First Time Edibles
With marijuana becoming legal in states all across the US, many people are consuming it for the first time. With such diverse ways of experiencing THC, it can be a bit overwhelming to know where to begin. For most people, gummies and edibles are the choice with the lowest barrier for entry. But, this can come with a lot of questions and knowing what to expect is important to having an enjoyable experience with edibles.
How your body processes THC when it is ingested instead of inhaled is quite different, and the highs you can experience are often varied as well. To understand this, we can track the actions occurring throughout the process of consuming edibles.
What Happens Once Ingested?
During the first hour after ingestion, THC is being digested and transported to your liver. In order for you to feel the high, your liver must first convert the THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound is then circulated through the blood to your brain and the effects will be noticeable.
Since this process requires digestion and conversion, it is not the same for all people. However, most people report beginning to feel the high within 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion.
It should be noted that the liver is limited in how quickly it can metabolize the THC. If a significant dose was initially taken, it may take the liver more time to fully process the batch. Due to this, we recommend starting with 2.5mg maximum for your first dose and waiting the full 2 hours before ingesting more.
What Is A High?
Once your high begins, the effects may vary between Sativa, Indica, or hybrid edibles. A high is often described as euphoria, but how you experience this can vary. Sativa is often associated with a head-high. For some this high may seem to provide energy or creativity. The other option is Indica, which is more closely associated with a body-high. For some this can provide a relaxation or a sedentary effect.
The third option is a hybrid edible of these two types. For many, this is an ideal starting point since it allows you to experience both effects. This can help users identify if there is a high they prefer more.
While being inhaled, THC can produce a wide-range of subtle effects. Unique strains produce unique experiences and these strains are often sought after for these specific effects. However, these subtleties are not the case with edibles, instead they are only identified by their base strains (Sativa, Indica, and hybrid).
What Else Is Happening?
Once you begin to experience the high, you may become aware of a number of other effects as the THC interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for physiological functions that include: appetite, pain sensation, and mood. It is also responsible for saliva production, which, if impacted, may lead to your mouth and throat feeling dry.
The interaction of THC with your endocannabinoid system may cause the release of a hormone called ghrelin, which is responsible for increasing appetite and promoting the consumption of food. It can also enhance the sensitivity of taste and smell receptors, which can make food taste and smell more appealing. This sensation is often referred to as ‘the munchies’.
We recommend that prior to ingesting your gummies, you have prepared a few healthy snack options as well as any water or teas that you regularly enjoy. We do not recommend alcohol as this can compound experiences and quickly make users feel ill. If impacted by these side effects, you may find yourself drinking or eating more than you intend and being prepared with healthy options helps to improve your overall experience.
How Long Will It Last?
The effects from ingesting 11-hydroxy-THC are considered both stronger and longer-lasting when compared to THC that is inhaled. A large number of variables impacts each experience but on average most users begin to come down from the high after around 3 hours. However, there are some who report still feeling high after 12 hours.
One of the major determinations for this is with the initial dose. As the rate the liver can process THC is limited, a significant dose will be processed over a longer period of time. This rate varies from person to person, so we strongly recommend consuming edibles in small doses to ensure an accurate understanding of the high you are feeling before ingesting more.
Another suggestion is to eat a decent meal prior to taking your edible. By ensuring your body is already in the process of metabolizing foods, it can help to normalize the digestion of the edible itself. This can improve your experience and may even improve the speed in which you experience the high.
How Else Should I Prepare?
For your first time, a number of additional measures should be taken.
Understand that you will be in an altered state. You should only consume THC in a safe environment around people you trust.
For some, edibles have a significant relaxing effect and you may find yourself asleep. Being prepared ahead of time for this chance is recommended.
Additionally we recommend the following:
- Do not plan snacks that may require the oven or stove to be on since this poses a fire hazard in the event you forget about it or fall asleep.
- Be at a location and with people you would be comfortable with for the night.
- Have simple entertainment planned like a movie marathon, favorite tv series, video-games, or reading.
You may be around others who are more experienced with THC than you are, and they may want to do more adventurous activities. We do not recommend this as it can lead to a poor experience.
What If I Take Too Much or Start Having a Bad Experience?
For some, the experience can lead to feelings of anxiety, paranoia, or elevated heart rate. We recommend the following steps during this:
- Reassure them: Let them know that they are safe and that the effects will eventually wear off.
- Stay with them: Keep them company and reassure them that you are there to support them.
- Help them relax: Encourage them to take deep breaths and try to relax their body. You can also suggest listening to calming music, practicing meditation, or taking a warm bath or shower.
- Offer water and healthy snacks: Drinking water and eating healthy snacks can help to reduce feelings of anxiety and promote feelings of well-being.
- Avoid stimulants: Avoid consuming caffeine or other stimulants as they can increase feelings of anxiety and make the situation worse.
- Seek medical attention if necessary: In rare cases, a bad THC high can cause severe symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness. If you are concerned about the person’s well-being or they are experiencing severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
In Conclusion
Edibles are an excellent way to experience THC for your first time. Like any substance, it should be used responsibly and in a safe environment.
Start slowly, only consuming 2.5mg and not consuming any more until 2 hours later. While 2.5mg may not have a significant impact for some users, the effects from consuming too much cannot be reversed. It is always best to err on the side of caution.
Be prepared for the experience to take several hours and do not have any plans to operate vehicles or heavy machinery for the remainder of your day.
Prepare your favorite healthy snacks and non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks ahead of time. Common side-effects to the high are ‘the munchies’ and dry-mouth.
Have easy-to-enjoy entertainment planned at a safe location. Activities like movies, tv, video games, or reading will often be a better first-time experience than more active ideas.
We hope you have a positive first experience and if you have additional questions would love to answer them at our store in Fort Collins.
