Cannabis edibles, including capsules, food products, and lozenges, are known for their long-lasting effects that are considered safe. Yet, these products are also known to produce unpleasant side effects and symptoms similar to an overdose. So, what determines whether the effects will be pleasant or not? The dose.
The following chart shows the typical effects of cannabis edibles at different doses. That said, there are many other factors that need to be taken into account before choosing your ideal dosage. You can read about them below.
The right dose varies between individuals
No single person has the same internal physiology as another person, that’s why different people react differently to the same medication. For cannabis, the factors that determine your right dose include; the sensitivity of the endocannabinoid system, gastrointestinal factors, and the previous history of cannabis. From personal experience, 3% of my patients have a high sensitivity to THC. These tend to do well with low doses of cannabis, as low as 1mg.
Understand THC and CBD contents
CBD has medicinal effects, including anxiety and pain relief, and it can be added to THC in order to enhance its benefits while reducing THC’s side effects such as heightened heart rate and intoxication. A mix of CBD and THC works best for anyone who wishes to enjoy the medical benefits of cannabis without getting impaired. The only consideration there is the ratio of CBD to THC. Products that have a balanced ratio of 1:1 are known to be a powerful therapeutic. If you overdose on these products, you can still get the classic symptoms of cannabis overdose.
Once you increase the ratio of CBD to THC, it gets harder for you to get intoxicated. For instance, a ratio of 4:1 will never give you a high if you take a normal dose but will supply you with all the benefits of CBD. A good example is a person who gets impaired after taking 5mg of THC. If they opt for 20mg of CBD and 5mg of THC, they are less likely to get impaired.
Dosing recommendations for consumers new to cannabis edibles
Starting dose: 1-2.5 milligrams of THC. You can also add CBD if you like.
We recommend that you start with an edible for easier absorption in the mouth, as gut absorption is quite inconsistent and erratic. When it comes to edibles, you’re spoilt for choice as you have tinctures, lozenges, oils, troches, gummies, and mints at your disposal. In place of these, you can choose chocolates and cookies, but you’ll need to hold them in your mouth for 1-3 minutes before you swallow. For the best results, tinctures and oils are the best options. They are also the easiest to use, especially when you want to gradually increase the dose to discover what works best for you.
New cannabis consumers should wait for at least two hours before increasing their dosage. Most new consumers make the mistake of taking extra doses after one hour, especially if they fail to feel the effects of the cannabis product. After two hours, they start feeling the negative effects of an overdose.
If you feel unsure about the dosage, it’s recommended that you make use of Healer’s Inner Inventory, a tool designed to help you determine the effects of a particular dosage. For further information on incremental dosage, visit their website on Healer.com/programs
More tips for consuming infused edibles
Once you ingest an edible and fail to feel any effects after an hour, you can try eating a snack to stimulate your digestion as well as absorption process in your gut. An organic apple is a good choice.
New cannabis consumers might take between two and three doses to feel anything. They can try the same low dose product for three more times in a span of between 8 and 24 hours before they increase the dose.
Some people have difficulties absorbing THC through the gut. They can try absorbing it using the oral blood vessels of the lungs.
Tips for relieving an edibles-induced “overdose”
The primary treatment for an edible induced overdose is a calm environment that’s safe, and the reassurance that everything is going to be okay.
Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated.
In most instances, a huge dose of CBD, usually between 50 and 200 mg, is a partial antidote. Another antidote is lemon oil, which is mostly found in the lemon rind and in the juice. It’s been used for decades to deal with cannabis overdose. To use it, you’ll need to first grate the lemon zest.
Unless you have a preexisting heart condition or diarrhea, you do not need any medical help. In the event you experience the above two conditions, intravenous rehydration is needed.