Marijuana use among adults has become mainstream as more states have legalized it. In 2017, 52 percent of Americans over 18 said they’d tried it. Another 44 percent who tried it once said they still consume it.
But smoking marijuana isn’t for everyone. If you like how cannabis makes you feel but don’t love the experience of smoking, that’s OK. Plenty of people prefer eating edibles to lighting up.
But eating edibles for the first time can come with its own set of questions. You probably know edibles are stronger, but how much stronger?
Keep reading for a guide to edibles that will help you consume in a safe and happy way.
Eating Edibles for the First Time
The first thing you should know about eating edibles is this: It will take longer for your body to feel the effects. But when it does, the sensations will be more intense than if you smoked pot.
THC is the substance in cannabis that gives you a high feeling. When you smoke it, you’re absorbing THC through your lungs. That’s why people start feeling high in about five minutes.
But with brownies or other edibles, the THC takes a different route to your bloodstream. It had to get digested like any other food.
If you’ve never tried eating pot before, it’s easy to mess up the THC edible dosage. And this kind of baking mistake is a lot more costly than adding too much salt.
That’s why you should go to a professional to buy your first edible. Look online to learn more about recreational dispensaries and the products they sell.
How Long Do Edibles Last?
With an edible, you won’t feel much of anything for the first few minutes. That doesn’t mean you should take another few bites. It also doesn’t mean you should consume the whole thing.
Let’s use a 10mg-brownie as an example. How strong is a 10mg edible? A lot stronger than most edible newbies realize.
It can feel like going from a couple of beers to drinking straight vodka. Edibles are much more concentrated than the stuff you smoke. Eat no more than one-fourth to one-half of a 10mg dose your first time out.
With the right dosage, eating edibles can make you feel happy and relaxed for six or eight hours. But with the wrong dosage, you can feel miserable and uneasy. You may feel like you’re dying, even though you’re not.
If the first couple of bites don’t do anything, wait a couple of hours. You’ll feel the effects soon enough.
You also have to be careful about where you eat edibles. Eating a pot brownie and going to see Avengers: Endgame is a bad idea. You don’t want to be in a crowded space when the potency hits.
Invite a friend or two over to your house. If you can find a friend who has a lot of experience consuming edibles, that’s even better. When you’re eating edibles for the first time, you should do it in a safe environment with trusted friends.
Your Guide to Edibles
Finding a guide to edibles is much smarter than going it alone. If you do the latter, you might end up so miserable you decide to swear off edibles for good.
Start slow. Once you’ve eaten your first edible, wait a few days to try again.
While you’re waiting, check out our recipes archive for healthy, delicious foods. And make sure you’re drinking enough water.
