What is a good starting THC dose?
If you're trying THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) for the first time or are consuming it after a prolonged tolerance break, we recommend starting with a low dose, either as a single hit from a joint or part of an edible. A quarter of a 10mg edible usually comes to about 2.5milligrams of THC.
THC is an intoxicating compound that can cause psychoactive effects, so taking a low dose to start can help minimize the risk of unwanted side effects— all of which can happen if you take too much. You'll be able to find the THC content on the packaging of a licensed, lab-tested THC edible or tincture.
Finding the right starting dose with smokeable products — like joints and vapes — is a bit trickier, but generally, you can take one puff and wait 15 minutes to see how you feel before taking more.
Why Isn't My Edible Working?
Some first time users have reported feeling no effects the first time taking an edible, but then do feel the normal effects after a second or third time taking the same edibles. So, if you don't feel the effects the first time, it may not mean you were sold bad edibles. You may just need to try a few more times before they will work normally for you. Remember, you only need to find your dose once, and then you'll know how much Delta-9 THC to take.
What type of cannabis edibles get you the highest?
Typically cannabis edibles begin to take effect between 15 and 60 minutes of ingestion. However, different edible types have different ingredients and unique formulas, so even the same dose of a cannabis brownie won’t necessarily feel like a cannabis drink. Some are formulated for better absorption or have quicker onset times.
Hard candy and pastille edibles, like gum, mints, lollipops, mints, and lozenges, as well as beverages, have some of the quickest onset times because they are absorbed primarily through the mouth’s absorbent tissue rather than going through the stomach tract..
Chewy and sweet edibles like gummies, caramels, and chocolates have a median onset time because they do have to be digested, but are more quickly digested due to their simpler ingredients list..
Baked goods tend to take the longest to take effect largely due to their density and the energy required to digest and metabolize them.
Can you overdose on edibles?
No one has ever reportedly died from consuming too much cannabis, but consuming too much THC can lead to an unpleasant experience. Unlike some opioids, regardless of dose, cannabis does not depress the body’s respiratory system.
Most people do not need emergency medical care, but consumers should always take caution when consuming edibles and be careful not to ingest levels of cannabis that will cause distress. Edibles are not for everyone.
After you've accidentally smoked or eaten too much cannabis, start by taking several deep breaths. Find a comfortable and quiet spot to curl up and keep breathing. Phone a trusted friend, roomate or partner if you have paranoid thoughts. Stay hydrated, eat a snack, and do light physical activities like stretching or walking.
Remember: no one has ever died from consuming too much weed, and the feelings will pass in time.
Do not consume cannabis with alcohol, or other drugs or medications.
Is it safe to mix THC edibles with alcohol?
While cannabis alone has never resulted in death, interactions with other substances can range from unpleasant to dangerous. Alcohol is considered a depressant, and it affects the body by lowering activity in the central nervous system.
Additionally, because alcohol is a solvent, consuming cannabis and alcohol can increase the intoxicating effects of THC because alcohol allows it to more quickly and efficiently enter the bloodstream and brain. Recent research also suggests a combination of cannabis and alcohol can increase risk for traffic accidents.
How long does it take for THC edibles to wear off completely?
Edibles taper off more slowly than with inhalation methods and have the longest intoxication period of any other cannabis product for a single dose or session. Once the edible’s effects have peaked, they will plateau, and gradually lessen over the course of 1-2 hours.
Some consumers may feel tired after the effects have worn off.
If you have taken a dose that is too high for your comfort level, we recommend our guide on how to combat a too-intense cannabis high.
What are some factors that may affect your experience with THC?
Your unique endocannabinoid system (ECS), which consists of cannabinoid receptors, enzymes and lipids, that greatly maintain your internal regulatory balance, can affect how you feel a THC high.
All mammalian vertebrates have an endocannabinoid system that interacts with the cannabinoids we produce ourselves (endocannabinoids) and the cannabinoids found in cannabis (phytocannabinoids). How many cannabinoid receptors a person has and how their ECS operates affect their sensitivity to THC and other cannabinoids. This is also why some cannabis consumers find success with one milligram of THC while others require much larger doses.How quickly you develop a tolerance can also affect your high.
Your ideal THC dosage can change over time as you develop a tolerance for the cannabinoid. The ECS is a highly tuned instrument that responds to overstimulation by diminishing cannabinoid receptors, meaning that higher doses will be required over time to achieve the same effect. You can keep your tolerance in check by taking tolerance breaks and being mindful of how much you consume.
