It is widely known that marijuana can be smoked or consumed by edibles. But for the uninitiated, it is noticeable that the effects of both methods can be quite different. Recent studies show that high from smoking is more immediate than what you get from eating a pot brownie which can take about an hour to take effect. Now, serious worries are being raised over the sale and marketing of edibles. Some products can look quite appealing to children like gummies and cookies and are often identical to regular treats. Therefore, it is important to know the advantage and disadvantages of cannabis edibles vs smoking.
Edibles
We can consume cannabis by edibles is another way of using marijuana. But of course, there are pros and cons. Here are pros:
Pros
- Longer lasting high (3-6 hours – ideal for patients with severe chronic pain);
- Healthier for lungs;
- Stronger high;
- Have delicious Tastes.
Cons
- Long waiting period (45 minutes to 3 hours);
- Conflicting in effects and energy;
- More processed;
- Easily mistaken for normal snacks;
- Be short of terpenes.
Smoking
Smoking is the most common way of consuming cannabis. When smoking a joint or a pipe, around 90% of the combusted gases from smoking weed contain non-cannabinoid components. In other words, it can cause possible health risks.
Pros
- Effects more direct;
- Tastes the terpene (aromatic profile);
- Easy and ideal dosing.
Cons
- Lung damage from smoke and combustion;
- Short-lived effect (1-2 hr);
- Strong smell;
- Cumbersome preparation process;
- Inhaling pesticide.
Edibles vs Smoking
There are five key differences between ingesting and inhaling cannabis (edibles vs smoking). While these two utilization methods can have different effects, it’s important to know the differences between cannabis edibles vs smoking cannabis in order to choose which method is better for you.
1) Different absorption of THC
Have you ever considered why marijuana edibles can have a stronger effect than smoking or vaporizing cannabis? The liver converts THC to 11 hydroxy THC by taking cannabis. This metabolite is more effective at crossing the blood-brain barrier which results in more strong effects. THC when we breathe travels directly to the brain which results in a different metabolic process. This shows why the impacts of smoked or vaporized cannabis come on faster and fade more quickly.
2) Effects & duration
Smoking cannabis can be quick and sweet. Its effects noticeably within the first 10 to 30 minutes and will dissolve over the next hour or two. On the other hand, edibles can take from half to two hours to swallow and the effects can last few hours. Users usually report stronger body effects with a psychedelic intellectual buzz in larger doses. Smaller doses tend to give up milder and more comfortable effects – that’s why it’s always a good idea to follow the golden rule of edibles. Start small and be patient.
3) Edibles as a healthier alternative to smoking
Many people are worried about the long-term health issues connected with it are attracted to edibles. Edibles can provide long-lasting relief for chronic symptoms like pain, making them an ideal choice for many medical patients. And remember while the stereotypical image of the pot brownie may live on edibles don’t have to be infused with sugar. Today, you can change anything into a cannabis-infused blend.
4) The difficulty of dosing edibles vs smoking
Due to the delay between intake and the beginning of effects, it can be simple to overestimate the dose of edibles. In legal marijuana markets, 10 mg is measured a standard dose and delivers reasonable effects. A 100-mg edible is measured to be much stronger and should be split into several doses over time. With inhaled cannabis, the effects are immediate, allowing consumers to gradually dose as needed to reach their desired effect.
5) Disparities and advertising potency
Determining the THC pleased with homemade edibles is not an easy task. Even professional distributors sometimes have trouble matching the promoted dose with their products. Those states where cannabis is legal are moving towards stricter laws for edible testing and THC content. However, if you live in a state without the guidelines in place, be sure to take your edible passage slowly and cautiously.
As you see, each method edibles vs smoking have its own advantage and disadvantage. You need to make a judgment to choose which method to swallow cannabis.
