Cannabis-infused baked goods, sometimes referred to as edibles, aren’t anything new. Some of us can remember that friend of a friend that spent their weekends stinking up their parent's place while they were out of town to make some ‘pot brownies’. Lucky for us, we’ve come a long way from the casual days of pot brownies and scary questions like “How much should I take?”.
Today, store-bought, legal gummies offer a catered experience for both recreational and medicinal consumers. You can pick the intensity, dosage, and specific feeling you’re after with incredible accuracy. Gummies are also labeled with their effects, opening up numerous healing possibilities for anyone hoping to improve their wellness with THC or CBD.
Trying Cannabis Gummies as a Beginner
THC gummies are a consumable variety of cannabis that offers a different experience when compared to smoking or vaping. Consuming THC gummies allows it to pass slowly through your digestive system. Smoking or vaping cannabis introduces THC to your bloodstream, having a more immediate effect that doesn’t last as long as gummies.
As a beginner, THC gummies can be a healthier, safer introduction to cannabis. THC gummies are delicious and easy to eat. Sometimes too easy. Their ease of use is typically what can cause a beginner to have a stronger experience than they were hoping for.
A poor experience with THC gummies usually results from not knowing how to take them. With that in mind, the best way to eat gummies as a beginner is by first understanding some basic information about THC and how it interacts with your body.
How to Choose the Right Type of THC Gummy
The cannabis plant contains hundreds of naturally occurring compounds that cause its effects(1). The two most popular compounds are THC, Tetrahydrocannabinol, and CBD, cannabidiol. THC is known for causing the psychoactive “high” feeling associated with most cannabis products. CBD, on the other hand, has zero psychoactive properties and instead creates a calming, sedating, full-body experience that can induce a state of deep relaxation.
The compounds that give THC its psychoactive qualities are called cannabinoids; the most well-known are Delta-8 and Delta-9. These two cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system (ECS) in different ways with one of them, Delta-9, being the most psychoactive (high-inducing).
| Cannabinoid | Effects | Psychoactive Potency | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta-8 | Euphoric and calming | Moderate | Stress relief, improving sleep, reducing pain |
| Delta-9 | Euphoric and energizing | High | Improving mood, reducing pain |
When choosing THC gummies, decide on the experience you’re hoping to have. If you’re looking for a euphoric but calming experience, THC gummies containing higher amounts of Delta-8 may be ideal. If you’re looking for a euphoric, energizing experience, THC gummies containing higher amounts of Delta-9 are a better option.
How to Eat THC Gummies
You’ve chosen your favorite type of THC gummies and you’re ready to dive in. At this stage, it’s important to assess your tolerance, dosage, and the current state of your body before consuming it.
Follow these steps when considering how to eat THC gummies:
- Eat a meal before consuming gummies
- Choose a low-dose to start (3-5mg)
- Eat one only
- Allow the effects to be felt
- If necessary, wait at least 1 hour before consuming more
Everyone, no matter their level of experience with cannabis, will feel the effects of THC gummies differently. No two people are alike in the way THC interacts with their body. Beginning cannabis users, however, will naturally have a much lower tolerance for THC than experienced users meaning lower doses will do the trick.
If you’re a beginner, follow the low and slow rule–take a low dose and wait at least an hour for the effects to be felt. THC gummies are offered in various dosages to make it easier for users to “ramp up” to the experience they desire. Doses can range from 3 to 10 milligrams up to 500 milligrams. Beginning users have also found that eating a meal before consuming THC gummies allows the effects to set in more gradually.
How to Microdose THC Gummies
Microdosing is the practice of taking minimal doses of a substance to gain certain benefits without feeling the unwanted side effects(2). With THC gummies, that means finding the minimum effective dosage or milligrams that won’t cause impairment or a feeling of being too “high”.
A microdose of THC gummies is considered to be between 1.3 to 3mg. To achieve a microdose, follow the low and slow rule mentioned earlier. Once you’ve achieved the effects you desire, you’ve identified your ideal microdose. Every person will have a different micro dosage that reduces anxiety, for example, but doesn’t cause the psychoactive “high” feeling that can be impairing. Some cautious trial and error will eventually reveal your microdose.
Find Your Ideal Experience
Trying anything for the first time can be stressful. At Naternal, it’s our mission to provide you with the information needed to ease your concerns. Our products are formulated to help you be present - not to make you feel stoned, paranoid, or lethargic. The key to cannabis wellness is finding your minimum effective dose and we’re here to help you do just that.
Questions? Visit our contact page and reach out. We’re happy to help.
