Perhaps one of the most traditional ways of enjoying THC and CBD, edibles are a great way to enjoy the benefits of marijuana without having to take up smoking. In fact, edibles make a fantastic addition to any of your self-care routines, as you can enjoy a tasty snack while incorporating the healing or elevating properties of cannabis.
The minute you say edible, it’s going to conjure up the image of a pot brownie. However, if that’s the last time you considered an edible, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Today there’s a vast array of choices for the best way to enjoy your snackable THC or CBD. Best of all, it’s no longer all relegated to the gooey unctuousness of a pot brownie—want something that you can grab and go? Or perhaps something you can put in your morning tea or coffee? Then you’re in luck. It’s never been easier to incorporate plant medicine into your every day.
How do edibles work?
Obviously the experience of enjoying CBD or THC through edible form, rather than smoking or vaping, is going to have a bit of a different process. The biggest difference you’ll notice is the length of time it takes to feel anything, and just how long that sensation is going to last.
Typically when you’re smoking or vaping, you’ll experience the onset within about ten minutes. This is because of the way the body absorbs the compounds directly into the bloodstream – quick to kick in, and typically will last anywhere from around 40 minutes to an hour.
When consuming edibles, on the other hand, there’s a good chance that you won’t feel anything at least until half an hour. There’s not the same precision either, as it will depend on how your body processes THC or CBD, so for some people it takes up to two hours to feel anything.
How long does the sensation last?
As you might expect, the difference in onset time means that the sensation lasts much longer, and is typically felt more powerfully.
When smoking or vaping, the general rule of thumb is that you will experience the impact for between 1-3 hours. However, with edibles you’re looking at up to eight hours. That’s because the compounds bind to fats in the body, so as they’re absorbed in your blood, they last longer.
Start low, go slow
Your watchword for any edible should be the same as with anything involving marijuana: start low, and go slow.
If you’re completely new to the world of edibles, then start with something that has no more than 10mg of THC. Ideally, you want to consider a dose of 2.5 to 5mg.
This has everything to do with your comfort levels. Depending on how long your body takes to process the edible, you may find that by eating too much at the start, you get much higher than anticipated.
So the important thing to do is to give yourself enough time and space for your body to process the edible, and then decide if you’re feeling just right or perhaps want to feel a little more.
It’s also important, particularly with the THC “high”, to make sure that you’re not meant to be doing something like driving or operating anything that could be dangerous without your full focus. If you’re new, this might mean trying something before you go to bed, or when you know you can stay in one place for a longer period of time.
Can you overdose on edibles?
The short answer is no.
In fact, science has shown that there’s no such thing as a toxic level of THC. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily enjoy an experience that gets you too high.
Should you find yourself in a situation where you’ve consumed too much, and aren’t enjoying the experience, the best thing to do is to drink plenty of water, and try to get to sleep. There’s anecdotal evidence that a cup of chamomile tea can help, and if you’ve taken too much THC, you can counteract that with CBD.
However, ultimately you’ll end up needing to sleep it off. If you go to the emergency room, they’re likely to put you in a bed to rest with an IV of saline, so it’s probably not worth the hassle.
Of course, there is a vital disclaimer to put in place here: if you are taking any prescribed medications, then it’s always best to discuss with your doctor whether or not it’s safe for you to consume edibles. There are certain medications that interact with THC, and some which will completely negate the effects (especially SSRIs), so be sure to get the right kind of medical guidance beforehand.
The best edibles in Toronto
Once you know the rough outline of how edibles work, your biggest consideration is: how would you like to enjoy them?
These days, gummies are a popular way for people to enjoy both THC and CBD. Typically these taste just like any other kind of gummy, and come in a wide range of flavors and textures.
However, if you prefer something less sweet, you might want to consider a tea. Yes, drinks are still considered edibles (perhaps potables should be a category all on their own?) CBD in particular works well when drunk in tea form, and is a great way to start your day as you’ll experience no “high” but CBD has been shown to help focus and concentration, as well as making pain more manageable.
If you want something light and refreshing, THC sodas are the newest kids on the block. Typically these contain much less sugar than other soft drinks, but allow you to enjoy the benefit of a delicious high.
And if you’re looking for a relaxing and uplifting way to finish a meal, or the end of your day, consider looking at THC infused chocolate which can help you relax, unwind, and head towards a restful night’s sleep.
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