Have you ever wondered about the effects of cannabis edibles on the brain? With the rapid increase in cannabis consumption, many users now have access to various methods of intake, including edibles and concentrates. While THC and CBD levels play significant roles in the experience, the method of consumption is crucial in determining the intensity and duration of the effects.

Edibles can produce a stronger and longer-lasting effect compared to other consumption methods. Read on to understand how they affect you and how to avoid any negative experiences.

How Cannabinoids Are Absorbed When Smoking

Smoking cannabis is the most common and quickest way to experience its effects. This is because the THCA molecule, for instance, is too large to fit into receptors directly. However, smoking changes the chemical compounds (cannabinoids) by heating them to around 800°C, converting THCA into Delta-9-THC (THC), which are smaller molecules.

These smaller molecules are easier to absorb, allowing cannabinoids to travel rapidly from the lungs to the brain. As a result, cannabinoids enter your bloodstream within minutes of inhalation, and you begin to feel the effects within the first 10 minutes.

The availability of cannabinoids after smoking can vary significantly, ranging from 2% to 56%. Several factors influence this variability, including inhalation volume, amount, duration, and interval between puffs. This means that smoking cannabis does not allow for the consumption of all cannabinoids and terpenes in the flower. In contrast, consuming edibles requires decarboxylating the cannabis at around 150°C, leading to a different availability and absorption process of cannabinoids.

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How Cannabinoids Are Absorbed When Consuming Edibles?

Unlike smoking, where cannabinoids are activated through heating, edibles contain cannabinoids that are already decarboxylated, meaning no additional heating of the plant material is needed.

When you consume cannabis orally, the edible passes through your mouth and down your digestive system, where cannabinoids are absorbed in the small intestine. From there, they travel to the liver before entering your bloodstream.

Because cannabinoids need to travel a longer path in the body compared to smoking, the absorption process when consuming edibles is slower. After ingesting edibles, cannabinoids typically enter the bloodstream within 30–60 minutes, with effects felt 1–2 hours after consumption. These effects can last from 4–8 hours. It is believed that a small amount of cannabinoids can be absorbed in the oral cavity (cheeks, gums, lips, and tongue) due to being decarboxylated, but this has not been conclusively confirmed.

The availability of cannabinoids after consuming edibles is around 10-20%, meaning only a fraction reaches your bloodstream. Because the effects take longer to manifest, inexperienced users may consume larger doses, often leading to excessively strong effects.

Other Ways to Consume Cannabis

Smoking and edibles are not the only methods of cannabis consumption. Today, various cannabis-infused products offer different effects based on cannabinoid content and absorption methods. Here are some other consumption methods:

Inter-individual Availability

Inter-individual availability refers to the varying effects of the same substance on different people. For example, 100mg of THC may be manageable for one person but too much for another, causing undesirable effects.

Factors influencing this includes age, gender, weight, and health conditions, affecting how effectively and tolerantly one metabolises cannabinoids.

Intra-individual Availability

Intra-individual availability describes the varying effects experienced by the same person using the same substance. The effects of smoking a joint, for instance, can differ based on factors such as whether you’ve eaten, the time of day, or your current mood.

Both inter-individual and intra-individual availability apply to edibles, causing the effects to differ based on these factors.

Nonetheless, most cannabis users agree that edibles produce much stronger and longer-lasting effects compared to other methods. But why is this the case?

Are Edibles Stronger?

As mentioned earlier, consuming edibles takes longer to produce effects because they need time to reach your stomach and are absorbed more slowly.

However, the high is usually stronger and lasts longer compared to smoking. This is because when you eat cannabis, the cannabinoids are first metabolised by the liver before entering your bloodstream. In the liver, Delta-9-THC is converted to 11-OH-THC, a more potent compound that binds to your brain more rapidly.

This conversion means that with the same amount of cannabis, you will actually get higher from edibles. The metabolisation of THC creates both Delta-9-THC and 11-OH-THC, the latter being a stronger compound. With more psychotropic cannabinoids binding to your neurons, the high is more intense and prolonged. This process may also apply to CBD, but further research is needed to confirm this.

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Are Edibles Healthier than Smoking Cannabis?

Consuming edibles is healthier than smoking cannabis, not because of the different compounds produced, but due to the absence of smoke. When you eat an edible, you avoid inhaling toxic chemicals, including cancer-causing molecules like carbon monoxide, bronchial irritants, and tumour initiators, making it healthier for your lungs and overall body.

The downside is that if you live in a place where cannabis is illegal, you might have to make edibles yourself or buy them from a friend. This makes it challenging to control the amount of cannabinoids you’re ingesting, as dosages can vary significantly.

This variability makes it difficult to achieve the desired effects and easy to consume more than you’re comfortable with. However, consuming a high dose is not lethal, toxic, or likely to cause serious long-term damage, though it may result in being uncomfortably high for an extended period.

It’s crucial to consume any substances, including cannabis, responsibly. Edibles are healthier in moderate doses, but consuming too much at once can lead to serious problems, especially if you’re inexperienced.

Conclusion

Although edibles are healthier than smoking cannabis, they can be much stronger. The formation of 11-OH-THC when THC is metabolised by the liver can lead to a more intense high, so caution is necessary.

Always buy edibles from trusted online shops like MyEdiblesUK to ensure proper dosing. If you choose to make your own edibles, be meticulous about dosing, as there is a significant difference between 10mg and 100mg of THC. Seek help from a knowledgeable friend if needed to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

 

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.