Cannabis edibles: How do they work? And are they right for me?

With many states legalizing cannabis the curiosity surrounding edibles is on the rise amongst consumers. With projections reaching massive numbers, the cannabis edibles sector of the adult use market will experience a boom in the years to come bringing with it innovation and expansion to the already growing number of products available for consumers.

As consumers navigate their way through the emerging cannabis industry education is being placed at the forefront by many companies to assist their clients in making selections that will help the consumer achieve the desired effect through the proper medium.

The most common form of consumption is the inhalation of cannabis through "smoking" using various devices. However with some opting out of smoking citing multiple reasons for example the need for discretion and convenience or for those that simply do not like inhalation to those that do not like the smell or just prefer the experience of cannabis edibles.

So how does the edibles experience differ from inhalation? How do you find the proper dosage? And are cannabis edibles right for you?

Inhalation is the fastest onset of all available methods and can last roughly up to two to four hours depending on the amount consumed and other factors. While edibles can often last longer from anywhere to a six to 12 hour range. As stated previously this depends on many factors like ones tolerance, previous meal, daily consumption levels and many other factors. None the less both methods deliver psychoactive effects.

The psychoactive effects found in inhalation are when the cannabis smoke or vapor is inhaled into the lungs. The cannabinoids and terpenes are absorbed by the lungs. The surface of the lungs contain a feature area that area populated by millions of minuscule air sacs known as the alveoli.

The alveoli handles the exchange of gasses and absorbs the terpenes and cannabinoids that then pass directly to the heart in only two or three milliseconds. These cannabinoids and terpenes are then passed north of the brain and then pass to the very selective blood/brain barrier.

Once they reach the brain and central nervous system microscopic cellular receptors named CB1 will attach themselves. After attaching themselves to these receptors the consumer will then begin to experience the effects.

With THC edibles once it is consumed it is processed by your stomach then metabolized by liver that acts like a variable hot bet of digestive enzymes and metabolic activity. There are a group of enzymes that help break down decarboxylated THC that are called cytochrome P450 these function to metabolize the decarboxylated delta 9 THC, break it down into 11 hydroxy THC making it's way into your brain/ blood stream resulting in the a psychoactive euphoric feeling.

Because of various factors like difference in chosen infusion medium, amount consumed, tolerance levels, eating edibles on an empty stomach and other factors that will contribute to your edible experience effecting things like onset and duration consumers should definitely educate themselves first before experimenting with edibles in order to avoid a less than desirable experience.

To know if cannabis edibles are right for you enlighten yourself on the various infusion mediums and carriers, listen to your body and always remember to start low and slow.

By starting low and slow it will allow you to find the proper infusion medium and dosage for the chosen desired effect and help you decide if edibles will be apart of your cannabis consumption.

Tonight after dinner I will enjoy some distillate infused THC cannabis crackers with some THC infused cheese spread totaling twenty five milligrams that will help me relax and enjoy a good nights rest.