Here at Dutch-Smart, we’ve often discussed the differences between cannabis edibles and smoking (or vaping) cannabis. One of the biggest differences is that when you consume THC through edibles, such as a space cake or brownies, the effects often kick in much later. This significantly increases the risk of an overdose, which is also why nausea, dizziness, and other unpleasant side effects occur much more frequently with edibles than with non-edibles. Fortunately, there are ways to mitigate this somewhat—and we’re going to tell you what they are!
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Patience, timing, and the right dosage
Let’s be honest: most of us who’ve consumed cannabis edibles have undoubtedly experienced some unpleasant effects at some point. That one extra slice “because you didn’t feel anything yet”? Then you might be in for a very unpleasant evening! The problem with edibles is that you can never be completely sure if you’ve had enough, simply because the effects often don’t kick in until several hours later.
That means you might end up waiting a long time before you feel anything, and in the meantime, there’s a good chance you’ll just pop another brownie to speed things up. Unlike other ways of consuming cannabis, cannabis edibles require patience, timing, and the right dosage. That’s quite a lot to ask of someone who doesn’t have much experience with cannabis yet! This is why many people skip the pleasures of edibles and stick to smoking a joint or bong, or of course vaping in a cannabis vaporizer.
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New edibles
But while some of the challenges surrounding edibles are hard to manage, many users report that there are indeed ways to make the effects kick in faster. One of the most interesting developments in the cannabis industry is therefore a range of fast-acting edibles, specifically designed to bypass the dreaded wait time. These edibles are developed by companies that claim consumers begin to feel their effects within 15 to 20 minutes.
One of the methods used to achieve this is a process called lipid microencapsulation. When applied, edibles can “bypass the stomach and reach the small intestine more quickly,” according to one of the owners of such an innovative cannabis company.
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Use this trick for faster-acting edibles
Fortunately, however, you don’t necessarily have to buy special edibles to enjoy these effects. A trick that many cannabis users try to speed up the process is to make (or buy) edibles that melt. Think of chocolate, for example. When these edibles are then placed under the tongue, the process can be significantly accelerated. Instead of waiting for the edible to make its way through the digestive tract, this sublingual method ensures that the THC is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, just like a tincture or oil, which are among the fastest ways to absorb THC.
Another way you can try to speed up the effects of edibles is by boosting your metabolism. Although boosting your metabolism takes time and effort, in the long run, you can work on your metabolism by consuming enough protein, drinking water, exercising, and getting enough sleep—all of which will also lead to a healthier lifestyle. A faster metabolism ensures that products are processed more quickly by your body, which in turn leads to faster effects from, for example, edibles.
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Just try it!
Have you never tried a cannabis edible before? Don’t let the novelty and the obstacles intimidate you. Reading up on cannabis edibles and eventually just giving them a try is probably the only way to find out if they’re right for you or not. An edible high can be intense and fun, especially if you manage to hit the sweet spot!
