Marijuana edibles are indeed a popular alternative to smoking cannabis, and for those who don’t want to be exposed to tar or carcinogens, eating edibles has become a way of life. We all know that smoking marijuana has a different effect from consuming it in oral form; for one, smoking gives you an immediate high, while eating it as an edible gives you a more long-lasting high and you won’t feel the effects until an hour or so after you consume it. But what else should you know about marijuana edibles, and what are your options when it comes to types? Even more importantly, what effects can you really expect from it? Here are some quick facts on cannabis edibles: types, effects, and more.
The types of cannabis edibles out there
Although we already know that edibles can come in many different forms, including gummies, candies, spreads, cookies, the ubiquitous brownies, and a lot more, you can essentially differentiate them into three types or categories: the ones which are geared towards the gastrointestinal system (meaning they are digested by the stomach), the ones which are geared towards the oral system (ingested through the saliva), and the ones which are in hybrid form, which means that they target both the gastrointestinal system and the oral system.
- Gastrointestinal
For gastrointestinal edibles, you have choices between cookies, brownies, snacks, pills or capsules, and other types of ‘food’ edibles. This is where the cannabinoids can be absorbed, digested, or taken in through the stomach. These types of edibles may take longer to become active in your body, but they can also produce an effect that lasts longer (as much as six to eight hours).
- Oral Meanwhile, you also have marijuana edibles that are geared towards the oral system of dosage, and this can include tinctures, suckers, and lozenges, as well as gum and lollipops. The effect of this type of marijuana edible can be quite immediate, but it may wear off in a faster way compared to gastrointestinal-geared edibles. That being said, the effects can last for around two to three hours.
- Hybrid edibles
There are also the so-called hybrid edibles, which can include chocolate bars and infused beverages or drinks. They are referred to as hybrids because you can absorb them both in your mouth and in your stomach. These kinds of edibles can offer you a good balance or middle ground when it comes to their effects, as they can offer fast relief if you are in pain or have insomnia, and you can feel their effects for as much as four hours.
The effects: what you can expect
Most edibles found on the market today will be exposed to a form of heat as they are made, and this means that cannabinoids that are inactive (such as CBDA and THCA) will be converted into CBD, CBN, and THC. The process of cooking or heating can bring about a high level of THC in the edibles, and this can then result in the ideal or perfect treatment for disorders or conditions such as muscle inflammation, chronic pain, disorders of the nervous system, muscle spasms, nausea, insomnia, and so on.
Of course, while anyone can enjoy the effects of edibles, those who have Crohn’s disease (a disorder that affects the gastrointestinal tract) find that consuming edibles is a much better alternative. Of course, the full effects will vary per person as well, and it will depend on the potency of the edible and your body chemistry as well as tolerance.
