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Why do Edibles Take so Long to Work?

Learn the science behind their delayed onset of edibles.

The day cannabis edibles were first made, the planets probably aligned. Some cannabis edibles are simply delightful, and with all the new world of possibilities and delicious sweet treats, drinks, and exquisite cannabis dishes, more and more people are experimenting with this method of consuming cannabis.

In fact, there is a whole new pro-edible movement, including restaurants that offer their guests the option of turning their favorite delicious dish into a therapeutic meal. However, not all organisms work the same, and the preparation of a cannabis treat or recipe can vary greatly depending on the methods used.

This is why edibles may be an excellent option for some people but not the best choice for others. Among users who have tried cannabis-infused edibles but have not fared as well as expected, there is one prevalent question.

Why do Edibles Not Work on Me?

There are people for whom smoking or inhaling vapor simply isn’t a viable option. There are others for whom it is merely a preferred option to consume cannabis in edible form since the high that this form of consumption offers is significantly different and more potent than smoking cannabis.

But edibles can sometimes take too long to work for some people and do not work the same for everyone. In fact, there are people for whom edibles just don’t seem to work at all or don’t have the desired effect. There can be several reasons why cannabis-infused edibles don’t work for some people.

Although these reasons may vary from person to person and from food to food, there are some things to consider to understand why edibles do not work the same for some users. Some of the reasons why cannabis edibles don’t work sometimes are:

  • There is not enough cannabis in the preparation
  • Using the wrong type of cannabis
  • Your body metabolizes THC very quickly
  • You ate the edible on an empty stomach
  • It may not be the best consumption option for you

Why Aren’t My Edibles Working?

There can be several different reasons why your cannabis-infused edibles aren’t working. The dosage may have been too low, or the way the edible was processed or made was inappropriate. Sometimes, the temperature at which we heat cannabis is not enough to decarboxylate the THCa into THC.

Also, if the cannabis was overheated in the cooking process, the THC could have been degraded, and for this reason, it does not generate the desired effects. In addition to all this, to process ingested cannabis, it has to be metabolized in the liver.

Some people produce very little or none of the enzymes necessary to process cannabis in the liver, which could also be why you are not feeling the effects you expect, even after eating the best Delta-9 THC cannabis edibles available on the market.

Why do Edibles Hit Harder?

Cannabis edibles hit harder because when we eat them, they enter they are processed through our digestive system rather than going straight to the bloodstream.

The cannabinoids must pass through the stomach and liver before reaching our bloodstream and our brain, which is when we start to feel the effects of the cannabinoids. When we eat cannabis, our stomach and liver break down the Delta-9 THC into a more potent form called 11-Hydroxy-THC, a Delta-9 metabolite that only occurs when liver enzymes digest Delta-9 THC.

Although 11-Hydroxy-THC and Delta-9 have a very close relationship, they have differences that significantly influence the effects generated by each of these cannabinoids. In fact, 11-hydroxy-THC is responsible for making THC-rich cannabis edibles “hit harder.”

This is because 11-hydroxy-THC can cross the blood-brain barrier significantly faster than Delta-9, and there is evidence to show that 11-hydroxy-THC has a quicker onset than Delta-9. In terms of effects, if we compare 11-hydroxy-THC vs. Delta-9 THC, there is also evidence to suggest that 11-hydroxy-THC might be more psychoactive than Delta-9.

Duration of Edibles

The duration of effects of cannabis-infused edibles can be noticeably longer than the effects of cannabis when smoked, vaped, or consumed as a tincture. You will begin to feel the effects of THC-rich cannabis edibles between 30 minutes to two hours, peaking after around 4 hours and lasting up to 6 hours after ingestion.

Usually, 8 hours after ingesting edibles, the effects begin to wear off, and they are almost unnoticeable after a day. Nonetheless, in some cases, residual effects can last up to 24 hours. We’ve got a wide selection of Botany Farms gummies that are properly dosed, so you know what to expect.

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Botany Farms General Disclaimer:

The content provided on Botany Farms’ website, including blog posts and articles, is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

While we source our information from credible academic studies and trusted sources, we encourage our readers to conduct their own research and consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice. The legality of cannabinoids varies by state and is subject to change. It is the reader’s responsibility to verify the current legal status of cannabinoids in their state or jurisdiction.

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