A Guide To Edibles
Cannabis edibles offer a unique way to enjoy weed. However, taking edibles can be intimidating, especially if you are new or have had a prior bad experience. Fortunately, it’s super easy to ensure a safe, responsible, and fun experience with edibles. Read on to find out.
Taking cannabis edibles can be confusing for both novice and experienced consumers — but it doesn’t have to be! In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what edibles are, how they work in the body, and the unique effects they offer. We will also share some information about the benefits they possess over other forms of cannabis, teach you how to dose them correctly, and even share some tips for making delicious homemade edibles.
What are Edibles?
As you have probably guessed, cannabis edibles are made to be eaten. Unlike smoking or vaping, edibles release cannabis compounds into the bloodstream via the digestive system. Hence, edibles take longer to take effect than smoking flower or vaporizing concentrates.
There are several types of cannabis edibles. Some classic options include baked goods like brownies or cookies and other options include sweets like gummy candies. However, almost any meal or snack can be infused with cannabis, and some innovative products that have hit the shelves of legal markets include chocolate bars, dark candies, pasta sauce, lemonade, truffles, coffee, honey, and more.
Cannabis contains hundreds of chemical compounds, but the two most common are THC and CBD: the former is the main intoxicating compound that gives cannabis its iconic effect, while CBD is a non-intoxicating compound widely used in cannabis health and well-being products.
The main difference between CBD and THC edibles is their chemical composition, hence their effects. THC edibles will get you high, while CBD edibles won’t. But be aware that some edibles may contain different THC and CBD ratios, so their effects will vary accordingly.
What Are The Advantages of Edibles?
There are many benefits to cannabis edibles that make them an attractive alternative to smoking, vaping, or dabbing.
Stronger and Longer Effects
Since cannabis edibles are broken down by the digestive system, they not only take longer to work but also offer a slower release of cannabinoids into the body. If you are taking THC edibles, they result in a longer-lasting body high that gradually rises.
Usually, edibles contain larger doses of cannabinoids than a few shots of a joint or vaporizer. Also, when you take THC edibles, the compound is processed by the liver and converted into the metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC, a very potent alternative form of THC that crosses the blood-brain barrier much more easily than delta-9 THC. While CBD edibles don’t produce intoxicating effects, they too are processed by the liver and provide a slow-release.
Easy Dosing
Another benefit of taking edibles is that they can be much easier to dose. When smoking or vaping cannabis, the best solution for dosing is to control the number of hits you take. But this doesn’t give a real insight into the amount you are consuming. On the other hand, edibles can make dosing a breeze.
In some legal cannabis markets, cannabis edibles must be clearly labeled with the number of cannabinoids they contain in a single serving, ensuring consumers a controlled and enjoyable experience. Sure, it’s a little more difficult to dose home-made edibles, but it’s easier than doing it, for example, with a joint.
How To Dose: Edibles and Flower
Given the differences in onset, potency, absorption, and duration of effect, dosage methods also vary when smoking or ingesting cannabis. Here’s how to dose.
Edibles
Due to the potency and risk of taking too much, experts recommend eating edibles in servings of 10mg or less. Therefore, if you are going to consume a chocolate bar infused with 100mg of THC, it will be best to cut it into ten equal parts.
Key factors such as body weight and the presence of food in the stomach can also influence the outcome of the experience. For example, taking edibles on an empty stomach can increase the power of the high you will experience.
If you want to take more, you should always wait at least an hour after consuming the last dose before eating another bite. So wait some time for the first 10mg to take effect before eating a second piece of that chocolate bar.
Flower
Since you get more control by smoking cannabis, dosing is usually based on immediate sensations. But if you want to be precise with the amount, you first need to know the percentage of THC in the strain you are using. You can do your research, or ask an expert for this information.
And now, the numbers. A simple formula is to multiply the amount in milligrams of weed you will be used by the decimal percentage of THC of the strain you are using. The result will give you the amount of THC you will consume.
So if you do a 500mg joint weight with our White Widow Automatic, which contains 14% THC, you will get a total of 70mg of THC.
Let’s now take a look at these numbers in terms of a person’s tolerance. In all likelihood, a beginner will be completely blown away by consuming 10mg of THC in one joint. Conversely, an experienced smoker at Seth Rogen’s levels will likely not be overly high until he reaches around 80mg.
What Do You Do If You Smoked Or Ate To Much Weed?
It happens to even the best of us: sometimes we overdo the dosage and get too high. With smoking, any uncomfortable feelings usually subside within minutes, unlike the hours that may be needed with edibles. For this reason, it is usually sufficient for the smoker to simply put down the joint, hydrate, and eat something to regain a clear mind.
With edibles, while we still recommend eating or drinking something, and maybe getting some fresh air, you may be forced to endure the discomfort for an hour or two. Thankfully, there’s no deadly overdose with weed, so you can be sure things will be back to normal in no time.
Smoking or Edibles: What is Healthier?
Smoking
It all depends on your definition of “healthy”. When it comes to respiratory health, smoking is more harmful. Filling the lungs with any type of smoke can have cancerous consequences.
Cannabis has anti-cancer properties, and many people prefer to use a dabber or vaporizer to minimize the inhalation of toxins. This line of thinking assumes that less smoking means less lung damage and less chance of having unpleasant coughing fits.
Edibles
Speaking of nutrition, eating space cake and gummy candies isn’t exactly the best way to a balanced diet. All they give you are high sugar levels which could lead to problems in the future if not kept in check.
Today, however, it is possible to infuse cannabis into less sinful delicacies, such as guacamole or olive oil to dress a salad. If you are creative enough, you can very well come up with your cannabis delicacy that will also entertain those who eat it.
Is It Better To Smoke Or Eat Cannabis?
Smoking cannabis for a person with lung problems is just as harmful as eating it for someone with weight problems or diabetes. But if you take everything in moderation, you have nothing to worry about.
In the end, it will all depend on personal preferences. People who don’t like to fill their lungs with smoke or steam will choose to ingest it, while those who are careful about calories will have a joint or pipe in their hand. Different uses for different people.
Bottom line: Use your weed in a way that brings a smile to your heart. Don’t forget to relax, clear your mind and enjoy the ride.
The Wonder of Cannabis Dispensaries
With the legalization of cannabis gaining significant progress, doors have opened to a myriad of futuristic cannabis-infused products. Many dispensaries now offer baked goods, gummy candies, and even coffee — all infused with your favorite herb.
If the idea of creating your cannabis-infused culinary treats makes your mouth water, we have a remedy for you: five simple yet amazing edibles that taste crazy and that you can make at home. For the morning, evening, or even as a midnight snack, they are guaranteed to put a smile on your face — not just because of the flavor, but also as a result of the endless waves of euphoria. As Action Bronson says: “God damn, it’s delicious!”.