Did you know that there are over 238 million people who consume cannabis?

Taking cannabis is an excellent cure for medical conditions. Presently, many people now infuse cannabis in foods and drinks. 

It’s an effective and healthy alternative to vaporizing or smoking cannabis or marijuana. However, eating cannabis edibles results in a more intense high. So, first-timers should pay close attention to how much edibles they take. 

Welcome beginners! You’ve come to the right guide to teach you more about eating edibles. Read on to learn more about eating cannabis, its effects, and how to take your first bite. 

What Are Cannabis Edibles?

Cannabis edibles are beverages and foods containing marijuana. The food and beverage contain activated cannabis with their active compounds. Cannabis becomes activated when you heat and chemically transform it into psychoactive substances. 

Cannabis edibles contain plenty of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which can cause intoxication. Different types of cannabis edibles include brownies, chocolates, sodas, and so on. Aside from THC, you can also take cannabis edibles with cannabidiol (CBD). 

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that you can find in marijuana. Edibles mixed with CBD have natural balancing properties with no intoxicating effects. Some CBD edibles include gummies, cake pops, and you can even smoke hemp pre rolls.

How Long Does It Last?

When it comes to smoking cannabis for beginners, it can take about 15 minutes to set in. However, edibles need a lot more time to start taking effect. It may take 30 minutes to 2 hours before you can notice the onset of effects. 

Although it takes a while to feel the effects, edible can last for a longer time. It can last for as long as 5 hours to 8 hours. If you consumed a large number of cannabis edibles, you might still feel the residual effects for the whole day. 

Effects of Eating Cannabis Edibles 

Cannabis edibles can benefit your health, depending on your intake. You can treat conditions such as anxiety and chronic pain. They can also treat people who have a low appetite and help with weight loss. 

Some edibles can reduce muscle spasms, enhance your sleep quality, and relieve nausea. However, if you take too much, the benefits may backlash and make you feel unpleasant. Some symptoms that come after overdosing include:

  • Paranoia and agitation 
  • Drowsiness and tiredness
  • Delusions and psychosis
  • Red eyes and dry mouth
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Increasing stress on the heart 

If you do happen to take too much of cannabis edibles, don’t panic. All you have to do is wait it out for a few hours. Distract yourself, eat something, and drink plenty of water. 

How Are Cannabis Edibles Made?

Cannabis edibles are typically made using either of the two processes. This includes using either canna-butter/oil or cannabis extract. Canna-butter is butter that’s unsalted mixed with ground cannabis flowers and some water. 

You can use canna-butter for any baking recipes such as brownies or cookies. The canna-oil is great for blending with homemade salad dressing or sauces. You can also fry on the stove at low temperatures or saute vegetables. 

Cannabis extract or tincture comes in liquid form, which you can add to your drinks. Tinctures are great for those who want to have control over the THC levels. Don’t add tinctures to foods or drinks that you plan to cook or heat up since it can lessen the effects. 

Tips For Eating Cannabis 

Taking marijuana for beginners can have a different effect than those who have already tried. Here are some tips you need to remember if it’s your first time taking cannabis edibles. 

Start With Small Steps

As mentioned earlier, edibles can do more effective than smoking cannabis. Experts recommend that eating cannabis for beginners should stay below 10 mg of THC. Take edible with THC between 2 to 5 mg. 

Wait for at least 2 hours to let the effect set in before consuming another serving. Better yet, you should wait a whole day then take an edible with a higher dosage. Eating mints or drinking cannabis-infused drinks may be better for you as a beginner. 

If you overindulged and feel comfortable, remember that the effects are only temporary. A good way to lessen the sensation is to sit or lie down then close your eyes. Try to normalize your breathing and calm yourself. 

If you can’t handle the sensation, ask a close friend to keep an eye on you. You also consume some CBD to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC. Avoid making homemade cannabis edibles since you may lose track of how much THC is in each piece. 

Find A Comfortable Space

Eating cannabis edibles can be quite unpredictable, even for experienced users. It’s always best to consume edibles in a comfortable and trustworthy setting. Consider going to a familiar place to avoid doing something crazy in an unknown area. 

Drink A Lot of Water

Many marijuana users know about the phenomenon known as dry mouth. Dry mouth is a common side effect of eating cannabis. Although you feel thirsty, it’s not a sign of your body getting dehydrated. 

Drinking plenty of water when eating cannabis can help ease the sensation of dry mouth. It also helps with getting over bad trips since it speeds up the digestion process. 

Always Eat First 

Eating cannabis edibles on an empty stomach is a big mistake for beginners. Edibles get processed much faster if you eat edibles on an empty stomach. You may experience bad effects such as uncomfortable highs and an upset stomach. 

You should eat meals with high-fat foods and a mix of veggies or fruits. Make sure you do not drink alcohol with edibles. It can increase the concentrations of THC in your blood, which can cause adverse effects. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Cannabis Edibles

Remember to be patient and go slow when eating cannabis edibles. Make sure to buy edibles from licensed dispensaries since it’s safer. The dosing of edibles are more precise and tested by labs beforehand. 

Want to learn more about cannabis? Check out more of our guides and posts to learn all there is to know about cannabis today!