Edibles can be a super fun way to consume your cannabis. They are also a great option for health-conscious cannabis consumers looking to protect their lungs. If you’re new to the world of cannabis edibles, you may have some questions. Our aim is to answer them all in today’s post, where we outline the considerations you need to know in order to have the best edible experience possible.
Eating your cannabis can be a fairly different experience than smoking or vaping it. Here’s a quick guide to cannabis edibles to get you up and running.
How are the Effects of THC Edibles Different Than the Effects of Smoking Cannabis?
When you smoke or vape cannabis, its contents are absorbed through your lungs and transported into your bloodstream. However, with THC edibles the process is different.
When you ingest an edible, it begins to be slowly digested by your stomach and metabolized by your liver. The result is a much longer and more consistent buzz. When you smoke or vape cannabis, you can feel strong effects within minutes, with the high peaking after about 1 hour, and the whole buzz lasting, on average, about 3 to 4 hours.
However, when you eat an edible, it is slowly digested over time. This means that you likely won’t begin to experience effects until somewhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours after you’ve eaten the edible, with cannabis edible effects usually peaking 2 to 3 hours after consumption, with psychoactive effects lasting 6 to 8 hours in total.
This longer buzz can be both advantageous and disadvantageous. If you’re looking for a long-lasting high or for therapeutic relief from an ailment, edibles are great for producing effects throughout the day or night. However, if you’re short on time and just want to relax for a few hours, or if you’re looking to experience immediate effects, then smoking or vaping might be a better choice.
What are the Effects of Cannabis Edibles?
First-time edible shoppers at our Worcester dispensary often ask us what the effects of an edible are and how they differ from the effects of other cannabis consumption methods.
Many people report that edibles produce a more euphoric body buzz than smoking, that can sometimes be felt throughout their upper body. This may be due to the faster rate at which the Delta-9-THC is converted to 11-Hydroxy-THC by the liver during the edible digestion process. The quicker conversion speed may be responsible for producing the full body-high that people often describe when ingesting edibles. However, until more concrete research is performed on exactly how cannabis edibles are processed by the human body, this is really just a theory.
It’s important to note that many people find the effects of cannabis edibles to be much more physical in nature than other consumption methods. That doesn’t necessarily mean that there can’t be an uplifting head buzz as well, especially if you’re ingesting a sativa strain.
If you’re planning on trying edibles from our Worcester dispensary for the first time, it’s good to take a small dose and expect a long-lasting, euphoric, and deeply pleasant body buzz.
Finding an Ideal Edible Dosage
It’s really important to be careful when dosing cannabis edibles. Eating too much edible cannabis is a common mistake, especially when dealing with homemade edibles that have not been precisely dosed or weren’t mixed thoroughly. Ingesting too much THC can lead to overwhelming cannabis edibles effects that can cause anxiety and paranoia.
If it’s your first time experimenting with edibles, or if you haven’t had one in awhile, a good rule of thumb is to buy an edible from a dispensary, ask a budtender what a nice, small dose would look like (there will also be guidelines on the packaging), and always follow the mantra: start low and go slow.
Don’t reach for the most potent edible on the shelf right off the bat. Try a lower dose first, and see how it makes you feel. If the cannabis edibles effects weren’t quite what you were expecting, eat a slightly higher dose of the edible next time.
It’s also super important to not eat another dose until you’ve given the first one enough time to peak. Attempting to re-up your dose for stronger effects too soon can possibly produce an overwhelming high later on when the edible fully kicks in. If you really want more during the same session, wait at least 2 hours before taking more—and know that the total length of the effects will be extended if you take more.
What Can You Do If You Take Too Much of an Edible?
Luckily, there are some things you can do to keep calm and ride out the effects of cannabis.
The most important thing to do is to remember to stay calm, and not to let any feelings of anxiety or panic overwhelm you. Place yourself in a calm environment and soothe yourself with some calm activities such as listening to relaxing music, watching some television, doing a guided meditation, or eating a delicious meal. Before you know it, you’ll be on the comedown and will be feeling better in no time. The effects will last a matter of hours, at most.
Worcester MA Dispensary: Order Cannabis Edibles Online
Come by our Worcester MA dispensary today to shop a wide variety of potent and delicious cannabis edibles. We’ve stocked our Worcester dispensary shelves with some of the best cannabis edibles available in the state of Massachusetts. Can’t make it down to see us right now? Just browse our digital menu to shop both medical and recreational cannabis edibles online from the comfort of your home!
