The 411 on Marijuana Edibles

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Smoking marijuana or using CBD oil isn’t for everyone.

Whether you have an affliction to smoking in general or prefer a more convenient, delicious option, edibles are the perfect answer to all your THC questions.

But before you indulge in that “pot brownie” or pop a few adorable gummies, there are a few things you should know about edibles, how they work, and the proper dosage for your needs.

Check out some vital information that’ll ensure your edible experience, whether for medical or recreational purposes, is a positive and safe one.

The 4 Kinds of Edibles

That’s right. Just when you thought understanding the differences between marijuana containing THC, cannabis, and CBD couldn’t get more confusing, it did.

But never fear! Understanding the different types of edibles and the effect they’ll have on you is pretty simple science and will help you make the right, delicious decision.

Pure CBD

If you’re new to the world of edibles and simply want to feel relaxed or reap the physical benefits of this cannabinoid, then CBD edibles are the way to go.

This is the component of the cannabis plant that’s used for medicinal purposes and can help treat chronic pain, inflammation, insomnia, and anxiety.

You won’t get “high” off of CBD edibles because they don’t contain any THC. But you will feel good physically.

Sativa

Sativa is the strain of cannabis that gives users an uplifting, energetic, and “high” feeling. Sativa users report feeling “silly” and might find themselves in a laughing stupor with friends. Think of sativa as a “mind high”.

Indica

Also a strain of cannabis, indica provides more of the relaxed, commatos “stoned” feeling that people associate with smoking marijuana. Indica users may end up staring into space or experiencing delayed response and reaction time. This strain offers more of a “body high”.

Hybrid (a mix of sativa and indica)

Hybrid edibles offer exactly what it sounds like — a mix of sativa and indica. You may be wondering how these two, very different, strains of cannabis affect users.

The truth is, in hybrid forms of cannabis, the stimulating feelings of sativa help counteract the calming effects of indica, offering a nice, balanced high.

The 411 on Marijuana Edibles

The Tasty Side of Things

Now that you understand what goes into edibles, you’re likely wondering what your tasty treat options are. Truth is, cannabis can easily be added to a long list of delicious snacks but here is a short list of some of the most common and popular edible creations.

  • Brownies
  • Gummies
  • Cereal/Granola bars
  • Fruit
  • Cookies
  • Jerky
  • Lollipops
  • Chocolate
  • Marshmallows

The term “munchies” takes on a whole new meaning when you can experience the effects of THC in such mouthwatering delights. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Developers and growers are getting more and more creative with their edible recipes making them virtually irresistible to consumers.

infused chocolate bars

Consider Dosage

When edibles look and taste this good, it can be hard to stop yourself from eating just one more. But it’s extremely important to pay close attention to the recommended dosage of each edible product.

This can be tricky for a variety of reasons. Mainly because not everyone reacts the same to edibles or what’s contained in them. One brownie for someone may have little to no effect whereas a newbie to the edible world may experience an intense high after just a few bites.

So how can you regulate your edible dosage?

If you’re a first-timer, start off slow and with a low dosage. The recommended dosage of THC for an adult is 10 milligrams. But if you’ve never ingested THC of any kind, then start with half this amount.

You can always try more but it’s difficult to reverse the effects of THC once it’s already in your system. This is especially true with edibles, which stay in your system much longer than THC that is smoked through a bong, blunt, or joint.

So start off by ingesting 5 milligrams. Wait about 60-90 minutes to see how your body reacts. If you feel little to no effect or simply want to intensify your high slightly, try another 5 milligram serving.

It’s also important to note that every state classifies a “dosage” or serving size as something different. Check with the seller to find out how much THC is contained in one brownie, cookie, gummy or whatever treat you purchase before you start chowing down.

Once you’re more comfortable with what dosage your body needs to achieve the desired high, you can experiment with different types of edibles and serving sizes or simply stick with what works.

Edibles and Your Metabolism

So, the good news about edibles is not only are they delicious, but they’ll offer a long lasting high that users can’t get from smoking THC.

While this is awesome, it can also be dangerous. Which is why regulating consumption is so important. But why is it that edibles work so much faster and are sometimes more effective than other forms of THC? It’s all about your body’s make-up and how it metabolizes THC.

Edibles, like other foods, are metabolized through the liver. Other forms of THC like smoking, vaping, or rubbing it on your skin, bypasses the liver and goes directly into your bloodstream.

Cannabis joint

This means users achieve a faster high but one that doesn’t last quite as long. But this is also why you need to ingest edibles slowly. Eating one and then 20 minutes later feeling no effects and popping a few more could result in an uncomfortable high. And who wants that?

While you can’t overdose on edibles (thank goodness), you could ruin your experience. Another tip is to try your edibles on a full stomach. Believe it or not but cannabis actually metabolizes faster when you have food in your system.

If at any point you feel like you’ve eaten too many edibles or are feeling “too high”, all you can do is relax and wait it out. Try drinking water and finding a quiet place to rest or sleep.

Unlike drinking too much alcohol, ingesting fat like a greasy cheeseburger will actually make the effects of THC in your system worse, not better. So stay calm, rest, and wait. And remember to go slower or ingest less the next time you’re experimenting with edibles.

There’s no denying that edibles are fun. Not only do they come in a variety of delicious forms, but users can achieve whatever type of high they’re looking for.

Edibles are perfect for those who are opposed to physically smoking marijuana but are curious about the many benefits of THC.

But before you start experimenting with edibles, it’s important to do your research, go slow, and give your body plenty of time to process your tasty treats.

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