A Beginners’ Guide to Cannabis Edibles
Cannabis edibles, also termed cannabis-infused food, are food items made with marijuana plants or concentrates. Recent years have witnessed a remarkable increase in the well-regulated availability of CBD mints and THC gummies that provide the desired effects of cannabis without getting you “too high.” Just like other forms of marijuana, cannabis edibles are also used as painkillers to relieve stress and anxiety – along with a natural cure for many other health benefits. What’s best about them is they don’t have significant side effects or pose risks to the circulatory system – as does smoking marijuana.
The efficacy of cannabis in the medical field is due to the presence of active marijuana ingredients, namely: THC and CBD. However, the overall effect of cannabis edibles differs significantly from that of smoking marijuana.
Whether you’re new to cannabis edibles or already an avid consumer, this article will provide you with everything you need to know about how cannabis edibles work, what their benefits are, and how to consume them safely.
How long do the effects of cannabis edibles take to kick in?
You will start feeling the effects of smoking within minutes, but contrarily, Edible trip take sufficient to show symptoms as they have to pass through the digestive tract to reach the bloodstream. Generally, THC edibles take around 50-60 minutes to show their effects, but they last longer than the high you get from smoking and have a high intensity of getting “high” feelings.
Also, how small amount you consume or the concentration of THC in the product determines how faster the effects would kick in. The higher the engagement, the quicker the results will be.
How long do the effects of edibles last?
Compared to smoking or vaping marijuana, an edible lasts much longer – generally, six to eight hours. Its peak effect can be felt around 3 hours after consuming it. However, CBD-only edibles are non-psychoactive, so the intensity of their impact cannot be ascertained precisely every time. But just like any other cannabis product, the potency, amount of dose, and the way it is taken, determine the length of an edible high. The edibles that are swallowed or chewed last longer than the ones that are absorbed orally.
Similarly, individual factors like body chemistry with the product, body weight, metabolism, and tolerance levels, to mention a few, also affect the length of edibles. However, the unpredictability of edibles makes them highly sought-after products – especially for recreational purposes.
Typical forms of Cannabis Edibles Intake
Thanks to modern manufacturing methods, edibles now come in many different forms. The marijuana market is an evolving and thriving industry, and with the legalization of marijuana in many countries, new products come onto the market almost daily. At present, edibles are primarily available in the forms mentioned below:
Some common types of edibles include, but are not limited to:
Beverages: The easiest way to consume edibles is by mixing them into your beverages, such as coffee, tea, and iced tea, soda, energy drinks. Avoid using wine or alcohol.
Baked goods: Edibles and alcohol can easily be mixed into brownies, cookies, biscuits, and waffles.
Candy and sweets: You can spray Marijuana edibles on various sweet products like chewing gum, lollipops, hard candy, etc.
Your intake mode will determine how much “high” you will experience. Consider your tolerance levels and body chemistry wiry the product before making a choice.
Potential Side Effects of Cannabis Edibles
While cannabis edibles are much safer than smoking or vaping marijuana, they can also produce undesirable symptoms- especially if they contain a high concentration of THC ingredients and are misused or abused at higher dosages.
Some symptoms associated with edible cannabis overdose include:
- cognitive impairment
- motor impairment
- agitation and anxiety
- panic attacks
- impaired mobility
- may affect brain development
- heart health
- paranoia
- memory and cognition
- psychiatric health
- increased heart stress
- nausea and vomiting
- hallucinations
- extreme sedation
- delusions
- psychosis
These side effects depend on the dose a person consumes. You should be conscious of the number of edibles you’re taking as they can easily be consumed too much as their effects appear after almost an hour. You may drink more significant amounts of the drug while still waiting for the impact to begin – and may experience vomiting and nausea.
In the long term, Edibles weed can make a person prone to schizophrenia and may affect the learning and memory process. These edibles can react with alcohol or other drugs, such as blood thinners, and exacerbate the effects of CBD and THC. That’s why you should always be extra cautious of the amount of dose you’re taking.
How are edibles better than smoking?
Studies prove that edibles are better than smoking as they do not expose users to some potential adverse side effects of smoking cannabis, such as lung inflammation and cancer, poor blood circulation, bronchitis, and some forms of cancer.
It’s because edibles contain certain toxins and carcinogens that accelerate the spread of cancer cells. Ingesting edibles doesn’t cause severe effects on your lungs or make you vulnerable to cancer spread, making them safer and better than smoking cannabis.
Health Benefits of Ingesting Edibles
People have been using marijuana plants long before their benefits were scientifically proven. As per the research studies, the use of the Marijuana plant to cure many diseases dates back as far as 2900 BC.
Some proven benefits of cannabis edibles, along with recreational purposes, include:
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
Cannabis contains a high percentage of fibers, minerals, and vitamins, and many people now incorporate small amounts of edibles into their diet just for this reason.
The following edibles are found in marijuana edibles:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Iron
- Calcium
- Folate (Essential for DNA repair)
- Rich in fiber
Additionally, cannabis edibles are also super high in antioxidants that protect our bodies from stress, anxiety, and other disorders and prevent the likelihood of blood vessel disease and cancer. Moreover, antioxidants are our body’s fighters against “free radicals,” highly reactive molecules that can cause adverse reactions over time.
So, you’ll be doing your body a great favor by ingesting cannabis edibles in the right amount.
Relieves Anxiety and Depression
The presence of the THC component in cannabis provides feelings of relaxation and calmness to the users. It induces psychoactive sensations among the users and helps them overcome anxiety and depression. Since its effects last significantly longer than smoking or vaping and can extend over six to seven hours, an edible is more effective in providing anti-depressant feelings.
That’s precisely why many people suffering from anxiety and sleep-related issues consume edibles to decrease anxiety levels and sleep peacefully.
Help Reduce Nausea
Ingesting edibles can alter your eating behavior and act as a natural treatment to help induce appetite. It works on your brain and triggers hunger hormones that compel the person to eat more and can overcome nausea. Enough anecdotal evidence is present to claim that cannabis edibles are highly effective in boosting appetite – an effect known as “the munchies.”
However, probably the only shortfall of 5g edible is that they start showing their effects after at least an hour after consumption – they won’t produce sudden or immediate bouts of hunger. Still, edibles are a great way to curb nausea, stomach pains, and more.
May Reduce Cancer-Related Symptoms
There’s no clinical evidence available to claim that cannabis edibles can, in any way, help cure cancer. However, research shows that they play an active role in reducing the production of cancer-causing cells in the body. In a few instances, they can eliminate cancer cells and act as a strong defense in the fifth against cancer.
Similarly, cannabis’s effectiveness in treating various cancer symptoms such as nausea, loss of appetite, severe pain, and discomfort is widely accepted. Their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties are the reason for their efficacy in curing the conditions that result from cancer treatment.
Relief from Chronic Pain
The best thing about cannabis edibles is their ability to produce psychoactive effects over a longer time than smoking or vaping. It makes them highly effective in providing relief from severe pain. People of almost all ages can consume edibles as a natural treatment for chronic pain – however, the amount of dose would vary from person to person.
Having both anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant properties due to the active THC ingredient, cannabis edibles provide improved pain management to patients for a longer duration of time.
Some common conditions in which marijuana edibles can be effective include:
- neuropathic pain
- Muscle spasm control
- arthritis
- cancer pain
- fibromyalgia
Induce Antiseizure Effects
Marijuana’s active use in treating epilepsy is linked to its antiseizure properties – due to the presence of CBD. It improves and reduces seizure control in those with specific epilepsy syndromes. However, the research is still preliminary and should be used as a supplement to conventional medication; instead of replacing it.
How to Consume Cannabis Edibles Effectively
The below guide will help you avoid common mistakes while ingesting cannabis edibles.
Always Consult a Doctor
Don’t start taking edibles on your own. Get a recommendation from a doctor on whether or not you should take it, the correct dosage, and how long you should ingest it. Be honest with him about your medical history and drug abuse, if any, and once he gives his advice, stick to it.
Go Low and Slow
The first rule, like always, is to start will a low dose and increase it gradually when your tolerance level increases. Remember that the digestive system processes food slowly, which may make you believe you need more amounts to achieve the desired outcomes. So, please stick to your dose as recommended by a doctor and never increase it abruptly.
Don’t Mix with Other Drugs
Marijuana edibles should never be ingested with other drugs – especially alcohol. Doing so can ramp up the effects of THC, produce adverse reactions in your body, and cause excessive dizziness and nausea.
Ingest Edibles in a Familiar and Comfortable Space
Marijuana edibles can be unpleasant even for avid users, beginners, or people with low tolerance levels. You may feel bouts of dizziness or drowsiness after consuming them – especially if you have taken an overdose inadvertently.
When you ingest them, ensure you’re in a comfortable and relaxing environment and have no pending tasks for the next few hours. You will get more dividends if your mind is calm, tranquil, and free from any burden.
Enjoy the moment; play music or put on a movie on your screen and live to the fullest – while edibles will take care of your pain and anxiety or whatever condition you want to treat. Driving or operating heavy machinery should be avoided at all costs.
Ingest with Substantial Meal
It would help if you ingested edibles with a substantial meal. That would delay the effects, but the intensity and duration will improve significantly. Eating them on an empty stomach can produce undesirable or unpleasant consequences. Your meal should be balanced, nutritious, and solid.
Drink Well
Have plenty of water before, during, and after consuming the edibles, as you may experience dry mouth after taking them. Drinking sufficient water keeps you hydrated and helps offset the sensation of getting a dry mouth.
Also, you don’t want to be stoned by sheer hunger, so keep a pack of snacks or chocolates within easy reach if you need to satiate your taste buds. As you already know that cannabis edibles can boost your appetite and make you feel hungry.
To sum it up, this article has provided guidelines on Cannabis edibles that will help you continue the excellent experience and avoid any unpleasant events while ingesting them. If you have any further queries or want to buy high-quality edibles, feel free to contact us anytime. We are available 24/7 for your service.
