What Are Edibles?
The word "edible" describes anything that you can eat. But it’s now a term that’s popularly used for foods, often treats, that have extracts from marijuana or other mind-altering drugs in them. Marijuana includes the leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds of related plants also known as cannabis. The active ingredient is a chemical called THC.
Edibles are a popular way people use cannabis, especially in places where it’s legal to use for medicinal purposes or recreationally. While cannabis edibles are more common, some edibles may be made instead with extracts of “magic mushrooms.”
In Colorado, close to 5 million units of edible cannabis products were sold for medicinal or recreational use in a single year. But it’s likely that the actual use of edibles is a lot higher. Some people likely make their own edibles from infused oils or cannabis plants. While their use is most common in places where it’s legal, it’s hard to know how many people are buying edibles in one state and taking them to another. In one nationwide study in the U.S., 1 in 3 people who had ever used cannabis said that they had used edibles.
Some people use edibles for fun. Other people use them to help with medical conditions or symptoms, such as:
Muscle spasms
Pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Epilepsy
Low appetite
Cancer
Psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression
But there isn’t a lot of evidence about how well cannabis in any form will help with these symptoms.
Because edibles are increasingly popular and available and they may look like any other treat, it’s a good idea to be aware of them and how they can be used most safely. You also should know what to expect if you’re using them about how they may affect you, how long they may be detected in your system, and more.
THC Edibles
Making edibles involves extracting chemicals known as cannabinoids from the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are chemicals found in cannabis plants. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the one that makes you feel high, while CBD (cannabidiol) doesn't make you high but may have other effects like reducing pain or anxiety. To extract the cannabinoids, you heat the flowers from female plants in an oily liquid.
In the plant, THC is in a form that doesn’t have those mind-altering effects. You need to heat it up to convert it into the form that gives you that feeling. As it’s heated up, active THC dissolves into the oil with other chemicals, including CBD. You can then remove and get rid of the plant. This cannabis oil can then be used as an ingredient in candies, baked goods, or other foods. You also can buy cannabinoid-infused oils at some marijuana dispensaries or shops in places where it’s legal.
Indica vs. sativa edibles
Cannabis comes from two related plants: Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica. You can make edibles from either plant. Experts don’t agree on whether these are really different species. It’s easy to cross them and get hybrid plants. Different marijuana plants can vary a lot in terms of how much THC, CBD, or other chemicals are in them even when they are the same species.
Some people who use cannabis think that Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica affect them differently. For example, some people say sativa is uplifting and makes them feel more energetic while indica makes them more relaxed and calm. But experts say that you can’t tell the difference by looking at the plant or any differences between them you can see. The only way to tell is by testing them biochemically. Any differences in edibles you notice are more likely due to differences in chemistry including THC content and not so much whether it’s made from indica or sativa.
Edibles vs. smoking
When you smoke cannabis, THC in the smoke and vapor goes to your lungs. From there, it passes into your blood and gets to your brain.
THC or other mind-altering chemicals from edibles will get into your bloodstream, too. But first they’ll go to your stomach and liver. Your liver changes THC into another form that may make you feel more intensely high.
Compared to smoking, edibles take longer to get into your system and change how you feel. They also can last longer.
Edibles are better for your lungs than smoking. But it’s a good idea to take precautions with edibles, too, especially if you are new to them. Either way, you don’t want to get too much.
Some people also prefer the way they feel when they smoke cannabis compared to ingesting it. But people are using edibles more for various reasons. For instance, edibles may be:
More discreet
More convenient
More relaxing
Less toxic or harmful
But it’s hard to know for sure how the two compare since there aren’t many studies that have looked at this.
Mushroom Edibles
Mushrooms, often called “magic mushrooms” or “shrooms,” are a kind of mushroom you can eat for the mind-altering chemical in them called psilocybin or psilocin. They can make you hallucinate, or sense things that aren’t really there.
You can find magic mushrooms fresh, dried, or powdered. While people sometimes use them in other ways, they’re also ingested in teas. You may find them added to foods, including treats, or mixed into fruit juices.
With the increased popularity of cannabis edibles, some dispensaries have started selling edibles with mushroom extracts in them, too, including gummies and other products. You might also see them being sold online.
But there are safety concerns, and it's important to know what you’re consuming and how much. The psilocybin in mushrooms can cause:
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscle weakness
Loss of coordination
Panic reactions
Psychotic-like episodes
Types of Edibles
You can find edibles in many different forms including:
Brownies or other baked goods
Candy
Gummies
Chocolate
Lozenges
Drinks
Lollipops
You can also make or buy oils containing THC or other mind-altering substances that you can put into any type of food or drink.
Edibles Dosage
It’s hard to know how much THC, psilocybin, or other substances are in edibles, especially if it’s homemade. It’s a good idea to start with a small amount. One recommendation suggests that you shouldn’t start with cannabis edibles that have more than 2.5 milligrams of THC in them.
One study found that psilocybin can be taken safely at doses of 10 to 25 milligrams. It’s a good idea when using edibles to know what’s in them and at what dose. Start cautiously as you learn how they make you feel.
Consuming too much cannabis or THC can be toxic, and it’s more likely this could happen from edibles compared to smoking. One reason is that it takes time for the THC or other chemicals to get into your system. You could accidentally eat more than you meant to without knowing it.
If you take in too much THC, it’s not likely to kill you. But you may not feel well. You could have psychosis-like symptoms and may be more likely to hurt yourself.
Mushrooms containing psilocybin are considered relatively safe. Most people don’t have serious problems when using them. But sometimes people who eat magic mushrooms do end up with uncomfortable symptoms including panic that may even send them to the emergency room.
How long does it take for edibles to kick in?
You’ll feel the effects of edibles once they get into your system. This can take as little as 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. You’ll probably feel the full effect by 4 hours.
The main effects could last 12 hours. But you may notice some more minor or residual effects for 24 hours.
Edibles Effects
Edibles can have different short- and long-term effects depending on what’s in them and how much.
Short-term effects
At first, you won’t feel much. It takes time for mind-altering drugs you ingest to enter your system. Once in your system, they’ll give you a high. Some people think edibles give a calmer high, but everyone is different. The way you feel may not be the same as someone else.
Long-term effects
If you use cannabis edibles for a long time, it could have more long-term effects on you. For example, it could change how your brain works, especially if you use it often. There’s some evidence that long-term cannabis use can lead to problems with:
Learning
Thinking
Memory
Attention
If you use edible mushrooms with psilocybin in them, you also could have long-term changes in your:
Personality
Attitude
Depression
Spirituality
Anxiety
Well-being
Substance misuse
Mindfulness
But keep in mind there isn’t a lot of research on the long-term effects of drug-infused edibles. It’s also unknown whether it’s more risky to use for people who are older or have other conditions such as:
Cancer
AIDS
Heart disease
Multiple sclerosis
Neurodegenerative disorders
More study is needed to understand the long-term effects of cannabis or other edibles.
Are Edibles Illegal?
Edibles containing cannabis aren’t legal under federal law unless they contain very small amounts of THC. But marijuana including cannabis-infused edibles is now legal in a growing number of states for either medical or recreational use. Check the laws in your state.
How long do edibles stay in your system?
The effects of edibles will go away quickly, usually within a day. But traces of THC in edibles can stay in your system for a lot longer. How long it can be detected depends on lots of factors, including your metabolism and how often you use them.
It’s usually possible to detect THC in hair for up to 90 days. It stays in urine for up to a month. It’s detectable in saliva for up to 24 hours and in blood for 12 hours.
Safety Tips for Taking Edibles
Take precautions to keep yourself safe if you decide to use edibles:
Start with a low dose.
Avoid taking too much while you wait for the effects to kick in.
Read the labels carefully so you know what’s in the edible you’re taking.
Check the concentration of THC or any other mind-altering ingredients.
Don’t use high-strength cannabis-containing products more than once a week or you may develop a tolerance.
Don’t mix edibles with alcohol or other substances.
How to store edibles
It’s important to safely store your edibles so that children and pets can’t get to them by mistake. Follow these steps:
Keep edibles in their original packaging if they are store-bought.
Clearly label them so you know what they are.
Add warning labels to avoid confusion.
Store them away from other foods or medicines.
Keep them in a secure location that is out of sight and reach.
Store them in a locked container where children and pets can’t find them by mistake.
Don’t use them when children or pets are around.
The best way to keep children and pets safe is to avoid using edibles in your home at all. If you do have them, treat them like medicines.
What to do if a child accidentally took an edible
Anytime you think a child (or pet) has eaten cannabis or an edible, you should take action. Call poison control to find out what to do.
It’s best to stay calm so you can help and make good decisions about what to do next. If you or someone else, including a child, took an edible by mistake, watch for signs of cannabis poisoning such as:
Vomiting
Dizziness
Trouble walking
Rapid heart rate
Feeling drowsy
Confusion
Trouble breathing
If you are worried the situation is more serious, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Takeaways
Edibles are an increasingly popular way to use cannabis or other mind-altering drugs such as mushrooms. They are legal to use in some states recreationally, but they also may be used for medicinal purposes. There isn’t a lot of evidence about how much they help or what long-term effects they may have. It’s important to store edibles safely to protect kids and pets and take precautions to make sure that you don’t accidentally take too much.
Edibles FAQs
Does THC matter in edibles?
Yes. THC is the active ingredient that makes you feel high. Cannabis-infused edibles can vary a lot in how much THC is in them. Take care to read the label. If you haven’t tried edibles before, don’t take more than 2.5 milligrams of THC, and wait to see how it makes you feel.
What is the difference between THC gummies and edibles?
THC gummies are one type of edible. You can also find THC in many other forms, including hard candies, baked goods, and oils.
What does an edible high feel like?
Edibles will give you a high similar to smoking cannabis. But some people may find they cause symptoms that don’t feel good, such as anxiety, hallucinations, or a rapid heart rate. Compared to smoking, edibles are more likely to send you to the emergency room.
Do edibles make you super high?
Edibles will take longer to make you feel high. But once they do kick in, you may feel their effects more intensely or longer. Be careful not to take too much, especially if you aren’t familiar with what you’re taking.
