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Why Do Edibles Hit so Much Harder than Smoking or Vaping?

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Why Do Edibles Hit so Much Harder than Smoking or Vaping?

Numerous incidents of people accidentally eating too many edibles have been reported. Everyone will probably agree that edibles tend to have a more intense effect than almost any other form of intake.

Although you absorb cannabinoids more quickly when you smoke or vape than when you consume edibles, the high from the latter is more potent and long-lasting. On the surface, it seems illogical.

Let’s look more closely at this phenomenon of edibles.

Table of Contents:

What Are Edibles?

Food items created from cannabis blossoms are known as “edibles.” Cannabis edibles contain cannabidiol (CBD), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9 THC), and delta 8 THC. They can be found in gummies or mints, among other forms.

Recently, edibles have become popular, in part as an alternative to smoking marijuana. It’s critical to comprehend the differences between ingesting cannabis in edible form before proceeding.

The liver and digestive system break down edibles instead of smoking cannabis. This means that THC takes much longer to enter the bloodstream and reach the brain. When it occurs, though, the advantages of cannabis remain longer.

Nowadays, edibles are widely available in dispensaries and come in a variety of forms, including chocolate bars, tinctures, gummies, hard candies, teas, sodas, and baked goods like brownies and cookies. Different CBD-to-THC ratios and dosages are available in edibles.

Even artisanal edible marijuana producers use whole-plant cannabis extracts to make their delicacies. Additionally, they contain phytochemicals from the cannabis plant, including flavonoids, terpenes, and cannabidiol (CBD). For this reason, many individuals appreciate edibles created from RSO or live resin hash. Other producers use pure THC or CBD extract, so you know you’re only getting that particular cannabinoid.

You can also produce your own cannabis-infused butter or cannabutter at home, but keep in mind that the dosage and potency will be more difficult to manage. Purchasing edibles from a dispensary will ensure a safer, more reliable experience and dose.

How Does Smoking Work?

One of the most well-liked methods of cannabis consumption is smoking, but how does it work?

The active ingredients in cannabis smoke, such as THC, almost instantly enter the bloodstream after being inhaled into the lungs. From there, they travel to the brain.

The effects that are generally associated with getting “high” are produced when THC binds to CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system after entering the brain.

Smoking cannabis has a quick onset because it takes so little time for THC to enter the brain after inhalation. The effects of marijuana smoking kick in nearly immediately.

Smoking & Vaping Vs. Edibles

Although it may seem obvious, how you consume cannabis affects how the body processes it. Cannabis is directly taken into your circulation when you inhale it, passing through your lung tissue. When you take cannabis, your stomach, intestines, and liver ingest, absorb, and metabolize the drug. Furthermore, the way your body processes cannabis affects your experience.

While they are both consumed in somewhat similar ways, smoking and vaping also differ.

The main distinctions between consuming cannabis and inhaling it are as follows:

Cannabis (smoke/vape)Edibles
Starts Working2 to 15 minutes45 minutes to 2 hours
Effect length2 to 3 hours3 – 6 hours
Liver MetabolismNoYes
BenefitsEase of dosingWorks fasterCan be layered to extend effects of ediblesShort lastingDiscreetLong-lasting effectNo lung damageCan be layers with vaping or smoking

Reasons that edibles hit harder than vapes or burning include:

1. The Liver Strengthens THC

When taking edibles, THC is transformed into a stronger form due to the liver’s impact.

When you inhale, THC travels via your lungs into your bloodstream and quickly reaches your brain.

However, when you consume edibles, THC is consumed orally, digested in your digestive system, and then metabolized by a middleman: the liver. The liver is where THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC.

This metabolite is thought to be five times as potent as THC, and when it finally enters your bloodstream and brain, it will have an effect on you. That’s right—five times harder.

Additionally, 11-hydroxy-THC circulates through your body and is absorbed by the brain faster at this stage because, in contrast to THC, it is water-soluble [1].

2. Edibles Are Absorbed More Completely

Consider the fact that you briefly hold your breath before exhaling when you smoke. Smoke is mostly exhaled, however. This smoke is loaded with THC.

Even though the lungs are quite effective at absorbing THC, the majority of the smoke is still wasted and expelled into the atmosphere.

The THC in edibles enters a closed system and gradually absorbs (it just takes longer).

Only 1-2 mg of the 5 mg inhaled are really absorbed. The amount of 5 mg your body absorbs depends on a number of factors, such as your digestive health, what other foods you ate that day, and other factors).

How Long Does It Take for Edibles to Kick In?

Getting THC into your system is the key to experiencing the effects. Be aware that edibles are frequently the slowest mode of consumption while making your decision. That’s because edibles are processed through the stomach, digestive system, and liver before entering the bloodstream, whereas burning joints and using tinctures directly enter the bloodstream through oral intake and inhalation.

The major problem with edibles is their onset time, or how long it takes for them to start working. Numerous studies indicate that you should get an edible hit within 30 to 60 minutes of consumption, however, the precise time it takes for a cannabis edible to start working after consumption depends on a number of variables. These factors include the kind of edible you consumed, how it was absorbed, your nutrition and metabolism, and your level of cannabis experience, or tolerance.

The manner of consumption and the many ways THC can be absorbed determine how long it takes for an edible to take effect. It will take longer for goods like cookies, brownies, and gummies that you chew and swallow to start working since the THC needs to travel through the body rather than the mouth. As a result, the food will be processed in the order in which you consumed it. As a result, if you just had a filling meal and want an edible nightcap, it can take some time for the marijuana brownie you had for dessert to start working.

Edibles that are absorbed through the liver or stomach include:

What Is First Pass Metabolism?

First-pass metabolism is a component of how some medications are digested by the body, particularly when taken orally; yes, THC also undergoes this process.

This event, which often occurs in the liver, significantly lowers the concentration of several medications before they enter your circulatory system.

As previously established, THC enters your digestive system and is then changed by the liver into 11-hydroxy-THC before entering your bloodstream. As a result, only minute amounts of THC enter your bloodstream.

THC is one of the very few substances whose strength is actually increased by this method. Alcohol and morphine are two other medications that undergo first-pass metabolism and weaken as a result.

 How Much THC Is in Edibles?

The THC content varies depending on whether you produced your own or purchased pre-made treats. You may get edibles with concentrations of 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg THC, but you can also obtain edibles with almost any THC concentration. The THC level of edibles derived from raw marijuana can vary greatly.

Even one consumable from the same batch may have double the amount of THC as the others. DIY edibles are a gamble because of this.

What Happens If You Eat Too Much Edibles?

Even though eating too many edibles is not harmful, if you weren’t anticipating it, it can still be incredibly uncomfortable. You can suffer from a quick heartbeat, confusion, and agitation. It’s crucial to unwind, concentrate on taking calm, deep breaths, locate a cozy spot to unwind, and wait for the symptoms to go away on their own.

One of the easiest ways to recover from THC is to eat food or drink water to dilute any THC that is still awaiting absorption in the digestive system. Having too many edibles may cause you to feel a variety of adverse effects, but don’t worry too much because it will wear off with time.

Some tips that you can try to lessen the adverse effects of consuming too many edibles are:

  • Laying down
  • Take deep breaths and try to stay calm and knowing that with time the feelings will wear off or go away.
  • Drinks lots of water
  • Play relaxing music
  • Chew on some black peppercorn, the terpenes that are released are said to help alleviate some of the negative effects of THC. 
  • Take a shower
  • Have some CBD, it will reduce the negative effects of THC but it may slow down your metabolism meaning the THC will stay in your system longer.
  • Talk to a friend to help you get your mind off of things.

Experience, Not The Strength

THC in marijuana is quantified as a percentage. It is measured in milligrams for edibles. Going apples to apples and leveling the playing field are simple tasks. Your marijuana’s THC content is expressed in milligrams per gram. This indicates that a gram of cannabis with a 30% THC content contains 300 mg. A gram of marijuana yields two joints, giving you 150 mg of THC per joint.

There is much less THC in many edibles. Edibles range in weight from 2.5 grams to 1000 milligrams. One serving of candy or gummy treats typically contains 40 mg of THC, so it would take more than three to equal the amount found in a joint. In most cases, edibles aren’t more potent.

Even though edibles often have significantly lower THC concentrations, many users report that the edibles are much more potent. The prolonged high and gradual release of THC are most likely to be responsible for this. In the end, you’ll feel like you’ve been high for the entire day because you have. Time passes very slowly for edibles.

Patience and Dosage

People frequently discover that edibles seem stronger because they consume far too much of them. It’s simple to determine how much marijuana is in a “serving.” You roll a joint or pack a bowl, then you burn it. You are aware of how much marijuana you burn and what to expect from that dosage. Edibles are substantially different in nature.

Most individuals don’t feel that three gummies constitute a serving. It’s simple to mindlessly consume the entirety of a little bag of gummy candies. With edibles, that would be a terrible error. They make you think you should be consuming more since they pack a lot of THC into a tiny serving. 500 mg of THC in edibles might be consumed without hesitation.

Due to the fact that your stomach must first break down the edibles, it can take up to two hours for them to begin working. Edibles can cause people to lose patience. They had no sensation after 30 minutes. So they continue to eat. Then, the procedure is repeated. Their second edible begins to take effect as their first edible’s effects reach their peak. As the effects build upon one another, the high lasts longer and frequently becomes more intense.

Small doses and a lot of patience are essential for a positive edibles experience. Nothing has happened yet, so don’t rush back in an hour for another marijuana brownie. That choice may later cause you regret, and there isn’t much you can do to undo it.

Types Of Cannabis Edibles At ATLRx

There are many types of edibles that are made with different cannabinoids. The most common ones come from Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC. At ATLRx, we also make edibles with other cannabinoids, but this article will mainly focus on Delta 8, CBD, and Delta 9 products. All of the cannabinoids that are in the edibles at ATLRx are 100% hemp-derived and fall within the legal frame of the 2018 Farm Bill Act.

1. Gummies

When it comes to edibles, gummies are the most popular and widely used type of edible on the market. At ATLRx, we provide high quality Delta 8 gummies, Delta 9 gummies, CBD gummies, and many more. They are available in a variety of flavors and strengths as well. Gummies are very convenient and discreet, and they have no aroma of cannabis or marijuana. All gummies are made with the best ingredients and have been third-party tested for contaminants, heavy metals, and pesticides. A COA (certificate of analysis) guarantees the quality and safety of each product.

2. Caramels

The caramels at ATLRx are made in Delta 8 and Delta 9. You can purchase them in different sizes. For the Delta 8 caramels the strength will be 37 mg per piece and in Delta 9 it is 15 mg per piece. This is a classic edible that is made with 100% hemp-derived cannabinoids.

3. Chocolates

Chocolates are probably the second most popular edibles on the cannabis market, and ATLRx provides chocolate bars made with Delta 8 THC. The Delta 8 chocolate bars are 500 mg and come in different types like cookies & cream, dark chocolate, dark with mint, milk chocolate, milk chocolate with toffee, and red velvet crunch. 

Why Are Edibles Stronger than Smoking?

Due to the way THC is metabolized within the body, edibles are more potent than smoking. If you want a more potent and stronger feeling, edibles will likely be the best choice for you. Although everyone is built differently in their metabolism and experience with cannabis, the effects may be different for you.

Cannabinoids immediately enter the bloodstream through the lungs when you smoke or vape them, but they must first pass through your digestive system and be digested by your liver before they can enter the bloodstream through edibles.

THC, however, is one of the medications that goes through first-pass metabolism, so as THC transforms into 11-hydroxy-THC, a water-soluble, much stronger variant of THC, its concentration is considerably reduced. An amazing experience begins with a small amount and gradually increases from there. Edibles are misused because of misunderstandings about what they do and how they work, which gives the impression that they are stronger. They are digested entirely differently, not necessarily because they are stronger.

ATLRx is here for you, whether you want to experiment with edibles or you’ve determined that sticking with conventional, old-school marijuana is the best option. You can choose from a variety of flowers and delicacies. Just be certain that you are familiar with your percentages before beginning. We’ll send the marijuana to you in 30 minutes or less. Stay home for the day and let us deliver if you intend to eat some goodies.