Learn all you ever wanted to know in this edibles guide for beginners before consuming edibles for the first time, and have a great first educated experience.
An Edibles guide for beginners and experienced stoners
What are edibles?
Edibles are food items that contain cannabis. This includes sweet and savory foods but they can also be in liquid forms like sports drinks, hot chocolate, and teas.
Do they taste like weed?
It depends on the edible. Edibles with strong taste, like chocolate, peanut butter or coffee will hide the cannabis taste, but lighter tasting edibles like vanilla cakes and fruit-based desserts might not.
The strength of the taste is also linked with the potency of the infusion. An edible made with an oil-infused at 50 mg /tsp will taste stronger than another one made with the same quantity of oil that is infused at 10 mg/tsp.
This is why I indicate my perception of the cannabis taste when possible in my recipes. Look for the info infusion section.
How do they work?
Once edibles are ingested, often bound with fat since THC is fat-soluble, the cannabis is digested and then metabolized by the liver. The cannabinoids then reach the brain. This is why it takes longer for edible to act.
In comparison, Wen someone smokes cannabis, the cannabinoids are metabolized by the lungs, and then reach the brain through the bloodstream.
What are THC and CBD?
THC is the component of cannabis that makes you high. It is also used in pain management.
While CBD doesn’t make you “high” per say, it has anti-inflammatory and anti-nausea properties and much more. Cannabis can have only THC, only CBD or a mix of CBD and THC.
What are Sativa and Indica?
Sativa and Indica are two types of cannabis strains. The third option is an hybrid, or a mix of both Sativa and Indica.
Sativa strands tend to be stimulating and uplifting but some people report an increasing paranoia following consumption of a Sativa strain. Sativa is great for daytime use.
Indica has a sedating feeling and is great for reducing anxiety and stress, but can result in couch lock, or being” stuck in the couch” and having trouble being productive. Indica is great for nighttime.
What is potency?
The potency is how strong edibles are. It is usually calculated by how much milligram (or mg) of THC or CBD an edible contains
So how much edible should I eat?
Well, that depends. Dosage will depend on your tolerance and that changes from one person to another. Someone might prefers a microdose of 2.5 mg and another might not feel anything with a 100 mg dose. Trial and error will be the only way to find the perfect dosage for you.
A standard starting dose is 10 mg, but I recommend starting slowly with 2.5mg and then adding 2.5 mg more on your next try until you find your sweet spot.
With an edible, high potency is not better than reliable appropriate dosing. Remember that once you have eaten an edible, there is no going back.
What should I expect to feel?
While the effects are different depending on the person consuming cannabis, most people tend to agree that smoking cannabis gives more of a cerebral high, while edibles will give more of a body high.
What does that mean? Well, I personally compare eating edibles with getting a full-body hug.
Edibles are also often associated with intense highs that can be unpredictable.
Oh no! This edibles guide for beginners has made you hungry?
You should try my pumpkin and chocolate chip muffins!
How long does it take until I feel edibles?
Edibles
Contrary to smoking cannabis, which takes between 15 and 30 minutes to take effect. Edibles take between 45 minutes to 2 hours to take effect. On average, you should start feeling effects 1 hour after you have eaten an edible. The effects will also be felt for a longer time than smoking, usually up to 8 hours.
Liquid form
For a liquid edible like tea or coffee or soft drink, the effect should start to be felt between 15 to 60 minutes and the effects can last from 3 to 5 hours.
This will also depend on your body. Are you a pocket-sized dainty woman or a tall and muscly Viking?
Are edibles dangerous?
Yes and no.
While no death has been recorded following cannabis consumption, if you consume too much cannabis, you might be in for a bumpy ride. Side effects from overconsumption can range from dizziness to vomiting.
Allergy
Some people might also be allergic to cannabis. If you think about it, Cannabis contains pollen, also sometimes called kief. In the same way people might be allergic to pollen, people might be allergic to cannabis. Know yourself, take symptoms seriously, and go see a doctor if you have any trouble breathing.
Mental health
Cannabis can also affect mood and feeling and can cause anxiety and panic. This is why it isn’t recommended to consume cannabis if you live with mental health problems since they can cause psychotic episodes.
Addiction
Cannabis can also make you mentally and/or physically addicted. It is estimated that 1 out of 11 of cannabis users will become addicted. This increases to 1 out of 2 people who consume cannabis daily. Please go see your primary health care provider in any case of doubt.
Canadians: get help with addiction now!
Always practice responsible cannabis use and never mix with other substances like alcohol.
Consuming cannabis will impair your judgment, so do not drive or operate heavy machinery under the influence. Basically, don’t do anything you wouldn’t do while drunk.
What should I do if I consumed too much cannabis?
First of all, don’t panic. It happens.
Second of all, the hospital can not do anything for you. Even though you might be tempted to go to the emergency room or call an ambulance, don’t do it.
The best thing to do is to try to sleep it off. Lay down, try to relax, maybe put calm music. If you are nauseous, try to go in the recovery position (on your side…). Remember its only temporary. While it hasn’t been proved yet, some people also find that consuming CBD will help to counterbalance the THC you have consumed.
You can also try to “sweat it off” by doing some physical exercise or by taking a hot shower. Try to drink water, as you might have what we call “dry mouth”.
Ready to try your first edibles?
You should try theses edibles that are great for beginners.
You can also purchase oil directly from your dispensary or state governed stores to make edibles, or you can make your own with this smell-free cannabis-infused oil.
Hopefully, this edibles guide for beginners has answered all your questions and much more. Do not hesitate to leave me a comment if there is something else you would like to know!
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