As cannabis use is slowly becoming accepted and legal in many states around the world, people are asking more questions about its effects on overall health. Smoking or vaping cannabis is one thing; but what about edibles? What happens when you consume cannabis-infused foods like gummies, brownies, doughnuts, muffins and even soda? read on to know what happens to your body when you eat marijuana edibles?
What Happens if You Eat Cannabis Instead of Smoking or Vaping?
When weed is eaten instead of smoked, you are changing the route of administration. Instead of inhaling it, you are ingesting it and processing it in the gastrointestinal tract. You might not know it but this method of weed consumption has been around for some time. In fact, one of the earliest records of marijuana use showed that it was consumed orally, usually in the form of a drink during spiritual ceremonies.
If you opt to eat cannabis edibles, remember that its effects take at least an hour to kick in. The onset depends on the user’s metabolism rate as well as the product’s active ingredients. People with a fast metabolism tend to feel the effects in an hour, while it can take 2 to 3 hours for people with a slower metabolism. Marijuana’s muted effects can last for 5 hours or even more. This is usually while first-time edible users ingest too much; they worry that it has not hit them yet, so they take more.
Why do People Experience Unpredictable Highs with Marijuana Edibles?
Many people make the mistake of thinking it has been an hour and they are not feeling anything, and so they consume more. Such impatience and expectancy contribute to a very unpleasant experience. It is better to pace yourself and slow down on is consumption, especially because you cannot undo the adverse effects of eating too much. Also, to avoid an unpredictable and overwhelming high, do not eat edibles on an empty stomach because absorption rates are faster.
Regulating the amount of marijuana edibles is a good precautionary measure. However, the issue of quantity becomes more important when it comes to edibles because they are considered more potent compared to joints. This is because edibles lead to the creation of potent metabolites that lead to much stronger highs compared to smoking or vaping.
A Potent Metabolite Makes Marijuana Edibles Very Strong
When THC is consumed, it is converted into 11-hydroxy THC which gives a more intense psychedelic impact. This metabolite is even more potent than delta-9-THC, which is the converted form of THC that people experience when they vape or smoke cannabis. This means that when vaped or smoke, THC follows a more direct pathway to the brain.
But when eaten, the THC in cannabis is metabolized in the liver where it is converted to 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite is efficient in crossing the blood-brain barrier, leading to a more intense and stronger high. For some people, this metabolite is key in prolonging the effects of cannabis without having to consume too much. For others, however, it can be too strong and cause them intense anxiety.
Keep in mind that, when consuming marijuana edibles, do not be impatient to get to that high too soon; let it come to you. It also helps to consume high quality cannabis edibles bought from reliable suppliers. These products come with labels indicating how much cannabis is infused in the edible, so you will know just how much you need to consume.
Also read: Things to Keep in Mind While Consuming Edibles
