How to take edibles: Make the most of your first time and every time

by Martin B. · August 25, 2020

When you Vape or smoke Cannabis, you feel the effects straight away. But edibles are a little more complicated than those mentioned above as your body needs some time to digest, metabolize and absorb the cannabinoids.

Hence, the edibles might take over 30 minutes (depending on your body weight, rate of metabolism and many other factors) for you to see some noticeable effects.

Inhalation sends the just activated psychoactive THC and other non-intoxicating cannabinoids directly into your brain and the bloodstream.

Here is a brief step by step description of how THC in the edibles is absorbed by the body:

Upon traveling down the esophagus, the edible reaches the stomach.
The edible is digested and broken down by acids and enzymes into its constituents, including the THC.
The THC is absorbed into the lining of the stomach and then taken to the liver.
Inside the liver, THC is modified into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is similar to super-THC. The new Super-THC is more potent and is able to cross the blood brain barrier much easily than the THC that has been inhaled.

Portion control: How much should I eat?

Patience is a remarkable virtue and is utmost essential when you are consuming edibles. Whether you are a newbie who has just been introduced to systems of cannabis delivery or you are just new to edibles, you should start with the lowest portion size possible.

Going by the standards of many people, 2 milligrams of THC is considered as a ‘low dosage’ or a ‘micro dosage’, while 5 milligrams of THC is termed as a standard dosage. 10 milligrams are too strong for a starting point but is great for pain relief and deep relaxation effects.

If you wish to experience edible effects that do not get you high, you have to try an edible that has high CBD levels and lower THC levels.

What if you accidentally take too much?

There is absolutely nothing to worry about. It happens with many people. You can follow this guide and be prepared for the worst. If you get too high, you can take the following precautions to get back to a normal state.

Drink lots of water and do not drive. The effects of the overdose will definitely go away. It just needs some time.
Just in case you have it, take some pure CBD, be 100 percent sure and thoroughly crosscheck if the source purely contains CBD only. CBD is known to counter the effects of THC and can aid you in slowing down the ‘racy feeling’.
Drink cold water. For at least 10 minutes, try and keep sipping the iced water to diminish your sensations of the ‘high’ and combat dry mouth which is an uncommon side effect of THC.
Adding cold water to a blended mixture of black pepper, lemon zest, ginger and mint leaves and drinking it can help calm your stomach alongside reducing the psychoactive effects.
Distract yourself by getting your body into a comfortable position and finding a fun activity to do.
Sleep. Have some water and get some sleep. You can wake up refreshed in the morning and also have it dissipate quickly. It does not feel like an alcohol hangover.

Novice Must-Know FAQs About Edibles

Novice cannabis edible users usually have many concerns and questions in mind. It’s important to shed clarification on common myths and know the facts for safer and more enjoyable edible consumption.

Here are the things a first-time edible consumer must know:

Do the effects of edibles work less when you’re full?

No. A full stomach only takes longer for a first-time edible consumer to notice the full potential of the psychedelic effects or high. The edible’s onset of effects depends on the person’s metabolism. Starting a smaller dose is advisable so that you can observe the effects of edibles on your body. You can gradually increase the dose as you get used to it and determine that your body needs some more.

Can you use edibles for weight loss?

Some marijuana varieties can indeed cause euphoria and increase metabolism. But cannabis edibles shouldn’t be viewed as a diet loss treatment. Moreover, edible cannabis products are generally supplements without conclusive studies on weight management.

Are edibles high in sugar?

Marijuana doesn’t contain sugar. However, gummies, brownies, and other cannabis-infused edibles have varying amounts of sugar, making them unsuitable for those with strict dietary requirements. Consult your endocrinologist if you have high blood glucose levels or diabetes before taking edibles regularly.

Make sure you enjoy the Edibles responsibly

The new gen edibles have a better taste, formulation and packaging (check out Kootenay Botanicals). They are so formulated to fit into your lifestyle seamlessly as a substitute to the age old ways of smoking and vaping.

Your body might take longer periods to process them, but they do have strong and long lasting effects once the THC reaches and infuses into your bloodstream.

With edibles, there is no such a thing as a one-size-fits-all. Everybody processes and metabolizes the THC in various ways. So, it is ideal to read the dosage on the packaging diligently and go slow while starting on small amounts.

You can ideally start with the lowest portion of THC so that your body can get used to the processing through ingestion and metabolizing.

You may take a second dose if you do not feel like the desired effects within a span of 2 hours. This is definitely not the fastest way, but it can be enjoyable and effective if you prepare well.

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Martin B.

Ex-smoker, passionate vaper who loves to tell the world about the life-changing potential of vaping. Co-creator of Ecigclopedia with a background in Business & Finance. Prefers a dessert flavored vape and loves to innovate.