FAQs About Edibles | What To Know About Edibles - HØJ
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FAQs About Weed Edibles | What To Know About Edibles

    Blog > FAQs About Weed Edibles | What To Know About Edibles

Estimated 6-minute read

Flowhub glossary defines edibles as a food product that contains cannabinoids, mainly CDB, THC, or even both. The realm of cannabis edibles has been growing fast, and products such as gummies, candies, brownies and even beverages have been making their way into the global market little by little. 

In this article we’ll dive into the most common questions and important information about consuming edibles, including the fundamental topic about how strong your weed edible should be depending on a variety of factors. 

First, let’s start with the basics.


How are cannabis edibles made?

The key ingredient to making cannabis edibles is cannabutter, which replaces normal butter, oil or milk, depending on the recipe. To make cannabutter (or its derivatives like cannabis oil or cannamilk), a process called decarboxylation needs to be done first, which is necessary to “activate” the THC from weed through heating. 

In fact, decarboxylation happens all the time while vaping or smoking. In order to activate the THC in edibles, cannabis must be cooked at a temperature of 250 F (121 C) inside the oven, mixed with a fat source, simmered for about 3 hours, and rested in the fridge to make it solid. The infused cannabis is then replaced with other fat ingredients, making the THC active in food.


How do cannabis edibles get you high?

Edibles are a food product that contain cannabinoids like CDB and THC. The primary psychoactive compound that’s usually found in marijuana edibles is cannabutter, which contains THC. 

According to Sprout Health Group, when people smoke weed the act of inhaling the THC allows it to reach the bloodstream and have an impact as quickly as within five minutes. When people eat THC inside edibles, the cannabis needs to make its way to the liver to be digested. Because digestion takes time, an edible will take longer to make an effect on the human body, meaning it will take up to 2 hours before you begin to feel high.


How long will it take me to get high after eating a weed edible?

The short answer: Around two hours.

Here’s the explanation: The act of inhaling THC will allow it to reach the bloodstream in a matter of minutes, as opposed to eating them, which needs to be digested first in order to get the intoxicating effect also known as being “high.” 

Because edibles will take about two hours or so to get you to that point; therefore, experts recommend that you take it slow. Consuming edibles is all about patience, so start with a low dose and plan accordingly.



How long do edibles last?

The short answer: From 4 to 8 hours, sometimes even more.

Here’s the explanation: Remember what we said about edibles being digested? If your body takes long to go through that process, chances are the intoxicating effect will also last long. 

Compared to smoking, taking an edible can significantly last much longer, and just like a lot of things related to cannabis, how long you stay high will depend on a few factors like consumed quantity and THC tolerance. 

If you’d like to dive deeper into the subject, here’s an article about the edible experience that you will certainly find informative.


What is the recommended dose?

Depends! 

Sara Payan and Dr. Jordan Tishler, both cannabis specialists, explained to Self that 5 mg of THC is considered a low dose; however, for people who are more sensitive to substances or are generally anxious persons, starting off with 1 to 2.5 mg is more recommended. Here are some THC measurements from Self:

  • Beginners or first time consumers: 1 to 2.5 mg
  • Low dose: 5 mg
  • Moderate dose: 10 to 15 mg
  • High dose: 20 mg
  • Experts: 20 to 30 mg

How much of an edible should I take for the first time?

The short answer: 2.5 mg

Again, it depends on your body, your tolerance and how anxious you are. If you’ve only smoked weed before a couple of times and you want to take it easy, you should know that 5 mg is considered a low dose. To start your edible journey, experts recommend taking half a low dose. 

According to Leafly, edibles in dispensaries often come in 5 mg or 10 mg, so if you buy a 5 mg edible, eat half for your first time. Wait at least one hour –two, if you want to be more cautious– until taking the other half if you don’t feel anything or you wish to have a stronger effect.


Can you taste the weed in edibles?

The short answer: Depends on the edible.

Some ingredients like chocolate, for example, are great at masking the flavor. A tiny gummy? Yeah, not so much.


Will edibles get me higher on an empty stomach?

The short answer: Most likely.

According to Potguide, not much scientific research has been done on the subject. However, to know the answer we must look for anecdotal evidence. 

Given the fact that our experiences, bodies and tolerance for THC is different, a lot may vary. One thing we know for sure is this: if you have an empty stomach and take an edible, it will hit you harder and faster. 



Will edibles make me poop?

The short answer: Yes! 

(And, moderately, it’s not a bad thing)

The long answer: Your body produces natural substances similar to THC. Ever heard of endocannabinoids? They’re receptors inside our biological system located in the nervous system, and they regulate some body functions that you might actually relate to the effects of weed (i.e. hunger, pooping, sleeping) 

Consuming cannabis can mimic and amplify these functions, that’s why we sometimes feel like pooping or like eating when taking an edible. If you want to learn more about this fascinating subject, here’s an article about weed and poop that you might find interesting.


Will I get red eyes if I consume an edible?

The short answer: Yes.

Here’s the explanation: Getting red eyes from weed is actually a very common side effect of consuming cannabis. Contrary to popular belief, smoke is not what makes your eyes go red, it’s THC. If you want to prepare for this side effect, here are some tips for handling red eyes.


Do I need cannabutter to cook an edible?

The short answer: Yes!

In fact, if you’re making homemade cannabutter, you also need a grinder so you can grind your weed before you decarb it in your oven. 


Are weed edibles going to show up in a drug test?

The short answer: Yes.

The explanation: Sprout Health Group confirms that THC from edibles will show up on a drug test. Urine, hair, blood, saliva, and sweat tests can all detect ingested (and even inhaled) THC. Here’s a timeline from Sprout for each kind of test: 

  • Blood: 3-4 hours
  • Saliva: 24-72 hours
  • Urine: 3-30 days
  • Hair: Up to 90 days

We intend to keep this guide up to date; if you have any question, let us know in the comments below so we can keep on providing vital information about weed edibles!

 

Author: Mary Jane

 


Hiatt, E. (2021). Does Consuming Cannabis on an Empty Stomach Make You Higher? Potguide. Retrieved from https://potguide.com/blog/article/does-consuming-cannabis-on-an-empty-stomach-make-you-higher/ 

Jacoby, S. (2021). Weed Edibles: 8 Things to Know Before You Try Ingestible Cannabis Products. Self. Retrieved from https://www.self.com/story/cannabis-edibles

Jane, M. (2022). How Long Do Weed Edibles Stay In Your System? HØJ. Retrieved from https://www.hoj.life/blogs/viden/how-long-do-weed-edibles-stay-in-your-system

Jane, M. (2022). Weed & Red Eyes: Why It Happens and How Get Rid Of Them. HØJ. Retrieved from https://www.hoj.life/blogs/viden/weed-red-eyes-why-it-happens-how-get-rid-of-them 

Leafly (2022). Edibles dosing: How strong is your weed edible? Retrieved from https://www.leafly.com/learn/consume/edibles/edible-dosing

Shaggy (2022). Why Does Weed Make Me Poop? HØJ. Retrieved from https://www.hoj.life/blogs/viden/why-does-weed-make-me-poop 

Sprout Health Group. How Long Do Edibles Stay in Your System? Retrieved from https://www.sprouthealthgroup.com/substances/how-long-do-edibles-stay-in-your-system/

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