As the cannabis industry expands, so do the ways we enjoy it. One popular option is edibles, cannabis-infused deliciousness. From candies to brownies, they’re a yummy way to get your daily dose of THC.
Edibles are also a great sleep aid. If you’ve ever fallen asleep after taking an edible, you know just how good an indica or hybrid edible-induced night can be.
Before you jump headfirst into edibles, let’s look at edibles and what happens when you eat edibles before bed. And, if you struggle with edible-induced sleep inertia, don’t worry—the below tips will help you wake up feeling better than ever.
Edibles are food products infused with cannabis. When combined, the THC from cannabis makes food products a delicious way to get high. While joints get you high faster, edibles will have you high for longer.
There are a variety of ways to enjoy edibles. Popular options include brownies, hard candies, and gummies. Some cannabis enthusiasts also make cannabis cooking oils, like cannabis-infused coconut oil. You can add these oils to your hot drinks and cooking for a more exciting time.
Edibles are a fun way to get high. It’s also a great option for people who don’t want to smoke or don’t like the taste or smell of smoking or vaping.
When we think of consuming cannabis, especially the THC variety, we think of joints and maybe vapes. Sublingual consumption is also popular. Some people are also under the impression that edibles aren’t as potent as joints.
However, edible potency is like that of a joint. The only difference between edibles and other forms of cannabis is how your body absorbs the THC.
To start, edibles require active THC and the only way to do this is to apply heat. With joints and vapes, that’s no problem. Lighting up provides all the heat you need.
It’s different with edibles. Before you apply heat, the THC in cannabis is THCa, an inactive compound. The THC doesn’t have the psychoactive properties that cause the high associated with THC.
To release the psychoactive properties, cannabis is decarbed in fat, like butter or oil. This turns to THCa into THC. From there, you can add it to whatever edible you desire.
Joints are absorbed straight into your bloodstream, causing an almost instantaneous high. Edibles, on the other hand, pass to your stomach, where the THC is absorbed through your intestinal walls. If your stomach is empty, it’s absorbed faster. If there is a “long line” of food, so to speak, it takes longer to get high.
The intestinal absorption gives edibles an extended release. Your high comes on slower, a little calmer, and can last quite a bit longer.
Yes, edibles can help you sleep. There are two key components.
First, THC affects the CB1 receptor. CB1 is a cannabinoid receptor in the nervous system. When THC interacts with it, it has a biphasic effect on sleep, which leads to increased slow-wave sleep and increased sleep time. It also makes falling asleep easier.
Next, you have CBN, not to be confused with CBD. CBN or Cannabidiol is a weaker and aged version of THC, but don’t dismiss it as useless because of its age. While there aren’t as many studies as we’d like, CBN has been noted as a sleep aid as early as the 1970s.
Specifically, CBN is great for people with insomnia. It has a sedative effect, which helps users fall asleep and stay asleep.
On their own as edibles, THC and CBN are viable sleep aids. CBN is a little weaker than THC, but you won’t experience an intense high like you would with THC.
However, for the best effect, it’s recommended to combine THC and CBN. Together, they decrease sleep anxiety. It’s a calming and sedative combination that leads to some of the best sleep you’ll ever experience.
There are dozens of weed strains, all part of the indica, sativa, and hybrid family tree. With edibles, knowing which type to choose for sleep is a must.
Let’s look at indica, sativa, and hybrid weed:
As a sleep edible, indica strains are your best bet. Its sedating and anti-anxiety properties are gold if you want a good night’s sleep. Hybrid strains that lean toward indica also work as sleep edibles. The energizing effect of sativa can make sleep difficult.
Edibles, especially a combination of THC and CBN, can work wonders as a sleep aid. But to get the right effect, you need to choose the right product and process. Here’s how to use edibles for better sleep.
First, pick the right product. As mentioned above, indica has sedating properties, making it especially effective as a sleep aid. A combination of THC and CBN is also a great option. If you opt for a hybrid strain, choose one with a higher percentage of indica. Too much sativa could keep you awake.
If you’re still unsure what to buy, talk to your dispensary. Ask them which strain they’d recommend as an edible sleep aid. Companies, like Embarc, also list the expected effect of a product on the web page. Look for calming, sedating, and relaxing keywords.
Unlike joints, a higher dose doesn’t guarantee a better effect. Because of the slow release of edibles, a smaller dose works better for sleep. Too much could leave you drowsy the next day. Edibles also take longer to kick in, so don’t take more if you don’t immediately feel any effects.
Instead, start on a smaller dose, like 5 mg to 10 mg. Work your way up until you hit the sweet spot for your physiology.
You’ll want the edible to hit right at your sleep time, so take it a bit before you go to bed. Unfortunately, edibles kick in later. Your unique physiology also has a significant effect on how long it takes, which we cover in-depth in this article.
As a general rule, give the edible 15 to 45 minutes to kick in. Through trial and error, figure out how long it takes for edibles to kick in for you and time it so that the high hits a little before you go to bed.
The more food you have in your stomach, the longer it takes for the edible to kick in. It may also slightly lower the potency. So, fill up a few hours before going to bed. Take your edibles and don’t snack again after.
While edibles can be a great sleep aid when you need a good night’s rest, we don’t recommend using them every night. If you’re persistently struggling with sleep, an underlying issue could be the cause. In that case, we’d recommend seeing a doctor instead.
Edible hangovers are a common side effect. Because edibles release slowly over a few hours, the sedating effect is often still present in the morning.
To recover, incorporate these tips into your morning routine after sleeping with the help of an edible.
Weed, especially edibles, is generally safe to consume. The only time there may be an issue is when you’re on prescription medication. Talk to your doctor about weed interactions.
Another possibility is overconsumption. Edibles take longer to kick. If you don’t give it enough time to settle and consume more edibles, you may experience unpleasant symptoms. Heart palpitations, headaches, and nausea are some of the most common.
Give your body at least 2 hours to absorb the edible. If you still feel nothing, then you can up your dosage.
There are many fun ways to consume cannabis. One of the most notable is edibles, food products infused with THC. While fun, the relaxing properties also make it a wonderful sleep aid.
To enjoy a good night’s rest, you’ll need to choose the right weed strain, the right consumption time, and a good THC or CBN ratio. There are also tried and tested methods for working through edible hangovers, like cold showers, exercise, and caffeine.
For the best sleep and the best edible, you need the best cannabis. This is where we, Embarc, come in. Embarc offers the highest quality cannabis products at competitive prices. Whatever you want, we have. Visit your nearest Embarc location today!
