At some point in our cannabis journey, we’ve all had that awful edible experience. Even the most experienced dabbers and heavyweight tokers have mistakenly thought that they could handle a hefty edibles dose, only to find themselves bugging out and feeling anxious. It’s a not-so-pleasant feeling of getting greened out that can last for several hours. We highly recommend that you avoid overindulging in THC edibles at all costs!
That said—edibles are awesome. The effects come on slow and steady and then engulf you in that warm fuzzy feeling, like being wrapped in a warm blanket fresh out of the dryer. So, how do you get there instead of getting trapped in the time warp of eating too much?
Let us guide you to the right edibles dose for you so you can have a good time every time.
How the Body Processes a Cannabis Edibles Dose
When you smoke weed or dab concentrates, THC enters the bloodstream within seconds after inhalation. Then it makes its way into your brain and body’s soft tissues to distribute its effects. Once the THC has been absorbed into your system and “used up,” so to speak, the metabolites find their way to the body’s fat cells, where they rest until they are detoxed.
Edibles work entirely differently than smoking. They enter the stomach to digest and are then processed by the liver before making their way into your bloodstream via the intestinal tract. Something special happens in the liver that amplifies the effects of THC. The Delta-9 THC is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a much more potent cannabinoid. This is why edibles seem to hit harder than smoking.
Different Types of Edibles
Manufacturers put THC in everything. Cannabis oils, distillates, live resin, and nanoemulsions are the perfect ingredient for a multitude of edible goodies. Walk into most dispensaries, and you’ll find beverages like infused sodas, syrups, and cold brews. If you prefer sweets, try out gummies, taffy, hard candy, baked goods, or even savor snacks like potato chips and pretzels. All are infused with a dose of THC and other cannabinoids.
Edibles Dosage Guide
There is no magic number of milligrams that will work for everyone. Instead, the best thing to do when approaching your edibles dose is to start low and go slow. Everyone always says this, you can take more, but you can’t take less. Trust us, you have nothing to prove, so go easy if you are new to edibles.
Once you decide on your desired edibles dose, remember that all brands package their products differently. You could buy three packages of gummies and find that each piece contains a different milligram count. So, always check the package. In California, the maximum allowance per package is 100mg THC divided across 10 servings. Usually this is what you’ll find. That means that every gummy in the package contains 10 mg THC.
That’s exactly how we dose our Lime live resin gummies. If you would like to start with a smaller edibles dose, cut the gummy in half.
How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?
You might start to feel the initial effects kick in within 30 minutes. It often starts with a slight pinch behind the eyes, followed by a head buzz that cascades into a full-body tingling sensation. It’s really important to wait at least 90 minutes to two hours before taking another dose of edibles because that’s how long it takes for full effects.
This is generally where the “oh shit” moments happen because you get tired of waiting for the edibles to kick, so you take another dose. Ten minutes later, the first edibles dose kicks in, and you are now buckling up to prepare for the ride of a lifetime.
Keep in mind that there are plenty of factors affecting this timeline, including how strong the effects will be. Did you just eat and have a full stomach? Are you healthy, hydrated, and generally feeling good? Have you also smoked or vaped recently? Pay attention to how an edibles dose affects you so you can track the best times for you to nibble or sip on THC infusions.
How Long Does an Edibles High Last?
It depends on the edibles dosage, but you can expect an edibles high to last anywhere from 4-6 hours. Larger doses can keep you lifted for 8-12 hours in some cases. If you plan to take more than 50-100 mg, you might want to make sure you don’t have any responsibilities coming up that would interrupt this elevated state.
What to Do if You Eat Too Much
First of all—don’t freak out. It might be hard to remember when that overwhelming buzz creeps in, but you are safe. No one has ever overdosed on weed, and you will be alright. It will just take some time. Try some of these tips to help you settle in until the high subsides.
- Take CBD. CBD is known to help reduce the psychoactive effects of THC so eat a CBD edible, take a CBD dab, or drink a CBD-infused drink. It will alleviate the mental chatter and help you feel more relaxed.
- Have a snack. Eat something! Food probably tastes incredible right now, but you are so high you didn’t even realize you had the munchies. Have a bite to eat, and make a cup of tea or some other hydrating beverage.
- Turn on the TV. More often than not, a solid comedy can turn around a harsh high. Let the weed do its work and get a case of the giggles over something riot-worthy.
- Call a friend. Or your mom. But not your boss unless you are for sure not going to make it to your next shift. Talking with someone can help the time pass faster, and any loving pal will reassure you that everything is definitely going to be alright.
Most of all, trust that there is the right edibles dose for you, and it just takes a little practice to dial it in. Edibles are an incredibly easy way to properly medicate or simply have a good time, so don’t be afraid to try them. When you’re ready, check out our line of infused gummies and THC syrups. They are made with live resin and come in various flavors to appease every palate.