Yo, peeps! So, you know how weed is gettin’ legal in more and more places? Well, with that comes a question that’s hella important: Is it better to smoke weed or eat it? Like, what’s the better experience, ya know?
The whole debate about edibles vs. smoking weed is influenced by a bunch of factors that are unique to each person. It’s all about what kinda cannabis experience you want, fam. Things like different strains, terpene profiles, and cannabinoid ratios all play a major role in shapin’ your high. They affect how intense it is and how long it lasts.
But yo, besides all that, the way you consume cannabis has a huge impact on your experience. Whether you’re down to munch on some edibles or puff on that joint can give you totally different vibes.
In this article, we gonna break it down for ya. We gonna talk about how edibles and smokin’ weed affect your brain and body. We gonna point out the similarities and differences between them. And we gonna guide you on how to dose edibles so you can have the best time possible.
Alright, first things first. What are edibles? Edibles are basically food items that have weed in ’em. While smokin’ weed is still the most popular way to get high, eatin’ edibles is gettin’ more and more popular these days.
Edible cannabis products give you similar benefits to other ways of consumin’ weed. You can use ’em to relax or for medicinal purposes like pain management.
But here’s the thing: The effects of edibles can vary dependin’ on how much you eat. The more you eat, the stronger the effects gonna be. But be careful, fam! It’s real easy to overdo it with edibles and end up feelin’ sick as hell.
Now, let’s talk about the difference between smokin’ weed and eatin’ edibles. Do they have the same effects? Nah, not really!
When you smoke weed, the active compounds called cannabinoids go straight from your lungs to your bloodstream. They cross that blood-brain barrier real quick, fam. And that means the cannabinoids like delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) get to your brain fast.
Once THC and other cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS), especially them CB1 receptors, you feel that high and euphoria we all love. Smokin’ weed gives you a quick high that kicks in almost instantly. The peak effects usually happen within 2 to 4 hours.
But when it comes to edibles, it’s a whole different story. Edibles take a longer route through your digestive system. They get absorbed in your stomach and then go through metabolism in your liver. THC gets converted into 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver, and this compound is way stronger and lasts longer than regular THC.
That’s why edibles hit you harder and last longer than smokin’ weed. It takes about 45 minutes to three hours for the effects to kick in after eatin’ an edible.
And let me tell you, that 11-hydroxy-THC is somethin’ else! It’s more sedative, it makes you more reactive, and it can last for 8 to 12 hours. So yeah, edibles gonna keep you feelin’ good for a long time.
But here’s the thing: If you’re used to smokin’ weed, there are a few downsides to edibles. First off, there ain’t no smokin’ ritual with edibles. And secondly, you gotta wait a while before feelin’ the effects. Plus, edibles can be packed with calories, sugar, and fats. So if you watchin’ your waistline, you might wanna keep that in mind.
Now let’s talk about dosin’ edibles. It’s real important to get the right dose ’cause everyone’s different, ya know? The way your body processes THC can depend on things like your liver metabolism, what other foods you eat with it, and how much THC you can handle.
There ain’t no one-size-fits-all dose for THC. It’s not like takin’ medication based on your weight. But most researchers use 5 mg as the standard dose. Still, experts recommend startin’ with a lower dose like 2.5 mg just to be safe. Some people might be more sensitive to THC and can have side effects, especially if they’re new to weed or if they’re women.
If you wanna try microdosing weed, here’s what you do: Take a break from THC for at least 48 hours to avoid buildin’ up a tolerance. Then start with just 1 mg of THC and slowly increase it over time. Most peeps stick to doses between 1 and 2.5 mg for microdosing.
A dose between 2.5 and 5 mg is usually good for most people. If you’re a heavy user, you might need more like 15 to 30 mg. But doses higher than 50 mg are usually for medical peeps or those who smoke a lot of weed.
So there you have it, folks! The choice between smokin’ weed and eatin’ edibles is totally up to you and what kinda experience you want. Both methods have their pros and cons. Smokin’ gives you a quick high but doesn’t last as long. Edibles take longer to kick in but give you a stronger and longer-lasting buzz.
At the end of the day, it’s all about what you prefer and what you want outta your weed experience. With weed becomin’ more mainstream, it’s good to know the differences so you can make an informed decision about how you wanna get high.
Stay lifted, fam!