Edibles are a time-honored tradition in the cannabis community. From the classic weed brownies and space cake to today’s fast-acting drinks and gummies, edibles present a discreet, measured way to consume your cannabis. But that measurement system isn’t nearly as helpful if you don’t understand it.
Edibles work a little differently than smoking or vaping, so here’s what you need to know.
The Difference Between Edibles and Vaping Weed
Ask any cannabis lover who’s been around for a few years about edibles, and chances are they’ll have a scary story to tell about the time they took a brownie from their neighbor’s cousin’s friend and got way too high to have a good time.
When you’re consuming cannabis orally (like a vape) it’s hard to measure your dose. But, vaping has a rapid onset of effects which means you get feedback from your body quickly about how high you are.
With edibles, doses are measured in milligrams so it’s easy to be precise. But edibles take longer to set in – much longer than vaping. Traditional edibles can take up to two hours to kick in, while fast-acting nano-emulsions can take up to 45 minutes. Edibles also hit differently than vaping, and they often hit harder.
Because of the length of time that edibles take to kick in and the strength of the effects, it can be easy to overdo the dosage of edibles. The intensity of the effects doesn’t have to scare you, but it stresses the importance of taking the right dose.
Why Edibles Hit Different Than Vaping
When you vape, the cannabinoids enter your bloodstream through your lungs when you inhale. But when you eat an edible, things work a little slower.
Edibles are processed through your digestive system, like all the food you eat. To get high, the cannabinoids must enter into your bloodstream. To do that, the edibles have to start the digestion process and move into your small intestine. From here, the cannabinoids go through a “first pass” through your liver – and something interesting happens here: THC is converted into a metabolite called “11-hydroxy-THC.” This metabolite can be up to twice as strong as THC, which explains why edibles can feel so intense. A 5 mg edible may feel like a dose of 10 mg, and so on.
The digestion process takes time, which explains the delayed onset of edibles. 11-hydroxy-THC also has a longer half-life in your body than THC does, which is why a high from edibles can last 6 to 8 hours, with lingering effects for up to 12 hours.
Understanding Edible Dosages
| Dose Size | Milligram | Suggested For | Will I Feel High? |
| Micro | 0.5 – 2.5mg | First timer and people nervous about the effects | Likely not, but first time consumers may feel slightly lifted |
| Mini | 3 – 5mg | New consumers | Infrequent consumers of cannabis and new consumers may feel body and head sensations |
| Moderate | 5.5 – 10mg | Intermediate dosage. Consumers familiar with brands and their endocannabinoid system | Most people will feel high (head and body effects) at this dose, unless you have an exceptionally high THC tolerance |
| Large | 10.5 – 20mg | Experienced cannabis consumers | Yes, most people will feel high. |
| Heavy | 20.5 – 100mg | Advanced dosage. Experienced, seasoned edible consumers | Absolutely – and this dose should be approached with caution. |
There is a range of edible potencies you’ll find on the market, but 10mg is a standard dose size. If you’re trying edibles for the first time, try cutting your gummy into halves (5 mg each) or quarters (2.5 mg each) to ease into the experience.
How to Dose Edibles Properly
There’s a common adage in cannabis: start low and go slow. If you follow this golden rule, you’ll be able to find your sweet spot for edible dosing.
Start low and go slow means start with a low dose of THC and take it slowly, allowing the edible to fully process through your system before you declare it’s not working.
If you’ve never tried edibles before, start with a small dose: 2.5 mg is a good place to start. For regular cannabis consumers, this may seem like a tiny amount but remember: edibles are processed differently than vaping and smoking.
Allow the edible at least two hours to process in your system. If you don’t feel anything and you’re in a calm, comfortable environment, then you can take another dose. But don’t rush it! Only waiting 30 minutes before popping another edible is a recipe for getting really, really high.
If 2.5 mg doesn’t do anything for you, try 5 mg. If 5 mg still isn’t enough, try 10 mg. But allow yourself to feel each dose fully so you gain an understanding of how edibles work in your system.
Tips for a Positive Edibles Experience
- Be in a comfortable environment
- Take your edibles on a full stomach
- Stay hydrated during the high
Are Edibles or Vaping Better?
Whether edibles are better than vaping or vice versa is a personal question that depends on your experience with cannabis, your goals for consumption, your unique endocannabinoid system, and a host of biological factors.
Because everyone has a different endocannabinoid system, trying out consumption methods is the best way to learn what works well for you. Your friend may swear up and down about their favorite edibles for working out, but they put you right to sleep. Your cousin may love their live rosin vape, but inhaling isn’t right for you. The only way to know is to try.
FAQs About Cannabis Edibles
Does Gender Affect Edibles?
Yes, gender has an effect on the effects of cannabis. Why? Your endocannabinoid system plays a major role in your endocrine system, the system that regulates your hormones.
Estrogen-based endocrine systems have been shown to be more sensitive to the effects of THC and particularly to 11-hydroxy-THC. This means women may be more sensitive to edibles in lower doses. But hormones fluctuate, especially during reproductive cycles, and everyone’s endocannabinoid system is unique – so results may vary.
Why Can’t I Feel Edibles?
While some people are sensitive to the smallest amount of THC, others aren’t able to feel the effects of even very strong doses of edibles. This is called being “edi-blocked.” The Boston Globe describes people who experience ediblocks as a “small but significant portion of the population.” Being edi-blocked is not a well-understood phenomenon, but it’s an area of growing interest for cannabis researchers.
What’s a Fast-Acting Edible?
In today’s cannabis market, you may also see “fast acting” edibles. These products use a nano-emulsion technology to make cannabinoids significantly smaller, which decreases the amount of time it takes your body to absorb them – and also makes the edibles experience shorter.
The Sweet Spot for Dosing Edibles
Like many things about cannabis, what works best for you is personal and can’t always be predicted by what your friends and family like. If you’re curious about finding a good dose of edibles for focus, relaxation, working out, or any other reason, give yourself the time and environment to test it out.
Start low, go slow, and build your dose as needed to find that sweet spot without overdoing it.
