How to not "Die" from Edibles

HOW NOT TO DIE FROM EDIBLES

Words of advice by a home edible chef.

Edibles carry a bit of mystique, and rightfully so. Even if you have never tried one yourself, chances are, you know someone that has. They either had the time of their life or thought life itself was ending, and that story may have enticed you to try it for yourself or scared you away completely. I have been making homemade edibles for over a year now. Up until then, I thought edibles were just another way to get completely spun on THC, and that they were reserved for music festivals and nature walks. But what I have realized while cooking, infusing, and baking my way through the pandemic is that edibles are not only a great alternative to smoking, but they are also best used medicinally and with clear intention (as with all cannabis products). I love turning people on to edibles that have never tried them before, (my grandma now takes them for restless leg syndrome) or someone who once had a rough time with them but is open to trying again. The edible is a holistic experience and should be treated as such. Here are some questions and answers from a mom making mindful medicinal edibles from her kitchen.

Where do I start?

Edibles are made as low as 2 MG. Follow the 2x2 rule: 2 MG every 2 hours to find your desired dosage. Because edibles are absorbed by the digestive system, it makes a difference whether you’ve eaten or not. I suggest having a small snack half an hour before you take the edible. You don’t want an empty stomach, but not completely full either. The most important thing to figure out in your first few times taking edibles is how sensitive you are to them.

How is it different than smoking?

When smoking cannabis, it reaches the bloodstream immediately, usually lasting for an hour or so. Edibles may take 1-3 hours to “kick in” and the effects and may last up to 12 hours in total. In terms of effects, edibles tend to take on a body high versus a cerebral high from smoking flower.

What should I try? Edibles are always so sweet.

Let your imagination run wild! Cannabis is infused in just about anything edible and drinkable these days. And if it has not been created yet, it will be soon. Pasta sauce is a personal favorite of mine. Tinctures are also useful because of their accuracy with dosing. Tinctures are typically made with alcohol but can also be found with MCT oil or glycerin for a non-alcohol option. They can be added to almost any food or drink.

Will I get too high to function?

I am a personal fan of the micro-dose. Micro dosing is exactly what it sounds like: small amounts of cannabis introduced over a long period of time, minimizing or eliminating unwanted side effects. This is especially beneficial for someone that is worried about taking too much. Micro doses start as low as 2 MG. CBD edibles are also widely available in legal areas and have no psychological effects.

Yeah but… edibles NEVER work for me.

I cannot say this with enough emphasis – Everyone is different! Because edibles are absorbed through the digestive system, it’s like any other food or drink. Not everyone enjoys a tall glass of milk with dinner if you know what I mean. Sidenote: a rare condition affects people who carry a certain type of enzyme in their digestive tract that blocks cannabinoids from being absorbed. And in that case, you’d be right.

Does the type of cannabis matter?

Absolutely. The strain matters, the form matters (infused oil/butter/concentrate/distillate), and the type of infusion matters (full spectrum or isolate). An isolate is great for accurate dosing and is what you’re likely to find in most dispensary goodies. Candies are sprayed or injected with a specific amount to give the same exact result each time. Full spectrum simply means the entire plant was used in the infusion stage and will have the most medicinal value.

So, can I throw some bud into my brownie mix and make them myself?

Not exactly. Cannabis needs to go through a process called decarboxylation to activate the THC or CBD to work in the body – even when smoked. A lighter would do the trick in that case, but THC/CBD in edibles is activated by heating the raw cannabis to a certain temperature before being infused and then added to food/drink.

How do I read the dosage on dispensary packaging?

Dosage on dispensary packaging should be clear. But if you think the cannabis industry is in its infancy, then edibles are still in the womb. Lab results have been shown to vary, so think farm to table as you would with your food! Knowing your source and the company’s reputation is extremely important when it comes to edibles and dosing.

Can I die from eating too many edibles?

Not one human has ever overdosed on cannabis. Never. Not once. You may experience negative symptoms from taking too much THC for your tolerance level. Racing thoughts, anxiety, and paranoia can all be associated with taking too much cannabis in edible form. If you find yourself in that predicament, take deep breaths, relax, and remember; ‘this too shall pass.’

*A note from the author: I reside in a US state that is recreationally legal and have access to the tools I need to make my own edibles at home. This article is not intended to give medical advice or guidance.

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