Edibles Dose Chart: How Much Do I Need?

Edibles can be really fun. However, they can also produce negative effects if they are taken in the wrong amount. This can really ruin what would otherwise be a great time. So what do you do? Well, read on to learn about marijuana edibles.

Each dose of an Edible is Different for Each Person

Cannabis edibles are usually not an exact science. Most people are not in a lab concocting the perfect amount of THC in an edible to get a person high. It is more of a game of trial and error. In order to get that level of accuracy, you would need a very expensive lab. You would also need to be able to consistently reproduce your results. This can be very difficult for the home grower or casual enthusiast to do.

For most people you will find that they are experimenting with their marijuana and the amount of THC that they put into whatever they are making. It is a trial and error process that involves trying out a bit of the product and then moving up, or backing off, from there.

Also the size of a person and their body makeup will have an impact on how the edibles take effect. Let’s look at an example: Two people try the exact same edible. All other factors are exactly the same other than that one of the people is 140 pounds (63.5Kg) and the other person is 210 pounds (95.25 Kg). Assuming that all factors are the same and there are no major issues with either of them, the person who weighs 210 LB will be less affected by the THC in the edible.

What does this mean for you? This means that every person who tries an edible will have a different experience. There is no hard and fast rule for the effects of an edible that takes care of everyone. Having said that, let’s explore an average and see what can possibly be expected.

So How Much Should I Take?

So you are thinking, “I know different edibles have different effects. I want to know how much I should take.” We’ll get there. First, we should look at some factors which can have a drastic impact on the edible that you want to take.

As we mentioned before, each edible is different. Let’s look at some possible factors which could influence the outcome of your edibles.

Unless you buy a commercial edible, you really cannot know the amount of THC and other compounds present in your edible. In this case, the only way to gauge a reaction is to take an edible and wait to see what the effect is. I would recommend starting small. If you see a whole brownie on a plate, don’t just eat the whole thing at once. Eat some. Wait a while and see where it takes you. Then, if it’s too mellow, you can always eat more.

Dosage and Effects of Edibles

It is important to remember that with edibles, the effects can come on very slowly. In fact, it could take up to an hour or more to feel the effects. A common mistake that people new to edibles make is that they will eat some and then not feel anything. Instead of waiting for the effects to come on, they then eat more. This can lead to a very bad experience, especially for people new to cannabis use.

Potential Effects of Too High a Dose

People who are extremely sensitive to THC can perform much better with does even lower than that listed. Remember that when you exceed 100mg of THC in a dose, you run the risk of having a very negative experience. With too high of a dose of THC, you are more likely to experience negative side effects. Some of the negative side effects of too much THC include (but are not limited to): Increased anxiety, paranoia, nausea, decreased motor skills, and decreased reaction times.

The Role of Cannabinoids and THC Content in Cannabis Edibles

Some research suggests that CBD and other cannabinoids can help relaxe. It is vitally important that if you are feeling these issues, that you speak to a health care professional. This is especially true if you are going to start a medication routine to deal with any issues that you are experiencing.

Some Hacks for Edibles

Sometimes an edible is taking a while to kick in. Other times you don’t want to wait an hour or more for the effects to happen. There are a few ways in which you can cause the effects of cannabis edibles to kick in quickly. What should you do? Read on to find out.

• Use a tincture: a tincture is a product in which medicine or drug is dissolved in alcohol. Often times it is then added to a carrier oil and can be taken orally.
• Keep an empty stomach: Keeping your stomach empty before you take an edible is helpful in increasing the rate at which it hits you. If your stomach is empty, then your digestive system will concentrate only on the edible. Doing this will speed up the rate of absorption.
• Exercise: Doing anything which increases your metabolism will help your body to absorb the THC in edibles. Increasing your metabolism through exercise also has the added benefit of getting some exercise in. Seems like a win/win to me.
• Under the tongue: Putting a product, especially a tincture, under the tongue will assist in the rate of absorption. Increasing this rate should lead to a quicker onset of the effects of the edible.

Overconsumption and What You Can Do

You should always know the dosage of the edible that you are taking if you can. Sometimes a friend makes it at home and you have no way of knowing. This can create a problem in case the dosage is too high for you. Remember that excessive doses of THC can lead to overconsumption. You should always be careful with the THC levels, so as to reduce the probability of adverse effects.

Let’s look at the signs of overconsumption:

• High Levels of Anxiety
• Nausea
• Lethargy
• Dizziness
• Panic Attacks
• Rapid Heart Rate
• Difficulty Conversing
• Poor Coordination
• High or Low Blood Pressure
• Vomiting
• Extreme Confusion
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Memory Problems

*list adapted from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/addiction-treatment-recovery/marijuana/symptoms-and-treatment-of-marijuana-overdose

If you experience the more severe symptoms listed, seek medical help immediately. If you get a bit of dry mouth, drink some water. But seriously, if you feel as though you are in danger, never hesitate to seek medical attention. I cannot stress enough that you should never be ashamed or afraid to do so.

So what can you do to help stave off some of the less extreme symptoms of overconsumption *?

• Get Safe. You can start by going to a safe, relaxed place and thinking everything will be fine. This is the first step in reducing the increased anxiety.
• Try some CBD. CBD can help to counteract the psychoactive effects of THC.
• Drink some water. Water can help to dilute the drug in your digestive system.
• Try a whiff of Black Pepper. Apparently, this can help to combat the paranoia that a strong high can bring on.
• Have a lemon squeezer. Limonene is said to have a calming effect on people. Squeeze some lemon into your water.
• Eat something. Distract yourself with some food. Some food may help you to feel normal.
• Go for a walk. Getting some exercise may help to work the THC through your system faster. It can help lift your mood. The benefits of exercise are usually a good thing.

* list adapted from https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-stop-being-high#walk

Critical Advice and Final Thoughts

The basic rule on the consumption of cannabis is to always begin with a low dose. This is especially true if you do not know how much THC is present in the edible. You should always try to gauge the effect of an edible before you start to increase the intake of the product.

If you feel that the low dose does not have an effect, or has little impact, you can begin to increase your dosage. Please note to increase your dose gradually. Starting by consuming high doses is a very reckless way to approach using cannabis. If your initial does not work, increase slowly. Otherwise, you run the risk of experiencing the negative effects of cannabis. Remember, you are doing this to have fun. Don’t let it get out of hand and you will.

Source: https://amsterdammarijuanaseeds.com/blog/edibles-dose-chart/