Mellow Munchies: The Ups & Downs of Edibles
Curious about trying edible cannabis but not quite sure. Want to enjoy the experience of a mellow high but don’t want to smoke? Don’t like the smell I am with you. First, let me preface edible cannabis and smoke hits very differently. When you smoke you feel the effects within a few minutes. The high based on my first-time experience lasted about an hour.
I must offer a warning if you live in a state where cannabis is legal for recreational use and have never tried it I highly encourage you to sit down for a couple of hours. Do not operate machinery of any type to include driving. If you are trying this for the first time do it in the safety and comfort of your home. Now that I have gotten the disclaimer and warning out of the way let’s get to what you came for.
THC and CBD are fat and alcohol soluble hence why it’s always infused with butter, oil, and alcohol. The higher the fat and alcohol content the better infused it will be. If you are a food snob like me the taste of said dish will either have you a convert or put you off. You really can’t taste cannabis so the flavor of what you make will determine your opinion. Several years ago edibles were just limited brownies. Now you can have just about anything ranging from hard candy to lobster ravioli in alfredo sauce.
How Long do Edibles Stay in Your System?
Edibles are absorbed through the digestive system, which results in delayed onset, compared with inhalation or sublingually (i.e., administered underneath the tongue). While it can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours to feel the effects, edibles provide a longer duration of effects compared with other consumption methods. Weight and if you have ingested food and drink prior will also play a factor.
Pros
1. You can put it in anything. If you already know how to cook and bake the hard part is taken care of. Enjoy
2. It’s odorless and flavorless alone. You can’t really taste it. Unlike smoking cannabis where there is a very recognizable scent. Edibles, if prepared and seasoned well will go unnoticed.
3. It requires very little to infuse. The amount you would typically use to smoke, if infused in butter or oil will make you a nice 8x8 pan of baked goods. From a monetary standpoint, you will get a lot for very little. For someone who is prescribed cannabis for medical reasons, it will stretch far if you are on a budget.
4. The high lasts longer. This is both a pro and a con. The first time I smoked weed the effect came within 10–15 minutes and the high lasted about 45 minutes. I laid down and enjoyed the ride. The first time I ate edibles and it was a lot, the high lasted for hours. (More in details in the con.)
5. It’s another alternative way to experience a high without smoking. If you have asthma, or any other respiratory issues edibles are a better alternative without inflaming your lungs. (Talk to your doctor)
6. You feel everything. The best way I can describe the feeling is being on powerful pain medication and drunk at the same time. I’m a newbie so the experience is a lot different than someone who is a regular user with a higher tolerance. Your sense of touch is heightened. Sex feels different. Of course, sex feels different when you are drunk or on any drug.
7. Cognition is increased. I’m already observant when I am sober. Edibles make processing information apparent. The creative process appears to be stimulated.
8. You start to notice how sensitive and relaxed your body is. The biggest thing I noticed was the pain and stiffness in my lower back were gone. I can recall how much pain I was in and after eating a brownie the pain in my back was all gone.
Now with every positive there is a negative. This is based on my personal experience. It may affect someone else differently.
Cons
- It takes longer to feel the effects. For me, it took an hour to feel the waves of multiple sensations. If you are looking for a quick high, edibles are not it.
- It took over 24 hours to finally feel sober, that’s because I ate a lot. I thought I was going to feel the effects in 20–30 minutes from what I read. That wasn’t the case. Moving around helps but if you are sitting still the effects last longer.
- Sensory, and auditory hallucinations are heightened. Sound of voices manifests as an echo and touch were highly sensitive. This can make you easily paranoid. Memory loss is probable. As an artist I had so many ideas flooding my mind. Ideas ranging from topics for a written piece, ideas for a photoshoot, and even my unfinished painting became a source of inspiration. And then I forgot about it. I should have written everything down. That part had me a little annoyed.
- If you don’t know how to cook or bake the flavor of the dish will put you off. I would recommend starting off with something simple like rice krispies treats or brownies from a grocery store. Let’s call it what it is not everyone knows how to cook. So if the “dish” is nasty the edible will be too.
- You are not sure how much THC you are actually consuming. Unlike a blunt where the cannabis is pre-measure if you purchase from an unregulated location, you don’t really know how much you are consuming. Consuming too much cannabis as a newbie makes for a very uncomfortable day. Many people trying edibles for the first time overdo it and find themselves on the verge of overdosing. The good news you won’t die. You will feel like crap and think you are dying but you are not. (If your child consumes your edible you need to call the poison control line ASAP) If you are a fairly healthy adult, drink lots of water and sleep it off. The first time I overdid it, it took over 36 hours for the high to wear off. You know your body if your symptoms are past the point of manageable then go to the emergency room.
- You will start gaining weight. Most people prefer to consume edibles in the form of pastries and snack items. Depending on how much and how often you consume edibles. Don’t forget those snacks and baked goods still have a lot of hidden calories. As mentioned before cannabis is fat soluble and you are adding a stick or two of butter in a recipe that would call for less. A whole pan of brownies, will do a number to your waistline overtime. Just be mindful. Also the case of the munchies is a thing so that’s more calories you will consume.
Edibles are a cool alternative to smoking. I would caution you to ask the necessary questions if you are purchasing from someone. If you are a picky eater and want to experience it make it yourself. There are plenty of online resources available regarding infused butter, oils, and tinctures. Personally I am a fan. It was my first time trying them and it was an enlightening experience. I liked it mainly for the pain relief. So if you are curious about trying edibles make sure it’s in a state that is legal. Do your research and enjoy. Happy 4/20.
