Most people who have never tried edibles before don’t fully realize how they work or what will happen when they take them. These foods contain cannabis, which means they also contain THC and CBD. Those that only contain CBD will not cause you to get high, but they can help relieve pain and reduce anxiety. However, those that contain THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana, do cause a high. Since marijuana is now legal in a number of states, edibles have become very popular. If you’re considering using edibles with THC, though, there are some things you need to understand before you do. Learn more about what THC vs. CBD are about by clicking here..
Start Small
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If you’ve never taken an edible before, you want to be cautious. Start out with a few gummies or a small brownie. It’s important that you know how THC is going to affect you. It is actually possible to have an allergic reaction to edibles, so you want to make certain you don’t. If you notice any swelling or rashes, you may be having an allergic reaction. Those who have allergies to bananas, almonds, eggplant, peaches, tomatoes, and several other fruits have been identified as cross-reacting with marijuana. This means you may need to avoid edibles or, at the very least, take a very small amount to start with to see if you have a reaction.
Another reason to start small is to acclimate to what it’s like to be high. If you’ve never used marijuana before, you likely don’t know how you’ll react to taking an edible. Yes, many people do feel relaxed, and some find that they get very hungry. However, those aren’t the only reactions people have. Until you know how edibles will affect you, it’s best to only ingest a small amount. Also remember that edibles are typically stronger than smoking THC, and the effects are more intense.
One good option for your first edible is Delta 8 gummies. These gummies contain delta-8 THC, which does get you high but isn’t as intense as delta-9 THC. In fact, Delta 8 gummies are about half as strong as an edible that contains delta-9, so it’s a very good beginner option. They will help you feel relaxed, but if you only take a few of them, you won’t feel like you’ve lost control or that you’re becoming unaware of your surroundings. You’ll just feel very nice. If you normally use products with delta-9 THC in them and want to switch to Delta 8 gummies, you’ll need to double the recommended dose.
Understand How Long It Takes for Edibles to Kick In
One of the biggest problems that newcomers to edibles often make is that they don’t fully understand how long it takes for an edible to kick in. It can take as long as 90 minutes to start really feeling the effects of an edible. Unfortunately, many new users expect results much more quickly. When they aren’t feeling anything after 20 to 30 minutes, they think they didn’t ingest enough and take more edibles.
When the THC does hit, this larger dose can have very unexpected results. Often, people who have taken a second dose of edibles before the first kicked in have very bad experiences and may decide to never use edibles again.
Never eat more edibles until you know the first ones have started working, and even then, only do so if you know your tolerance. Too much will not be a pleasant experience, even if you’ve had edibles before. Always be careful when you’re first eating Delta 8 gummies or using other edibles. You want to determine how the THC affects you and what your limits are. Note that your diet, your weight, and your metabolism all play a part in how long it takes for edibles to affect you.
Typically, edibles that you absorb sublingually will kick in faster. This includes gum, lozenges, and suckers that have been infused with THC. Since the THC is absorbed by the tissues in the mouth, it gets into your system more quickly.
Chewable edibles like brownies, cookies, and gummies, do typically take a little longer because they have to be digested and absorbed first. The THC has to travel to your liver to be activated before you start to feel the effects.
Know How Long Edibles Work
Another important thing you need to understand before you try Delta 8 gummies or any other edibles is how long they will last. Typically, edibles will affect you for anywhere from four to six hours. However, this does depend on your unique body chemistry and your tolerance. For some, the effects may wear off after four hours or even a little earlier than that. However, some people may not be back to normal until six or seven hours. Again, your weight, diet, and metabolism play a part in how long the effects last.
The first time you use edibles, make certain you don’t have anything important to do for at least six hours. You shouldn’t need to drive or go anywhere during this time. This way, you’ll be able to both enjoy your experience and get a good idea of how long edibles will affect you. You may even want to write down when you take the edible, when you begin feeling its affects, and when you’re fairly certain those effects have worn off.
In fact, it may be a good idea to make these notes the first three or four times you ingest an edible. Add in the amount of THC and what type of THC it was, too, so you can see how different amounts or different types affect you. This will give you a really good idea of your tolerance so you can understand how much time you should block out for using edibles.
Enjoy the Experience
Now that you have a good idea of how edibles work and what you should expect, it’s time to try them. Delta 8 gummies are a great option for your first time using edibles since you can take a very small dose. If you understand that you’ll need to wait an hour or more, you’ll be able to take the correct dose and enjoy your experience more than if you ate too many. As long as you understand how edibles work and take them safely, you’ll love the experience.