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Which is better, eating marijuana edibles or vaping?

If you’re new to cannabis use, you might be wondering how to start. There are many different products in the market with other methods of administration. Sometimes, choosing can be tricky.

All methods of administration have their pros and cons. It is just a matter of finding what suits you the best. And if you ask experienced users, they will probably tell you that there is no better way than experimenting with different products in a low dosage.

Smoking is the oldest and most popular form of taking marijuana. Although in recent years, an innovative instrument was invented called the e-cigarette. It created vaping, which is similar is smoking by using a coil to heat oil-producing vapor.

Vaping allows users to get high quickly. But consuming edible also has its perks. Edibles may take longer to kick in, but it has been said to have fewer adverse effects, plus it won’t make you cough 😉

Ingestion MethodsTime of onset of effectsDuration of effectsOther considerations
Edibles45 to 90 minutes after consumption3 to 6 hours – Consuming high doses can cause the effects to linger for up to 24 hours.

– A person’s rate of metabolism affects the onset of effects.

– Taking edibles on an empty stomach accelerates absorption.

– The results will peak after 1 ½ hour and sill diminish in the following hours.
Vaping2 to 15 minutes after inhalation of smoke– There is a risk of using low-quality cartridges that contain harmful chemicals.

– The effects will peak after 30 minutes and diminish in the following hours.

Why Do The Effects of Edibles Last Longer?

Edibles have a longer-lasting effect because of two reasons:

The liver strengthens the THC

When you smoke marijuana, the process is straightforward. It enters your lungs, is absorbed into your bloodstream, and travels to the brain.

But if you consume edibles, the drugs have a much longer and more complicated route. It explains why edibles take longer to kick in than smoking or vaping.

When edibles enter the mouth, they travel through the digestive tract. The intestine and stomach them where they are absorbed into the blood.

After which, the THC goes to the liver. The metabolization process in the liver converts the THC into a metabolite known as 11-hydroxy-THC.

THC defies the first-pass metabolism. It is a process that reduces the concentration of substances that enter the liver. Alcohol and morphine, for example, become weaker once they pass through the liver.

But in the case of THC, it into something stronger.

Studies showed the liver makes regular THC 5 times more potent. It accounts for the longer-lasting effect of marijuana edibles.

Edibles are absorbed more thoroughly.

Although vaping is an efficient method, users still exhale some amounts of THC. That right. So, it is true that people who don’t smoke marijuana can still get high from inhaling expelled vape smoke by users. But of course, it would take a more significant amount of smoke.

With edibles, the THC is introduced into a closed system. Only trace amounts of THC are excreted in the form of sweat, feces, and urine.

As the THC travels through the different systems and organs in the body, it gets filtered and absorbed gradually. The detours make the effects last longer.

According to experts, if one smokes 5mg of marijuana, only 1 to 2 mg of THC is absorbed by the body. In contrast, eating edibles of the amount will lead to absorption of up to 4 mg of THC.

The absorption in the digestive tract is affected by a person’s digestive health and the time of latest food intake.

What are examples of marijuana edibles?

There are varied forms of marijuana edibles. But most of them come in snacks and drinks.

Here is a list of marijuana edibles.

  • Gummies
  • Candies
  • Chocolate
  • Cake
  • Brownies
  • Cookies
  • Other baked goodies
  • Root beer
  • Energy drinks
  • Seltzer drinks
  • Juices  
  • Popcorn
  • Ice cream
  • peanut butter
  • beef and bacon jerky
  • chips
  • nachos
  • crackers
  • cheesy snacks
  • pretzels
  • salt popcorn
  • nut mixes
  • pizza sauce
  • salsa
  • pickles
  • cocktails
  • beer

If you are not a fan of smoking, edibles will probably strike the right chord with you.

You might be wondering whether THC-infused food tastes different. Well, not really. Marijuana can have an earthy and bitter taste, but when incorporated into food, you almost can’t taste it. You can also notice that most edibles are sweet. It is the counter the bitterness.

What happens if you eat too many marijuana edibles?

There is a debate about whether you can overdose on marijuana or not. The answer is yes, you can. But overdosing on marijuana is not like overdosing on opioids and synthetic drugs.

Every person has a different tolerance level. Drugs do not react the same way as everybody.

While you can’t die from eating too many marijuana edibles, you can still experience uncomfortable effects.  

Eating too many edibles is a problem for more first-time. Because TCH in edibles takes time to kick in, newbies keep on eating, thinking that they are weak.

Overeating can cause a person to experience:

  • Cognitive and motor impairment
  • Slower reaction time
  • Sedation or tiredness
  • Headaches
  • Anxiety and mood changes
  • Panic attacks
  • Dry eyes
  • Increased heart rate
  • Confusion and dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Adverse effects can last for several hours to a full day, depending on the amount of intake.

If you are new to marijuana edibles, start with small doses and gradually increase in accordance with your tolerance. With edibles, remember to be patient. It will take about 40 to 90 minutes before you feel the effects.

What do you do if you eat too much marijuana edibles?

Here are some tips for you if you have too much marijuana.

  • Lay down.
  • Take a deep breath and stay calm.
  • Drink lots of water.
  • Play relaxing music.
  • Have a shower.
  • Close your eyes  
  • Take CBD. It can reduce the effects of THC, but it can also slow down its metabolism and keep it in your system for longer.
  • Call someone. Talking can distract you from the side effects.
  • Do not attempt to drive or go anywhere. Wait for the effects to wear off to avoid any accidents.

How do you vape marijuana?

Vaping does not burn marijuana leaves, unlike smoking rolled cigarettes. Batteries power vaporizers or e-cigarettes. 

The batteries heat metal coils. The heat vaporizes the marijuana substance and turns it into vapor which is then inhaled by the user.

Marijuana can be vaped in three ways: using herb vaporizer, oil, pens, and wax pens.

Is vaping harmful?

There are many benefits to vaping. It is why many cannabis smokers have switched from traditional smoking to vaping.

  • Vaping has a lesser smell.
  • Easier to use and less messy
  • More efficient
  • Less THC in secondhand smoke compared to traditional smoking.
  • Effects are more instant compared to edibles.
  • Gives consistent doses per inhalation
  • More accessible and fewer restrictions are given to vaping compared to smoking.

While there are a lot of benefits, vaping also comes with health risks.

Like smoking, vaping is associated with respiratory illnesses. In 2020, a new disease surfaced. It is called EVALI or e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury.

This disease can manifest as:

  • Cough
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight Loss
  • Chills
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Chest pain
  • Gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

THC or any marijuana extracts do not cause this sickness. It is actually caused by other chemicals added in vape cartridges like vitamin E acetate.

Other harmful vape components that are used in cheap and counterfeit products are:

  • Heavy metals
  • Carcinogenic compounds
  • Ultrafine particulates
  • Flavors

What are the medical uses of marijuana?

Marijuana has varied medical uses. In over 30 states, it is a prescribed treatment for certain diseases like AIDS, HIV, Crohn’s, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Analgesic

Marijuana can be sued as a pain reliever. People suffering from chronic pain are often prescribed marijuana medications. 

Antiemetic

Marijuana is often prescribed to cancer patients to help with the pain and reduce vomiting and nausea caused by strong medications. 

Antitumor

Although marijuana’s antitumor property is still under study, it is very promising. Its content is initially reported to help avert the growth of tumor cells.

Antispasmodic

Antispasmodic means marijuana helps with reducing muscle spasms.

It is recommended to people who have epilepsy and ALS. Marijuana helps reduce jerking movements during seizures and tremors caused by ALS.

Antianxiety

The THC and CBD in marijuana ease the release of happy hormones like serotonin and dopamine. It helps regulate mood and relieve anxiety and stress.

But ironically, marijuana can also cause anxiety and paranoia if taken in excessive doses. So, if you are using it under prescription, stick to your doctors’ instructions.

Neuroprotective properties

It is still largely unconfirmed. But initial research showed that marijuana could have neuroprotective properties. 

Taking moderate doses of THC can help avert degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and early-onset dementia symptoms. 

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