THC Edibles & the issue of dosing.

THC Edibles & the issue of dosing

It’s the age-old story, you get some edibles, eat half, and then an hour later, nothing.

So you chat about how bad they are, and finish them off.

Then it kicks in.

At first, you’re enjoying it, then suddenly you can’t feel your heart beating.

Ten minutes later, you’re explaining to a paramedic that your heart has actually stopped and it’s definitely not paranoia caused by the edible you’ve eaten(regardless of what he and his fancy equipment says) .

Maybe it’s not that bad. But it does seem most people in the cannabis community have themselves, or at least someone they know, had a bad experience, probably something like above.

Even the most hardcore smoker can come unstuck with edibles.

I’ve seen 17 stone rugby players cuddling a cushion for comfort after consuming edibles.

But why is that?

CONSISTENCY – Cannabis THC Edibles ⚖️

The one thing that is key in any mass product is consistency.

This is all the more important when it comes to products containing any drug, from the pint you buy in the pub, to the paracetamol you
buy at your chemist, the strength should always be the same and consistent throughout the product.

Within a small, acceptable reason of margin of course!

Most edibles in the UK are homemade, and when producing edibles, many factors play into how strong the end product is.

Controlling these factors is the only way to get consistency

For example, considering just one strain, many factors come into play with regards to its strength.

• The same strain can vary in strength between plants and grows

• The same strain from plants decarbed at separate times can produce vastly different levels of THC from the same amount of THCA

• The same strain harvested a few days apart can contain different THCA levels when dried and cured

These factors all relate to just one strain!

So, imagine how many more come in to play when considering environment ???? , other products used and equipment changes.

MILLIGRAM DOSAGE

Another problem with edibles (which goes hand in hand with consistency) is the MG (milligram) dosage.

In this modern day, the consumer wants to know the MG of their edibles.

Now, I see lots of edibles for sale saying “500mg cookie” or “500mg of RSO per cookie” and the truth is, these are two very different things, add to that, the consistency issue I previously mentioned, MG dosage is a real science ⚗️ in itself.

The method in which the THC is introduced into the edible, should be considered.

THC Edibles & the issue of dosing
Is it Cannabutter, or is it shatter added to the ingredients or RSO

These will have a huge difference in the high, flavour and, for this discussion most importantly, strength and accuracy of MG dosing

Cannabutter made the old-fashioned way, with someone who has a good knowledge of their equipment and knows their starting product well, can easily and precisely be dosed with the required consistency. ⚖

However, to someone without true knowledge of their starting product, it’s a guessing game⁉️⁉️⁉️

In these days of readily available shatter, waxes, crumble and RSO/FECO, the clever chef uses these to their advantage.

Most good extract makers know their product and so can give the chef the
percentage % ratios of the extract and hence make the MG dosage more accurate.

DECARBOXYLATION- Cannabis THC Edibles

A common issue I have heard of many times with edibles, is over doing the decarboxylation and turning the THCA into CBN, resulting in a full knock out instead of a high.

“I ate the edible and slept for a solid three hours” is the typical experience.

I have read reviews that state “it knocked me out so must be strong”.

Whilst a strong edible, with a high dosage of THC can do that, often, it’s actually CBN giving the sleepy sedative effect, as opposed to a THC induced coma.

OVER CONFIDENCE IN TOLERANCE

THC Edibles & the issue of dosing

Most people are unaware that when you eat THC, your liver converts the THC in to 11-hydroxy-THC.

As an example, it has a more psychedelic effect and this, along with being more potent than THC, often catches users unaware.

As an example, a gram of cannabis smoked, would be less potent than the same gram added to an edible (obviously assuming the decarb is done well).

This can cause experienced smokers to assume they need an extremely high dosed edible to feel any effect, when in reality, they should start low
and slowly work their way up to a higher dose.

TIMING ⏰

When you eat an edible, it travels through your digestive system to your liver.

From there, it goes into your blood and then makes its way to the brain.

This can take a long time, in fact, it can take over two hours for an edible to kick in. ⏳

When smoking, it takes nine seconds for the first toke to reach the brain.

This obviously leads to a very quick hit and the effects are much more obvious due to them kicking in quickly.

It also means you are in a much better position to stop if it gets too much.

A real problem with this, is people often take the second dose before the first has fully peaked.

This causes the problem of a double dose and can obviously lead to some very scary experiences for some ⚠️

EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT!

No, this is not some snowflake like attempt to make you all feel better, you may be different, but that does not make you special.

What it does mean, is that everyone reacts very differently to
edibles, and that each person will have their own experience with them.

The same person having the same edible on different days could have two different experiences.

Factors like blood sugar levels, mental state and even tiredness can make a huge difference.

SO WHATS THE POINT?

THC Edibles & the issue of dosing

So what can you do to ensure you don’t have a bad time on edibles?

With all honesty, not much.

But these are a few things that may help getting you into the swing of it.

• First things first, try and ensure you get the edibles from a reliable chef who knows what they are doing
• Second, think about the cost and the so-called MG dosage. If it costs £5 and states to contain 500mg in, it probably does not contain 500mg in it (the chef would be losing money with every sale).
• The third and final thought here is – ‘Am I doing anything for the next 6-8 hours?’ Did I mention that the high from edibles can last for up to 8 hours. So, strap in for the ride.

IS IT ALL WORTH IT?

If you haven’t had edibles before you may be wondering, if it’s worth the risk?

In short, the answer is a definite yes.

Once you understand your tolerance with edibles and find a reliable source, you can have so many great experiences with edibles.

Its also a great way to get cannabinoids into your system.

Add to that, you can micro does fantastically with edibles, plus you do not need to combust the cannabis to get the high, so no smoking.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS ✅

There is one way you can be more in control with edibles, and that is to make them yourself.

With the vast number of tutorials available online and the advances in technology, being a home cannabis chef is not as daunting as it used to be.

Things like THE MAGICAL BUTTER MACHINE and the more simplified HERBAL CHEF make creating your own medicated treats at home that much easier.

THC Edibles & the issue of dosing

Have a great cookie recipe you enjoy making?

Make it with your own homemade Cannabutter and enjoy that cookie even more.

Add to that the possibility to then make tinctures, and from tinctures things
like Cannasugar or Cannaflour, the possibilities are almost endless once you start to understand the processes used to make edibles yourself.

FINAL NOTE.

Personally, I love edibles, and enjoy them often.

I also really enjoy Cannasugar in my tea (technically
still an edible form of cannabis consumption), often starting the day with one in my first brew. ☕️

This is micro dosing, so no real full effect, but it really does make the day go a bit easier.

So if its to start the day with a smile by micro dosing, or consuming large amounts for a crazy ride, edibles really can be fun and enjoyable when done safely and, dare I say it, responsibly.

So, be warned if you do want to try them, and most importantly, relax and enjoy the ride.

Blogpost Commissioned and Edited By Love Dank Online Head Shop: https://lovedank.flywheelsites.com/