The rise of cannabis edibles into popularity seems to suggest that people see it as a great alternative to smoking cannabis. While it’s much more convenient to just consume an edible rather than smoking weed, the experience is entirely different.
Essentially, eating marijuana is very different from smoking mainly because it could actually last much longer depending on the dose. In this guide, we’ll explore the effects of cannabis edibles on the body and how long they stay in your system.
What is an Edible?
Edibles, in general, are food products that have been infused with a trace of cannabis oil. Other than being food products, edibles could also be infused with weed. They can be made in either a meal or drink form. For example, baked goods, brownies, chocolates, and a number of other desserts can be infused with cannabis oil.
On the other hand, ready-made edibles may also be available in several forms, including candy. For instance, gummy bears and cookies are some of the common forms of ready-made edibles.
How Long Do Edibles Last?
Essentially, it’s not well-known exactly how long edibles stay in your system. This is because of the fact that it has different subtypes, and it stays in the system for different periods depending on the individual.
In a number of studies, the effects of edible cannabis have been tested on several individuals. Clinical studies have shown that edible cannabis can stay in the system for anywhere from roughly 5 to 12 hours. The effects of cannabis edibles can take anywhere from 1.9 to 15 hours to take effect.
The effects of it can also last longer depending on the individual. It’s estimated that the effects of edible cannabis can last up to 24 hours, depending on the dose.
However, the length of time that edible cannabis stays in your system will depend on a couple of factors. For example, if a person takes it on an empty stomach, it will take less time for it to be metabolized and excreted. On the other hand, if you consume it when you are already full, you may need to wait for up to four hours for it to metabolize.
What Are The Effects of Edible Cannabis?
The effects of cannabis edibles differ greatly depending on the subtype. For example, if you consume a cannabis edible, you may feel a slight euphoric feeling. You may also experience an outburst of giggles, also known as the “munchies,” and increased appetite. You may also experience a state of relaxation.
Increased appetite is typically a common side effect of consuming it. This is because it contains a large amount of THC, and THC is known to stimulate the hunger center in the brain.
Furthermore, cannabis edibles can slow down your reaction time and impair your motor skills, which is the same as when you smoke marijuana. Edibles also reduce your ability to move.
However, in contrast to smoking cannabis, the effects of edible cannabis will last longer, especially if you haven’t taken it on an empty stomach. The effects can last from hours to days.
Common Side Effects of Consuming Edibles
As mentioned earlier, consuming edibles has numerous side effects, some of which are similar to the side effects of smoking cannabis. Some of these side effects include:
- Dry Mouth
- Dry Eyes
- Tingly Skin
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty in Concentrating
- Allergic Reaction
Edibles can have some dangerous and negative side effects which may come with a number of risks.
For example, edibles can cause memory impairment. This is because it is known to interfere with short-term memory functions. It is relatively easy to consume an overdose of edibles, which can cause you to become severely dizzy, nauseated, and even faint.
Moreover, consuming too much edible cannabis can lead to an increase in heart rate. This may lead to a throbbing heart, which can be a sign of a panic attack. It can also lead to an increase in heart rate, which is known to make the person feel really uncomfortable.
In addition, the high from consuming edibles can be difficult to control. This is because it is not a predictable high.
How Edibles Became a Popular Trend
Cannabis edibles have been around for centuries, but only now has it become a popular trend in the United States. In fact, cannabis edibles have actually been made available in the market even before the legalization of weed took place. The availability of edibles has been recorded as far back as 1998.
The popularity of cannabis edibles has been on the rise because of a number of reasons. One of the reasons has to do with convenience, as it’s easier to consume foods and drinks rather than smoke them. Also, edible products have a longer shelf life and are less likely to be affected if you store them in the fridge.
Moreover, the passing of laws and regulations that support the use of cannabis in many states also helped significantly boost sales of cannabis edibles.
In 2012, President Obama officially announced his support for the use of cannabis for recreational purposes. As a result, laws supporting the use of marijuana for recreational purposes became numerous.
The passing of such laws made it possible for those 21 and older to consume marijuana in the United States legally. It was around this time that the spread of cannabis edibles became widespread in states that have legalized recreational cannabis.
How Does Consuming Edibles Differ from Smoking Weed?
Edibles are a very popular product for those who don’t want to smoke cannabis. But does it differ in any way from smoking it?
The answer is yes.
Edibles take much longer to take effect and can last longer than smoking cannabis. This is because the THC needs to diffuse in the stomach for it to make its way through your system before it starts to take effect.
The effects of edible cannabis may also differ from smoking it.
When you smoke weed, you have immediate effects from taking it. For instance, when you smoke cannabis, the THC enters your lungs and is metabolized by your liver.
However, when you consume edible cannabis, it doesn’t let the THC enter your bloodstream in the same way as it does when you smoke. Instead, it slowly makes its way through your stomach to your intestines.
Interestingly, it takes longer for the effect of edibles to take place. However, eating weed provides a different kind of high. It causes a longer feeling of euphoria that lasts longer than smoking weed.
However, the edibles high is not as intense as the high from smoking weed. One of the main reasons behind it is that it doesn’t produce high blood pressure. It doesn’t usually produce the feeling of blood rushing to the head. It’s because of this that consuming edibles won’t give you the feeling of being “high” or “stoned.”
The difference in the effects of one and the other is also because of the way edibles are metabolized and excreted. For instance, it doesn’t produce the same kind of psychoactive effects because it is not directly absorbed.
Conclusion
Consuming cannabis edibles are not for everyone. Before you decide to consume edibles, it’s important to know how they will affect your body. Though edibles have a number of benefits, it’s quite crucial to exercise caution when consuming them. It’s also crucial to check on the laws governing the use of edibles in your area.
Sources:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2786687?resultClick=1
