How To Do Edibles: Make The Most of Your First Time—and Every Time

How Do Edibles Work?

If you’re vaping cannabis or smoking cannabis, you’ll instantly feel effects, however edibles are a little more complicated than you think: Your body needs time to digest, breakdown and metabolize, then absorb the cannabinoid compounds. Depending on your body’s metabolism, BMI, and many other variables, it could well take over an hour before the cannabis edible effects are felt.

Inhaling cannabis sends the psychoactive compounds of THC — which has just been activated by the heat — and other, non-intoxicating cannabinoids directly to your bloodstream.

That was fast! Here’s how THC is absorbed into your body through edibles:

After traveling down your throat, the Washington DC edible lands in your stomach.
The cannabis edible is then digested by acids/enzymes that break it down into its component THC parts.
The THC is absorbed through the lining of the stomach and taken to the liver.
Once it hits the liver, THC is transformed into 11-Hydroxy-THC, which is like super-THC. Way more potent and can cross the blood-brain barrier more easily than THC that’s been vaped or smoked.

Portion control: how much should I eat?

Patience is a virtue and a necessity when you’re eating edibles. Whether you’re new to all systems of cannabis delivery or you’re just new to edibles, you should start with the lowest amount possible. Consider cutting a piece in half to start. Save the rest for later. (It’ll still be just as good, we promise.)

By many people’s standards, 10mg of THC is considered a “low” or “micro-dose,” while 20mg of THC is a standard dose. For those experienced with edibles, 50mg is a strong starting point with great pain relief and deep relaxation effects.

If you are looking for an edible experience that does not get you high, try an edible that is low in THC such as Kushy Punch Gummies.

What if I accidentally take too much?

It does happen and it definitely can be a horrible time so next time, you’ll remember to go slow and low dosage. (We repeat: You can always eat more, but you can’t eat less.) We believe in being prepared and sometimes even over-prepared so try to memorize and follow these steps if you get too high:

Repeat this mantra: Exotic Blooms said this will pass. They said drink water, relax, and stay away from driving. The effects will go away, it just takes a bit of time. Says Exotic Blooms. So they say…
If you have it, try some pure CBD. Make absolutely sure that your CBD source doesn’t have any THC, and try a little at a time. CBD is known to temper the effects of THC.
Drink water-preferably cold. For at least 10 minutes, keep sipping iced water to dull your high and combat dry mouth, an occasional side effect of THC. Adding ground black pepper, lemon zest, shredded ginger, and mint leaves can also help settle your stomach and reduce the psychoactive effects.
Sit back, Netflix and Chill. Depending on your high and your personality, this is easier said than done. But this too shall pass, and you can distract yourself by getting yourself in a comfortable position and finding a passive activity.
Sleep and drink some water and get yourself into bed. You’ll wake up refreshed and new, and you may be a little foggy or “off” the next morning, but it will dissipate. It’s not like an alcohol hangover at all 🙂