Edibles vs. Smoking: Which Method Produces The Best High?

Why do you smoke weed? For some people, it provides relief from chronic pain, physical injuries, and crippling anxiety or depression. Others enjoy the relaxation and creativity they feel when they smoke, allowing them to recover from the stress of daily life.

No matter what your reason is, you probably want to get the best high possible from your preferred method of cannabis use. But are you using weed properly for your needs? In this article, we’ll discuss which method of cannabis use provides the best high: edibles or smoking.

How Does Smoking Work?

Smoking weed is the quickest way to get your weed fix. When you smoke or vape weed, the active compounds in cannabis - including CBD and THC - enter your lungs and bloodstream almost immediately, making their way to your brain to produce their desired effects.

When THC - the compound that makes you feel high - reaches your brain, it binds to CB1 and other receptors in the endocannabinoid system and produces the euphoric feeling associated with weed.

In other words, inhaling THC, either by smoking or vaping, makes you feel high almost instantly because it reaches the brain quicker than edibles.

How Do Edibles Work?

Edibles tend to produce a stronger high than smoking weed, but it will take a bit longer. This is because edibles need to pass through the digestive system, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours before you start to feel high.

When you ingest edibles, THC is absorbed by the stomach and converted to 11-hydroxy-THC in the liver, which is a compound that gives you both a stronger and longer-lasting high.

Keep in mind that the length and intensity of your high depend on several things, including the quality, potency, and dosage of your weed.

Most of the time, your high from ingesting edibles will last anywhere from four to six hours while smoking weed makes you feel high for less than two hours.

Which is Better?

The best way to ingest weed is completely a personal decision. You might not always be able to smoke weed, such as if you have a lung condition or if you are with other people who don’t like the smell of weed. In this case, it might be better to use edibles to get high.

Other times you may need instant relief from pain or anxiety. This makes smoking or vaping a better option because the onset of your high is quicker. Some people also find the actions of smoking or vaping weed to be therapeutic in themselves, which can lead to better relief of symptoms.

One thing to keep in mind is that it’s easy to overindulge in edibles because it’s hard to judge how much weed you’ve consumed. It may take up to three hours for your body to metabolize THC. This can make you think that your edibles aren’t working, which encourages you to eat more.

If you’re new to edibles, then it’s best to start with a low dose and allow 24 hours for you to feel the full effects. We don’t recommend increasing your dose in increments larger than 2.5 to 5 mg every 24 hours.

On the other hand, smoking weed is often safer because you’ll feel the effects right away, making you less likely to overindulge or consume too much. As long as you can be patient and don’t need to feel high right away, then edibles can be a great way to provide the most relief.

Here are some things to keep in mind when determining if edibles or smoking is better for you:

• Smoking weed gets you high quicker, but the results tend to wear off quicker as well

• It takes longer to feel high from eating edibles, but the high is usually more intense and lasts longer - often making it worth the wait

• Smoking weed isn’t always possible - such as when you are at work or school, have a lung problem, or cannot smell like weed - making edibles a better way to get high

• It’s easier to overconsume edibles and this can lead to paranoia, digestive upset, nausea, vomiting, and coordination problems, so you’ll want to keep your doses small

No matter what method of cannabis you use - either inhaling or edibles - there are several things you can do to make the most of your high, such as using high-quality weed.

If you’re new to making edibles, then consider buying from a qualified dispensary so that you can gauge the amount of THC you’re ingesting. You’ll also get a better, cleaner high by using medical-grade marijuana that is free from unwanted additives and chemicals.

Buying edibles from a cannabis dispensary also means that you’re more likely to get a tasty treat that has been professionally crafted by experienced users.

Final Thoughts

The decision to smoke weed or use edibles is entirely up to you. Generally, edibles produce a stronger, longer-lasting high - but it can take up to three hours after ingesting to get there. This makes it easier to overindulge and experience adverse symptoms.

Smoking weed tends to produce a quicker high, which is desirable if you need immediate relief or want to feel high right away. However, your high will wear off quicker - so this method is good for short-term use.

No matter how you choose to get high, make sure you buy from a trusted dispensary with lab-tested weed for the best, cleanest high possible - such as Pure Green Express!