The world of cannabis has evolved leaps and bounds from the rudimentary joint. Today, one can find a plethora of cannabis products, from creams and tinctures to oils and edibles. Edibles are nothing new - space cakes have been around longer than most of us. But while you can still whip up a batch of THC-loaded cookies, cannabis edibles are now pretty easy to buy. From chocolate bars to gummies and beyond, there's an ever-increasing range of cannabis-sprinkled foods on today's market, available with any amount of THC from low to high to hero. The good thing is that most of the products you’d buy from a dispensary or online have doses marked on the packaging, making keeping yourself safe much simpler.
If you've ever experimented with the delectable joy of cannabis-infused foods, you may have fallen victim to the "edible abyss" - one moment, you're casually snacking on a sumptuous hash cake, and the next, high doses of THC kick in, and you feel significantly more baked than the brownie! So what do you do if you find yourself placed in the 'edible full nelson'? (Hint: re-evaluating your life choices is often the first response.)
First, let's take a quick detour via the science class to discover how this happened.
How Edibles Make Their Grand Entrance Into The Bloodstream
Unlike smoking weed or vaping, where cannabis immediately enters the lungs and diffuses into the bloodstream, edibles take a more scenic route. After you sink your teeth into a cannabis edible, it obviously goes to your stomach. Here, the THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, is metabolized by the digestive system. This process transforms it into a mix called 11-hydroxy-THC[1], which is more potent and longer-lasting than its precursor. Your digestive system takes its sweet time to process the THC after eating edibles, so it can be anywhere between half an hour to an hour (and, in some cases, as much as two hours!) before you feel the familiar blissful sensation of the high.
And just to increase the jeopardy of it all, according to a study from 2016[2], not only is the absorption rate of THC through taking edibles slower - it results in higher THC levels in the blood than smoking, too. It's a classic case of joints being the hare and edibles being the tortoise, and what started as a meal has turned into an ordeal!
This phenomenon often leads to overconsumption for first-time or inexperienced edible-munchers. It seems there's a disastrous edibles anecdote for every star in the sky, and they usually go something like this: Noob eats edible. Fifteen minutes pass, and they don't feel any effect. Noob thinks, "I know, I'll have another three - that ought to do it." Forty-five minutes later, noob is facetiming with the living room rug, and there they shall remain for the evening.
If there's a rulebook for edibles, rule number one would be "Start low, go slow".
Time Travelling Through The Edible Abyss
If you're a first-timer on this enchanting voyage, it's crucial to understand the importance of patience and setting realistic expectations. The edibles will get you good, but they'll get you when you least expect it. Take your edible and go about your business as usual. Get comfortable and pass the time with some low-risk, largely passive endeavours. Fire up a movie and get your snacks, set off on a peaceful walk in the fresh air - plan whatever you want to be doing when the effects kick in. That way, when the edible starts its dance, you're in a safe place and prepared to ride the wave.
But what if you're reading this article (or, more likely, someone is reading it to you) after the fact, and you're stone-cold pancaked? In that case, you'll need some information on how to navigate your experience safely. You've come to the right place. Here's what to do:
Recover From The Incredible Edible....Without Feeling Terrible
If you’re having a bad first experience, one of your first questions after “What should I do?” may be, “how long do edibles last?” An edible high can last significantly longer than you'd experience after smoking cannabis. As stated, 11-hydroxy-THC takes longer to metabolize; therefore, if you take edibles last thing at night, you could very well awaken the next day with a weed hangover. It depends on your dose and your tolerance level, of course, but this is another thing to bear in mind before embarking on your first voyage across space.
Being caught in the maelstrom of over-indulgence can be unpleasant, but these tips are worth trying if you need to escape in a hurry. Begin by accepting the situation, being aware that you're simply a bit too high from the edibles and that the unwanted side effects will eventually pass. If you go into a paranoid tailspin, things will spiral out of control quickly, and that can be nasty.
1. Hit The Hydration Station
Since time began, the first port of call when someone feels unwell is usually to offer them a glass of water. Headache? Let me get you a glass of water. Tummy feeling a bit off? Let me get you some water. Feeling light-headed? Sit down, and I'll bring you a glass of water. It makes good sense, as adequate hydration is vital to optimal function in many areas of human performance. Additionally, THC can inhibit saliva production, so dry mouth is a likely side-effect of your indulgence.
Begin gradually rehydrating as soon as you can, and drink plenty of water or something with electrolytes in it. Avoid cracking open a cold beer, as this will mix with the THC and increase your level of impairment. Start flushing that THC immediately, and you'll sober up significantly quicker.
2. Some CBD Could Set You Free
If you're lucky enough to have some CBD products to hand, take some. CBD chocolate, gummies, drinks, and oil are all pretty easy to obtain these days. If you're a regular consumer of THC products, it's a good idea to always have some CBD products in your arsenal as well. Some studies suggets that these two cannabinoids can work together to create a more harmonious experience, but also that CBD may counteract some of the psychoactive effects of THC.
A couple of CBD gummies or a few squares of CBD chocolate will see you sobering up a good deal faster. Ideally, you want a product with no THC or at least a higher ratio of CBD than THC.
3. Get Comfortable And Lean Into The Bliss
Whether that means camping out on the couch under your favourite snuggly throw or taking yourself to bed for total relaxation is up to you. If you've hit a heavy one and find yourself totally compromised by the effects of cannabis, get into a safe place and rest, or sleep it off. You'll steer well clear of mischief that way, keeping yourself and others safe.
When you eventually wake up from your deep sleep, there may be flying cars and hoverboards, or there may not. Either way, your first port of call upon waking should be hydration. Sip between 500ml and a pint of water to help fight the inevitable edible hangover.
4. Alternatively, Wait It Out
If you don't want to sleep, or if it's not an option, sit tight, watch a movie or some TV if you can, and immerse yourself in something largely passive that will keep you safe and occupy your mind while you wait for the brain fog to clear up. Sitting around unoccupied will increase your likelihood of focusing on how you're feeling, which could kickstart that downward spiral into panic. Keep hydrating, and maybe even try some carby foods to keep you honest.
While it might sound as appealing as root cana for some, the black pepper theory can spice things up with some unexpected science twists! Believe it or not, within those unassuming peppercorns lies a secret weapon against the THC takeover – a compound called Beta-caryophyllene, the selective CB2 antagonist. It's like the superhero of spices, swooping in to bind with those pesky THC receptors in your brain. Dr. Ethan Russo, in his 2011 masterpiece, Taming THC, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology[3], suggests that this pepper-powered hero can "tame the intoxicating effects of THC."
Granted, chewing on black peppercorns is unlikely to top anyone's list of 'can't wait to try that idea'; however, rest assured, another character exists in the narrative. Alpha-pinene, with its superhero-like name, is found within black peppercorns. Functioning as a cognitive alarm call, it can enhance vigilance and assist you in sobering up.
Conclusion
Edibles are a fun and delicious way to get your cannabis hit, and if used correctly, can provide a journey of curiosity and revelation, but a sensible and cautious approach is recommended. If you're new to edibles, inexperienced, or have low tolerance levels, you have to resist the temptation to scoff large amounts - no matter how delicious they may taste. An edible overdose is a long, slow, and slippery slope, and a fine line exists between one more and one too many. Start with a low dose, hydrate throughout the edible experience, and never lose sight of the fact that the tasty snack in your hand contains slow-acting THC. Be aware of the slow onset of effects and how long those effects can last, and let these factors guide your consumption. If things do get out of hand, try the strategies listed here, and above all else, keep yourself safe.
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References:
2. Tasty THC: Promises and Challenges of Cannabis Edibles (Daniel G. Barrus, Kristen L. Capogrossi et al)
3. Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects (Ethan B. Russo)
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