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Edibles can be a fun and satisfying alternative to smoking weed from a vape, joint, or vaporizer, but they don’t “hit” (have effects) as quickly. That’s why it’s important to have the right expectations while you’re waiting for your edibles to kick in—and we’re here to help you out. Keep reading for plenty of guidance on how long it takes edibles to hit (and last) and some effects you can expect to feel once your edible kicks in, along with some tips and tricks on having the most relaxing and safe high possible.
Disclaimer: Only take cannabis edibles if you’re legally allowed to do so in your state or country. Click or tap here for more info if you live in the United States.
Best Ways to Tell if an Edible is Kicking In
Common positive signs that an edible is kicking in include relaxation and euphoria, along with physical symptoms like increased pulse, poor coordination, boosted appetite, poor memory, anxiety, and dry mouth. Typically, edibles start kicking in anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours after consumption.
Steps
13 Signs Your Edible Has Kicked In
- Relaxed feelings You may start feeling a lot more relaxed and blissful once the edible starts kicking into your system.[6]
- Euphoria You might start feeling an intensified state of happiness (known as euphoria), which is often associated with the general experience of being high.[7]
- More extreme senses When you start feeling high, you might feel really tuned into your senses, whether that’s your sight, hearing, smell, taste, or a combination.[8]
- Faster pulse If your heart starts beating significantly faster than it usually does, it could mean that your edible is starting to kick in.[9]
- Try measuring your resting heart rate to get a sense of what it normally is. Then, measure it again when you suspect that you’re getting high.
- Poor reaction time and coordination You probably won’t feel super nimble on your feet after an edible starts to hit. If anything, your reaction time will likely be a lot slower as your body embraces the effects of the high.[10]
- Dry mouth Better known as “cotton mouth” within the weed community, edibles (along with other types of cannabis) are infamous for making your mouth feel dry (or like it’s full of cotton).[11]
- Sipping on a drink, chewing gum, and rinsing with alcohol-free mouthwash can all help if you’re struggling with a bad case of cotton mouth.[12]
- Strong appetite Also known as the “munchies,” cannabis in general tends to boost your appetite.[13] If you find yourself reaching for your favorite snack all of a sudden, it could mean that your edible has kicked in.
- Bloodshot eyes From a biological perspective, THC tends to reduce the blood pressure in your body overall; this, in turn, makes your blood vessels a little more prominent and noticeable. This phenomenon is commonly observed in the eyes, which can look red after you get high.[14]
- Anxiety While some people take cannabis products as a means to help with their anxiety, cannabis can unfortunately have the opposite effect and create more anxiety in the process.[15]
- Poor memory When you consume cannabis in any form (inhaled or ingested), the THC eventually reaches and interacts with certain components of your brain. As a result, you may have trouble creating new memories.[16]
- You might find yourself losing your train of thought in the middle of a standard conversation.
- Paranoia People who take edibles are sometimes known to feel a bit paranoid and suspicious after the fact. In extreme cases, these experiences might turn into paranoid and unrealistic thoughts.[17]
- Sleepiness Research points to cannabis products helping promote sleep. In one study, over 70% of people struggling with their sleep found that cannabis helped boost their sleep.[18]
- Vomiting If you use marijuana (and edibles) really frequently, you might experience Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CMS), a condition that causes people to intensely throw up several times in a row.[19]
Expert Q&A
Tips
- If you’re dealing with some nasty paranoia during your high, consider munching on a couple of black peppercorns. As gross as this may sound, the chemical compound in the peppercorns may help you calm down.[30]Thanks
Warnings
- Some marijuana enthusiasts swear that CBD is the magic ingredient to helping you scale back during an intense high, but not everyone agrees with this life hack. According to new research, CBD may prevent your body from processing the THC as efficiently.[31]Thanks
- Never drive after taking an edible (for your safety and the safety of other drivers on the road).[32]Thanks
- Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-Cannabis-Inhaling-Ingesting-Risks-Infographic-2019-en_1.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uchealth.org/today/five-things-you-should-know-about-marijuana-edibles/
- ↑ https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-Cannabis-Inhaling-Ingesting-Risks-Infographic-2019-en_1.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-Cannabis-Inhaling-Ingesting-Risks-Infographic-2019-en_1.pdf
- ↑ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/public-safety/csu/cannabis-edibles-safe-use-fact-sheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/health-effects/effects.html
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/health-effects/effects.html
- ↑ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/health-effects/effects.html
- ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-effects-consuming-cannabis-edibles#section-1
- ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-effects-consuming-cannabis-edibles#section-1
- ↑ https://www.oregon.gov/olcc/marijuana/Documents/Posters/Oral-Health-Cannabis-Poster.pdf
- ↑ https://www.oregon.gov/olcc/marijuana/Documents/Posters/Oral-Health-Cannabis-Poster.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4204468/
- ↑ https://opto.ca/eye-health-library/how-does-marijuana-affect-vision
- ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-effects-consuming-cannabis-edibles#section-1
- ↑ https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/how-cannabis-use-impacts-long-term-health
- ↑ https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-effects-consuming-cannabis-edibles#section-1
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9067069/
- ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/c/cannabinoid-hyperemesis-syndrome.html
- ↑ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/public-safety/csu/cannabis-edibles-safe-use-fact-sheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-7-Things-About-Edible-Cannabis-2019-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uchealth.org/today/five-things-you-should-know-about-marijuana-edibles/
- ↑ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/public-safety/csu/cannabis-edibles-safe-use-fact-sheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7899869/tips-so-you-dont-overdo-it-trying-edibles/
- ↑ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/public-safety/csu/cannabis-edibles-safe-use-fact-sheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.ccsa.ca/sites/default/files/2019-06/CCSA-7-Things-About-Edible-Cannabis-2019-en.pdf
- ↑ https://www.northwestern.edu/aodresources/harm-reduction/know-your-limit-cannabis.html
- ↑ https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/public-safety/csu/cannabis-edibles-safe-use-fact-sheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.uchealth.org/today/five-things-you-should-know-about-marijuana-edibles/
- ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/2019/07/29/how-black-pepper-sedates-marijuana-paranoia-according-to-neil-young-and-science/
- ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2023/02/cbd-may-increase-the-adverse-effects-of-thc-in-edible-cannabis-products-study-shows
- ↑ https://cannabis.colorado.gov/legal-marijuana-use/driving-and-traveling
- ↑ https://cannabis.colorado.gov/health-effects/immediate-health-effects
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