Cannabis edibles provide a unique and enjoyable way to experience the effects of weed. However, for beginners or those who’ve had negative experiences, approaching edibles can be daunting.

Fortunately, ensuring a safe, responsible, and pleasant experience with edibles is straightforward. Here’s how you can make the most of them:

How Many Edibles Should I Eat?

Start Slow: It’s advisable not to consume a whole brownie or cookie if you’re new to edibles.

Test Your Tolerance: Begin by taking a small bite, about 1/4 of the brownie or cookie at most, to gauge your tolerance.

Optimal Consumption: For best results, consume edibles on an empty stomach or at least 2-3 hours after a meal. Avoid eating additional food immediately afterward.

Patience is Key: Refrain from consuming the remainder of the edible before feeling the full effects, as the potency increases gradually.

This approach ensures you can enjoy the effects of THC-infused edibles responsibly and safely.

Beginners Guide to Cannabis Edibles

What Are Cannabis Edibles? Cannabis edibles, often known as “medibles,” are food items infused with cannabis. Unlike smoking, they provide a healthier and more discreet way to consume cannabis. For those new to edibles, understanding a few key aspects can enhance your experience and ensure safety.

Understanding Cannabis Activation: Edibles contain cannabis that has been “activated,” meaning the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and other cannabinoids are in a form that can be easily absorbed by the body. This activation typically occurs through heating or processing the cannabis plant material or oils.

Historical and Cultural Context: The use of cannabis-infused foods dates back thousands of years across various cultures. In Eastern Europe, cannabis edibles were historically popular among women and sometimes administered to children as medicinal treatments. Similarly, in India, preparations like bhang—a traditional edible made from cannabis—have been used since around 2000 BC for both medicinal and spiritual purposes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: One common pitfall for newcomers is overconsumption. Unlike smoking, where the effects are felt almost immediately, edibles can take up to several hours to fully kick in. This delayed onset can lead to inexperienced users consuming more than they can handle, resulting in an uncomfortable or overwhelming experience.

How Long Does It Take for Edibles to Take Effect?

When it comes to cannabis consumption, the time it takes to feel the effects can vary significantly depending on how it is consumed.

Inhalation vs. Edibles: When inhaling cannabis, whether through smoking or vaping, the onset of psychoactive and medicinal effects typically occurs within about 15 minutes.

Edibles: Delayed Onset: Edibles, on the other hand, require much more time to take effect. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours or more before you start feeling the effects. This delay is due to how the body processes THC and other cannabinoids when consumed through digestion.

Factors Influencing Onset: Several factors influence how long it takes for edibles to kick in:

Metabolic Rate: Your personal metabolism plays a crucial role in how quickly your body breaks down and absorbs the cannabinoids.
Food Intake: Whether you’ve consumed the edible on an empty stomach or with food can impact absorption rates. Consuming edibles on an empty stomach may lead to quicker onset but could also intensify the effects.

Dosage Considerations: Because of the delayed onset with edibles, determining the right dosage of THC can be challenging. It’s recommended to start with a low dose, typically 5-10 milligrams of THC, and wait at least two hours before considering taking more. Some experts even advise waiting up to six to eight hours or until the next day before increasing the dosage.

Gradual Adjustment: Once you understand how a starting dose affects you, you can gradually adjust the dosage over time. This approach allows you to find the right balance for your individual tolerance and desired effects.

Understanding these dynamics ensures a safer and more enjoyable experience with THC-infused edibles, respecting their unique characteristics compared to other forms of cannabis consumption.

How Long Do the Effects of Edibles Last?

When consuming cannabis edibles, understanding the duration of their effects is crucial due to their unique characteristics compared to other consumption methods.

Duration of Effects:

Onset and Peak: Edibles have a longer onset time, typically taking between 30 minutes to two hours to begin feeling effects. The peak of the experience usually occurs within the first four hours after consumption.
Total Duration: The effects of edibles can last up to six hours, providing a prolonged experience compared to inhalation methods.
Residual Effects: Consuming a large amount of THC through edibles can lead to residual effects that may be felt for up to 24 hours after consumption. This can include mild fatigue, lethargy, or a slight headache.

Post-Consumption Effects:

Next-Day Effects: It is not uncommon to experience a mild “cannabis hangover” the day after consuming a high-dose cannabis edible. This may manifest as feeling slightly slower in movement or thought, along with mild fatigue.

Understanding these effects allows users to plan their consumption accordingly, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience with cannabis edibles.

Why Are Edibles More Potent?

Understanding why cannabis edibles are more potent than other forms of consumption involves delving into their unique metabolic process within the body.

Metabolism and Absorption: When cannabis is inhaled, such as through smoking or vaping, the active compounds are quickly absorbed by the lungs and enter the bloodstream. This rapid absorption allows for a relatively fast onset of effects, typically within about 30 minutes. The effects of inhaled cannabis generally last up to two to three hours.

Digestive Process: Edibles, however, follow a different pathway. When consumed orally, edibles must first pass through the stomach and intestinal tract, where they are then metabolized by enzymes in the liver. This digestive process delays the onset of effects, which can take between 30 minutes to two hours to fully manifest.

Transformation of THC: The liver enzymes metabolize THC into a more potent compound known as 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite is smaller than THC itself and is believed to more effectively cross the blood-brain barrier, enhancing its psychoactive effects.

Strength and Duration: It is this process of metabolism and digestion that makes edibles both stronger and longer-lasting compared to inhaled cannabis. The effects of edibles can persist for up to six hours or more, providing a sustained and intense experience.

Understanding the metabolic differences between inhaled and edible cannabis allows users to make informed choices about consumption methods based on desired effects and duration.

This knowledge also underscores the importance of starting with low doses when trying edibles for the first time, to gauge individual tolerance and minimize the risk of overconsumption.

Can You Overdose on Cannabis Edibles?

The notion of overdosing on cannabis edibles can be concerning for newcomers, but understanding the nature of cannabis consumption provides clarity.

Safety of Cannabis Consumption: It’s important to note that it is impossible to fatally overdose on cannabis, including when consumed in edible form. However, it is entirely possible to have an uncomfortable experience if too much THC is ingested at once.

Effects of High-Dose Edibles: An “overdose” on edibles may lead to several hours of discomfort rather than serious harm. Some common negative effects of consuming high doses of cannabis edibles include:

Paranoia and anxiety
Excessive drowsiness
Distorted sense of time
Reduced coordination
Red eyes and dry mouth

Coping with an Intense Experience: If you find yourself in a situation where you’ve consumed too much THC, here are some tips to help alleviate discomfort:

Relaxation Techniques: Engage in calming activities like listening to soothing music or playing a favorite game.
Peppercorns: Chewing on fresh peppercorns may help alleviate THC-induced anxiety.
Fresh Air: If you feel comfortable, step outside for some fresh air, ensuring safety with a companion (“sitter”).
Rest: Lie down and rest in a comfortable environment.
CBD: Consuming CBD, which can help modulate the effects of THC, may also provide relief.

Recovery and Future Consumption: Remember, the effects of cannabis edibles will subside with time. It’s crucial to stay calm and patient until the discomfort passes. Starting with a low dose, typically 2.5 to 5 mg of THC, and waiting at least two hours before considering re-dosing can help prevent such experiences.

Why Don’t I Feel the Effects of a Cannabis Edible?

Understanding why you might not feel the effects of a cannabis edible despite consuming it can be attributed to a physiological phenomenon called “first-pass metabolism.”

First-Pass Metabolism: In some cases, the liver enzymes responsible for metabolizing substances like THC can be highly efficient at clearing them from the bloodstream before they have a chance to produce noticeable effects. This process is known as first-pass metabolism.

Implications for Cannabis Edibles: First-pass metabolism can limit the effectiveness of cannabis-infused edibles for some individuals. Instead of metabolizing THC into its more potent form, the compound may be rapidly broken down and eliminated from the body, resulting in little to no psychoactive effect.

Enhancing Absorption: To enhance the absorption of THC from edibles and improve the likelihood of feeling their effects, consider the following tips:

Eat Before Consuming: Having a small, preferably fatty meal before consuming a cannabis edible can help stimulate bile production, which aids in the absorption of THC.
Include Fatty Foods: Foods rich in healthy fats such as cheese, avocado, or almond butter can facilitate better absorption of THC into the bloodstream.

Avoid Rapid Re-Dosing: If you do not feel the effects of an edible initially, resist the urge to consume more too quickly. It’s best to wait several hours—ideally, up to four hours—before considering a higher dose. This approach allows time for the digestive process and absorption to take place effectively.

Tips for Having a Good Experience with Edibles

Trying cannabis edibles for the first time or aiming for a positive experience requires understanding their unique characteristics and proceeding with caution.

Understanding Edible Effects: Unlike smoking or vaping cannabis, where effects are felt quickly and last a few hours, consuming edibles results in stronger and longer-lasting effects. Edibles enter the bloodstream through digestion, leading to effects that can persist for up to 7 hours.

Key Considerations: To ensure a positive experience with cannabis edibles, consider the following tips:

Dosage Awareness: Always know the exact amount of THC in the edible you are consuming. Start with a low dose of 5-10 mg of THC, especially if you are new to cannabis.
Patience is Key: Edibles can take between 45 to 90 minutes to take full effect. Avoid re-dosing too soon—wait at least 1.5 hours before considering consuming more if desired effects are not felt.
Incremental Consumption: You can always consume more to increase the effects, but be cautious not to exceed your tolerance level. Once consumed, you must allow time for the effects to wear off.

Managing Effects: If you find the effects overwhelming:

Time is the Best Healer: Allow time for the effects to naturally diminish. Trying to counteract with additional substances may complicate the experience.

Conclusion

Approach cannabis edibles with careful consideration of dosage and timing. By starting with a modest amount, monitoring effects patiently, and being mindful of your tolerance, you can enjoy a safe and enjoyable experience with cannabis-infused edibles.

Remember, the goal is to find the right balance that enhances your experience without overwhelming effects.

Disclaimer: This article provides information for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any THC related product.