When cannabis is ingested rather than inhaled, cannabinoids enter the bloodstream through the stomach and liver. Cannabinoids are the naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis sativa plant such as THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the compound which produces a high or CBD (Cannabidiol), which promotes relaxation and calm.
The ingestion of cannabis, such as in the form of an edible may produce the following results:
Delaying of the onset of cannabinoid effects.
Increasing of the potency.
Lengthening of the intoxicating effects for 4-8 hours, depending on the strain.
Edibles as a food, appear to have been first enjoyed on the Indian subcontinent by the ancients who prepared a mixture of cannabis leaves and clarified butter, yielding an edible called Bhang. They were among the first to record mention of cannabis’s psychoactive properties being used intentionally for personal enjoyment, to relieve anxiety, and for religious practices. This tradition is said to have begun as far back as 1000 BCE. To this day, Bhang is still in regular use, particularly in Hinduism.
The popularity of edibles continues as we find that the cookbook, “On Honorable Pleasure and Health”, published in 1474 includes the first written recipe for a cannabis edible.
Additional benefits to consumption of edibles are that the sedative effects are felt more intensely in the muscles in comparison to an inhalant. For those battling joint or muscle pain, this can be quite an advantage.
Since there is a wide range of levels of tolerance, it is best to be conservative if you are not an experienced edible consumer. The accepted recommendation is to start with an edible that has no more than 10 mg of THC, with most experts advising a dose of 2.5 to 5 mg for the first time.
Should you care to try your hand at making your own edibles at home, a very helpful dosage calculator can be found here:
Comments