Edible Dosage: Find The Right Amount For You

Edibles are an exciting and valuable delivery method for cannabinoid users who otherwise might shy away from other forms. Additionally, edibles are an excellent choice for daily use. When enjoying edibles, many factors can affect your experience, not the least: choosing the correct dose. Learning how much you can take and determining the right amount is a process—everyone's body responds differently. Read through the essential facts in this article so that when you ingest an edible, you'll understand:

• The efficacy and safety of edibles
• Benefits and common uses of edibles
• What you should know about edible dosages
• How to choose YOUR best edible dosage 

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Edibles are food and drinks containing cannabinoids, chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. The main cannabinoids are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). However, many more niche cannabinoids exist, such as CBN, CBG, and THCV, all of which contain unique benefits that can affect your mind and body when consumed. 

Some edibles may look like everyday food items. A wide range of consumable cannabis products is available, including:

• Oils & Tinctures
• Capsules & Softgels
• Gummies & Chews 
• Chocolate 
• Mints & Hard Candies 
• Drinks & Drink Mixes 
• Cooking & Baking Oils 
• Savory Snacks

As with anything, we recommend using caution to see how you tolerate a new CBD or THC edible first. Edibles can produce long-lasting, safe, and beneficial effects. They’re a fantastic delivery method when consumed responsibly—just make sure you’re consuming a product that clearly defines the dosage you’re getting. First-time users may not be sure how their bodies will react to edibles, so the best advice is to start low and proceed slowly. 

Edibles typically provide the same effects as other forms of cannabis. People take them to get specific benefits. Edible effects are dose-dependent—typically, the more you take, the greater the effect. But don’t overdo it—too much could lead to unpleasant reactions, such as nausea or vomiting. Some of the desirable effects of cannabis edibles include:

• Feelings of relaxation 
• Feelings of euphoria 
• Anxiety relief
• PTSD support
• Pain management support
• Muscle spasm support
• Anti-seizure effects
• Sleep challenge support
• Addresses issues associated with cancer therapy, such as appetite loss, weight loss, and nausea

Overconsumption of edibles may cause unwanted side effects, especially if the edible contains high levels of THC. Overconsumption of cannabis or THC products can cause undesirable effects, such as:

• Loss of attention
• Concentration difficulties
• Short-term memory loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased heart and or breathing rate 
• Low blood pressure
• Extreme anxiety or panic
• Slurred speech 
• Hallucinations

Edibles have long-lasting effects—up to eight hours and sometimes longer. That’s a pretty convincing reason to be careful not to overdo it, as you could feel uncomfortable for a long time! If you’re in doubt or new to edible use, start low and go slow. And pay attention to how your unique body and mind react. Potential unwanted side effects are easily avoided if you dose wisely.

As a basic guideline, edibles usually take around 1 to 2 hours to kick in. However, the onset of desired effects depends on how fast your body processes them, the edibles’ active ingredient content, and where the edibles are broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. 

For instance, some edible products are dissolved and absorbed in the mouth or applied under the tongue (sublingual). Edible products that are chewed and swallowed are then absorbed in the digestive tract and may take longer to reach the bloodstream. 

Often, the reason people over-consume edibles is because of the delayed effect. They think nothing is happening, so they take more. Be patient.

Edible effects last much longer than smoking and vaping, typically six to eight hours.

THC-containing edibles typically reach peak blood levels of the psychoactive compound around three hours after consumption. That’s when the effects will likely be the most intense.

As with the time it takes them to kick in, how long edible effects last before wearing off depends on various factors, such as the edible’s dose and potency. And effects from chewed and swallowed edibles may last longer than those from products absorbed orally.

So, why would you want your cannabinoids in edible form rather than other delivery methods? Here are some of the top reasons.

Edibles are a healthier delivery method: Smoking cannabis products is not the healthiest choice. Medical patients often prefer a different approach. Igniting plant matter and inhaling hot smoke into your lungs may adversely affect respiratory health, especially if you're someone with asthma or another respiratory illness. Smoking can also inflame your air pathways. Edibles are a smoke-free alternative that still delivers all the medical benefits.

Edibles are easier to use: Edibles are convenient, portable, and discreet. Eating and drinking an edible product is easy and far less conspicuous than smoking or vaping.

Edible effects last longer and are more potent: Cannabinoids enter the lungs and quickly enter the bloodstream when vaping or smoking. Edibles are absorbed through the digestive tract, metabolized by the liver, and then go to the rest of the body. The liver transforms THC into a more potent form called 11-hydroxy-THC. This chemical compound takes 30-90 minutes to kick in, and the effects last six to eight hours. 11-hydroxy-THC crosses the blood-brain barrier more easily than THC, offering more sedation and intense effects. 

Edibles offer precise and consistent dosing: Purchasing edibles from a reliable dispensary or retail supplier ensures you get the same experience every time: no guesswork involved and no risk of overconsumption.

Edible health benefits: Edibles offer a host of potential uses, benefits, and relief. You can use edibles for:

• Relieving most types of pain, including chronic pain, neurological pain, and whole-body pain
• Anti-tumor activity and reducing cancer-related symptoms
• Addressing metabolic issues, such as weight, digestion, and blood sugar issues
• Helping to prevent seizures and muscle spasms 
• Managing inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia

Before you dive into a convenient or tasty edible, you should know a few crucial things about edible dosage. Knowing this information can help guide you through your edible experience without missteps. 

As you embark on your edible journey, you’ll want to find out how your body reacts to edibles and tailor your dosage to things such as your:

• Tolerance level: Consistent users can develop a mild tolerance and may tolerate heftier doses without unwanted effects.
• Edible type: Dosage varies in edible products, so make sure you’ve read the label and know what’s in there.
• Body weight: People who weigh more will probably need a larger dose.
• Metabolism: People with faster-processing metabolisms may feel the effects kick in more quickly.
• Sex: Men and women respond differently to edibles, possibly due to the interactions between cannabinoids and sex hormones. 

To help you pinpoint the correct dose, here are some basic guidelines about THC content in edibles based on THC measured in milligrams (mg):

1 – 1.5 mg THC edible (microdose): A microdose provides mild symptom relief, yet the THC content is so low that most consumers feel no intoxication or psychoactive effect. A microdose is appropriate for first-time users or regular consumers looking to microdose.

5 mg THC edible (low dose): A low dose provides stronger symptom relief. However, intoxication and psychoactive effects may kick in some users who feel euphoria and/or experience coordination issues and altered perception. A five-milligram dose can intoxicate some users. A low dose is excellent for those needing chronic symptom relief, people who want good quality sleep, and recreational users.

10 mg THC Edible (moderate dose): A moderate dose provides highly effective symptom relief for most, although intoxication and a psychoactive experience are most likely. A moderate dose is preferred by high-tolerance medical and recreational users but may lead to unpleasant effects in unaccustomed users. Edibles in pieces, such as gummies, mints, and chews, typically use 10 mg as a maximum single dose.

20 THC Edible (high dose): A high dose impairs coordination, alters perception, and provides very strong euphoric intoxication. Users with strong THC tolerance may consume a high dose. Some people who don’t absorb things well in their GI tracts might also use a high dose.

50 – 100 mg THC Edible (very high dose): Impairment and intoxication will be severe at a very high dose, with side effects likely, including nausea, rapid heart rate, and anxiety. A very high dose is reserved for experienced, high-tolerance consumers and people living with cancer, inflammatory disorders, or other conditions needing high doses.

Edible overconsumption isn’t harmful to your body, but you can avoid unwanted effects from edibles when you know the product’s dosage and what dose works best for you. Know how much you’re consuming and consume them responsibly, taking note of how your body and mind react. Remember, it’s a process. Start low, go slow, and wait before ingesting more.

We have a phrase we go by at BATCH: Go low, slow, and then you’ll know!

Knowing what dosage works best for you helps guarantee you’ll have the best experience when ingesting edibles. All people react differently. You’re unique, so to optimize your experience, pay attention to how your mind and body react. 

Start with a low dose and work up to a larger one. It’s the best plan to ensure you have the fun and health-supportive experience you seek. 

Wait two to three hours for your edible to work its magic before taking more. If you take a second dose, keep it low to avoid overconsumption. Edibles can be unpredictable, so be patient, be careful, and don’t rush it. 

You now know the types of safe edibles you can choose from, their effects, and when to expect them to kick in and wear off. You've learned about common dosages and how to choose the correct dose for your unique body to get the experience and benefits you want from your edible.

And while there are many THC based edibles to try, there are also less potent CBD variations to consider first, especially for those new to CBD based products. Our CBD Gummies are the perfect all-purpose CBD solution (and they’re vegan and gluten free) while our Nighttime CBD + CBN Gummies are great for when you need a good night’s sleep! Finally, check out our latest offering, our Gold Reserve Gummies. These are our most potent gummies to date, so try with ease.