Edibles are beverages and foods infused with the cannabis, which make possible to consume it without smoking. Edibles have grown in popularity even though they have always been around. Cannabis have been found in traditional drinks in countries like India and have been used in pot brownies in the US.
More people are open to trying marijuana with edibles. You can find a lot of cannabis infused foods to match the taste of everyone. There are baked pastries, gummies, cooking oil, seasoning packets, chocolates, sodas, strips, and mints, but the most common are brownies.
If you are smoking or vaping cannabis, you will feel the effects immediately, because inhaling the substance sends THC which is activated by the heat into your bloodstream and brain. However, edibles are more complicated. Your body needs more time to digest it, metabolize it, and then absorb the cannabinoid compounds. In some cases, it could take one hour before the effects kick in.
How Edibles Are Absorbed in Your Body
After passing through your esophagus, edibles reach your stomach. They are broken down by enzymes and acids that further break it down into different parts. Then, the stomach absorbs the THC and sends it to the liver. THC in the liver is then transformed into 11-Hydroxy-THC. It becomes more potent and it can now cross the brain-blood barrier easily compared to when normal THC is inhaled.
How to Pick Your Cannabinoid for the Edible
If you want to experience a psychoactive high, choose THC. This substance is known for producing a classic high. This is why it is more popular. However, the effects of THC may depend on the person. Some create a feeling of euphoria, pain relief, relaxation or creativity. Others may experience short-term memory loss, confusion, rapid heart rate, shifts in time perception, anxiety, and reduced coordination.
If you want a calm feeling, choose CBD. It does not have psychoactive effects as THC but it gives you a calming effect.
If you want a balanced feeling, opt for a combination of CBD and THC. When both are fused together, users feel more mellow than when they use just one. When there is CBD in the mix, there is a lower chance of experiencing paranoia like in THC users. Newcomers may prefer a mix of both to get a soothing high.
How Many Edibles Should I Eat?
To know how many edibles you need, you must find the right dose. You need to measure in milligrams. The strength of CBD and THC in ingestible cannabis is mostly measured in milligrams. Find a licensed dispensary with cannabis products and you’ll see milligrams on the labels of the products.
You also need to be patient while eating edibles. It doesn’t matter if you are new to cannabis or just to edibles. Always start with the smallest possible amounts. Cut each piece in half and save the rest to eat later.
By most standards, 2milligram of THC is a microdose while the standard is 5mg. For experienced users, 10mg is a starting point that offers deep relaxation and great pain relief. If you don’t want to get high, then a high CBD and low THC edible will do the trick.
Do You Need to Eat before Taking an Edible?
The amount of food in your stomach will determine how fast it will be absorbed. This is why it is advisable to eat something before trying it out for the first time. It may be a good idea to have some THC-free snacks after taking the edibles because you may not be satisfied with eating one brownie or gummy.
If you have never vaped or smoked before, your body has never experienced the effects of THC, but this does not mean that you need to avoid edibles. Most people prefer eating edibles over smoking. Still, you should take a small dose for a start as mentioned earlier. You can break the gummy or brownie into a tiny piece and wait for the effect after two hours before indulging further.
Take snacks and water while relaxing. Be sure to listen to your body to know what you need. Even though you have smoked or vaped before, edibles may give you a different experience since they are stronger and slower.
What to Do If You Ate Too Many Edibles?
It is possible to take too much and it can have a strong effect. Just remember to take it slow next time. You should be prepared even though you take a smaller quantity. Here are some things you can do if you take too many edibles.
The first thing is should not panic. It will pass like every other thing you eat. Be sure to drink enough water and relax. Do not try to drive or operate any machinery. The effects will fade away sooner, it just takes some time.
If you have pure CBD in your possession, try some to neutralize the effects. However, you must ensure that the CBD does not contain any THC at all. CBD helps slow the racy feeling down. While taking it, drink some water. For ten minutes, continue to sip on cold water. This can help dull the high and also combat dry mouth which is a common side effect of THC.
If you want to quicken the process, you can add lemon zest, ground black pepper, shredded ginger, and some mint leaves. These ingredients can settle your stomach to reduce the effects of THC.
Try as much as possible not to panic. Relax and watch some TV. Depending on how high you are and your personality, this may be difficult. However, try to keep yourself distracted. You can also get some sleep. Drink water and get into bed. By the time you wake up, you will be refreshed. Note that you may feel groggy in the morning, but you’ll be good as new within a short time.