How Do Edibles Work Differently Than Smoking?

If you've heard people say "edibles hit different," they're absolutely right. There's real science behind why eating cannabis creates a distinctly different experience than smoking it.

The Science: What Happens When You Eat Cannabis

When you smoke cannabis, THC travels from your lungs directly to your brain within minutes. But when you eat cannabis, something different happens:

1. THC travels to your stomach
2. It moves to your liver for processing
3. Your liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC
4. This metabolite is more potent and crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily
5. Effects are stronger and longer-lasting

Key Differences

Factor	Smoking/Vaping	Edibles
Onset time	1-10 minutes	30 min - 2 hours
Peak effects	15-30 minutes	2-4 hours
Duration	1-3 hours	4-8+ hours
Intensity	Moderate	Can be more intense
Active compound	Delta-9 THC	11-hydroxy-THC

Why Beginners Should Be Extra Careful with Edibles

The delayed onset is where most beginners get into trouble. Here's a common scenario:

1. Eat a 10mg edible at 7 PM
2. Feel nothing by 8 PM
3. Think "this isn't working" and eat another 10mg
4. By 9 PM, both doses hit at once (20mg total)
5. Experience becomes overwhelming

The Edible Golden Rules

1. Start with 2.5-5mg - You can always take more tomorrow
2. Wait at least 2 hours - Effects may still be building
3. Don't mix with alcohol - Intensifies and complicates effects
4. Eat something first - Empty stomachs can lead to faster, stronger absorption
5. Have CBD nearby - Can help calm an intense experience

Key Takeaways

• Your liver converts THC to a stronger compound (11-hydroxy-THC)
• Edibles take 30 min - 2 hours to kick in
• Effects last 4-8 hours, much longer than smoking
• Start with 2.5-5mg and wait before taking more