Psychoactive Properties Of Ingesting Cannabis V.S Smoking
Choosing between ingesting cannabis and smoking it can be confusing. Each method offers a unique experience with differing effects on the body and mind. An important fact to consider is that inhaling cannabis allows approximately 50-60% of THC to enter the bloodstream, while edibles deliver only 10-20%.
This article aims to clarify these differences by exploring the psychoactive properties of both consumption methods. From understanding THC levels to examining health effects, readers will gain insight into which method might suit their needs best.
Get ready for clarity—read on.
Key Takeaways
● Edibles make the high last longer but start slower because they go through your stomach. Smoking works fast but doesn't last as long.
● When you eat cannabis, only 10-20% of THC gets into your blood. Smoking lets about 50-60% get in.
● Smoking can hurt your lungs more than eating cannabis does.
● Eating too much before feeling it can lead to a stronger high than expected with edibles.
● The effects on your mind and body differ between smoking and eating cannabis due to how THC enters and moves in your body.
Understanding Cannabis Consumption
Cannabis consumption comes in different forms - ingestion and smoking. Each method affects the body differently due to how the psychoactive compounds, like THC and CBD, interact with it.
Cannabis Ingestion
Eating or drinking cannabis takes it on a different journey through the body compared to smoking. Edibles, which include any food item infused with cannabis, deliver THC—the main psychoactive compound in marijuana—into the bloodstream through the digestive system.
This method sees only 10-20% of THC absorbed, much less than smoking's 50-60%. The effects kick in slower but can last longer and sometimes hit harder due to how the liver processes THC into a more potent form.
People choosing edibles over smoking might find their experience varies greatly. With ingestion, one must wait for effects, often leading to mistaken overconsumption when initial doses seem weak.
Understanding proper dosing is crucial as ingesting too much can lead to discomfort or intense psychoactive experiences. Unlike quick hits from smoking, edibles demand patience and respect for their delayed yet deep-reaching impact on both mind and body.
Cannabis Smoking
Cannabis smoking quickly sends THC to the brain, causing fast effects. It allows about 50-60% of THC to hit the bloodstream—much more than edibles. This method produces a high that kicks in almost immediately, differing from the slow onset linked with ingestion.
People choose smoking because it's easy to control their experience by stopping when they feel enough effect.
Smoking cannabis offers an immediate route for THC delivery, contrasting sharply with the gradual process seen in ingestion.
Next, we dive into understanding how THC and CBD levels play out in different consumption methods.
Psychoactive Compounds in Cannabis
Cannabis contains psychoactive compounds like THC and CBD. These compounds have effects on the body, including intoxication and changes in mental state.
THC effects
THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, changes how the brain works. It produces a "high" feeling that many users seek. When people smoke cannabis, they get about 50-60% of THC into their bloodstream fast.
This quick move to the blood can make feelings of relaxation or euphoria happen quickly.
But, eating or drinking cannabis products leads to less THC entering the bloodstream—only 10-20%. This means the effects from edibles take longer to start but can last longer and feel different than smoking.
The way THC affects a person's mind and body varies widely between smoking and ingesting it because of these differences in how much THC gets into the system.
CBD levels
The cannabis plant contains both THC and CBD. While THC is the psychoactive compound responsible for the "high" sensation, CBD is non-psychoactive and has potential health benefits.
In edibles, CBD levels can vary, depending on the extraction method used to make them. When smoking cannabis, the levels of CBD are generally lower compared to edibles due to the heat-induced degradation of this compound.
CBD plays a crucial role in modulating the effects of THC by reducing anxiety and other negative side effects.
The Science Behind Ingesting Cannabis
When you consume cannabis by eating, the body processes it through digestion. The effects may take longer to kick in compared to smoking, but they can last longer too.
The process of ingestion
When cannabis is ingested, it goes through the digestive system before entering the bloodstream. This process takes longer for the effects to kick in, typically around 30 minutes to 2 hours after consumption.
The liver metabolizes THC into a more potent form, which can result in a stronger high compared to smoking. Edibles contain cannabinoids that are absorbed by the body when digested and provide a longer-lasting high compared to smoking.
Ingesting cannabis results in cannabinoids being processed by the liver and then distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. As a result, it tends to produce more intense and long-lasting psychoactive effects than smoking.
Duration of high
When cannabis is ingested, the duration of high can be prolonged, often lasting for several hours. This slow onset of effects and extended duration are due to how the body processes the THC when it is consumed through edibles or oils.
In contrast, smoking cannabis results in a quicker onset of psychoactive effects but with a shorter duration compared to ingestion. Edibles tend to peak at around 2-3 hours after consumption and may result in a more intense and sustained high than smoking.
### Key Points:
- Cannabis ingestion leads to a prolonged high that can last for several hours.
Effects on the body
Ingesting cannabis affects the body differently than smoking it. When consuming edibles, the liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC, which is more potent and has a longer-lasting effect, leading to a stronger high that can last for several hours.
This method of consumption can also result in delayed onset of effects, making it easier for users to consume too much before feeling the full impact. On the other hand, smoking cannabis delivers THC directly into the bloodstream through the lungs, causing an almost immediate high but with shorter duration compared to ingesting.
The way THC interacts with the body varies depending on how it enters the system. Ingested cannabis leads to its metabolism in ways that can be more unpredictable and intense due to delayed onset and prolonged effects on individual tolerance levels.
The Science Behind Smoking Cannabis
When smoking cannabis, the process involves inhaling the smoke from burning dried flowers or leaves of the cannabis plant. The active compounds in cannabis, such as THC and CBD, are absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs, leading to a relatively rapid onset of psychoactive effects.
The process of smoking
When smoking cannabis, the user inhales the smoke created by burning the dried flowers of the cannabis plant. The heat from the flame or vaporizer causes the THC and other cannabinoids in the plant to turn into a gas that can be breathed in through the lungs.
This allows for quick absorption into the bloodstream, resulting in rapid psychoactive effects.
The process of smoking releases cannabinoids such as THC and CBD directly into the body's system. The compounds are absorbed quickly through lung tissue and enter circulation throughout the body, affecting both physical and mental functions within minutes.
Comparison of THC Levels in Edibles and Smoking
THC concentration in edibles differs from smoking. Edibles can contain higher concentrations of THC compared to smoking.
THC concentration in edibles
Edibles have a lower THC concentration. When consuming edibles, only 10-20% of the THC enters the bloodstream. This is significantly less than smoking, where around 50-60% of the THC is delivered into the bloodstream.
Therefore, ingesting cannabis results in lower levels of psychoactive effects compared to smoking it.
When consuming edibles, only 10-20% of the THC enters the bloodstream. When smoking cannabis, around 50-60% of the THC is delivered into the bloodstream.
THC concentration in smoking
When cannabis is smoked, the THC concentration can vary depending on factors such as the strain of cannabis, how it's grown, and how it's prepared for smoking. Smoking cannabis delivers a higher percentage of THC into the bloodstream compared to consuming edibles or other methods.
Typically, when cannabis is smoked, around 50-60% of its THC content enters the bloodstream. This method provides a more rapid onset of psychoactive effects due to the efficient transfer of THC into the body through inhalation.
In summary:
- Cannabis smoking allows for a higher percentage (around 50-60%) of THC to enter the bloodstream.
Psychoactive Effects of Ingesting vs. Smoking Cannabis
Ingesting cannabis and smoking it have different psychoactive effects. When you ingest cannabis, the high takes longer to kick in but can last much longer compared to smoking. On the other hand, smoking cannabis leads to a quicker onset of intoxication, but the duration of the high is shorter.
Intoxication from edibles
When consuming cannabis edibles, intoxication occurs as the body metabolizes THC differently. The effects are slower to kick in, often taking 30 minutes to 2 hours before feeling high due to digestion and absorption processes.
This delay can lead consumers into overindulging, thinking the edible isn't effective, resulting in stronger-than-desired intoxication later on. Additionally, the duration of intoxication from edibles is typically longer compared to smoking, lasting anywhere from 4-12 hours.
Therefore, it's crucial for individuals to consume edibles cautiously and be patient with their onset and duration of effects.
Intoxication from smoking
Smoking cannabis results in the rapid onset of intoxication due to THC quickly entering the bloodstream through the lungs. The effects can be felt within minutes, peaking at around 30 minutes to two hours after smoking.
The psychoactive impacts include euphoria, relaxation, altered perception of time, and heightened sensory experiences. However, these effects typically diminish within a few hours as THC is metabolized and excreted from the body.
The mode of smoking also influences how much THC reaches the brain. For instance, holding one's breath after inhaling smoke does not increase THC absorption but can expose users to harmful toxins found in smoke.
Health Effects of Ingesting vs. Smoking Cannabis
When comparing the health effects of ingesting and smoking cannabis, it is important to consider the potential impact on physical and mental well-being. The differences in how the body processes ingested versus smoked cannabis can result in varying effects on individuals' overall health.
Physical health effects
Ingesting cannabis has less harmful impact on the respiratory system, as it's not smoked. However, consuming edibles may lead to overconsumption due to delayed effects, potentially causing digestive issues or discomfort.
On the other hand, smoking cannabis can irritate the lungs and airways, potentially leading to long-term respiratory problems. Nevertheless, both methods can elevate heart rate and blood pressure temporarily.
Cannabis use can affect mental health; regular heavy use during adolescence may result in a decrease in cognitive function and lower life satisfaction. It is vital to note that there are potential risks associated with early and frequent cannabis consumption that could negatively influence brain development during crucial growth periods.
Mental health effects
Ingesting and smoking cannabis can affect mental health differently. When ingested, the psychoactive effects of THC can be more intense and longer-lasting, potentially leading to heightened anxiety or paranoia in some individuals.
On the other hand, smoking cannabis may lead to a quicker onset of effects but with a shorter duration compared to ingestion. Both methods have been associated with triggering or exacerbating mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression in certain individuals.
The differences in how THC is processed in the body through ingestion versus inhalation play a significant role in its impact on mental health. As such, it's important for individuals considering using cannabis to be mindful of these potential mental health effects based on their preferred method of consumption.
