Finding Your Sweet Spot: A Guide to THC Edibles Dosage for Beginners

Marijuana dispensaries offer many cannabis-infused edibles, such as gummies, brownies, candies, and cookies. Unlike vapes or bongs, these pack a potent punch, making it crucial to find the ideal edibles dosage for a satisfying experience.

In other words, eating just a couple of 10 mg gummies can lead to a more full-bodied experience than smoking a joint. Although not everyone may be fond of the intense effects of edibles, a delightful journey is possible by understanding how they function and identifying the right dose for you.

Weed Review recommends starting with an edible dose of 2-10 mg for newbies, while seasoned users can consume more with a few things in mind.

Understanding edibles: How they work

When you consume cannabis by smoking, the THC (the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis) is quickly absorbed by the lungs and enters the bloodstream, which leads to a rapid onset of effects. But when you take cannabis through edibles, the liver processes the THC before it enters the bloodstream. This process, called first-pass metabolism, converts the THC into a potent metabolite called 11-Hydroxy-THC.

This metabolite is more potent than THC. Scientists say that 11-Hydroxy-THC is five times stronger than THC, which is why knowing the dosages of the edible products you take is essential.

Here is a handy way of comparing joints with brownies and candies:

A half-a-gram joint of 20% THC will have 100 mg of THC. Of course, you are not smoking the total 100 mg when you smoke it, as there will be some losses. Nonetheless, this joint can get you stoned; the high may last several hours. Meanwhile, you only need 10-15 mg of THC with edibles to get you high.

Factors that can affect how edibles affect you include:

• Metabolism
• Body weight
• Food intake
• Cannabis tolerance and sensitivity

If you have a faster metabolism, you may feel the effects more quickly, while someone with a slower metabolism may take longer to feel the effects.

Similarly, you may need more edibles to feel the desired effects if you have a high THC tolerance. Additionally, consuming edibles on an empty stomach can result in a faster onset, while taking them after a meal can result in a slower start of effects.

Determining your dosage: Start low and go slow

When consuming cannabis edibles, it is crucial to start with a low dosage and wait for the effects to kick in before eating more. There is no universal ideal dose; it will always vary from person to person. It can take 30 minutes to 2 hours to feel the effects of cannabis edibles.

One of the most common mistakes is to eat too many brownies or gummies in quick succession in the hopes of getting stoned. Unfortunately, when all this THC enters the system, the experience can be overwhelming, leading to a bad experience.

Long-lasting effects

The length of an edibles trip can last for 10-12 hours, but with varying intensity levels. Here is what you can expect in terms of time:

• Time for edibles to create their effects: 1/2 – 2 hours
• Peak high: 2 – 5 hours
• The mellow high/comedown: 5 – 12 hours

The onset period (when weed gummies and brownies start producing the effects) can be up to 2 hours.
This depends on how much you have eaten and your tolerance. The more you take, the higher you will be – but it can just as quickly get too overwhelming and unpleasant.

If you take high doses in your first few tries – upwards of 50 mg- you will be high for the whole day and feel the effects the following day too. But for someone with a really high tolerance, a 50 mg brownie is what they need to feel something.

Once you pass this peak of being super stoned, you will experience what many call comedown. You will still be high – not euphoric or giggly – but you can feel the weed in your system – slowing you down and making you tired. It is similar to how you may take an edible before bedtime and still wake up groggy the next day.

Edibles dosage chart

THC dose	Intensity	Effects	Use case	Intended audience
1 – 5 mg	Low	Mild relaxation, subtle mood lift, potential pain relief	Enhancing focus and creativity, managing mild symptoms, microdosing	Beginners, those with low tolerance, medical users
5 – 20 mg	Medium	Mild to moderate euphoria, increased appetite, pain relief	Socializing, relaxation, managing moderate symptoms	Recreational users, medical users
20 – 50 mg	High	Strong euphoria, potential for hallucinations, significant pain relief	Therapeutic use for chronic pain or anxiety, managing severe symptoms, relaxation	Experienced recreational users, medical users with high tolerance
50 – 75 mg	Very high	Intense euphoria, potential for anxiety or paranoia, strong pain relief	Therapeutic use for severe pain or insomnia, intense recreational experience	Experienced recreational users, medical users with a high tolerance for high doses
75 mg and more	Extreme	Extreme euphoria, potential for negative side effects, potent pain relief	Experienced recreational use only, therapeutic use for high tolerance patients	Experienced recreational users, medical users with very high tolerance, patients with GI absorption issues

Low

A 2 – 5 mg dose, like the ones found in gummies like Local Boys Chewables, is a good starting point for newcomers. You will not get too stoned with this and get some experience before upping the dose.

5 to 20 mg dose is well-suited for those who smoke cannabis regularly. You can expect mild euphoria, a body high, and an uplifting mood. It is not too intense and allows you to see a deeper side of the cannabis plant without going crazy. First-time users, however, may feel a bit dazed and overwhelmed.

Medium to high

Edible cannabis products with 20 – 50 mg doses can lead to strong psychoactive effects and joy, combined with impaired coordination and sense of time. At this point, you can also expect side effects like nausea, dry mouth, and intense emotions. For this reason, strong edible doses may not suit those with mental health issues.

High

Once you eat edibles in the 50 mg territory and more, you are taking high doses. Not only is this for experienced cannabis users but also for those who need relief from severe medical conditions like cancer, insomnia, multiple sclerosis (MS), inflammation, or intolerable physical pain. In addition, those suffering from gastrointestinal absorption issues may also take higher doses to ensure that the body effectively absorbs THC.

Experienced users

Even if you smoke or use cannabis regularly, dosages of over 75 mg are no joke. You may also experience severe side effects at a high dosage of edibles, such as anxiety, rapid heart rate, or paranoia.

Weed Review suggests you consume potent edibles cautiously, preferably under a doctor’s supervision if you take them for medicinal/health reasons.

How to calculate edibles dosage

Calculating the THC dosage should be easy unless you cook edibles at home. Accurate dosing information will be printed on the label if you buy your edibles from reputed weed stores and licensed dispensaries.

When calculating dosage, it’s essential to consider the strength of the edible and your body weight. Most edibles have the THC content listed on the packaging, so you can calculate the dosage based on that. For example, if you have a 100mg THC gummy and you want to start with 10mg, you can cut the gummy into 10 pieces.

You must be more cautious about bigger edibles like brownies and chocolate bars. One whole brownie may contain 50 mg of THC, so you may want to eat just a quarter or half of it to begin.

Whatever may be the case, do not go recklessly into high doses if you have never done edibles before – it is the recipe for a bad time. Instead, you may need some trial and error before you arrive at a proper dosage that works for you.

Adverse effects

Edibles take longer to take effect and can have a longer-lasting effect than smoking, making it more difficult to control the dosage and avoid overconsumption.

Consuming too much THC can lead to negative effects such as:

• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• Rapid heartbeat
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness

Stomach issues, such as cramping, diarrhoea, or vomiting, can also occur after consuming edibles. In addition, some people may be more sensitive to the effects of edibles and may experience more pronounced intoxicating effects.

You can take comfort in knowing that no one has ever died of a weed overdose. However, if you experience any unpleasant or severe side effects, it’s essential to seek medical attention or visit a doctor.

Enjoying a good experience with cannabis

Many people do not like edibles simply because of how high it gets them. But, unfortunately, it can be easy to take too much; when that happens, nothing much can be done except wait for the effects to pass.

For a good cannabis experience with edibles, you can keep the following in mind:

• Start slow; start small. If you are new to edibles, take your time to find the right dosage that works for you.
• Be patient. Once you take an edible, wait a couple of hours to feel something before taking another.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery. Edibles can seriously impair your coordination, judgement, and perception.
• Consume edibles in your safe, comfortable space. The experience can be overwhelming, and you may feel anxious and distressed in unfamiliar surroundings.
• Carry plenty of water and some snacks to munch on.
• Do not mix other drugs or alcohol with edibles.

If you get too high because of marijuana edibles, remember that these undesirable effects will pass with time. So keep calm and carry on.

Here are a few things you can try in the meantime:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Distract yourself with games, light activities, reading, music, or TV shows.
• Crush or smell peppercorns; they are known to be an effective remedy in reducing the high.

Conclusion

In conclusion, THC edibles can be a fantastic way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis without the risks associated with smoking. They offer a potent and long-lasting effect, making them a popular choice among cannabis enthusiasts.

It is important to consume them responsibly and with the right knowledge. By understanding the dosage, timing, and effects, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable edibles experience. With the help of resources like Weed Review, you can start your edibles journey with confidence and enjoy all that cannabis has to offer.

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