Are Cannabis Edibles as Potent as They Say?
Cannabis edibles have set up a distinctive reputation recently. Today you can find kinds of cannabis-infused edibles in your nearby dispensaries, in varying cannabinoid compositions.
There are several medical benefits of edibles, even 420 doctors recommend these for conditions like insomnia and other sleep disorders.
Get in touch with a medical clinic nearby me to assess your condition for using medical cannabis.
However, the science behind the interaction of edibles with our system would help us understand the unique effects it produces.
Let’s have a look.
How Do Edibles Interact With Our System?
Edibles enter our bodies through the gastronomical tract, just like other food. During digestion, the liver metabolizes the cannabinoids present in cannabis into metabolites, which then interact with our ECS.
ECS
ECS stands for the endocannabinoid system, which is an intercellular communication system responsible for various self-regulating processes. It’s is a newly discovered system that plays an important part in various physiological processes occurring in our bodies.
Endocannabinoid receptors are present all over our body; in our immune cells, organs, connective tissues, and glands. Cannabinoids present in cannabis mainly interacts with receptors CB1 and CB2, which are abundantly present in our central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.
What About THC and CBD
THC and CBD are the main ingredients of cannabis among more than 100 other cannabinoids present in the herb. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid of cannabis, known for its relaxing effects and even helps in reducing pain and anxiety symptoms.
However, both THC and CBD interact with our system simultaneously, called the entourage effect. THC is popular for its psychoactive effects and its potential as a sleeping aid.
Metabolism Changes Things
Delta-9-THC which is the main psychoactive ingredient of cannabis is converted into 11-OH-THC by the liver during metabolism.
11-OH-THC also called 11-hydroxy-THC is well absorbed by the body and is a higher potent form of its predecessor.
Which One Hits You Harder, Smoking Strains, or Edibles?
Smoking dry herb directly enters our bloodstream and interact with our system. THC is present in its acidic form(THCA) in raw cannabis and is non-psychoactive in nature. As you light, a joint, or a pipe, THCA is converted into THC(psychoactive) during a process called decarboxylation.
Effects of smoking cannabis can be felt almost immediately and last upto 2-3 hours.
There are Indicas, Sativas, Ruderalis, and kinds of hybrids you’d find in varying THC and CBD ratio in a dispensary. How strong you’ll feel the effect, is a whole different topic and it depends on the kind of strain you are smoking.
Edibles could take upto 2 hours to show its effects and could last upto 8hours(depending upon th dosage). Different people have a different onset time(30mins- 2hours), depending upon how their body metabolizes the ingested edibles.
The effects of edibles are delayed but are much intense as compared to smoking cannabis.
How to Dose For The Best Experience?
Experienced cannabis users recommend starting with a low dosage while ingesting edibles.
Perhaps, now that you understand how it works, it would make more sense to you.
No one looks forward to an uncomfortable high when they think about dosing on edibles, but, due to a slower onset time novice users tend to eat more than they can tolerate.
It’s a good idea to start with a low dosage (3-5mg) and wait for an hour to notice its effects. You can slowly increase the dose if needed. Within a few times, you’ll get to what works best for you.
