Edibles are the perfect option to go for when it comes to discreet cannabis intake, along with long-lasting effects. There is a diversity of options available out there in cannabis edibles, including drinks, brownies, mints, gummies, chocolate, and more that you can have for getting high. However, it is important to never go off the limits with edible dosing when consuming cannabis edibles.
Understanding the effects of cannabinoid content in edibles
Edibles can make you go to a place that you haven’t predicted if you are not careful with them. It is, therefore, very important to take care of the dosage you are taking in cannabis edibles to have the desired experience. Eating too many of these edibles may not be harmful to your body but it can lead to unwanted and unpleasant effects that can get you in some troublesome situations.
The primary purpose of adding cannabinoid contents like THC and CBD to the edibles is to get their medical benefits without feeling like you are taking cannabis. The medical benefits of cannabis include relaxation, relief from anxiety, and more.
The CBD content uniquely interacts with our endocannabinoid receptors and partially blocks the intoxicating effects of THC. It delivers the medical benefits of cannabis without experiencing impairment in judgment. However, before you go straight to consuming CBD-infused edibles to bring down the effects of THC, it is important to be well aware of each of these components and their ratio that will work the best.
There are various edibles in the market with cannabis content. Some contain just THC, while others have both THC and CBD. There is a balanced ratio of these two cannabinoids in some products, i.e., 1:1, and it does not lead to high intoxication. On the other hand, cannabis edibles containing only THC can lead to higher impairments in judgment.
Most of the brands you can see in cannabis dispensaries include an expanded variety of cannabinoid ratios. There are products with both higher and lower CBD vs. THC ratios, making it easier for people to buy products to achieve desired effects.
If the CBD content is higher than the THC content in a product, it is more likely to bring down the intoxicating effects. On the other hand, if the THC content is higher than the CBD content in a product, it is more likely to make you feel high on cannabis.
It is important to check the labels before going for edible dosing to know the cannabinoid content in it. It will help you get only the desired effects from its consumption.
How to find your ideal edible dosage?
When buying cannabis edibles or making them at your home, the most important question is regarding the cannabinoid dosage. How much should you take? You must note that it differs from one individual to another, and one dosage may not be suitable for two different people.
As stated already, two individuals can respond completely differently to the same edible with the same dose. One may report being completely stoned, while others may not feel it at all, and it depends on the above-stated factors.
How many milligrams of THC should you take?
As we have discussed earlier, there are various factors that decide the ideal dose that you need to get high on cannabis, including tolerance, body chemistry, previous experience, and more.
Below given are the details that will help you understand the right dosage in mg as per some base guidelines, along with the dosage chart.
1-2.5 mg THC edibles
Up to 2.5 THC edible doses are considered the best for relieving symptoms of pain, stress, and anxiety. It helps in promoting creativity and focus, and most of the users do not experience any sort of intoxication with this dose. It is considered the best for people who are first-time consumers of cannabis edibles or for someone who is regular at cannabis micro-dosing.
3-5 mg THC edibles
If you are someone with strong pain and anxiety, this is the dose you need to get relief from their persistent symptoms. Some users may feel intoxicated with the 5 mg THC dosage. It is suitable for people who need it for standard recreational purposes and also for people who seek relief from pain that is not addressed by a smaller dosage. It can also help in promoting good sleep.
10-15 mg THC edibles
It helps in relieving pain, nausea, and anxiety symptoms, and it can lead to impaired coordination and altered perception. This dose is regarded as suitable for high-tolerance THC consumers, and if you are an unaccustomed consumer, you may experience some adverse effects. Additionally, it is the maximum dose that a single piece of edible product contains, like cookies, gummies, and chocolate bar pieces.
20-30 mg THC edibles
This dose of THC is considered high and, therefore, can lead you to experience a strong feeling of euphoria, and it can lead to impaired coordination and perception. High-tolerance THC consumers may take it, and it is suitable for patients with lower GI absorption.
50-100 mg THC edibles
It can make you experience seriously impaired coordination and perception with an increased possibility of side effects. Some of the most common side effects are anxiety, nausea, and higher heart rate. Only experienced cannabis consumers may take it. It is recommended for patients with cancer, inflammatory disorders, and conditions that need high dosages.
100-500 mg THC edibles
This dosage is regarded as extremely high and leads to intense impairment in coordination and perception. You can experience unpleasant side effects, and it is suitable for people with an extremely high tolerance for THC. It is also helpful in various critical medical conditions.
What’s the ideal edible dosing for beginners?
In case you are a newcomer to cannabis, it is important to take it low and slow. It means that you are supposed to begin with a 2.5 mg THC dose initially, and you can move further after adjusting to the previous one.
Here are a few things that can help you start with cannabis edibles in the best way:
- Start taking the smallest amount of cannabis edible dosing possible, and make sure to take it slowly. You can always take more, but once you go high, there is no turning back. After taking a certain dose, wait for at least an hour for its effects to show up. If you do not feel anything wrong, you can move to the next dosage level.
- The best products to begin with as a newcomer to cannabis are none other than the ones available at dispensaries with a dosage between 2.5 mg to 10 mg. You can go for gummies, chocolate, mints, or any other type that you find suitable.
- When buying cannabis edibles, make sure to read the label carefully. Never miss the section that mentions the THC and CBD dosage in each unit.
Effects of weed edibles on your liver
The cannabis products that we can take through smoke, dabbing, vaping, and transdermal processes are not similar to edibles. Cannabis edibles like chocolates, gummies, and more are digested by our body, and the liver does the work of metabolizing the THC content in them. Hence, the THC content in products other than edibles is not directly absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs or mouth.
When we consume edible cannabis, our liver starts producing an enzyme called CYP2CP that helps in converting Delta 9 THC to a more potent metabolite known as 11-hydroxy-THC. Being converted into a more potent compound, you must be thinking that it has more potent effects, but that is not true. It is because most of this compound gets digested and destroyed by our system, allowing our body to absorb it less efficiently.
How long do cannabis edibles take to show effects?
Edibles are perhaps the easiest way to take in cannabis, and it starts showing effects within 20-60 minutes in general. However, depending on factors like metabolism, body weight, and more, it may take longer. The time it takes to kick in may differ because of how much we eat per day, GI issues, and the THC content. You must, therefore, wait for the first dose to show its effect before taking another one.
Additionally, it is important to note that if you take more doses before experiencing the first one’s effects, both will kick in later, and it can make you feel unpleasant and highly stoned.
Can you overdose on cannabis edibles?
There have been multiple case reports of cannabis overdoses, but fortunately, no one has ever died because of them. On the other hand, it is entirely capable of making you feel highly distressed and unpleasant. It is not similar to some opioids and does not lead to suppression of the respiratory system, regardless of the dosage you take.
In most of the overdosing cases of cannabis edibles, people do not require emergency care, but you should always be cautious about it. Make sure to be informed about the edibles you eat and know that edibles are not for everyone.
