Are you thinking about eating edibles for the first time? Excellent! Whether you’re a weed novice or a seasoned toker, weed edibles are a fantastic, accurate and tasty way to get high without damaging your lungs.
That said, you may have also heard horror stories from a buddy or two about greening out after munching on some THC-infused chews. Others might have even told you that edibles are a scam because they didn’t feel anything at all!
The truth is somewhere in between these two extremes. When appropriately dosed and with the proper precautions in place, edibles can be a fun and tasty way to get high without inhaling the potentially damaging tar, carcinogens, and excess plant matter present in other, more conventional ingestion methods.
If you’re eating edibles for the first time, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 things you need to know before chewing on your first THC-infused gummy, biting down on a brownie, or whichever tasty vessel you use to indulge in some gorgeous green.
To maximize the fun and minimize the risk, be sure to keep on reading!
How do Edibles Work?
The difference between edibles vs smoking cannabis is significant, especially for novice tokers. For starters, you’re eating something infused with THC instead of smoking something that has THC in it.
For those who may not know, THC is a psychoactive compound, and, depending on how it enters your body, it can have vastly different effects.
When smoking weed, the THC from the smoke enters into our lungs and is dispersed throughout our bodies by millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. Once the THC enters the bloodstream, the body’s endocannabinoid system absorbs it.
This system regulates the cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant as well as our body’s natural cannabinoids. Additionally, the endocannabinoid system is responsible for maintaining various other crucial bodily functions, including appetite and metabolism, memory, and more.
On the other hand, THC ingested through edibles instead travels to the stomach rather than the lungs. Once the liver metabolizes it in a process known as first-pass metabolism, the THC is converted into an entirely different compound called 11-Hydroxy-Metabolite, also known as 11-Hydroxy-THC or 11-OH-THC.
Compared to the regular THC you’re likely used to, known formally as delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or delta-9-THC, this compound is said to be 3 to 7 times strong. It is also able to cross the blood-brain barrier more effectively.
In other words, edibles hit harder and longer than smoking would! This difference in potency is why edible dosage matters so much and why you shouldn’t eat an entire bag if you’re eating edibles for the first time!
Eating Edibles for the First Time – 5 Things to Know
Now that we know that edibles should, indeed, be respected, it’s time to go into the 5 things you need to do to ensure that you have a pleasant experience when eating edibles for the first time!
Dosage Recommendations Matter
Perhaps this is a tie-over from drinking culture. Still, nobody wants to be labelled as a lightweight because they make a rookie mistake. Whether it’s at the bar or during a sesh, if you’re eating edibles for the first time, you’re going to be eager to impress.
While this might sound like a good idea to you and your friends, the reality is that polishing off an entire bag of edibles will do you more harm than good. As we’ve discussed above, edibles are 3 to 7 times stronger than smoking weed.
For first-timers, it’s vital to follow the mantra of starting low and going slow. Start with a low dose and wait for it to kick in before reaching for another. You do not want to literally bite off more than you can chew, even if it means that you can’t impress your friends.
Read our full guide on edibles dosage to find out just how much is too much and for a ballpark figure to go for when it comes time to do the deed.
Additionally, if you’re purchasing edibles from a reputable MOM or dispensary, the doses will be clearly displayed on the packaging. Cannabis capsules and tinctures are among the most accurate for ensuring a precise dose every time.
Edibles Take Time to Kick In
When you’re smoking or vaping weed, the effects will hit you almost instantly. Our lungs do a great job of diffusing the THC, terpenes and other cannabinoids found within cannabis flower into our blood efficiently.
Eating edibles, on the other hand, will be a slightly slower journey. Since weed edibles have to travel through the esophagus, break down in the stomach and be metabolized by the liver before they can work their magic, the onset of effects will be slightly longer.
If you’re eating edibles for the first time, don’t expect the effects to hit you in the first thirty or even sixty minutes since ingestion. Depending on how fast your metabolism is, it can take anywhere from thirty minutes to up to two hours before the edibles actually kick in.
Patience is the name of the game when it comes to edibles. Going in for another dose before the first one even kicks in is a recipe for disaster, especially if it’s your first time.
Edibles Last a Long Time
Smoking or vaping weed can produce a high that can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes or more, depending on your metabolism, tolerance and body fat percentage. Edibles, which cause our bodies to produce 11-Hydroxy-Metabolite, can supply a high that may span hours.
As we’ve said before, this metabolite is nothing to mess with. Many anecdotal accounts of first-time or beginner edible consumers state that they were high for literally days after taking a large dose. So, if you think edibles will be a hit-it-and-quit-it kind of affair, you’d be mistaken.
Your mind and body will need time to return to a sober state. What this means for you, as somebody eating edibles for the first time, is that you need to have a plan and stick with it after dosing up.
Clear your schedule because you’re not going to feel like doing anything after eating an edible. While other ingestion methods, such as smoking a J, are more permissible for outdoor activities or even working out afterwards, your body is more likely going to be glued to the couch rather than wanting to get up and go.
In this sense, the most physical activity you’ll want to participate in is trying to muster the energy to journey to the fridge. Even that might be too much to ask!
With this in mind, before dosing, secure some snacks, have some water nearby and let your friends or smoking group know that you’re going to eat an edible. Make sure you don’t have any important meetings coming up later on in the day and that you won’t have to drive or operate a motor vehicle, either.
You’re going to thank yourself later when you’re high out of your mind and enjoying the snacks and water you prepared for yourself ahead of time!
For more info about edibles’ duration, read our guide on how long do edibles last for the full scoop!
Pick an Edible You Enjoy
There are many types of edibles available today for you to enjoy.
If you’re not a fan of gummies, you can try a tincture, a THC-infused beverage or even a cookie if you feel so inclined!
The type of edible you choose to dose yourself with won’t have too large of an effect on the high or its duration, but it might influence the onset of effects. Liquids such as tinctures and beverages tend to hit faster than solids such as gummies or baked goods, which also tend to have sugar, fats and excess calories that you might not want.
If you’re eating edibles for the first time, you might as well pick something that you actually enjoy! Aside from preference, browsing different types of edibles might actually help with dosing.
As we said before, capsules and tinctures are pinpoint accurate, so you can be exactly sure about the amount of THC that you’re going to be ingesting. Gambling on how much THC half of a cookie or a brownie might have might not be a safe choice if it’s your first time eating edibles!
If you’re a choco-holic, there are also different types of cannabis chocolate bars or hot chocolate drink options at your disposal. Want to channel your inner child? You can even get a weed-infused marshmallow rice square like back in the day!
Ultimately, if the food exists, there is likely an edible weed equivalent. It will more so come down to experimentation to find which you prefer best.
Make Sure to Drink Water
Just like smoking or vaping weed will dry your mouth, ingesting THC will also cause you to experience cottonmouth. While not as pronounced, cottonmouth is still very much a thing when it comes to edibles.
It’s not a huge cause for concern, but it can definitely harsh your vibe. If it’s your first time eating edibles, you might feel a bit of nausea as well. Having some water on hand will not only relinquish your thirst, but it’ll also help with nausea too.
Another reason to make sure to drink water is that you might actually forget when you’re high. We’re not kidding when we say edibles are a whole other ballgame. If the edibles are hitting just a bit too hard, drinking some water can also ground you to get you through the worst of it.
Remember to drink water and drink it often!
CBD Edibles
For those who want to indulge in the tasty convenience and smoke-free option of edibles but who don’t want to ingest THC, you’re not alone! In fact, there is a wide range of edible products that contain CBD rather than THC to allow users to indulge in the healing properties of cannabis while remaining in total control and not experiencing any psychoactive effects.
CBD, also known by its longer name cannabidiol, is like THC in that it’s a cannabinoid present in the cannabis plant. In particular, CBD is celebrated by tokers for its extensive therapeutic properties and its non-psychoactive effects.
Examples of its medicinal qualities include treating inflammation, pain, and anxiety. Research also indicates that it could also help with treating epilepsy and sleep conditions, such as insomnia.
CBD edibles are the ideal compromise between not wanting to inhale any potentially harmful carcinogens or plant matter, not wanting to experience the typical feeling of being ‘high’ while still reaping the benefits of the compound itself.
Additionally, suppose you find yourself in the situation of having indulged too heavily in THC. In that case, CBD can help alleviate some of the unpleasant symptoms of green out, such as nausea, anxiety and panic and protect from the effects of THC to help ride it out while making sobering up from weed that much easier.
Suppose you aren’t sure which CBD edible to pick. Sugar Jack’s CBD Variety Pack Gummies allow you to test out a range of delicious gummies while indulging in the healing properties of CBD. All while ensuring a precise and accurate dose every time!
They’re made with natural ingredients such as cane sugar, Manuka honey and natural flavouring, so you can rest assured that you know exactly what you’re getting. The cherry on top is the CBD-infused tincture that provides these tasty treats with their soothing therapeutic properties.
Eating Edibles for the First Time Survival Guide
Edibles are a fun time, but throwing caution to the wind on your first go enjoying them will only lead to heartbreak. Now that you’ve finished reading our “eating edibles for the first time” guide, you’re ready to enjoy all that they have to offer in a safe and fun way.
If you can’t remember all of these tips, the one mantra you should try to ingrain in your head is starting low and going slow. Do not underestimate how strong edibles are because you can and will get rocked by them!
When you’re just starting out, a common rookie mistake is to consume more if you don’t notice or feel the effects. Remember, it’s crucial to keep in mind that the onset time will be longer than other more conventional ingestion methods such as smoking. It can take upwards of 2 hours for the effects to come on in full force, so wait it out and see before taking more.
Give it time, savour the experience and enjoy the ride. We hope that your first time eating edibles is a great one!
Happy trails!
shop edibles
