Edibles and smoking are quickly the two giants of the cannabis world. At least when we’re speaking about popular understandings of marijuana. When you see weed in the media, on TV or film, you’ll likely see one of these methods — regardless of all the other terrific alternatives on offer.
Finding an established weed dispensary with a good reputation will be able to help you to make an informed decision.
However, aside from the obvious, what are the differences between the two?
Well, cannabis contains THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). THC engages with neurotransmitters in the brain to achieve that extremely in-demand “high”. Surprisingly, various consumption techniques can alter how the THC communicates with the brain to supply various experiences.
So, selecting in between techniques is perhaps among the easiest ways to customize your cannabis experience.
However, let’s entertain which technique is for you …
Edibles– how do they work?
When you hear edibles, most people conjure an image of brownies. This makes good sense– pot brownies are fantastic– however they’re only one small piece of what edibles can offer!
There’s numerous instilled dishes and products out in the market now that basically anything can load a hit. From hot and cold drinks to candy and even tasty meals. And it’s simpler than ever too!
But how do edibles provide a different experience than just smoking your cannabis flower?
First of all, edibles can get you the same highs as smoking weed– sometimes even more intense! So, there’s no need to stress over choosing brownies over a joint when considering this.
But, when ingesting cannabis through an edible, the process goes through some big changes.
An edible needs to pass through the digestive system. Because of this, the procedure can be a lot slower as the THC will take longer to connect with your brain. This could take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
The bright side is, once it does get there– your high will be more extreme than a smoker’s. It will also last longer as the THC’s half-life is extended!
So, remember to unwind and be patient– the hit will come ultimately, and you do not wish to encounter any concerns of overconsumption.
Smoking– how does it work?
Weed smoking most likely seems more straight-forward for a lot of people. After all, it’s been around forever. It’s simple and common– particularly with pre-rolled products. And it’s one of the most popular ways to enjoy weed.
However smoking weed supplies a very different experience than ingesting it. And here’s why …
When you breathe in cannabis smoke, while some THC will stay in your lungs, around 50% of the cannabinoid will be immediately absorbed into the blood stream. This allows the THC to make its method to your brain much quicker. So that interaction with your neurotransmitters is pretty quick.
You ought to anticipate to feel that blissful “high” in about 1-5 minutes. This should then trail off over the next 1-3 hours.
So, what dosage do you need?
As you may anticipate, you’re going to need different dosages with each approach you attempt.
With smoking, it’s a lot simpler. Since you get an instant hit from the marijuana, you have much more control over your dose and your high. So, if the dose is too low, you know you can take another hit. If it’s extensive, then you can merely stop and wait on the high to pass.
This is part of what makes smoking one of the preferred methods to consume weed for people just starting out.
Edibles are a bit more complicated. Because the results come on much slower, it’s more difficult to manage the specific dosage you’ll require. Even veterans can have a hard time figuring this out.
In part, this is due to the fact that digestion and metabolic processes are distinct to each person. Some individuals will absorb much faster than others. This suggests if you’re experiencing your high in a group, you’re likely to see the THC take effect at very different speeds.
And this can cause overconsumption. If you’re impatient, then you might conclude that consuming more will move things along. This simply isn’t true and can result in a disappointment as when the high lastly strikes it can be too strong.
So, just stick with your ideal dose and wait for the high to come.
Benefits and drawbacks
To discover the right approach for you, it’s important to consider what you’re looking to leave your high.
Are you looking for something fast or slow? Strong or a little weaker?
Let’s go through it.
Edible Pros:
Impacts last longer
Stronger hit
You can customize the taste to fit you
Very little smell or waste
No devices necessary
Smoking Pros:
Much quicker to work
Can utilize the exact THC levels you desire
The effect of various strains is more pronounced
Edible Cons:
Harder to determine precise dosages of THC
Takes longer for the results to begin– this can cause overconsumption
The strain of marijuana is less pronounced
It’s a much longer procedure when making the edibles yourself
Smoking Cons:
The smell can remain
Harder for individuals who aren’t used to smoking
Can need devices– lighters, bongs, rolling paper, and so on
What technique works for you?
It’s easy to see the distinctions in between smoking and consuming marijuana. Each person will have their own preferences and whichever your preference, it’s a valid choice.
Edibles are far easier to get into for passionate bakers or those that aren’t used to smoking. While smoking might be a much easier alternative for those who don’t want the hassle of developing their own edibles. It’s all about choice.
You can take the first step into the world of edibles by buying pre-made sweets or beverages. Or you might take a look at the different strands on offer.
