Understanding Some Facts About Edibles
If you have cancer or another painful illness that requires treatment, then you may use medical marijuana to reduce your symptoms. While some people are able to inhale the drug, this is not ideal for many individuals who are already feeling the effects of chemotherapy, radiation, and oral medications. In this situation, edibles may be a much better choice. Marijuana edibles are foods that are infused with cannabis or THC. Before you start munching on some brownies or candies, there are a few facts that you should definitely know about edibles.
They Take Longer To Kick In
When you inhale marijuana through a pipe or a vaporizer, the effects are almost immediate. Since the inhaled cannabis comes into direct contact with the alveoli sacs, the THC can enter into the bloodstream directly through the tissues. In this way, it is easy to "dose" how much THC you consume simply by stopping the inhalation based on the way you feel.
The THC from edibles is absorbed differently. While a small amount can enter the bloodstream through the lining of the stomach, the vast majority does not. The edible must be completely digested. Also, the THC needs to be metabolized by the liver and this takes time. While some of the THC is metabolized and filtered out of the body, the majority is not. However, it will take about one hour for you to feel the effects of the edible if you have a fast or normal metabolism. If your metabolism is slow, it can take up to two hours to feel the effects.
In many cases, individuals will consume another edible within 30 to 45 minutes because they do not feel the effects of the cannabis. If you do this, then the next edible will kick in on top of the first one and you may not feel well. When you start using edibles, wait for a full two hours before consuming more of the edible so you do not overdo it.
Edibles Are Made With Cannabis Oil Or Butter
If you are used to buying marijuana and inhaling a single cigarette or pipe's worth of the dried plant, then you may wonder how the edible compares. One common misconception is the fact that marijuana is placed in edibles. You may then expect to taste the marijuana. Since it is lacking in the expected taste, you may decide to eat more of the edible.
Edibles are not created with marijuana baked into the treat. Infused cannabis butter or oil is used instead. These products are made by cooking the marijuana with butter or oil. The THC releases from the plant and infuses the oil or butter. This infusion is then used to create the edible.
Infusions are highly controlled by the maker and made with a specific amount of butter or oil so that THC levels can remain consistent. This means that you can be provided with a pretty close approximation of the amount of THC that is in each edible. Edible will often be labeled as doses and 10 milligrams will often equal a single dose. This can be incredibly confusing, because a single joint will allow for the absorption of 28 to 52 milligrams of THC. The difference is that the effects of the edible are considerably higher due to the way it is metabolized, so you need far less.
So, think of an edible as a complete marijuana cigarette. If you want just a small amount of the THC, then start with one-quarter of a brownie or cookie. This will be similar to a few drags off the joint. Also, you need to look at the approximate dosage amount before consuming your treat. Some edibles are made with two or more doses and are meant to be consumed in several sittings. So if you see a label with 20 or 30 milligrams of THC, try just a bite of the snack.