Did you know that many different factors determine what type of experience you’ll have with cannabis? For example, different strains, CBD to THC ratios, terpene profiles, and consumption methods, such as smoking, can all have a significant effect on your cannabis experience. However, note that out of all the above factors, one that may have the most significant impact on your cannabis experience is the method of consumption.
You may have many questions if you are choosing a cannabis consumption method, such as which is more potent, edibles or smoking? Smoking weed vs edibles – which is safer or more beneficial? Some people tend to prefer a spliff between their fingers to get the several benefits of weed. While other people would likely choose an alternate and tastier mode of cannabis consumption, such as edible cannabis. So, what is the difference between cannabis edibles and smoking weed? Let’s find out.
What Are Edibles?
There are several different ways to consume cannabis, meaning that you can choose the consumption method that best suits your taste preference and health concerns while maximizing the cannabis benefits.
You should know that edibles, also known as edible marijuana, are food products that have marijuana. Edibles can come in many forms, such as gummies, pastries, candies, or sweets like brownies, and cakes and products like syrups or butter. And many of these products mask the taste and smell of weed.
Edibles, such as candies and mints, usually contain cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). And THC is the primary chemical component of marijuana that produces the euphoric feeling, or the high users feel.
CBD almost counteracts the effects of THC and is usually used to treat depression, anxiety, and seizures. In most cases, edibles, such as cakes, can take anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour to kick in. However, as edibles tend to take longer to take effect than smoking cannabis, there is usually a larger amount of weed in cannabis edibles.
And cannabis-infused beverages and drinks are also edibles. This is because your body processes them in the same way as gummies.
How Strong are Edibles?
You can buy edibles online in many doses. Did you know that edibles, such as cakes, can come in doses as low as 0.5 mg THC? However, many people consider 2.5 mg to 5 mg of THC to be the lowest effective dosage.
This is the recommended starting dose if you have never tried edibles in the past. Note that edibles move through your digestive tract, where your stomach absorbs them. After that, they are metabolized in your liver.
Your liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is a longer-lasting and more potent compound than delta-9-THC. This is the reason cannabis edibles are more powerful or stronger, and longer-lasting than inhaled cannabis.
If you don’t regularly consume THC, 11-hydroxy-THC will likely generate strong euphoric as well as psychoactive effects. Also, you can expect stronger pain and stress relief and deep sleep, which are some of the key benefits of edibles.
Because of the long process that involves the absorption and metabolization of THC, you will likely have to wait longer in order to feel any noticeable effects. However, remember that a high sensation or euphoric feeling from consuming cannabis edibles tends to last longer than one triggered by smoking weed, depending on dosage and potency.
Differences Between Cannabis Edibles and Smoking Cannabis
As cannabis use in the US becomes more popular among various age groups, many avid users wonder, “is there any difference between edible marijuana and smoking marijuana?” Yes, there is. There are several pros and cons of edibles and weed smoking. Although the effects of both consumption methods are not opposites, they vary considerably.
You should know that eating weed in the form of gummies or cakes will always produce a much stronger and more intense high. On the other hand, smoking provides a considerably more predictable or manageable experience.
When analyzing edible cannabis vs. smoking, you should keep several things in mind to make the best decision. The difference between cannabis edibles and smoking marijuana or weed depends on many factors.
Smoking weed and ingestion (eating edibles) produce two different experiences. Although both methods allow marijuana to enter your body, it is processed differently. When you smoke weed, it’s inhaled into your lungs, and you may experience coughing. After inhalation, the many active compounds present in the drug are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and finally reach the brain.
When you consume edibles, CBD is processed in your stomach before getting released into your bloodstream and the rest of your body. Although less THC is absorbed into your body when it is eaten in cannabis edibles, its effects tend to last longer.
However, some similarities exist between the mind and body effects of edibles and smoked cannabis. Consumers often report that using cannabis:
- Reduces anger
- Relaxes and relieves stress
- Improves health symptoms, such as pain
What’s the Right Edible Dosage?
Like many things, there’s no one-size-fits-all cannabis edible dosing guide. However, you will be happy to know that an edible dosing chart will help you navigate the growing world of cannabis-infused edibles, such as mints and brownies, more safely.
These are the three most significant factors in a cannabis edible experience:
- How your liver processes drugs
- Your personal level of tolerance to the mind-altering effects of THC
- Whether you have consumed THC along with other fats or not
So, how many milligrams of cannabis edibles should you take? Due to individual differences in these 3 factors, it is difficult and tricky to nail down a standardized recommended dose of THC. And each person has an ideal dosage best suited for them and their body.
The strength of cannabis edibles and the correct amount depends on many factors, such as:
- Type of edible
- Tolerance
- Dosage
- Body weight; and
- Metabolism
It is best to start with a small dose of cannabis edibles and gradually increase until you find the ideal dose.
Why Do Edibles Feel Different?
Part of the reason cannabis edibles feel different or hit so differently is that they are processed by your digestive system rather than your lungs. On the other hand, vaporized THC will likely reach your bloodstream through the lungs almost instantly, but it takes some time to digest an edible.
After the cannabis edible breaks down in the stomach, the organs in your digestive system process the cannabinoids. It is at this point that you will start feeling the effects of edibles. This means that edibles will feel stronger, and the effects will last longer. As edible cannabis needs to be digested and metabolized, it could take up to two to three hours for the high to peak. In contrast, when you inhale or smoke cannabis, the molecules enter and dissipate into the lungs.
From here, these molecules absorb into your blood vessels, and this whole process of cannabis traveling to the bloodstream happens quite quickly and results in almost immediate effects that you can feel after smoking.
How Long Does the Effect of Cannabis Edibles Last?
With edible cannabis products, such as cookies, the intoxicating effects or “high” doesn’t kick in for about thirty minutes to 2 hours and peak at roughly 4 hours. These effects can last up to 12 hours after usage, and residual effects may last up to 24 hours.
What are the Health Effects of Smoking vs. Ingesting Cannabis?
Eating edible and smoking cannabis may have different effects. However, remember that neither of these cannabis consumption methods is better than the other. If you want a smoke-free way to use cannabis, cannabis edibles, such as gummies, are a great option. Edibles do not require any vaping or smoking, which can be a huge benefit.
The Pros and Cons of Eating Edibles
The use of edible cannabis products among patients is becoming more prevalent today, with polls consistently showing that most healthcare professionals and doctors believe that cannabis should be a medical option for patients.
However, there are some pros and cons of edibles. To minimize the risks, you should buy the best cannabis edibles from a reliable source.
Here are some pros of eating gummies and other edibles:
- Edibles come in different forms, such as chocolate bars, mints, fruit gummies, and taffies.
- Edibles can assist with issues such as appetite, pain, and nausea more effectively than smoking weed.
- The beneficial impacts of the cannabis high last much longer when consuming edibles than smoking and vaping.
- Eating edibles, such as gummies, is healthier than smoking or vaping when you consider carcinogens and various other impacts smoking and vaping can have on your lungs.
Downsides
While edible cannabis products can benefit many conditions, such as pain, some potential adverse effects might occur. One of the main issues with edible cannabis is that it can be challenging to determine a suitable dosage.
Also, unlike smoking cannabis or weed, edible cannabis has a long latency period. This means that it can take a while — sometimes even hours — for these edibles to take effect.
The Pros and Cons of Smoking Weed
By smoking weed, you will feel the effects almost immediately. Within just 15 minutes of taking one puff, it’s easy to know if you have had enough. Another benefit of inhaling cannabis is that you can layer your doses.
The main disadvantage or drawback of smoking is the health risk. While it is not tobacco, it is still smoking. Avoiding smoke is deemed to be a healthier and safer way to consume cannabis. Finally, the effects of smoked cannabis only last two to three hours. Edibles, on the other hand, can last as long as 12 hours.
Final Thoughts
Edible cannabis products, such as cookies, can offer various benefits, such as reducing symptoms of anxiety and pain. Depending on where you live, you can use medicinal or recreational products legally. However, you should buy weed online from licensed and reputable cannabis dispensaries, such as HOTBOX, which sell products tested for potency and purity.
HOTBOX is a reliable weed cultivator that you can trust for cannabis edibles and other products. Whether it be smoking weed or eating some edibles, browse their collections of various weed products online or if you have any questions on which to choose, contact us here.
