Why aren't the edibles kicking in?

 

A question I'm often asked is:

"How much should I have?"

It's a difficult thing to answer because the way edibles hit you is completely different to smoking. In fact, you may get high from smoking bud, and the edibles may not even affect you at all.

 Why is this?

As stated, edibles work differently than other types of cannabis. Not only on the longevity of the high, and the onset of the high, but scientifically, too.

When you smoke, vape, or placing tincture under your tongue, you allow the cannabis to absorb directly into your bloodstream, edibles need to be digested first.

THC is metabolized in your liver before being dispersed into your bloodstream. This is why you will only feel the affects of an edible long after you have smoked it.

The enzymes in your liver play a significant role in your response to different cannabinoids. Having higher or lower CYP enzymes alter the rate of metabolism and may even mean that THC isn’t metabolized at all. Bummer right?

If you are experiencing this, but others aren't - from the same supplier - this is just how your body works.

Another possible reason it may not be affecting you as well as it should:

You ate the edible on an empty stomach. Eating beforehand seems to work better for edibles...

One of the leading cannabinoid experts, Dr. Mary Clifton, MD says:

"You may have enzymatic levels that are breaking down the THC quickly, or more likely that you may have genetic differences in your CB 1 and 2 receptors (so people have more and some have less) and is just not getting that much stimulation regardless of the products that you are taking."

All in all, if edibles don't work for you, try a more sublingual way of eating it. For some it may be tincture or cannabis hard candy, for others - smoking it may be the way to go. 

Bottom Line:

If your experience is different to majority of others and you've eaten beforehand - it's a sad fact that edibles may just not be for you.