A recent survey has found that 25% of Americans now consume cannabis, which represents a significant increase over the last number of years. One in four Americans now says they have tried some form of cannabis in the past year. Two of the most smoking methods for consuming cannabis are smoking/vaping and edibles.
In this blog post, we will ask the question, “Are edibles stronger than smoking?” If you are interested in learning more about consuming cannabis, then keep reading. Here we will ask and answer a number of important questions, including what are the differences between smoking and edibles, how to find the right dose, and what are the health risks.
What Are Edibles?
Research indicates that cannabis has been smoked for thousands of years, whereas edibles are a much more recent phenomenon. Effectively, they are cannabis-infused foods and drinks that can take many different forms, including ice cream, chocolate brownies, candies, breath mints, and much more.
Not all cannabis-infused edibles contain the same active ingredient. Generally, there are three different categories of edibles: THC-dominate edibles, CBD-dominant edibles, and edibles with a balanced amount of both active ingredients.
Depending on which type of cannabis edible you ingest, you will experience different effects. For example, a person who consumes edibles with CDB will experience less of a high than a person who consumes THC edibles.
Are Edibles Stronger Than Smoking?
The answer to this question does depend on the active ingredient, but let’s take THC and compare. Consuming edible cannabis tends to produce both a stronger and longer-lasting high than smoking.
It is stronger because of the way it is absorbed by the body. Eaten cannabis is metabolized by the body’s liver, turning delta-9 THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. This passes the blood-brain barrier more rapidly and causes a more psychedelic effect than THC that has been smoked, which bypasses the liver.
Therefore, if you are planning to consume edibles, it is important to be careful of the correct dosage. We will take a closer look at dosing below.
What Are the Other Differences?
As we have highlighted, edibles are stronger than smoking. There are also a number of other differences between these two types of consuming cannabis.
With inhaled cannabis (either through regular smoking or vaping), the effects are felt much faster, within the space of a few seconds generally. The effects of the cannabis last for between two and three hours.
In the case of edible cannabis, it may take between one and two hours are the effects to be noticeable. However, the effects will then last for much longer, typically between six and twelve hours.
The main benefits of consuming inhaled cannabis are:
- It is easier to dose
- The effects are felt faster
- It is short-lasting
- To extend the effects, it can be layered with edibles
In the case of edible cannabis, the main benefits are:
- It is more discreet
- The effects are long-lasting
- It does not cause lung damage
- For a quicker effect, it can be layered with inhaled cannabis
We recommend that you weigh up the different benefits of both smoking and eating cannabis when you are deciding the best option for you.
How Much THC Is in an Edible?
We have highlighted above the body processes THC differently depending on whether it is inhaled or eaten. When it comes to eating cannabis, it is recommended that you start out with a 2.5 mg dose of THC.
Over time, you can slowly increase your dose. Doing this reduces the chance you will experience unpleasant side effects. Note that it does take time for edibles to “kick in”, so you should avoid consuming more in this timeframe.
Starting out, it’s a good idea to consider an edible with more CBD as this reduces some of the intoxicating effects of THC. Click here to buy CBD isolate wholesale.
How to Find the Right Edible Dose
There are many considerations to factor in when looking for the right dose of an edible. These include:
- Overall health
- Genetics
- Meal timing
As noted above, it’s best to start out with a lower dose and gradually increase this over time, rather than beginning with the strongest edibles you can find.
What Are the Risks of Edibles?
Compared to inhaling cannabis, some of the risks of consuming edible cannabis include that it is easy to take too much, the effects are more intoxicating, and it’s not possible to reverse the long-lasting effects.
Edibles are also more likely to interact with medications that a person is taking. If you have children at home, there is a risk that they may attempt to consume the edible, mistaking it for a regular food item such as a brown or a candy.
THC also causes the heart to beat faster, though this usually is not a serious issue for most people. Mixing CBD with THC when consuming edibles does reduce a person’s chance of having a rapid heart rate.
It’s recommended that you consult with your doctor being consuming cannabis, especially if you have any health concerns.
The Bottom Line: Edibles vs Smoking
The bottom line is that edibles are stronger than smoking, leading to more intoxicating effects. This is because of how the body absorbs the cannabis. Therefore, we recommend that you start out consuming CBD edibles or with a lower dose of THC edibles.
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