Finding the Perfect Dosage for Edibles

Edibles have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason — not only do you get to enjoy a delicious gummy, brownie, cookie (or another type of baked good; you name it, honesty!), but you’ll be getting high while doing it. We can’t think of a better way to quell the munchies. As you may already know, edibles come in a lot of different forms, from mouthwatering baked goods to irresistible soft chews, and they're infused with concentrated levels of THC, CBD, or a combination of both. It’s also a great way to enjoy the benefits of herb without inhaling smoke into your lungs or filling the house with a bothersome smell.

When it comes to taking edibles, though, it can be a little tricky to find the right dosage. You want your edible experience to be enjoyable, and taking too much of an edible can make you feel sort of “out of it” or lethargic, which probably isn’t what you want. On the flip side, taking too little of an edible might leave you longing for something more. So, the question becomes: how do you find the perfect dosage for edibles? If this is something you’ve been fretting about, then fret no more! The SMOKEA® team is here to help.

The Correct Edible Dosage

Finding the right edible dosage is honestly a trial-and-error process, especially for those who are new to herb. We’d recommend starting with lower doses and gradually increasing your dosage from there until you find what works best for you. You can always take a gander at an edibles dosage chart if you’re not sure where to start.

The most common low-dose edibles available on the market contain around 1-5 mg of THC per serving. These small doses are perfect for beginners, since they’re meant to give you a mild introduction to the effects of edibles, and may even offer subtle relief from pain and anxiety symptoms. That said, the intensity of these effects can differ depending on how much you’ve eaten and your personal tolerance.

For those who feel like they can handle a little more (and want to feel more potent effects), edibles that contain a range of 1-15 mg might be more suitable. If you take 5 mg and don’t get the results you were hoping for, you can try taking two 5 mg edibles or consume a single 10 or 15 mg edible. Remember, it’s always a good idea to increase the dosage incrementally. We’d recommend adding 5 mg at a time so that you don’t take too much too soon. The onset of edibles is usually delayed, so patience is key!

Moderate to high doses of 15-30 mg are recommended for people who have prior experience taking edibles. These doses tend to come with stronger and longer-lasting effects in comparison to lower doses. They’re often favored by people with higher tolerances, and they can actually help a lot with pain and inflammation relief. Of course, a 30-milligram edible is going to be pretty overwhelming for someone who’s never taken an edible before, so if you’re new to herb, we’d recommend handing off your edibles that contain higher doses of THC to your more experienced friends (unless you’d like to be incapacitated for the rest of the night).

Dosages exceeding 30-50 mg are typically reserved for very experienced herb users with high tolerances or people who need help managing their chronic illnesses. For beginners, edibles in this range can cause unwanted side effects, like anxiety, stress, or even an increased heart rate. These higher dosages can provide powerful effects, including euphoria and relief from stress, anxiety, and pain. Edibles that are this potent can take a long time to wear off, though, so you should definitely consider that as well.

How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?

The short answer to this question is: It depends. When it comes to the onset of effects, edibles typically take around 30-60 minutes to kick in. It’s going to depend on your metabolism, the time of day, how much you’ve eaten, and any gastrointestinal issues you might have, though.

Edibles can also take longer than expected to kick in. For some, it might take up to two hours! This is why being patient when taking edibles is so important. You shouldn’t necessarily take more just because you don’t feel anything after 30 minutes.

It’s generally a good idea to start with a small dose and allow ample time for the effects to manifest. We’d advise you to wait at least 45-90 minutes before considering taking more edibles if you feel like the effects you’re feeling aren’t strong enough. A lot of people overestimate their tolerance or simply become impatient while waiting for the effects to take place.

Trust us, we know waiting isn’t fun, but you’re going to need to avoid the temptation of taking more edibles if you don’t want to be totally incapacitated two hours later. Your friends might have a good laugh, but you’ll likely be drooling on the floor — which is not ideal!

Taking Your First Edible

If you’re feeling a little nervous about diving head-first into the world of edibles, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Here are some steps you can follow when it comes to taking your very first edible:

Step 1: Begin with a Low Dose

Regardless of whether you're a seasoned user or a newbie, it's always a good idea to start with a low dosage when eating edibles. Every person's body metabolizes edibles differently, so we’d recommend erring on the side of caution. For beginners with a low tolerance, a 5 mg edible is an ideal starting point.

Step 2: Wait For About an Hour

It's super common for first-timers to underestimate the time it takes for edibles to take effect, and this can sometimes lead them to take additional doses before their initial edible has even kicked in. Of course, this can result in accidentally consuming a higher dose than they’re ready for, which could potentially cause them to experience unwanted side effects like extreme drowsiness, or severe anxiety.

To avoid this happening to you, we’d recommend waiting at least an hour (or even two) before taking another edible, even if you feel like your first dose wasn't strong enough.

Step 3: If the Effects Are Intense, Just Stay Calm

Edibles hit differently. Oftentimes, the effects are a lot more potent than what you might feel after hitting a bong or smoking a joint. If you feel overwhelmed, it's important to stay calm and try to relax. Although it may be tempting to panic, you must remind yourself that this is a new experience and allow yourself to enjoy the full effects of the edible.

Being aware of the fact that the effects of some edibles can be rather intense should help you mentally prepare for it. Also, keeping a CBD tincture on hand can help offset some of the discomfort that may come with taking edibles.

Step 4: Adjust Your Dosage and Try Again (If You’d Like To)

Different edibles use different strains of flower, so no two edibles are going to yield the same effects — even if they contain the same dosage of THC. If you're aiming for a specific edible experience, such as feeling inspired or motivated, a sativa-heavy edible might be the right choice for you.

If it’s relaxation you want, you’ll probably want to opt for an Indica-dominant edible. Don’t hesitate to talk to the staff members at your local dispensary or Contact Us at SMOKEA® today if you’re not sure which type of edible you should go with when it comes to achieving the effects you desire.

Should You Take Edibles on an Empty Stomach?

If you take an edible right after eating something high in fat, you may experience more potent effects, but this isn’t necessarily a good thing for all users. It’s generally a good idea to consume edibles between meals so that you’re not too hungry and not too full when the edible finally kicks in.

You should also try to let your body digest the edible before eating anything else. This will make the munchies all the more enjoyable, anyway! Once you’ve given the edible enough time to metabolize, you can go ahead and eat whatever you want!

How Long Do Edibles Last?

For a lot of reasons, you’ll probably need to think more carefully about the dosage of an edible than you usually would about a bowl of flower or the amount of herb you’d typically roll into a joint. This is because the effects of an edible tend to last a lot longer than the effects that come with smoking. The effects of an edible will generally last for around 3-5 hours, but in some cases, especially strong edibles can last as long as 10 hours. This is rare, but it’s something to consider.

Before taking an edible, you should think about whether you need to be somewhere in two hours, or if you’re ready to be couch-locked for the remainder of the night.

Luckily, when you buy edibles from the dispensary, they usually come with labeled instructions and activation times — so you can pretty much know what to expect. That said, the actual duration time of the edible’s effects is often omitted, simply because the manufacturer can’t guarantee how long the effects will last for each person.

It depends on your metabolism and body chemistry, so the best thing you can do is give an edible a try and adjust your dosage as needed. This is also why we’d recommend trying your first edible on a night when you don’t have anything else going on (i.e. you don’t have to be at work at 6 AM the next morning).

How Edibles Can Benefit Your Health

Generally, edibles are an excellent choice for those who don’t want to inhale smoke into their lungs. Perhaps you’re tired of having a raspy cough and watery eyes every time you take a bong rip, in which case edibles would suit you quite well. They’re also delicious, which is a major bonus. Like when you smoke flower, eating edibles comes with several notable health benefits — that’s right, they’re not just good for getting high!

In case you aren’t already aware, both CBD and THC offer potential benefits for pain relief. CBD is particularly effective in addressing inflammatory disorders, as well as providing relief from anxiety and insomnia. THC can assist with alleviating nausea and stimulating appetite, so if you suffer from an illness that makes it difficult for you to eat, you might want to consider taking a THC edible or two. Feel free to experiment and try new things. It’s all about discovering what works best for you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the right dosage for edibles?

Before taking an edible for the first time, you’re going to want to determine what you want to get out of the experience. Are you looking for a relaxing euphoric high? Try taking an edible that contains an Indica strain. Do you want to take an edible that inspires your creativity and makes you feel more motivated? A sativa-dominant edible might be more up your alley.

When it comes to the “right” dosage for edibles, your tolerance, body weight, and food consumption are all going to play a role. Ultimately, you’re going to have to do some trial and error and figure out what works best for you. That said, a typical dose to start with is 5 mg. If you’re not feeling the effects after an hour or two, you can always take another 5 mg edible. Remember, patience is key.

How do you find the best dosage for edibles?

One of the best ways to do this would be consulting an edible dosing chart, or talking with one of the knowledgeable staff members at your local dispensary. You’ll very likely be told that the “best” dosage for edibles depends on the person, but just be specific about what you’re looking for, and you should be able to get some helpful advice. No matter what, we’d recommend starting with a low dose (i.e. 5 mg or lower), and gradually up your dosage with time and experience.

If you have prior experience with smoking THC, you should consider how much THC an edible contains, as it will probably have a much more potent effect than you’re used to. You may also want to ask the person at the dispensary if they carry any edibles that help with pain and anxiety symptoms if that’s something you’re hoping to get some relief from. Edibles with higher dosages are a lot more likely to help with issues like inflammatory disorders and insomnia, so just keep that in mind — and don’t consume more than you can handle, either.

Can you overdose on edibles?

No — overdosing on edibles is not possible. In instances where people experience severe effects from edibles, it’s typically because they’ve chosen products with high THC doses and/or have a low tolerance level. THC, which is the primary psychoactive compound in herb, and is responsible for the "high" sensation, is the main factor in determining the intensity of a particular experience — so just keep that in mind!

If it’s your first time taking edibles, we’d highly recommend having a bottle of water, some food, and a warm blanket on hand. Being prepared will make your edible experience all the more enjoyable, so don’t hesitate to over-prepare if you feel that’s what’s best!

← Previous Post Next Post →