Photo by MOUTHWASH STUDIOS

Guides | 07.24.2023

What Happens If You Eat Too Many Cannabis Edibles

Lean in, edible enthusiasts.

We’ve all likely been tempted by those glistening gummies, captivating chocolates, and irresistible brownies laced with the magic of cannabis. But before you dive headfirst into a full-blown Willy Wonka and Marijuana Factory experience, you may wonder: what happens if I bite off more edibles than I can chew? 

Well, buckle up as we journey down the rabbit hole of what happens when you overindulge in these tantalizing THC treats. 

Symptoms Of Having Too Many Edibles

  1. A High That’s Higher Than Expected: Not your usual buzz. Expect a sensory overload with sounds appearing more loud, and colors more intense, possibly to an overwhelming extent. 
  2. A Case of the ‘Cannabis Crazies’: Anxiety and paranoia are common symptoms after consuming too many cannabis treats. Your once-familiar surroundings may suddenly seem daunting and unnerving. 
  3. Time Warp: Minutes may stretch into what feels like hours, and hours…well, they may just feel endless.
  4. Physical Symptoms: Physical changes may be apparent – increased heart rate, dry mouth, and dizziness are common. Some individuals experience nausea or loss of coordination. 
  5. Prolonged Side Effects: Edibles adhere to the age-old saying, ‘Slow and steady wins the race’. Effects from edibles can last hours to some reporting days, depending on the amount consumed. 
  6. Unexpected Slumber: Excessive edible consumption can lead to a sedative effect, causing incredible sleepiness. An unexpected nap may come your way! 

Remember that symptoms can vary across each individual. Knowledge is your best tool to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience with our favorite cannabis treats. 

Had Too Many Edibles: How To Deal With It

If you’re experiencing the intensity of an edible excursion and the ‘highway’ feels a bit too akin to a winding mountain pass, fear not – we’re here to guide you back to a potentially smoother ride. 

Sure, you might feel like your heart is beating out of your chest, you’re not sure which way is up and down, you’ve turned your breathing on manually, and the conversation doesn’t seem to make sense, but we promise you that you’ll be alright. 

First things first, reassure yourself that the cannabis won’t cause lasting harm. You might feel peculiar but despite the strange sensations, you’ll be okay. 

To combat the marijuana edibles’ over-gripping embrace, follow these simple steps: 

  1. Hydrate: Drink up! Staying hydrated can help with the dry mouth often accompanying the cannabis high. 
  2. Breathe: Mindful breathing can calm a racing heart and thoughts. Breathing in, holding, and breathing out each for 5-8 seconds can help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system more. 
  3. Create a Cocoon of Comfort: Ensure you’re in a safe and tranquil space, free from excessive stimuli 
  4. Nap Time: Sometimes, the best antidote to an edible overload is a good nap. 

We won’t sugarcoat it – you may feel disoriented and anxious for a while. But don’t fret and hang in there – this will all pass soon. 

How To Dose Edibles

When you’re smoking a joint, you’ll immediately start to feel the effects of marijuana swimming around your brain and making your body feel different. 

When it comes to weed edibles, however, you’ll be waiting a while until you feel it – but no doubt, you’ll feel it. When it comes to finding the correct dosage of edibles, smoking is easier as you are in control and can just stop taking hits when you’ve had enough. 

Edibles are on another playing field because once you’ve taken them, there’s no turning back. So how should you dose your edibles? 

“Start low, go slow” is the best way to experiment with edibles if you’re a first-timer (or even a nervous cannasseur). If you buy a pack of edible gummies, the dosage will be marked on the box, with a standard of 10 mg per candy. 

If you’re feeling nervous about getting too high, start by ingesting half of a gummy, wait 60-90 minutes, and take more if needed.

You can always take more, but you can’t un-take if you down too much. 

Edibles vs. Smoking

When it comes to the world of cannabis consumption, two main characters often take center stage: smoking and edibles. 

Each has its own unique and fruitful properties delivering a different kind of ‘high’. Let’s dive into what sets these two contenders apart. 

When you smoke cannabis, the effects are nearly instant, kicking in a few seconds to a few minutes post-consumption. THC and other active compounds are quickly ushered into your brain via the lungs, while edibles often play the long game, with effects commonly manifesting anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours after digestion and metabolism by the liver. This slow and steady approach leads to a delayed, yet often more potent, effect. 

Duration of the high can differ dramatically as well– smoking usually has its high peaking within the first hour and generally lasts between 1-3 hours. In contrast, edibles’ slower absorption rate provides a prolonged ‘high’ that can last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours. 

Smoking, by nature, can lead to potential respiratory complications due to the inhalation of smoke. On the other hand, edibles offer a more appealing option for those concerned about the health impacts of smoking.

When smoking, it can be easier to control the high due to rapid onset – you usually know when you’ve had enough. Nevertheless, the edible journey isn’t as transparent and the delayed onset can lead to accidental overconsumption. 

If you’re keen to unravel the science behind the marathon-length ‘high’ that edibles offer, don’t miss our piece on why the edible high lasts so long – it will further satisfy your curiosity on the seemingly endless joyride. 

Takeaway

Navigating the flavorful world of cannabis edibles can be exhilarating, but it’s important to remember the importance of moderation. Too many fun cannabis treats can lead to a potentially uncomfortable journey filled with anxiety, distorted time, and physical discomfort. 

If you ever find yourself on the wild edible ride and can’t seem to get off, remember to stay calm, hydrate, seek comfort and reassure yourself this experience is temporary. 

As always, take care of yourselves and have fun exploring the dynamic world of cannabis!

Herb Recommended Products:

Featured Brands:

Herb Recommended Products:

READ MORE

What Happens In The Liver When You Eat Edibles?
Learn |
24.09.2019
What Happens In The Liver When You Eat Edibles?
How To Get Unhigh: 10 Ways To Sober Up From Weed
Learn |
09.01.2024
How To Get Unhigh: 10 Ways To Sober Up From Weed
Traditional vs Quick-Onset Edibles
Learn |
18.06.2020
Traditional vs Quick-Onset Edibles
What Happens When You Mix Alcohol & Weed?
Learn |
18.03.2023
What Happens When You Mix Alcohol & Weed?
Stonerpedia: What Happens If You Just Keep Smoking Weed?
Learn |
09.11.2022
Stonerpedia: What Happens If You Just Keep Smoking Weed?
Herb’s Guide To Nano THC Edibles
Learn |
27.01.2022
Herb’s Guide To Nano THC Edibles
What Happens If You Eat Raw Weed
learn |
21.01.2018
What Happens If You Eat Raw Weed
What Happens When You Mix Cannabis And Tobacco
Learn |
20.08.2019
What Happens When You Mix Cannabis And Tobacco
7 Ways To Cure A High That’s Way Too Intense
Guides |
03.01.2023
7 Ways To Cure A High That’s Way Too Intense
What Do I Do if My Dog Eats Cannabutter?
Health |
15.08.2019
What Do I Do if My Dog Eats Cannabutter?