Written By: Daniel Cina
Cannabis is widely known as a psychoactive substance, which means it can affect the mind and behavior of a person. As all the stoners know there are two primary ways of consuming it which are smoking and eating edibles. While both methods result in an elevating effect, the psychoactive differences between smoking flower and eating edibles can be very different and we’ll be exploring that in this article!
How THC is Processed in Cannabis Consumption
The main psychoactive compound aka our favorite cannabinoid in weed is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When smoked, THC enters the bloodstream through the lungs and reaches the brain in a matter of seconds, producing an elevating and immediate effect. However, when consumed via eating, THC is absorbed through the digestive system, and it can take up to two hours for the effects to be felt.
The immediate elevation that smoking cannabis provides lasts for a shorter period, typically 1-3 hours. The elevation from edibles, on the other hand, can last up to 8 hours. This difference in duration is due to how THC is metabolized in the body. When THC is smoked, it enters the bloodstream rapidly and is metabolized faster, leading to a shorter duration of your elevation. When THC is consumed through edibles though, it must first pass through the liver, where it is metabolized into a more potent form of THC, which leads to a longer and more intense elevation.
The Newbie Pitfall of Edibles
Another significant difference between smoking and consuming edibles is the potency and predictability of your elevation. When smoking, it’s easier to control the dosage, and the effects are felt almost immediately. In contrast, edibles are often more potent, and the onset of the high can be delayed, making it harder to determine the right dosage.
The issue with this in regard to first time users is appearance. Edibles such as brownies, tinctures, cookies, and gummies etc. tend to have more appeal than smoking due to appearance. Eating a cookie (etc.) is easily perceived as a less intense experience than smoking when it in fact can be quite the opposite. To accentuate my point most new users don’t know how much to consume in a single dosage. The result for a new consumer is often a green-out due to this high potency, and lack of understanding in dosage.
The elevation itself from consuming edibles is often described as more intense and cerebral (you know that heady feeling!) than the elevation produced by smoking . This is because of the way THC is metabolized in the liver, producing a compound known as 11-hydroxy-THC, which is actually more potent than Delta-9 THC itself. This can lead to a more profound and long-lasting high, which can be too intense for new users. It is important to note that 11-hydroxy-THC is not a naturally occurring compound in cannabis plants. It only forms during the digestive process after consuming edibles.
Find Your Balance 
The potency of edibles is definitely something to be respected, but not feared as when consumed properly they are amazing!Whether you are a newbie or seasoned stoner, it is always best to find the right elevating balance for you when consuming edibles. This also applies to enjoying flower and concentrates. Should you want to eat some edibles we recommend a low and slow dosage of 5-10mg at a time. Remember you can always eat or smoke more if you want to feel more elevated.
If you want to give edibles a try, then look no further than your local Nectar. We carry numerous options of gummies with a range of cannabinoid mixes that include CBN, CBG, and CBD. If you want a vegan all natural gummy then I would recommend our Gateway Gummies! Another great option if you have a sweet tooth is Grön is for you then. They use nothing but high quality fair trade certified chocolate for their products! Another option you can never go wrong with is our always popular Tasty’s gummies that come in 100mg singles!
If you would rather try tinctures so you can enjoy a refreshing drink with your elevation then we still got what you need! We carry Keef Soda , Cannabull, and Uncle Arnie’s who each produce amazingly high quality tinctures that you can mix for a tasty beverage. I personally recommend using a clear soda such as sprite, or 7-Up to fully experience each drink’s unique flavors
To wrap this up, the psychoactive differences between smoking weed and consuming edibles are quite significant. While smoking leads to a quick, predictable elevation that lasts for a shorter period, edibles can result in a longer, more intense high that takes longer to kick in. They are two different types of elevation that have different appeals for many people. I recommend trying both (not at the same time) so you can better understand your preferences in weed consumption.
