For those new to the use of cannabis edibles, dosing can be a big question. How much is enough to create the desired effect without making you feel sick? Edibles dosing takes some careful consideration for your tolerance as well as your overall body size. At Torrey Holistics, we know how important it is to help our clients get the right dosing in place.
If you have questions like “How many mg of THC to get high?” or “How many mg of THC should I take to reduce pain?” We have the answers and insights for you. If you have questions or are unsure, reach out to our team and learn more about weed edibles and the dosage best suited for your needs.
Understanding Edible Dosages
Edible cannabis products (edibles), are food- or drink-related products that contain cannabinoids in them. Cannabinoids are the component within cannabis that can create mind-altering effects, changing the way you think and feel. Cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are what give you the sensation of being high.
It’s possible to add THC to a wide range of products. When choosing, select a product that you like the flavor of and have no adverse reactions to. Many people will develop a favorite type of edible to enjoy, but there’s really no limit to what you can test out. Some of the most popular types of edibles include:
- Gummies
- Brownies or other baked goods
- Drinks
- Chocolates
- Savory snacks
- Hard candy
- Ice cream
Not all of these products are readily available to be purchased, and we recommend that if you are consuming edibles that you use professionally created products so you can get edible dosing just right.
For many people, edibles are the preferred method for consuming THC, and with good reason. Edibles often produce a more intense high that lasts longer than smoking. When a person smokes marijuana it enters the body through the lungs and produces effects within minutes that subside after one to three hours. In contrast, edibles are metabolized in the stomach and liver, so it can take one to two hours to feel the effects, but those effects can last anywhere from six to twelve hours.
Factors Influencing Edible Dosage
THC edible dosage depends on numerous factors, and not all of them are easy to understand until you start using edibles. Some of the factors that affect how edibles impact a person include:
- The type of edible it is
- The amount of THC in it
- Your tolerance to THC (You are likely to see tolerance develop over time, meaning you may need to use more to get the same impact)
- Your body weight (like with alcohol, if you are a heavier person, a larger dose may be recommended than someone who is smaller.
- Metabolism (edibles go through the digestive system, so those with a fast metabolism are likely to see the effects sooner and notice them wear off faster)
Finding a balance here is important. If you try out edibles and feel sick, chances are good you chose too much. To help you get the dosing of edibles just right, consider the following.
Weight
Body weight and edible dosage are linked. A person that is taller and heavier has more body mass, meaning that they may need a higher dose to get effects. If you are at or below the average body weight for your height, it tends to be beneficial to start with a very low dose and work your way up.
Metabolism
Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories you consume. Those with a faster metabolism tend to eat more frequently throughout the day and burn calories faster without gaining a lot of weight. If that sounds like you, you will likely experience a quicker onset to edibles but a shorter lasting duration. If you have a slow metabolism, you may not eat as often during the day. That means that you may not feel the effects of eating edibles as fast, but they will remain in your system longer.
Tolerance
It is nearly always recommended that a person start with the lowest dose of cannabis possible and then work their way up. That is not just because it will protect you from side effects but also because it slows down the process of building up a tolerance.
Those who are regular users of cannabis now may need a higher dose to get started with edibles than a person who has no or limited experience with it. If you do not fall into the category of a high tolerance THC consumer, start low and only move up in smaller amounts as you need to do so.
Sensitivity to THC
It’s also important to consider how sensitive you are to THC. No matter how often you’ve used it in the past, you may be very sensitive to the effects of edibles. This could be due to genetic and biological factors. Some people are just more likely to experience an impact than others. For this reason, you should start with lower doses.
Desired Effects
A final consideration is the effect you desire. Some people may want to feel a more potent, intense high than others. The amount of THC you consume will determine the strength and duration of your experience.
For some people who want to experience a strong high, a larger dose is often recommended (though never as a first dose!) If you want to relax, a more mild dose can help to create a soothing, more mellow experience. Consider if your goals are relief for pain and anxiety symptoms, recreational, or otherwise when choosing the right THC dose for your needs.
How Many mg of THC Should I Take?
What’s the best THC dose in edibles for you? To give you an idea, consider the following.
- 1 to 2.5 mg THC: A microdose, best for beginners and those who want help with mild pain, relaxation, and mild anxiety
- 2.5 mg to 15 mg THC: This is an ideal edibles dose for those who have used THC before but who want help with reducing pain from inflammation, getting to sleep, or feeling anxiety. You will likely feel high at this dose.
- 15 mg or higher: It tends to be best to be an experienced THC user at this point, meaning you know how your body will react to THC. You may have the best control over pain from cancer or support for mental health concerns, but if you choose a dose over 100 mg you are likely to experience acute levels of intoxication. Some people will feel ill from this level of edible high as well.
Microdose (1-2.5 mg THC)
Microdosing has many benefits, and it is the ideal place for most people to start when using THC edibles for the first time without a lot of experience. This dose is best for beginners and those who want more mild effects and less of a high.
This dose tends to be best for those who want help with mild anxiety and who are looking for a way to gain more focus. At the same time, you may not want to deal with a lot of side effects and are less interested in feeling high.
Standard Dose (2.5-15 mg THC)
This is the most common dose for edibles because it achieves a good balance of easing the mind and reducing pain while still allowing for good overall control. While you may begin with a microdose, you are likely to get results within this range more consistently over time as you begin to use edibles more often.
You are likely to notice psychoactive effects on a standard dose. It will help with relaxation and mild pain relief.
High Dose (15+ mg THC)
Even experienced users should not start edibles at doses of 15 mg or higher. There are some situations where it can make you feel ill if you do so. You’re likely to have strong effects from the THC within edibles, including significant pain reduction, intense psychoactive effects, and fewer symptoms of mental health challenges.
Keep in mind that you can consume too many edibles, and that could lead to overconsumption. While it’s not likely that you will overdose from THC, there is a risk of becoming ill and having less-than-desirable effects.
How to Find Your Ideal Edible Dose
So, how many edibles should I eat, you may be wondering. It’s a common question because there is not a simple answer that applies to anyone. Finding the optimal dosage for you is best done in a gradual manner.
- Take the smallest dose possible. Start with microdosing or a low level of a standard dose.
- Consider how you feel during and after the dose.
- If you want to feel more comfortable, you may wish to increase this by a few mg each time until you reach the level of support you desire.
- If you feel ill or don’t like the experience, reduce it to a lower dose.
Starting Low and Going Slow
Starting slow may not seem like “fun,” but it may be more enjoyable than you think. If you are asking, “How many edibles should I take?” it may be because you have little to no actual experience with cannabis (or you are simply unsure what you want to feel.) That’s okay – just start with a small dose and work your way up over time.
Everyone’s tolerance and reaction is very different. What is right for others may not be right for you. Over use is no more enjoyable than using too little.
Keeping a Dosage Journal
It’s a good idea to keep a simple journal to track your use. That way, you can get a better idea of what’s really helping you.
- Track the amount of THC you took
- Note the time of the day when you took it
- Document the length of time it took to see the effects and how long they lasted
You can then adjust over time as you see fit. Remember that no matter how many edibles you take, you are likely to have some impact.
Consulting with Professionals
For some people, it’s best to talk to a professional about what dose may be best for you. We recommend reaching out to a dispensary staff member to get more of an idea of what you can expect based on the products being sold. If you are looking for recreational use, the staff are the perfect professionals to talk to about dosing for edibles.
If you are looking for help with pain or mental health support, it may be better to turn to a medical professional or holistic pain management support team. That’s going to give you better overall support in managing your condition.
How Long Do Edibles Take to Kick In?
Edibles take time to work, but not as long as you think. Most people begin feeling the impact within 20 minutes and it could last for several hours. That depends on the speed of your metabolism as well as the dosage you take.
Onset Time
If this is the first time you’re using cannabis at all, start slow. Take a small dose and wait for a change in the way you feel. It may take as little as 20 minutes or up to 2 hours to kick in. Be patient.
If you have an empty stomach, it will kick in sooner. If you are taking it after eating a full meal, it will take longer to digest and get into your system.
Peak Effects
Most people will begin to feel the impact within about 30 minutes, but it could gradually improve for another few hours. The peak effects tend to occur between 2 and 4 hours after you take your dose.
The length of this is dependent on dosage as well as your overall body composition. Remember that most people want a slow climb and steady level for as long as possible. Balancing your THC intake will let that happen.
How Long Do Edibles Last?
As noted, many factors will impact how long edibles last in your system. For some people, it will be a matter of hours. Most will experience lasting impact from 4 to 12 hours. That is far longer than smoking or vaping, which often wears off within just a couple of hours at most.
Safety Tips for Edible Consumption
“How many mg to get high?”
“How many edibles should I take for pain?”
“How do I avoid taking too much?”
Unfortunately, there is no simple way to know what is going to work or be too much for you. That’s why it is critical to know your limits and take the process one step at a time.
We also do not recommend combining edibles with other substances. Doing so will skew the experience you have and, in some cases, may lead to health complications.
Avoiding Overconsumption
To learn how many mg of THC you should take, start with the lowest available dose. Wait to see what happens for the next several hours. If you don’t get the results you want, increase it slightly.
However, if you notice that you are feeling ill or you cannot remember parts of your day, that’s an indication you may have taken too much. There’s no benefit to too much – and it may make you feel awful in some situations while also building your tolerance a lot faster.
Mixing Edibles with Other Substances
One of the most important factors to remember is that mixing edibles with other substances creates an unknown outcome. For example, if you mix edibles with alcohol or other drugs, the two components will work in your system either together and strengthen the experience or against each other, creating difficulty for your nervous system.
There is an increased risk of adverse reactions and safety concerns when mixing substances. We do not recommend doing so.
Reading Edible Labels
Another strategy for learning how many mg to take to get high or relax is to turn to the product itself. Most of the time, when a product is professionally created, it’s designed to provide specific effects.
To do that, you need to learn how to read and use edible labels. It’s not too different from what you may find in the food you consume. Most labels will include:
- Type
- Weight
- Potency
- Dosage
Here’s how to use what’s on the label to make decisions about what you should take. Also, note that it’s a good idea to look at all of the ingredients to make sure you’re not allergic to anything.
THC and CBD Content
When looking at the label, here’s the breakdown you should consider:
- THC content: That’s the amount of substance that is going to create a psychoactive effect. The more THC, the more likely you are to feel high.
- CBD content: CBD is less likely to create a high and more likely to create a calming effect without intoxication.
Conclusion
What’s the best edible dosage for you? If you’re unsure what dosage you should start with, take a closer look at Torrey Holistics products. When you do, you will learn more about how most people feel when using any of these products and what you can expect.
Visit Torrey Holistics now, or check out our website’s current product inventory to get more insight into the products best suited for your needs.
Discover More with Torrey Holistics
Visit the Torrey Holistics dispensary or our website to explore a wide range of edibles and to consult with knowledgeable staff to find the perfect product and dosage for their needs.
