Edibles can be enjoyable. However, they can also produce adverse effects if they are taken in the wrong amount. This can ruin what would otherwise be a great time. So what do you do? Well, read on to learn about marijuana edibles.
Each dose of an edible is different for each person
Cannabis edibles are usually not an exact science. Most people are not in a lab concocting the perfect amount of THC in an edible to get a person high. It is more of a game of trial and error. To get that level of accuracy, you would need a costly lab. You would also need to be able to reproduce your results consistently. This can be very difficult for the home grower or casual enthusiast.
For most people, you will find that they are experimenting with marijuana and the amount of THC that they put into whatever they are making. It is a trial-and-error process that involves trying out a bit of the product and then moving up or backing off.
Also, the size of a person and their body makeup will impact how the edibles take effect. Let’s look at an example: Two people try the same edible. All other factors are the same other than that one of the people is 63 Kilograms (140 pounds), and the other person is 92 Kilograms (210 pounds). Assuming that all factors are the same and there are no significant issues with either of them, the person who weighs 92 Kilograms (210 pounds) will be less affected by the THC in the edible.
What does this mean for you? Every person who tries an edible will have a different experience. There is no hard and fast rule for the effects of an edible that takes care of everyone. Let’s explore an average and see what can be expected.
So how much should I take?
So you are thinking, I know different edibles have different effects. I want to know how much I should take.” We’ll get there. First, we should look at some factors which can have a drastic impact on the edible that you want to take.
As we mentioned before, each edible is different. Let’s look at possible factors influencing your edibles’ outcome.
| Factor | Potential Outcome |
| Age of Cannabis | The age of your cannabis can significantly affect the potency of the edible you create. Weed that is too old can lose the compounds that have a psychoactive effect. This is especially true for the following example. |
| How the Cannabis was Stored | If the cannabis was stored improperly, it could negatively affect it. This can cause a very high THC strain to be almost worthless. |
| Strain | The strain of marijuana used in the edible can seriously impact the THC present. It can also vary in the other cannabinoids present. All of these factors can enhance or hamper your experience. |
| Grow Process | How the plant was grown can impact the chemical compounds present in the end product. If a plant is grown incorrectly, THC and other necessary compounds are. |
| Harvest Time | This ties in with how a plant is grown, but it bears mentioning. The timing of when you decide to harvest your plants is critical to the quality of the end product. |
Unless you buy a commercial edible, you cannot know the amount of THC and other compounds in your edible. In this case, the only way to gauge a reaction is to take an edible and wait to see what the effect is. I would recommend starting small. If you see a whole brownie on a plate, don’t just eat the whole thing at once. Eat some. Please wait a while and see where it takes you. Then, if it’s too mellow, you can always eat more.
Dosage and effects of edibles
It is important to remember that with edibles, the effects can come on very slowly. It could take up to an hour or more to feel the effects. A common mistake that people new to edibles make is that they will eat some and then not feel anything. Instead of waiting for the effects to come on, they then eat more. This can lead to a horrible experience, especially for people new to cannabis use.
| Dose of THC in Edible | Potential Effect |
| 2.5 mg | This dosage can be suitable for relaxation. It is a shallow dose of THC and is suitable for beginners looking to build up a more entertaining experience. |
| 2.5 to 15 mg | This dosage can produce mild euphoria, coordination imbalance, and perception changes. This dosage range is suitable for entertainment. It is also recommended for people who have developed a tolerance to the effects of THC. Depending on the reaction to THC, this can match the dosage for good sleep. |
| 30 to 50 mg | This dosage can result in significant alteration and coordination. This can lead to feelings of euphoria. This dosage is recommended for people with a higher tolerance to the effects of THC. |
| 50 to 100 mg | This dosage can have dramatic effects on your body and mind. These can include altered perception and impaired coordination. Short-term memory impairment is also potential at this level of dosage. In addition, some unpleasant conditions may develop, such as nausea, increased heartbeat, and anxiety. This dosage is only recommended for people with a very high tolerance to THC. |
Potential effects of too high a dose
People who are extremely sensitive to THC can perform much better, with even lower than that listed. Remember that when you exceed 100mg of THC in a dose, you risk having a very negative experience. With too high of a dose of THC, you are more likely to experience adverse side effects. Some of the adverse side effects of too much THC include (but are not limited to): Increased anxiety, paranoia, nausea, decreased motor skills, and reaction times.
The role of cannabinoids and THC content in cannabis edibles
Some research suggests that CBD and other cannabinoids can help relax. Speaking to a healthcare professional is essential if one feels these issues.
Some hacks for edibles
Sometimes an edible takes a while to kick in. Other times you don’t want to wait an hour or more for the effects to happen. There are a few ways in which you can cause the effects of cannabis edibles to kick in quickly. What should you do? Read on to find out.
- Use a tincture: a tincture is a product in which medicine or drug is dissolved in alcohol. It is often added to a carrier oil and can be taken orally.
- Keep an empty stomach: Keeping your stomach empty before you take an edible helps increase the rate at which it hits you. If your stomach is empty, your digestive system will concentrate only on the edible. Doing this will speed up the rate of absorption.
- Exercise: Doing anything which increases your metabolism will help your body to absorb the THC in edibles. Increasing your metabolism through exercise also has the added benefit of getting some exercise in. Seems like a win/win to me.
- Under the tongue: Putting a product, especially a tincture, under the tongue will assist in the rate of absorption. Increasing this rate should lead to a quicker onset of the effects of the edible.
Overconsumption and what you can do
You should always know the dosage of the edible that you are taking if you can. Sometimes a friend makes it at home, and you can not know it can create a problem if the dosage is too high for you. Remember that excessive doses of THC can lead to overconsumption. It would be best if you always were careful with the THC levels to reduce the probability of adverse effects.
Let’s look at the signs of overconsumption:
- High Levels of Anxiety
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Dizziness
- Panic Attacks
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Difficulty Conversing
- Poor Coordination
- High or Low Blood Pressure
- Vomiting
- Extreme Confusion
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Memory Problems
*list adapted from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/marijuana/symptoms-and-treatment-of-marijuana-overdose
If you experience the more severe symptoms listed, seek medical help immediately. If you get a bit of a dry mouth, drink some water. But seriously, never hesitate to seek medical attention if you feel in danger. I cannot stress enough that you should never be ashamed or afraid to do so.
So what can you do to help stave off some of the less extreme symptoms of overconsumption *?
- Get Safe. You can start by going to a safe, relaxed place and thinking everything will be fine. This is the first step in reducing the increased anxiety.
- Try some CBD. CBD can help to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC.
- Drink some water. Water can help to dilute the drug in your digestive system.
- Try a whiff of Black Pepper. This can help combat the paranoia that an intense high can bring.
- Have a lemon squeezer. Limonene is said to have a calming effect on people. So squeeze some lemon into your water.
- Eat something. Distract yourself with some food. Some food may help you to feel normal.
- Go for a walk. Getting some exercise may help to work the THC through your system faster. It can help lift your mood. The benefits of exercise are usually a good thing.
* list adapted from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-being-high#walk
Critical advice and final thoughts
The basic rule on the consumption of cannabis is to always begin with a low dose. This is especially true if you do not know how much THC is present in the edible. It would be best if you always tried to gauge the effect of an edible before you start to increase the intake of the product.
If you feel that the low dose does not have an effect or has little impact, you can begin to increase your dosage. Please note to increase your dose gradually. Starting by consuming high doses is a very reckless approach to using cannabis. If your initial does not work, increase slowly. Otherwise, you run the risk of experiencing the adverse effects of cannabis. Remember, you are doing this to have fun. Don’t let it get out of hand, and you will.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
1. How do I determine the right dose of edibles for me?
Edible dosages vary depending on individual tolerance, body weight, and the potency of the edible. Start with a low dose, such as 2.5 mg of THC, and wait at least an hour to assess the effects before consuming more.
2. Why do edibles take longer to feel than smoking?
Edibles take longer to kick in because they must be digested and metabolized by the liver before entering the bloodstream. This process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, so be patient and avoid consuming more too quickly.
3. What should I do if I’ve consumed too much THC?
If you’ve consumed too much, find a safe and calm environment, stay hydrated, and consider using CBD or black pepper to counteract the effects. If severe symptoms like extreme confusion or panic attacks occur, seek medical attention.
