The effects of eating edibles are much longer than taking a toke off a joint or vaping. In fact, sometimes gummies might take an hour or longer to begin working their magic. This delay in reaction often leads folks, especially new consumers, to think they need to take another one or two. Hold on, though, and give it some time.
The difference between ingestion and inhalation depends on how the human body reacts to the method. When inhaled, cannabinoids instantly enter the lungs and begin moving through the bloodstream. The tiny molecules quickly target the human body’s endocannabinoid system, initiating a quick reaction. Typically, the effects only last for some time before they wear off.
On the other hand, edibles enter the body through the digestive system, eventually moving into the liver. At this point, a series of enzymatic activities change the cannabinoid composition, enabling them to enter the bloodstream. The response after eating an edible is much slower as the cannabinoids meander through the body. And to top it off, it takes edibles a lot longer to wear off, which can either be good or bad depending on what type of cannabinoid is in the product.
Concentrates are basically just concentrated forms of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds found within the mushroom-shaped trichomes on cannabis plants. Extracting the trichomes from the plant utilize methods such as water, heat, pressure, or chemical reactions which produce a wide variety of forms.
Names like Budder, Shatter, Sugar, and Oils are just a few of the popular types of cannabis concentrates lining dispensary shelves. Concentrates can be smoked, vaped, or dabbed but are also found in many edible products.
Depending on the extraction process, some concentrates contain all the cannabinoids and terpenes found within a particular cannabis strain. Better known as full-spectrum concentrates, the combination of all the components contributes to a synergistic effect.
On the other hand, other processes extract just a single compound. For instance, THC or CBD can be isolated to nearly 100%, creating a highly-potent form for consumers to explore. Concentrates are changing the scope of the cannabis industry as their popularity increases.
There was a time when cannabis classification was based on Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis varieties. But as science and modern technology are discovering more about the intricate plant, and breeders continue to refine genetics, we are learning there is a whole lot more to these three classifications.
Typically, sprawling Sativa strains are prone to provoke an energized, get up and get moving type of effect. Whereas, the broad-leafed Indica cultivars tend to possess a laid-back couch-like response after consumption.
However, cannabis breeding programs are now developing amazing Hybrid varieties taking the best attributes from both Sativa and Indica strains. The results vary considerably depending on the parents in the cross. In today’s hot cannabis market, the consumer has a lot to choose from.
In addition, science and technology continue to discover many other beneficial compounds within cannabis plants. These include different cannabinoids and the powerful terpenes which contribute to a whole other set of effects.
Your best bet in determining which type of product best suites your needs is to talk with the budtender at your local dispensary. They have a good understanding of the products in their store and can help guide you in making a choice that is right for you.
While the spotlight is usually centered on cannabinoid content in cannabis strains, there also lies other compounds within the intriguing plants that beneficially contribute to a cultivar’s attributes. Similar to the cannabinoids, terpenes are also wrapped up in the resinous trichome glands shimmering on budding flower.
Terpenes are responsible for the tastes and aromas of cannabis and vary considerably depending on the strain. Some terps exhibit a fruity taste sensation with a whiff of fresh floral scents when ignited. Others possess a deep musky smell with a piney, earthy flavor.
Additionally, beyond contributing to smells and scents, terpenes also play a role in the effects of cannabis cultivars. Blended with the cannabinoids of a prized strain, terps influence how the body will react during consumption. Their synergistic combination reveals a harmonious relationship for an exceptional cannabis experience.
While you won’t die from taking too much marijuana, there are instances where you might feel like you will. For instance, mixing alcohol and marijuana can often send a person over the edge with severe nausea or black-outs that could lead to other unpleasant experiences. Sometimes, an overabundance can result in high heart rates and feelings of paranoia or panic attacks.
Edibles can be a real challenge at times, especially if you consume too much. Because of their delayed reaction time, you might think the brownie isn’t doing anything, so you eat another one or two. When they do kick in a couple hours later, you may find yourself in a predicament of feeling way out of control. And they take forever to wear off!
It’s always best to moderate consumption to stay in control when experimenting with marijuana.
Old-school marijuana growers undoubtedly thought their smoke was the bomb back in the day. Popular landrace strains such as Acapulco Gold, Panama Red, Thai, and Afghani certainly produced a euphoric high as they were some of the original cannabis genetics. But back then, science had yet to learn how to quantify THC content.
When science did catch up in recent years and learned to measure cannabinoid percentages, cannabis breeders began crossing chemovars to produce elevated levels of THC. Many of today’s popular strains boast potency levels over 30% for flower while the concentrate market can achieve even higher concentrations in many strains.
While no one know exactly how potent the OG strains were, today’s modern practices have produced exceptionally powerful weed.
There is a lot of interesting lingo in the concentrate sector of the cannabis industry. Dabbing is one of those curious words that is a bit confounding for newbies in the cannabis space.
However, dabs are simply concentrated forms of cannabis extracts that come in a variety of forms. You might see thick, gooey waxes called Budder, Taffy and Crumble, or hard shards referred to as Shatter that break like glass. They are consumed with a dab rig, which is similar to a water bong, an electronic rig, or dab pen. Most dispensaries carry these apparatusus and products if you’re just getting into dabbing.
The gadgets use extreme heat to vaporize the concentrate for inhalation. Often, a torch is used to heat up the ‘Nail’ on a dab rig which is flat to hold the concentrate. The electronic rigs and pens are much more discrete, letting you dab on the go.
Cannabis connoisseurs often dab due to the high THC concentrations offered through these concentrates. When starting out on your dabbing experience, go easy at first until you are comfortable with the potent effects.
Cannabis consumption may seem a bit daunting for someone who has not tried it. While some newbies may enjoy it from the start, others may not like the effects of being too high. It is much better to start out slow and have a pleasant experience than to over do it and feel miserable.
If you’re curious about smoking flower, simply take a small hit to start and see how you feel in about five minutes. It doesn’t take long before the effects kick in when inhaling. If you’re thinking gummies might be a better option, start out with a low-dosage product. Edibles take much longer to show their effects, even up to 2 hours, so give it quite a bit of time to see how you feel. You can always increase dosing as you get more comfortable with the effects.
Be sure to let your budtender know when you go into a dispensary that this is your first time trying cannabis. They are well-versed in all things cannabis and can steer you in the right direction. Cannabis is an amazing experience and they want to make sure you have a great time when first using it..
