How Do Cannabis Edibles Work Inside Your Body?

The way that cannabis works inside your body when you eat it, versus smoking or vaping it, makes a big difference in terms of how you might feel after consuming an edible. To help explain this, we’ll break it down step by step.

What Are Cannabis Edibles?

Cannabis-infused foods and drinks, commonly referred to as “cannabis edibles,” are a popular way to consume marijuana. Examples include:

• Baked goods (cookies, brownies)
• Gummies and candies
• Chocolate
• Drinks and syrups

All of these are consumed orally instead of smoked or vaped, resulting in a completely different way that the body processes THC.

• Step 1: You Eat the Edible

After you eat an edible, the THC travels to your stomach. Then it goes to your small intestine. At this point, you probably will not have felt much, if anything, at all. The delay is normal and typically misunderstood.

• Step 2: THC Gets Processed by the Liver

Here’s what sets edibles apart from inhaled forms of THC.When the THC reaches your liver, your liver converts it into another compound known as 11-hydroxy-THC.Why This Matters:

• 11-Hydroxy-THC is stronger than inhaled THC
• 11-Hydroxy-THC can pass through the blood-brain barrier more easily

You may feel the effects more intensely throughout your entire bodyFascinating Fact:When you inhale cannabis via smoking or vaping, there is no conversion of THC to 11-Hydroxy-THC, which is why many people report that their edible experiences feel stronger.

• Step 3: The Effects Kick In (Delayed Onset)

There is a significant delay before you will feel the effects of cannabis when you eat it because of the digestion process and the processing of the THC by your liver. The typical delay before feeling the effects of cannabis after eating it: 30 – 120 minutesThe delay can be affected by:

• Your metabolism
• Whether you ate something recently
• The amount of cannabis that was ingested

Most accidental overdoses occur because of the delayed onset of the edible’s effects.

• Step 4: Peak Effects & Duration

Once the edible has reached its peak, the effects of the edible will last for a significantly longer period of time than inhaled cannabis.A typical timeline for cannabis edibles includes:

• Onset: 30-120 minutes
• Peak: 2-4 hours
• Duration: 6-8 hours (and sometimes even longer)

People who use edibles describe the effects as:

• Deeper
• Heavier
• Longer-lasting

How Edibles Differ from Smoking/Vaping

Smoking / Vaping:

• Immediate effects
• Easy to regulate the dose
• Quick duration

Edibles:

• Slow onset
• Generally a stronger overall effect
• Much harder to “cut off” once the effects begin

For these reasons, edibles are usually best consumed when you don’t have to be somewhere or accomplish something.

Types of Weed Vaporizers: Everything You Need To Know

Cannabis vaporizers come in many shapes and sizes. Each has its own design, intended for different uses, locations, and types of cannabis. If you vape dry flower, oils, or concentrates; there’s a vaporizer out there that will fit your lifestyle and skill level.Here’s an overview of the most common types of weed vaporizers you’ll see in stores today.

🌿 1. Portable Cannabis Vaporizers

Portable vaporizers are battery powered hand held units which allow users to vaporize on the go. They’re extremely popular among cannabis consumers who want to remain discreet and have access to vaporizing anywhere they are at all times.There are three types of portable vaporizers:

• Portable dry herb vaporizers – These units are designed for vaporizing dried cannabis flower.
• Portable concentrate vaporizers – Units designed to vaporize concentrated cannabis products such as wax or oil. Examples include dab pens.
• Hybrid portable vaporizers – These units are capable of vaporizing both dry herb and concentrates using removable and interchangeable chambers.

Benefits:

• Easy to take on the go
• Fast heat up time
• Great for personal sessions

Considerations:

• Battery life varies by model
• Size of the chamber also varies by model

✏️ 2. Pen-Style Vaporizers (Vape Pens)

Pen style vaporizers are a sub category of portable vaporizers that are extremely discreet and easy to use.Pen style vaporizers include:

• Oil cartridge pens (510 threaded) – Units with a pre filled cannabis oil cartridge which can be screwed directly onto a battery.
• Disposable pens – All in one units which include a battery and a cartridge.
• Dry herb pens – Units which are specifically designed to vaporize dry flower.
• Wax/Dab pens – Units designed for thicker concentrates such as wax or live resin.

Benefits:

• Very simple to use
• Cleaning and loading for disposables are non-existent
• Portability and low maintenance

Considerations:Some pens may have very little temperature control.

🏠 3. Desktop/Stationary Vaporizers

Desktop/Stationary vaporizers are large units that are designed to sit in one place in the comfort of your own home. They require electricity and are generally able to produce a high quality vapor while allowing you to dial in precise temperature control.Some examples of desktop vaporizers include:

• Whip-style desktop vaporizers – Units which force air through a tube so you can inhale the vapor.
• Forced-air or balloon system – Units that create a balloon or bag with vapor that you can then inhale from without having to hold the device.

Benefits:

• High quality vapor production
• Precise temperature control
• Great for group sessions

Considerations:Size and cost will always be greater than portable vaporizers.

How Do Vaporizers Work? Understanding The Basics Of Vaporizing For Cannabis Users

Vaporizers were created to achieve one basic objective – heat cannabis at a level that will allow the active compounds to be released, but not burn the plant. This is achieved by creating vapor from the plant material, rather than smoke. As a result, most users feel that vaporization produces a cleaner, smoother, and more controllable experience compared to smoking.Understanding how vaporizers function can help make sense of the entire process by breaking it down into the individual steps involved.

The Basic Principle of Vaporizers

Cannabis contains cannabinoids such as THC, CBD, and terpenes that vaporize at specific temperatures.

• THC is typically vaporized at a lower temperature than the point of combustion.
• Combustion burns out some cannabinoids and produces smoke.
• Vaporizing allows cannabinoids to be released as an inhalable vapor in the absence of flames.

To summarize:Vaporizers heat; they don’t burn.Interesting fact:Combustion occurs around 230–250°C, and most vaporizers operate between 160–220°C.

What Happens Inside a Vaporizer?

Although there are various designs of vaporizers available today, all vaporizers have a very similar internal process:

1. Cannabis (whether it is flower or oil) is located in a chamber or cartridge.
2. A heating source heats the chamber to a predetermined temperature.
3. The cannabinoids and terpenes inside the cannabis convert to vapor.
4. The vapor then passes through an air passage.
5. You breathe the vapor in through the mouthpiece.

There is no flame. There is no ash. There is no continuous burning of the cannabis.

Types of Heating Used By Vaporizers

1. Conduction Heating.

This type of heating is by far the most common and simple form of heating used in vaporizers.Conduction Heating Works This Way: 

• Cannabis has direct contact with a hot surface.
• Heat is transferred to the cannabis.

Advantages:

• Quick to heat up
• Simple Design
• Typically More Affordable

Disadvantages:

• Can cause the cannabis to heat unevenly.
• Requires the user to stir the dry herb for optimal results.
• Convection Heating

Convection Heating utilizes hot air to transfer heat to the cannabis.How It Works:

• Hot air circulates over the cannabis.
• Helps to extract the cannabinoids evenly.

Advantages:

• Provides for a more consistent vapor quality.
• Preserves flavor better.
• Less chance of combustion occurring.

History of Cannabis Vaping: From Experimental Beginnings to Contemporary Vape Pens

While cannabis vaping has become a relatively modern trend, the development of the concept of vaping has roots dating back many years. For decades, users sought better, more controlled ways to consume cannabis and thus, developed the concept of using heat to release active compounds from cannabis, without burning the product. As technology advanced, and societal norms shifted, the experimental beginnings of vaping progressed into a mainstream way to consume cannabis.Below is an overview of the historical progression of how cannabis vaping came about.

Early Ideas: Pre-Existence of Vaporizers

Before the existence of electronic devices, people knew that heat released active compounds from plants.First steps in establishing the basis of vaporizing:

• Ancient cultures have used heated stones or embers to create vapor from herbs.
• Traditional burning of cannabis, users have noted varying levels of effect when burning cannabis at lower heat levels.
• There were earlier uses of inhaling vapor vs. smoke prior to the advent of technology.

Interesting Fact:THC will vaporize at a lower temperature than the point at which plant material will burn — This science was the basis for developing vaping.

Modern Vaporizers (1990s)

The 1990s are significant in the history of vaporizing, as they represented the emergence of the first cannabis vaporizers specifically designed for vaporizing.Important Developments in the Creation of Early Vaporizers:

• Early vaporizers were large, desktop based units
• Temperature control was inconsistent
• Early vaporizers focused primarily on flower and not concentrates

One of the most significant early vaporizers set the stage for further innovations in vaporizing.

Why Do People Smoke Weed?

Weed has been a part of human culture for thousands of years and continues to be one of the most popular ways to consume cannabis. Most people have their own unique experience using cannabis; however, many have described the following types of mental, emotional, and lifestyle benefits that they have experienced through the responsible use of cannabis:

Benefits of Fast Acting Effects of Smoking Weed

The majority of people who use marijuana prefer to smoke because of the fast acting effects.Why this matters:

• Effects generally take place immediately.
• Most users can assess their tolerance levels before consuming.

When compared to eating cannabis products (edibles), there is less chance that a user will ingest too much cannabis.Because of these two factors, smoking marijuana is a preferred method of consumption by those who need to know how they react to the amount of cannabis they consume.

Benefits of Stress and Tension Relief of Smoking Weed

For many users, smoking weed is an effective way to relieve stress and tension at the end of a long day or after experiencing extreme demands at work.Some commonly reported feelings of relief include:

• A feeling of mental relaxation
• Slowing down rapid thinking and feelings of being overwhelmed
• Easier transition from a stressful day into a relaxing state or sleep.

There are several strains of cannabis which are known to help users separate themselves from the stresses of every day life and help them live in the present.Interesting Fact:Some of the chemical compounds found in cannabis (terpenes) such as Myrcene and Linalool are known to produce calming and soothing effects.

One-Hitter Cannabis Pipe: What It Is, How It Works, and Why People Love It

The one hitter has become the most used product when wanting a quick cannabis smoke session, and is now becoming the most preferred tool for those who wish to have total control over the amount smoked per session, as well as for reducing the amount of smoke smell that lingers.This article will provide an informative description of what a one hitter is, how it works, why people are so drawn to using them and also provides some helpful tips for people looking to improve their one hitter smoking experience.

What is a One Hitter?

A one hitter is a type of cannabis smoking device that is extremely compact and resembles a single “hit” of marijuana. Most commonly referred to as a “bat,” a one hitter is a long, narrow device with a single compartment at the end where users pack a small amount of dried cannabis (flower). At the other end, there is a large hole which connects directly to the user’s mouth. This design is meant to allow users to take a single hit of marijuana at a time, hence the name “one hitter.” There are many different types of one hitters available today, but all serve the same basic purpose of providing a quick, easy way to enjoy a single serving of marijuana.

Features of a One Hitter

Some of the key features of one hitters include:

• Only able to fit one “hit” of weed in the bowl.
• A direct airflow path from the weed to the user’s mouth.
• Made from various materials, such as glass, wood, ceramic, or metal.
• Typically longer than a standard joint and shorter than a typical bong.
• The “bat” design is likely the origin of its nickname.