Edibles Vs Smoking – Tolerance and Dosage Guide

There are several ways to enjoy the psychoactive and therapeutic effects of cannabis products. But edibles and smoking remain the most prevalent delivery methods for many users. Edibles are characterized by their delicious form and long-lasting impact while smoking by instantaneous onset time. It’s like saying that chicken is different than eggs. So when you’re stuck between these two choices, you must know how each one can shape your weed experience. 

But do you know what it takes to make the right decision? Facts and experience. You have to learn the cannabis tolerance and dosage guide for edibles and smoke to choose the most suitable option. But unless you also try the two methods, you wouldn’t exactly know how one differs from the other. Reading consumer reviews might somehow help judge the products by other people’s experiences. This article discusses the differences between edibles and smoking and how you can decide better.

Understanding Cannabis Edibles 

Of all the cannabis products out there, edibles are the most flavourful. They come in delicious gummies, cookies, beverages, and more. You can buy these items from online and physical dispensaries or prepare your recipe at home. Generally, they contain decarboxylated cannabinoids from marijuana extracts. Together with other ingredients, they are cooked and served according to certain specifications and standards. Have you tried one yet? 

If you did, you surely have experienced euphoric effects as edibles usually contain a significant amount of THC. Most users reported experiencing relaxation, euphoria, sleepiness, dry mouth, and anxiety. Edibles that have higher THC content are consumed for medical and recreational purposes. Some variants have minimal THC levels but with substantial other cannabinoids. Keep in mind that the nature of cannabis edibles is that their effects take a few hours to kick in. 

Understanding Cannabis Smoking

For thousands of years, ancient people have been using marijuana for their rituals, believing that the substance has spiritual significance. They smoke the flowers by heating the plant materials, releasing a psychoactive chemical, also known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This compound is absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs, causing psychoactive effects in minutes. It is these instantaneous effects that characterize smoking weed best. 

Cannabis can be smoked using pipes, joints, bongs, or blunts. You have to choose which one you’re most comfortable with. Either one, you can expect the effects within a few minutes after inhaling the smoke. The effects can reach their maximum intensity within half an hour and will subside after six hours. When you smoke highly potent strains of THC, it’s a different story since the effects may last for more than a day. Factors that may influence the rapidity with which the effects of cannabis are experienced include age, weight, height, tolerance, and overall health of the user.

Edibles versus Smoking: The Key Differences

Choosing between edibles and smoking can be very easy when setting your expectations accordingly. If you want to eat delicious foods or drink flavourful beverages with THC, you can go for edibles. This delivery method is known for its long-lasting effects, but the onset time might take hours. Overindulgence is a typical experience, though, as new users can’t get enough of weed edibles before taking another bite. That’s why proper administration and dosing are essential to avoid the possible side effects of THC consumed excessively. Remember that the kind of food or drink you consume may also affect the timing and potency of the dose ingested. 

Smoking weed is another story. This delivery method increases the bioavailability of the substance, which means that the THC concentration would be high, doubling the intensity of the effects. When you take puffs, the substance enters your bloodstream through the lungs and reaches your brain. This process is much faster than eating edibles; you can feel the effects almost instantaneously. But the thing about smoking is the possible harm to your lungs, so precautions must be observed. You should also avoid driving a motor vehicle if you’re under marijuana because it can hamper your driving ability.

What is Cannabis Tolerance?

Regardless of the delivery method, cannabis tolerance means the same thing in the context of weed consumption. It is a unique predisposition that works differently than other drugs affecting your state of mind. Although genetics are at play, there’s no clear correlation between the user’s body weight, for example, and cannabis tolerance. We recommend that you go low and slow when consuming cannabis products for the first time. 

Once the THC is in your system, it interacts with the CB1 receptors that can accommodate a variety of neurotransmitters. As a result, you may experience changes in appetite, sleep, stress response, pain reaction, and other cognitive and bodily reactions. Because your body is an automated system, it will limit the effects of THC absorbed for a certain period. The brain has a crucial role in desensitizing and internalizing the CB1 receptors, allowing you to experience more manageable effects. These are the actual phenomena in your body when you experience cannabis tolerance. 

How Cannabis Tolerance Builds and Resets 

If you consume cannabis regularly, you can build a tolerance very quickly. This can be noticed after taking two equally portioned doses. The subsequent dose might already seem less effective. The brain’s moderation is a double-edged sword, meaning it can build a tolerance to any substance real fast and also reset the receptors to previous levels of sensitivity. You’ll notice that even a night break from weed consumption can reset your tolerance significantly, but it also depends on how your body reacts. 

Your baseline tolerance will reset less when you use cannabis more often, so the effects might feel almost the same way every time. Some heavy users may have to take higher doses due to tolerance build-up and minimal reset time. But for the average consumer, the potency of cannabis needs to be managed since their tolerance level is still developing. Although cannabis tolerance is a subjective topic, veteran weed consumers still benefit from the effects of the product with proper use. 

How to Manage Cannabis Tolerance 

Knowing how to manage your cannabis tolerance can help you dose the substance safely and more effectively from a practical standpoint. Sometimes, it can save you money since you’re aware of your tolerance build-up and reset. You can adjust how many edibles or flowers you consume based on your tolerance level. For example, if you’re planning a day with several doses, you can consider backloading the THC content. 

Normally, users are more sensitive to the effects of THC during the initial doses. So when you consume cannabis products, keeping the first dose small should be observed. You can increase the amount of intake as your body builds a high tolerance. You can keep your overall consumption lower but with similar effects. That’s the strategy to keep your tolerance level lower. 

Perhaps you’ve also heard of such a term as “tolerance break,” which refers to an intentional period where you abstain from weed to reset your tolerance. You can adopt the same practice, too. During your sleep, your tolerance resets, but it can take up to 4 weeks to return to your original sensitivity. Many consumers would feel the heightened sensitivity in days, so anywhere from a 1-4 week break can be helpful for proper adjustment. 

Proper Dosing for Cannabis Edibles 

Each of us has unique biological makeup, meaning that weed can hit us differently. Hence, the effects of cannabis edibles may vary among all users. For example, when you take 2 milligrams of THC in a gummy, the experience may be different from another person consuming a similar amount. If you’re relatively new to the substance, the golden rule is to start low and go slow and follow the edibles dosage chart as discussed below. More commonly, the effects of edibles can be felt around 60-90 minutes after ingestion. Don’t rush to take another bite if you don’t experience the effects immediately because that might result in overindulgence. 

Microdose for Edibles

A safe starting point for cannabis edibles is a low dose, as this allows you to observe how the substance affects your mind and body. You can divide the standard dose of 10 mg when you consume a gummy. Proper microdosing is all about determining the right amount of substance that you can handle. Some users would start from 0.5-2 mg of THC-infused edibles. However, you can gradually increase the dosage depending on your desired effects. The substance may benefit your productivity when appropriately consumed as it can boost your energy and focus. But bear in mind that you may still experience unwanted side effects even with lower doses. 

Standard Dose for Edibles 

While it’s more of a retail term than a medical term, it helps to follow the standard dose for safe and effective edible consumption. This dosage is somewhere between 10mg and 15 mg for the average user. This would trigger psychoactive effects and feelings of euphoria and relaxation. If you seek these effects, then the conventional 10mg of cannabis edible will suit you fine. You might also find it easier to fall asleep when you stick with that ideal edible dose. 

High Dose for Edibles 

Any edible dosage above 15mg can be considered high so that the effects could be highly potent. This dosage is already enough to impair your coordination, and more so when it reaches 50mg. Other side effects may include nausea, heightened anxiety, and increased heart rate. If you want to avoid this discomfort, you better stay within your tolerance level. Remember that the higher dose for edibles is only ideal for individuals with higher THC tolerance. You are basically in control of how much THC you consume and the edible high you want. 

Proper Dosing for Cannabis Smoking 

Smoking weed can also produce highly intense psychoactive effects, so proper dosing is essential. If this is your first time, one or two inhalations are enough to feel the effects of THC. It is suggested to wait 15-20 minutes after smoking before taking additional inhalations, as the impact can become more pronounced over such a period. Once you become more accustomed to your preferred dosage, you can take more hits for a powerful effect. But don’t feel pressured by the thought of finishing the bowl or joint because you can always come back to it. 

How to Smoke Cannabis without Coughing

Some users experience coughing while smoking weed because they don’t know how to breathe while taking puffs. You should learn the fundamental thing if you want a cleaner and healthier way of getting high. It would benefit you a lot when you follow these suggested techniques when smoking cannabis flowers.

• Use a Grinder – the quality of your smoking experience largely depends on how the cannabis is ground. Using a grinder is crucial to ensure an even and fine grind that would enable a smooth-burning bowl with good airflow.
• Draw into Your Mouth First – doing this would help the rolled cannabis burn more evenly and provide a smoother and more enjoyable hit. The whole process is the same as smoking a cigar, where you use your cheeks to draw the smoke into your mouth first. 
• Observe Slow and Steady Smoke – you no longer have to inhale the smoke with any amount of force. With a slow and steady smoke, you can draw the substance into your lungs with ease and comfort. The gentler you take puffs, the better your experience will be. 
• Don’t Hold the Smoke – some users assume that holding the smoke in their lungs is necessary for the substance to produce full effects. This is a wrong notion. Doing so would increase the rush due to oxygen deprivation, not by improved absorption of THC. 
• Release at the Same Pace – when you smoke weed, observe gentle inhalation of the substance for the optimum experience. It’s best to have a calm breathing sequence before the next puff. Without any pressure, you can have more control over your exhale. 

The Bottom Line!

The most significant difference between edibles and smoking lies in the overall experience with cannabis. If you’re smoking weed, it’s like traveling to the 60th floor of a tall building using the elevator. While if you’re consuming edibles, you’re heading to the destination through an escalator. But notably, the latter method offers long-lasting effects which might suit your preference. It’s a matter of personal choice, after all. 

Buy Quality Weed Supplies at Our Store! 

Whether you opt for edibles or smoking, we’ve got you covered! Our online store has a wide selection of cannabis products that are guaranteed high quality. We aim to give you overall satisfaction with our top-shelf items and excellent customer service. Please browse our shop and look for your favorite cannabis today. We have many different edibles for you to choose from. Check out our new arrivals at Chronic Paradise!