Edibles are different foods or beverages infused with cannabinoids, like THC and CBD. They are a healthy and highly effective alternative to smoking, but there are some things first-time users should know.
A widespread mistake when consuming edibles is consuming too much at once. It’s crucial to understand what your edibles contain, their potency, and their effects on the body before ingesting them.
Once you know that edibles tend to produce a more potent body high as well as changes in cognition, perception of time, memory, and movement, you’ll be able to pick the dose that’s right for you.
Why Should You Take Edibles?
Many medical patients prefer to take edibles because they do not require patients to inhale smoke or use any extra equipment.
The prolonged effects of edibles are particularly beneficial for patients that are combating specific ailments like chronic pain.
Edibles are also a good option for consumers because you know exactly how much THC and/or CBD you are consuming. There’s no guessing game here.
What Do Edibles Taste Like?
The flavor of your edible depends on the potency and flavor profile of the cannabis products used when making it. Some edibles hide the taste of cannabis more than others.
There are also quite a variety of edibles available in today’s market. From fruity gummies to chocolate bars to sodas, there’s something for everyone.
Sativa vs. Indica
Sativa and Indica are the two primary strains of cannabis.
Sativa creates more of a head high, meaning it has more functional, uplifting, and energetic effects.
When thinking about the effects Indica has on the body, think about “In the couch.” This refers to the fact that Indica creates a more sedated body high. Most edibles are a mix of the two, called a hybrid.
When picking which edible you want to experiment with, first decide what type of high or relief you’re seeking. This will tell you which edibles to narrow your search down to.
Another form available is CBD edibles, which offer potential medical benefits and are non-psychoactive. This means you’ll experience relief without the high.
How Do Edibles Work?
Edibles are different from other forms of consumption because of how the THC enters the bloodstream. There are two categories of edibles:
- Sublingual– dissolves under the tongue (i.e., tinctures and hard candies)
- Orally ingested-ingested and processed by the liver (i.e., chocolate bars, gumdrops, and baked goods)
A sublingual has a faster onset, at about 15 minutes, and its effects will last for about two to three hours. However, an orally ingested edible takes anywhere between 30 minutes and two hours to kick in, about four hours to reach its peak effect, and can last as long as eight to ten hours. Why is this?
Well, when you orally ingest an edible like a gumdrop, it must be processed through the stomach and intestines before it makes its way to the liver.
Once in the liver, the THC within the edible breaks down into a substance thought to be about ten times stronger, called 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite is smaller than THC and can more easily enter the brain than inhaled cannabis. This is what makes edibles both strong and long-lasting.
Keep in mind that everyone metabolizes THC differently and at different rates. We suggest that one should consume something fatty, like cheese or avocado, before eating an edible. This will help your body process THC oil. This is excellent advice for those that experience first-pass metabolism.
First-past metabolism is a problem that limits the effectiveness of many common substances. In the case of THC, instead of your body breaking it down into a more potent metabolite, the compound is cleared from the body without effect.
What Dosage Is Best for You?
A word of advice, go low and slow. If you are new to edibles, especially if you are new to cannabis consumption, you’ll want to start at a low dose and slowly move your way up in dosage until you reach one that fits your needs. The following is what you can generally expect from specific doses:
- 1-2.5mg – for beginners; provides a mild effect and can help reduce pain, anxiety, and can act as a sleep aid
- 2.5-10mg – has a more prominent effect; expect euphoria, laughter, and stronger symptoms of relief
- 10-20mg – do not surpass 10mg if you are not an experienced cannabis consumer; expect strong euphoria and sedation
- 20+mg – best for patients that warrant such a high dose
Start with a beginner’s dose and wait two hours. If you don’t feel anything after two hours, you may try upping your dosage by a small amount. However, if this is your first time consuming edibles, it is advised that you wait about 24 hours before trying more just to ensure that there is not a delayed reaction.
Help! I’ve Eaten Too Much!
Don’t panic. “Know what you’re doing is safe. You can’t overdose on it [cannabis]. As long as you keep telling yourself that, you’ll be much better off,” says Mike Heller, co-founder of MJ Wooly, which helps companies infuse their foods and beverages with cannabis. Heller is correct; you’re safe.
Drink a glass of water and try to take a nap. Others suggest that fresh air and chewing peppercorn balls may help bring you back to planet earth. If you feel like you can’t wait it out, try taking 15mg of CBD to counteract the THC in your system.
To avoid taking too much, make sure you know just how many milligrams of THC are in each product you buy. You should also know if you need to cut it into pieces or if you can eat the whole thing. Note how much you start with, how much time you wait for it to kick in, and how much you’re adding (if you choose to add more).
Edibles—An Overview
So, edibles, what are they? Edibles are a food or beverage infused with cannabinoids like THC and CBD. Most edibles are made with a hybrid strain, a mix of Sativa and Indica. This gives you a body high with characteristics of a head high.
Go low and slow. For a beginner, you should experiment with a starting dose of about 2.5mg, wait two hours and then add more if you feel the effects aren’t powerful enough. If you don’t feel anything, wait 24 hours before ingesting any more edibles to ensure that you will not experience a delayed reaction.
Don’t take edibles on an empty stomach. Preferably, consume your edibles after eating something with a healthy amount of fat. And remember that edibles naturally take longer to take effect. They reach their peak at around four hours and wear off anywhere between six and eight hours.
Overall, edibles are a great alternative to smoking or vaping cannabis as you know exactly how much THC you are consuming in a sitting, and often it’s more cost-friendly, as you get more bang for your buck.
Start Your Journey with North Today!
Shop North today at our Hillsboro or Pevely locations. We offer a wide variety of premium cannabis products at a competitive price. Plus, we’ll even deliver your products straight to your door!
If you’re new to edibles, a great product to start with is Honeybee edibles. Check out the Hillsboro and Pevely menus to see which Honeybee gumdrops are available at your location. Honeybee is powered by Proper Cannabis, a facility in St. Louis that cultivates premium cannabis and processes it into a pure, tasteless distillate. It is then passed to their culinary team to make all sorts of tasty treats. We can promise an exceptional variety of gumdrops for any consumer looking for all kinds of benefits.
For more information, please call or reach out to us here. Our patient consultants are highly experienced and happy to talk through any questions you may have!
