truth is, most people don't know how much it takes for them to feel the desired effects. It's easy for anyone to take a more potent dose than intended; plus, it doesn't help that edibles taste so damn delicious!
The good news? Consuming an edible can be extremely enjoyable if you find the perfect dose the first time around. If you aren't sure where to start, you've come to the right place. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about marijuana edibles. We'll also give you some tips and tricks to help make your experience as positive as possible! Read on to learn the secrets of consuming cannabis wisely.
Cannabis 101
Before we jump into our comprehensive guide, let's cover the basics. Marijuana is made up of different cannabinoids, but the most famous of all are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). CBD won't get you high no matter how much you take, but THC has powerful psychoactive effects on the mind and body. Consuming edibles is an entirely different experience to smoking bud, and sometimes the long-lasting results can be a shock for first timers and stoners alike. So, let's talk about what happens when you introduce cannabis into your system. How The Body Processes Cannabis Everyone has an endocannabinoid system that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. Our brains also have CBD receptors that trigger serotonin and dopamine. Inhaling THC allows the compounds to travel through your lungs while ingesting THC takes them to your gut. Either way, the byproducts are broken down by liver enzymes to get metabolized into the bloodstream. Because smoking goes to your bloodstream quicker, it binds to the CBD receptors in your brain at a faster rate, making you feel high. Meanwhile, edibles need to be digested slowly, affecting the time it takes to become active.
What Are Edibles?
Edibles are basically food infused with marijuana, and it can be hard to tell them apart from regular foods or desserts. This is why most of them come with specific child-proof packaging and labels for strict adult use. Cannabis edibles contain CBD, THC, or a mix of both, and these products are more in-demand than ever! They come in different forms, doses, and packages depending on your location, and they're pretty affordable too. Whether you're into classic gummies and pot brownies or cannabis chocolates and drinks, companies continue to churn out new products to supply the growing demand for edibles. Products may vary depending on whether you're looking for an active Sativa, a soothing Indica, or a balanced hybrid. But just like most cannabis products, all edibles have their own set of pros and cons, including: + The effects last for several hours compared to other methods. + It may provide a more potent high depending on the dose. + Edibles are healthier for the body compared to smoking. - It takes longer for people to feel the effects of edibles. - It's hard to get the dose right for an edible on the first try. - Edibles may be consumed accidentally by other people.
Smoking vs Eating Edibles
Now, let's take a closer look at the effects of smoking or vaping compared to eating edibles. While it only takes a few minutes for you to feel the effects of smoking a joint, a pipe, or a bong, edibles take much longer to kick in. On average, it may take anywhere between 45 minutes to 2 hours for the effects to be really noticeable! One major difference between inhalation and ingestion is how long the high lasts. Some users report that cannabis edibles can keep them stoned for 2 to 5 hours or more on a minimal dose. But in some severe cases, people have experienced an "edible hangover" resulting in a trip that lasts until the next day!
Does THC Tolerance Matter?
The more you smoke, the more you can handle a moderate dose – but sometimes, a high smoking tolerance doesn't translate to a high edible tolerance. Even if you're confident about being a seasoned smoker, always proceed with caution! Every product contains different concentrations, strains, and ingredients, which means you should always watch how much you eat. Read the label on every product you buy so you know exactly what to expect.
Effects Of Edibles On The Body
Cannabis edibles affect everyone differently regardless of the dose – so it does take some time before you figure out how much THC you need. You'll know you've had enough when you start to experience relaxation, euphoria, drowsiness, or even the munchies. Let's get to the bottom of the mystery: why does an edible have stronger effects than other methods? The answer requires us to get a little bit scientific. To sum it up, THC gets converted to Delta-9-THC compounds, which then turn into 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver. When you inhale cannabis, the ratio of Delta-9-THC to 11-hydroxy-THC is significantly lower. Meanwhile, an edible delivers a much higher ratio of the potent 11-hydroxy-THC, which means more THC is absorbed by the body. The effects of an edible are significantly delayed, but it more than makes up for it in potency!
The Benefits Of Edibles
Cannabis provides relief for people dealing with a wide range of conditions including chronic pain, PTSD, loss of appetite, and insomnia to name a few. Nowadays, medical marijuana can be prescribed by a doctor at the hospital or bought at a legal dispensary. However, most patients prefer the healthiest way of taking their medicine, so edibles are one of their first go-to options. CBD is more popular than THC for treating a terminally ill patient, especially for debilitating diseases like cancer. Despite THC and CBD being present in an unprocessed plant, the cannabis consumer market is split into halves. The medical and recreational industry may have their differences, but most people will need a balance of both to experience the full benefits of cannabis.
Medical Edibles vs Recreational Edibles
Most medical products use isolated CBD for its pure medicinal benefits, so all the psychoactive effects of THC are removed in the process. On the other hand, recreational products are all about higher THC levels and using potent strains to infuse into each product. If you want to try edibles for the first time, it's important to know what type of product you're going to eat. You also have the option of combining the best of both worlds to give yourself an even ratio of THC and CBD!
Homemade Edibles
Before the age of cannabis legalization, stoners were cooking up concoctions to get themselves high in the comfort of their homes. From homemade cannabutter to brownies and everything in between, you can easily infuse cannabis into anything! If you decide to make your own edibles, keep it mind that you won't be as precise about each dose. Since most states have legal access to professionally-made products, we highly recommend purchasing from a trustworthy store instead.
Black Market Edibles
Despite the flourishing legal market, some fake products continue to make their rounds underground. Always be careful about what you buy; never trust online sellers from sketchy websites or social media pages. Any time you purchase an edible, make sure it's from a credible source who knows exactly what they're doing. Look for credentials and don't put your trust in neighborhood dealers that sell to your friends.
The worst part about buying from unreliable drug dealers is how you'll never know the actual quality or dose of anything you spend on. Avoid purchasing knock offs at all costs because you could endanger your health without realizing it. Although legit dispensaries, clinics, or cafes may be more expensive, you'll be getting your money's worth without putting yourself at risk!
Types Of Edible Products
You'll find tons of edible products on the market containing a wide range of THC or CBD concentrations for both medical and recreational purposes. Sometimes, it can be tough to tell them apart if it's your first time trying them out, so let's cover some basics about edible types. Whether you're taking THC, CBD, or a little bit of both, you should always pay attention to the extraction method used for each product.
Whole Plant Edibles
These edibles are a hybrid of both THC and CBD, which makes them closer to how the organic plant is found naturally. There's no need to extract and separate the THC from the CBD, so you get a balanced dose from these types of products. A whole plant cannabis edible is perfect for anyone trying it out for the first time since there are less chances of a THC overdose.
THC Edibles
Choosing a product high in THC can be risky for newbies, but regular consumers should also be careful about risking a high dose on the first try. Almost every THC product on the market is made by different brands or companies, and the packaging won't always tell you the exact measurements of each ingredient. If you plan on taking THC edibles, make sure you start with 5 mg on your first time dose to be on the safe side.
CBD Edibles
CBD edibles won't get you high, so you won't feel stoned at all – but you should start to feel more relaxed or sleepy as the day progresses. CBD has more medicinal benefits, and it also counteracts the psychoactive effects of THC with calmness and relaxation.
How To Take Edibles Correctly
Every edible product has a set amount of doses measured in milligrams. You can take them on an empty stomach or a few hours after your last meal so you have enough energy. Overall, it should be a pleasant experience – perfect for a weekend at home or unwinding after a busy day. Here's a complete guide to help you achieve the right effects from start to finish!
1. Start With Low Doses
This is the golden rule of edibles: start low and go slow; you're always better off taking less than too much. Whatever the regular serving is for a product, your safest bet is consuming only half of the recommended dose. For example, if a product gives you a 10 mg dose per chocolate, split it in half and take only 5 mg. Taking edibles in incremental doses is the key to getting the desired effects so you can have full control of your experience the entire time.
2. Be Patient
One of the biggest mistakes people make is not waiting long enough before deciding to eat the rest of the dose. As we mentioned earlier, it may take anywhere between 45 minutes to 2 hours for you to feel the effects of marijuana edibles. Don’t get impatient or you could end up biting off more than you can chew! If you don't feel the effects after more than an hour, it should be safe to take another 5 mg or 10 mg depending on your initial dose.
3. Set The Mood
Set and setting is everything, especially if you're taking an edible for the first time ever. Don't take edibles if you have a lot of stuff to do like work, meetings, or other responsibilities outside of your home. Having to deal with stress may ruin the vibe and make you feel anxious about everything. If you plan on taking edibles, make sure you've cleared your schedule and set aside enough time for you to take it easy.
4. Relax And Get Comfortable
This is one of the most important parts of taking edibles: relaxing and finding comfortable ways to experience the desired effects. You can spend hours chilling at home, watching movies, and catching up on some much needed R&R. Whether you choose to hang out on your couch or your bed, keep some essentials within hand's reach so you don't have to move around too much at the peak of your high.
5. Enjoy Your Experience
Last, but definitely not least: go with the flow! It's a common misconception that taking edibles will make you feel sluggish, lazy, or stoned out of your mind. But you can actually find some fun or creative things to do for a couple of hours! You'll know that you've taken the right amount of cannabis when you feel at ease doing anything. You don't have to pressure yourself to do anything – it's all about surrendering and savoring each moment as it unfolds.
What To Do When You Take Too Much
Just like any other substance, taking too much cannabis edibles can give you some unwanted side effects. This may include difficulty breathing, anxiety, paranoia, and a racing heartbeat. These symptoms usually mean that you ingested more than you should have, and it's a lesson most cannabis users have to learn. The negative effects won't last forever, but you can use these easy tricks if you ever find yourself in a sticky situation!
1. Breathe And Stay Calm
Any time you feel like you're too high, the first thing you should do is take deep breaths to help calm yourself down. You may even close your eyes and resist the urge to strain your facial muscles. Breathing will regulate your heartbeat and eventually slow down your thoughts. Remind yourself that the effects will only last for a few hours, and there are other things you can do to feel better.
2. Drink Water Or Eat
Believe it or not, most people could just be dehydrated or hungry from taking too much THC. Drinking a glass of cold water can refresh the mind and body. Start by taking small sips – don't chug the entire glass! Another option is finding something to eat so you can decrease the effects efficiently. Eating is also a good distraction, giving you something to focus on while coming down.
3. Balance With CBD
If you accidentally take an excessive dose, it's helpful to have a CBD product on hand to help you balance out your high. Any time you purchase a THC product, make it a point to buy some medical-grade CBD in case of emergencies! If you can't wait for an edible to take effect, you can smoke CBD flower, hit a CBD vape, or take a tincture under your tongue. Give your body some time to process the substance and your high should come down within an hour or so.
4. Think Positive
Consuming too much THC can make your mind race, leading to increased chances of paranoid thoughts. Just follow the previous steps we've mentioned and don't overthink everything. Remind yourself that no matter how high you are, nobody has ever died from ingesting too much cannabis. All the effects are temporary and should go away in a few hours. It also helps to listen to some music to distract you from a negative state of mind. Think positive vibes!
5. Sleep It Off
If you can't seem to shake the effects of a potent dose, you should consider relaxing in bed until you fall asleep. Taking a 10 mg dose of your chosen CBD product can help you fall asleep faster, so your body can fully recover. Just a fair warning: you might wake up feeling a little hungover, but a good breakfast should have you feeling back to normal in no time!
What To Do If You Didn't Take Enough
Sometimes, it can take a while before you feel the effects of an edible. This could be frustrating, especially if you've been waiting for hours. Having a high tolerance means you'll need more than a 10 mg dose to achieve the effects you want, so adjust according to your needs. Here are some things you can do if you don't feel anything from consuming a cannabis product.
1. Take An Extra Dose
If you're struggling with achieving the usual high you get from ingesting cannabis, take an additional 5 mg or 10 mg depending on your initial dose. Make sure you've given yourself enough time for the THC to take effect before going this route! Most people make the mistake of taking an extra dose too early, and they end up regretting it afterwards. Unless you're absolutely sure, then go ahead and take more THC edibles until you start to feel something.
2. Dose On An Empty Stomach
While there's an ongoing debate about taking edible cannabis products on an empty stomach, some people swear by this method! The trick is to take the edible first, then follow it up with a small snack to speed up the digestive process. The problem with this technique is how cannabis ends up making you hungry, which means you'll have to have a stash of snacks to munch on. But whatever you do, don't indulge in extra edibles to fill your belly up!
3. Choose Another Product
It can be a total buzzkill if you don't get high from taking an edible, but don't stress yourself out! If all else fails, you may need to start using a more potent cannabis product to make sure you get the best value for your money. Buying a cannabis edible from a different brand could help as long as it has a higher concentration of THC. Just make sure you don't overdo it; treat every new purchase as an experiment to help you find the middle ground.
Eat Responsibly
Never underestimate the power of cannabis edibles. There's nothing worse than taking too much in one go – it's all about pacing yourself. Cannabis edibles can be incredible in balanced doses; it just takes discipline, knowledge, and patience to find what works for you. Now that you know how to take edibles the right way, you're ready to eat responsibly! Just put our pro-tips to good use and we guarantee you'll enjoy your edible experience every single time.