How to Tell if Edibles Kicked In

Knowing how to tell if edibles kicked in is key to a safe and pleasant experience as a medical marijuana patient. Gauging the effects of cannabis edibles can be tricky for beginners as their impact isn't instantaneous (unlike smoking).

“Edibles” refers to any food or beverage infused with cannabinoids. These products are consumed orally for their therapeutic and psychoactive effects. Common examples of cannabis-infused edibles include baked goods like cookies or brownies, gummies, and sodas.

Look out for the following signs that your edibles are taking effect.

Physical Signs

Common physical signs that edibles have kicked in include:

Relaxation and Sedation

Cannabis consumption is often associated with a sense of relaxation and sedation. This sensation ranges from a mild unwinding to a deep sense of relaxation or drowsiness. Your reaction will depend on the dosage of your weed edibles and your body's tolerance. 

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth—or "cottonmouth"—is a common but harmless side effect of consuming THC. The flow of saliva is reduced when the cannabinoids in your edible interact with receptors in the salivary glands. Stay hydrated when consuming cannabis edibles to reduce the effects of cottonmouth from cannabis.

Increased Heart Rate

Consuming cannabis edibles, or smoking or vaping cannabis products, sometimes leads to a slight increase in heart rate. This is an initial sign of THC's effects on your body. 

A small rise is typically harmless but can be unnerving for newcomers to the MMJ world. Stay calm if this happens and take deep breaths to calm any anxiety.

Appetite Stimulation

Heightened appetite—or "the munchies"—is another common side effect of THC consumption. This happens as a result of cannabis' interaction with the cannabinoid-1 receptor, which controls the activity of “feeding” cells in the brain.

Do Edibles Make You Gain or Lose Weight?

Weight plays an important role in staying healthy when treating a qualifying condition. There's evidence to suggest that CBD edibles may help with weight loss. 

However, weight gain or appetite stimulation is also important for many patients, such as those with cachexia or wasting syndrome. THC-rich edibles are the best option for these patients.

Mental and Emotional Signs

MMJ patients may also notice some typical emotional indicators after eating edibles. These include:

• Euphoria: This heightened state of happiness or contentment will enhance the experience.

• Enhanced creativity or focus: Channel this energy productively as you may find tasks or creative activities more engaging.

• Anxiety or paranoia: Some patients experience negative feelings that impact their mood. Always start with a low dose and consult your doctor if you feel distressed after consuming cannabis edibles.

How Long Edibles Take to Kick In

Onset time is one of the key factors when weighing up the pros and cons of smoking vs edibles. Edibles typically take around three hours to kick in fully. However, you may start to feel some effects after 30-90 minutes. This is significantly longer than inhaling cannabis, which offers almost instant effects.

Several factors impact edible onset time, including:

Metabolism

Patients with a fast metabolism could feel the effects of their edible sooner than those with a slower metabolism. A faster metabolism will help you process the THC in your edible quicker, leading to a faster onset time.

Type of Edible

The form your edible takes (gummies, brownies, or beverages) may impact how quickly the cannabinoids are absorbed. For example, beverages are reported to take effect quicker, with some people reporting feeling a THC-infused beverage’s full effects after 15-20 minutes. This is because cannabinoids used in drinks are designed to dissolve in liquid, making them more easily absorbed into the body’s soft tissues.

Empty or Full Stomach

Consuming edibles on an empty stomach can result in a faster onset. A full stomach may slow down the absorption process. Food in the stomach delays the digestive process, causing the edible to take longer to metabolize. 

Dosage

The strength of your edible will depend on how much THC it contains. Always follow your doctor’s dosage guidelines. Consuming too much will often lead to unpleasant effects.

Control Dosage With Regulated MMJ Products

It is difficult to measure dosage accurately with homemade edibles as the THC potency may be unevenly distributed throughout the batch. Avoid this problem by purchasing your edibles in a licensed dispensary (you’ll save on the 16-percent excise tax in Arizona with an up-to-date medical marijuana card). 

Commercial cannabis edibles are made with precise dosing tools for a consistent experience. Many states require edibles to be lab-tested for potency. This reduces the chances of consuming more THC than desired. 

How Long an Edible High Lasts

An edible high can last between four and 12 hours. In some cases, you may even feel some residual effects for up to 24 hours after consumption. The long-lasting effects and slow onset time are both due to the THC in edibles being metabolized in the liver. This leads to a more gradual release of THC into the bloodstream. 

Best Practices With Edibles

Start low and go slow for a safe and enjoyable experience with cannabis edibles. Take the time to understand your body's reactions to make edibles work for you and your condition. This may require some trial and error.

Follow these best practices to get the best experience from your marijuana edibles:

1. Learn About Food Pairings

The science behind consuming edibles goes beyond simply nibbling on a brownie. Consuming edibles with different foods can enhance its therapeutic benefits. Research the best foods to eat with edibles for your condition and experiment to see what works for you.

2. Be Patient

Wait at least two hours before consuming more edibles if you haven't felt any effects. Many factors influence onset time, and sometimes it takes longer than expected.

3. Know When to Consume Edibles 

Waiting hours for edibles to kick in isn't ideal if you're in pain. Smoking cannabis, vaping, or ingesting a tincture sublingually offers much faster relief.

4. Avoid Mixing

Mixing edibles with other consumption methods like smoking isn't advised as it will likely lead to an overwhelming sensation when your cannabis edibles kick in.

5. Listen to Your Body

Edibles affect people differently. What works for some may not work for you. Always follow the cues your body gives you and ask for advice from your doctor about how to consume edibles, the best starting dosage, and strains or products to try.

Be Patient for the Best Results

Edible cannabis products are a tasty and effective way to consume MMJ. However, waiting patiently for their effects to kick in is key to enjoying their therapeutic effects while avoiding overconsumption.

Work with your doctor to find the right edible products and dosage for you. Embrace this time of discovery as you experiment with different ways to make MMJ work for you and your condition.