Woman eating a cannabis edible gummy

How To Make Edibles Hit Faster?

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Time to read 6 min

As far as consuming weed goes, edibles have remained popular over decades for a ton of reasons. They offer a discreet option for consuming cannabis without drawing attention to oneself, for example. Or the wide variety of flavors and types of edibles, such as gummies, chocolates, and baked goods allow people to choose the type of product that best suits their tastes and preferences, which guarantees that you will find a favorite cannabis snack and never let it go. 


Edibles can also be an effective way to consume cannabis for medicinal purposes, particularly for people who need long-lasting relief from symptoms, or because they do not want to inhale smoke into their lungs, which can be beneficial for those with respiratory issues or concerns about the health risks of smoking. And above everything else, they can also produce longer-lasting highs, making them ideal for people who want to experience the effects of cannabis for an extended period of time (and who doesn’t?).


However, if you prefer them for that last reason, you might have a question in your mind: how to make edibles hit faster?

How to make edibles hit faster?


Before starting, though, let’s take a look into the reason why edibles seem to have a stronger effect than other methods of consumption. In short, edibles typically hit harder than smoking because of the way they are metabolized by the body; when you smoke cannabis, the THC enters your bloodstream through your lungs and reaches your brain within minutes, leading to a quick onset of effects. In contrast, when you consume edibles, the THC is absorbed through your digestive system instead (that might be the reason why edibles can make you poop more than usual), and metabolized by your liver before it enters your bloodstream. And when THC is metabolized by the liver, it is converted into a more potent form called 11-hydroxy-THC, which can produce more intense and longer-lasting effects than the THC produced by smoking. Nevertheless, this can take longer and can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the individual's metabolism, body weight, and whether they have eaten recently, people prefer getting high with an empty stomach "to make it faster", but simply put, this is why the effects of edibles take longer to hit, but can also last for several hours.


Still, it's important to note that because the effects of edibles can take longer to set in, a lot of people are led to mistakenly believe they are not working and consume more, leading to an unpleasant surprise when they do hit, to the point that is has become a meme among the cannabis community everywhere. But for that very same reason, you probably wish there was a way (or five!) to make sure the high of a good edible hits a lot faster. 


You want to be high right now, not in 45 minutes, so what to do to ensure this? Well, here at HØJ, we bring you all the knowledge you need to make sure the chill moment arrives when you need it, and some of the precautions you might want to have in mind if you try these paths. 


Enjoy, and have a great time!

Edible pizza with cannabis
Edible pizza with cannabis leaf (Envato)

Enhancing the effects of edibles


Do you know how long do weed edibles stay in your system? There are several reasons why a person might want to enhance the effects of an edible, after all. For some, a regular dose of edibles may not produce a strong enough experience, so they would like to increase the intensity of the bite. Or, for those using cannabis for medicinal purposes, enhancing the effects may be very desirable to achieve greater relief from symptoms. Additionally, regular cannabis consumers may develop a tolerance to the effects of edibles (and we have talked about this weed tolerance phenomenon here at HØJ if you want to learn more), so enhancing the effects can help them achieve the desired level of effects without having to consume a little too much.


Some people may simply enjoy the feeling of being high as a space kite, and seek to enhance the effects of an edible to almost achieve a higher understanding of our world. Whatever the case, it's important to remember that consuming too much THC can be dangerous, so it's always best to use cannabis responsibly and with caution. However, to enjoy the full benefits of edibles, you can try these strategies and have the best time eating weed-infused meals.

Tips to enhance your high with edibles:

Think about surface area.


Choose a method that increases the surface area of the edible, such as crushing it into smaller pieces or grinding it into a powder. This will help the THC absorb faster into your bloodstream because a fine powder may increase the rate at which the cannabinoids are absorbed by the body, potentially leading to a faster onset of effects.

Take the edible on an empty stomach.

 

Of course, there are foods that enhance your high, so eating a small, light meal before consuming the edible can also help it absorb faster, just like when you drink alcohol without anything in your stomach, of course, you will get drunk very fast! So, if your intention is to get high incredibly fast, then an empty stomach might be what you need to consider. Just remember to stockpile some snacks for the strongest munchies you will ever experience!

Burgers and fries with cannabis accessories
Burgers and fries with cannabis accessories (HØJ Media)
Woman drinking coffee before getting high
Woman drinking coffee before getting high (HØJ Media)

Try a sublingual method.


Holding a tincture or an oil under the tongue for a period of time before swallowing, may increase the speed and efficiency of absorption of THC into the bloodstream. This works because the sublingual glands under the tongue are rich in blood vessels that can quickly absorb the THC, bypassing the digestive system and liver entirely. Compared to plainly eating an edible, sublingual consumption can result in a faster onset of effects and potentially stronger effects.

Heat up the edible slightly before consuming it!

 

Heating edibles can help activate the THC and make it more bioavailable due to a process called decarboxylation, which is a chemical reaction that converts THCA, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, into THC, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis. However, if the edible has already undergone decarboxylation, heating it up further will not increase its potency significantly, and it's important to note that heating up an already baked edible can change its taste and texture, potentially causing it to become less palatable. And nobody likes to ruin a perfectly done edible!

Drink something very fatty.

 

Consider taking the edible with a beverage that has a high-fat content. THC is fat-soluble, and consuming it with a high-fat drink like whole milk or coconut milk can help it absorb faster, broken down by the liver into a more potent form, which is then circulated throughout the body. This can result in a more intense and longer-lasting high. Hell, some common foods like nuts, cheese, avocado, and chocolate will also help you!

Keep in mind your ABCs: Always Be Cautious!


This all sounds great, but as always, it's important to take certain precautions to minimize the risk of negative side effects or an overdose if you want to enhance the edible's effects. Always start with a low dose to gauge your tolerance and avoid consuming too much THC, and wait at least an hour before consuming more, as the effects of edibles, as we mentioned, can take a while to kick in. And remember to keep caution when combining cannabis with other substances, lest you find an unpleasant combination that ruins your day, or worse. And finally, consider the potency of the edible before attempting to enhance its effects, as consuming too much THC can be dangerous, staying aware of your surroundings and avoiding situations where you could potentially harm yourself or others. 


By following these precautions, you can safely and responsibly enhance the high of an edible and have the best time possible with your favorite snack. 


Until next time!

Author: Shaggy

Disclaimer: HØJ is not a medical advice blog, so please consult with a doctor or a specialist if you have any questions regarding smoking or anything related to cannabis consumption itself.

Need extra inspiration in the kitchen?


Take a look at this edible pancake recipe from HØJ Munchies video series! 

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