5 Things to Consider Before You Try Cannabis Edibles for the First Time

Interested in trying out cannabis edibles, but feeling a little wary about taking the plunge? Well, first of all, good for you! It’s always best to approach mind-altering substances with a certain amount of respect; otherwise, you may very well have a bad experience.

While there is no magic information that can make you invulnerable to having a bad experience with edibles, knowing what to expect can help you to enjoy your first experience. So read up before you eat up and enjoy!

1. Edibles Take Longer to Kick In

This is the classic mistake that just about every edible eater will make at least once. Some people chew up a few gummies, decide after an hour or two that they aren’t working, and decide to chew up several more. Then, they feel like they’ve been backhanded by the devil himself when everything kicks in at once, leading to several hours of contemplating life all alone in a dark room.

Remember, start low and go slow. Ingesting THC takes a lot longer than inhaling it. Be aware of your dosage and always follow guidelines for the edibles you consume!

2. Edibles Last Longer

Once they hit, they keep hitting. This is another reason why you want to carefully choose your dosage. You should also avoid casually eating more when you start feeling impatient.

While the majority of the effects from smoking cannabis will last between 1 to 3 hours, the effect of edibles will often stick around for 6 to 8 hours. That’s about an entire work shift, so prepare yourself accordingly.

3. Ingesting THC is Different than Smoking It

When you put THC through your digestive system, your liver actually turns it into 11-hydroxy THC, which has its own unique psychoactive effects. In other words, the experience of ingesting THC is a different one than what you may be used to if you’ve only ever smoked or vaped it.

It’s not only a lengthier experience; it’s also a more intense one. Just because you’ve used one form, don’t assume that you know what to expect from an edible!

4. Cannabis Can Interfere with Certain Meds

Unfortunately, there is only a small amount of research on this topic, but there are some studies that have shown that both CBD and THC alter the function of certain medications, including antidepressants and blood thinners. If you’re concerned about your meds interacting with your edibles, be sure to talk to your doctor about it.

5. You’re Going to Be Just Fine

If you follow all of these suggestions without fail and still wind up going to a dark place during your edible experience, try your best not to freak out. Taking too many edibles alone is not inherently dangerous; you’re just going to have a bit of a bumpy ride until it wears off. Try to eat some (non-weed-infused) food, hydrate yourself with water or fruit juice, and take a cold shower. You’ve got this!