Cannabis In The Form Of Edibles: Everything You Need To Know

Edibles are referred to as the food items that contain cannabis. They come in different forms, shapes, with a variety of different taste options. 

Cannabis-infused edibles can contain both CBD and THC or only one of the two. CBD (also known as cannabidiol) and THC (also referred to as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) are the two main compounds found in the marijuana plant. 

The greatest and most beneficial aspect of edibles is that they don’t present the health risks that smoking or vaping does. The effects might take a bit longer until kicking in, but the wait is worth it. 

Edibles, Effects And The Waiting Period

Generally, the effects of edibles can take anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes until they make their presence known. But, talking about how long it takes until you can experience the benefits of edibles is not quite this simple. There are other factors that might play a determining role in this manner. 

One of these deciding factors comes down to the active ingredients of the edibles. A product that contains a pretty high level of THC can potentially speed up the onset time. Something to keep in mind in regard to CBD-infused edibles is that CBD is non-psychoactive. Because you won’t get the feelings of high, you might not be able to fully notice when the effects are starting to kick in. 

  • Gums, lollipops, and lozenges. The effects of these edibles usually kick in faster because the active elements are absorbed sublingually. The absorption takes place through the mucus membranes of the mouth, which results in a faster onset time. 
  • Brownies, gummies, chocolate bars, and cookies. All these belong in the category of chewable edibles. These may take just a bit longer to take effect. With these edibles, the absorption goes through a longer process. First, it takes place in the digestive track, from where the active elements enter the bloodstream, and from there they head to the liver. The active ingredients get metabolized in the liver, then they are released into the brain through the bloodstream, and this is when you’ll experience the effects.
  • The other factors. There are a few more factors that can determine how fast or how slow will the effects of the edibles kick in. These deciding factors include your metabolism, weight, your tolerance to cannabis, sex, and diet. 

Edibles and Benefits

If you compare smoking and vaping with edibles, the advantages are distinct and marvelous. Check this out!

  • No risk to your respiratory system and overall health. Yes, please! Who wouldn’t want this? It is known that with smoking and vaping marijuana, toxins, such as carcinogens, get released into your system. These can cause serious health effects, such as lung inflammation, collapsed lungs, or bronchitis. Edibles take these risks right out of the picture.
  • Discreet. We know that discretion is not that important to everyone, but it can be quite important to some. Edibles give you the opportunity to consume cannabis in a way that won’t get noticed by anyone around you. This may be very beneficial if you need to use marijuana for medical reasons while at work or outdoors.
  • The effects last longer. Because the effects delivered by edibles last longer than the effects offered via smoking or vaping, this makes it ideal for anyone needing relief from their symptoms for an extended period of time. 

What About The Dosage?

Cannabis-infused edibles should be accompanied by a label that lets you know the THC or CBD (or both) content per serving and per package. If you want to be safe no matter what, then all you need to do, especially if you are a beginner, is to start with a very small dose, and slowly increase the dosage until you achieve the desired effects. 

  • CBD Dosing: because the psychoactive effect is non-present in this case, you are not really at risk of using too much. But even so, in some cases, too much of it might cause some unpleasant effects. To be safe, start out with a smaller dose of 2.5-10 mg and slowly work your way up.
  • THC Dosing: THC, when consumed in the form of edibles, usually delivers stronger effects in comparison to smoking. According to a study, the effects of eating 1mg of THC is the same as smoking 5.71mg of THC. 

So, even if you are a pro at smoking cannabis, consuming edibles might have a stronger effect on you. Start with a small dose and slowly work your way up. 

Author Profile

The Editorial Team at Lake Oconee Health is made up of skilled health and wellness writers and experts, led by Daniel Casciato who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We aim to provide our readers with valuable insights and guidance to help them lead healthier and happier lives.

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