Edibles are trending big-time. They offer advantages over smoking cigarettes, like discretion, no threat of carcinogens, and a more potent/far-reaching high. But some people find that marijuana edibles don’t work for them. Is it the edibles? The user? For some people, it might be that their body doesn’t process cannabis in the same way that others might.
What is the difference between smoking, vaping, and eating cannabis?
Smoking and vaping cannabis happen almost instantly, while edibles take from 30 minutes to 2 hours before the effect takes place and lasts much longer. Edibles need to go through the liver before effects are felt, meaning you will filter out more of the drug due to slower absorption. Individual factors affect the intensity of the impact, such as the specific cannabinoid consumed or a person’s metabolism.
Take, for example, Delta 9 THC. When you consume Delta-8 and Delta-9, your body converts both to a metabolite known as 11-hydroxy-THC. The liver is responsible for this process of first-pass metabolism, specifically the drug-metabolizing enzyme cytochrome P2C9. Even when you smoke weed, your liver still sees some Delta 9 and turns it into 11-hydroxy-THC. However, when you ingest cannabis, your liver produces even more of this metabolite.
There are many other cannabinoids, and they produce metabolites. One, in particular, seems to be more abundant and is more hydroxylated, 7-COOH which is a derivative of CBD. Unlike THC, CBD doesn’t have first-pass effects because a large portion of it is excreted unchanged in the feces. When you eat or drink something containing CBD, it takes a while to enter your bloodstream since it has to go through your gut and into your intestines before it can enter your bloodstream. However, even if it does reach your bloodstream, the effects won’t be as strong as if you smoked or ingested something with THC. From my own experience and reading a few articles, I learned that THC and CBD are not the only cannabinoids that can have different effects when ingested or smoked.
Benefits of Taking Edibles?
There are numerous pros to choosing edibles over smokeable. It impacts your health the most because when you smoke, you put your body in contact with carcinogens and other harmful chemicals. Smoking also forces people to find places to smoke every hour or two, which is inconvenient. Edibles are also more discreet, making it easier to travel with them and use them in the workplace without other employees catching on.
Is there a chance Edibles have no Effect on some People
Technically, yes. Many people find themselves disappointed when they take some edibles and don’t feel anything. There is no exact number on this. Still, I’ve met quite a few friends who say they don’t feel any psychoactive effects when they use edibles, and I’ll include myself in that as well. Some sources say that anywhere from 10-15% of cannabis users don’t experience the desired effects of edibles. This can be one of two complications: a digestive/absorption issue or a metabolic issue.
Digestive Issue
If a person has Gastrointestinal issues, it is hard to digest and absorb cannabinoids. When cannabis is ingested, the digestive system absorbs the cannabinoids and sends them to the liver for processing. A person with Gastrointestinal issues may not have the enzymes needed to digest and absorb fat, which will lead to them not being able to process cannabinoids. Additionally, medications that a person takes might also affect their digestion and absorption. Many medicines list “gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, etc.” as possible side effects. It applies to both prescription medication and over-the-counter products.
Metabolic issues
One of the reasons cannabis impacts different people in different ways might be their genetics. Your ability to metabolize cannabis is affected by the production of enzymes in your body and how they correlate with CYP450, the metabolic pathway through which it passes. Suppose you don’t produce enough or too many of these enzymes. In that case, the cannabinoids may not be able to process and take effect properly fully. Various conditions could affect this production- according to Prof of Pot. One reason could be genetic. “There is a powerful genetic component that influences cannabis metabolism,” he explains. “These genetic components are why each individual responds to cannabis so differently. Some people are considered rapid cannabis metabolizers, while others are ultra-slow metabolizers. How your body processes cannabis could be genetic.”
Conclusion
Some people have trouble with edibles. They might not work for everyone. Patients have reported that dietary supplements or fat prevention might help improve their experience. If you can’t find anything, you may want to try a sublingual tincture, nasal spray, or vaping. You could also call this best Houston dispensary and speak to the workers there, or you can visit a THC Club Houston Hotline.
