Edibles vs. Smoking & Vaping: How to Choose The Right Method for You
Do CBD edibles offer the same experience as smoking or vaping CBD flower? Which is a better and healthier option for you? If you’re a novel cannabinoid user, you want to know which consumption method to choose. This article dives into the differences and advantages of edibles compared to smoking or vaping and why choose one over the other. Let’s dive in.
What Are Edibles?
Edibles are CBD-infused or cannabinoid-infused food products the user ingests. They come in different shapes and forms — from gummies, brownies, and chocolate bars to candy and even savory snacks. CBD-infused beverages also fall in the group of edibles because they are processed the same way as snacks and brownies.
Edibles can contain one type of cannabinoid, but they are typically infused with several, including CBD, delta-9 THC (legal amounts of 0.3% for hemp products), delta-8 THC, HHC, CBG, and CBN.
Gummies are the most popular type of edible hemp product. Mr. Hemp Flower offers several kinds of cannabinoid-rich gummies, including:
- Delta-9 THC Sleep Gummies — Our delta 9 THC gummies are a unique product infused with legal levels of delta-9 THC. This super delicious, sugar-free, chewy product contains a knockout power of 10 mg delta-9 THC, 2 mg melatonin, 2 mg cannabinol (CBN), and 2 mg myrcene.
- Full Spectrum CBD Gummies — Our “Magic Drops” are several levels above in quality compared to your typical CBD gummies. They are whole-plant hemp and contain 25 mg+ of cannabidiol (CBD) and 2.5 mg of delta-9 THC. If you are looking for CBD gummies that bring the desired whole-plant hemp experience, these won’t disappoint.
- Full Spectrum CBG Gummies — Cannabigerol (CBG) is best used for digestive issues, and our gummies deliver a high-quality dose that you can lean on. Infused with 40 mg CBG, 20 mg CBD, and a range of terpenes, these gummies provide an intense full spectrum experience that you’ll definitely feel.
- Delta-8 THC Gummies — Another gummy product that has amassed hundreds of five-star reviews is our delta-8 THC gummies. They come in three potencies, 10 mg, 20 mg, and 50 mg of delta-8 THC per gummy and are made with 100% vegan-friendly and organic ingredients.
We deliberately infuse our gummies with an extract that combines cannabinoids and terpenes to provide the benefits of the entourage effect.
Edibles vs. Smoking And Vaping
Here are some of the differences between these three consumption methods. Be sure to check out this write-up on Olofly as well!
Onset & Duration of Effects
One of the main differences between edibles and vaping or smoking is the onset of effects and their duration.
Namely, smoking or vaping (inhalation) is the fastest way to feel the effects of cannabinoids in your body. This has everything to do with how they are delivered in the system, directly through the lungs.
While everyone can consume edibles, not everyone is keen on inhaling smoke into their lungs. Smoking can damage the lungs and cause lung disease by affecting the airways and the alveoli.
Through those very alveoli, cannabinoids travel to the bloodstream after inhalation. Inhaling cannabinoids is ideal for people who are smokers and need quick relief with CBD or THC. The effects are felt 5 to 10 minutes after inhalation and wear off entirely within an hour or two. The peak of inhaling cannabinoids happens after 45 minutes.
While smoking or vaping delivers cannabinoids faster to your lungs, edibles present a richer experience. With edibles, you need to plan in advance. They take an hour or two to kick in, but the effects are felt six or seven hours later. Thanks to the late onset and longer duration of effects, people feel like edibles are more potent than vaping or smoking.
Another downside of CBD pre-rolls, hemp cigarettes, and vape pens is that they are evident and spread a pungent odor that may affect other people if used indoors.
Metabolism & Efficiency
Edibles take so long to work because they go through the first-pass metabolism in the gut and the liver. Every substance consumed orally travels the digestive system and gets broken down in the liver and the intestines before getting absorbed by the bloodstream. This process reduces the concentration of the cannabinoids upon reaching the digestive tract but ensures effective absorption.
With inhalation, cannabinoids don’t go through the first-pass effect but are directly absorbed in the bloodstream. This ensures fast onset but a short duration of impact.
Edibles are also a more efficient product because they are made under temperature that doesn’t destroy cannabinoids. Smoking is especially bad in this area because it involves combustion or exposing cannabinoids to direct heat. Cannabinoids are fragile to heat, so intense heat destroys some of them before they even get a chance to enter the system.
On the other hand, vaping doesn’t use combustion but an appropriate heating temperature enough to break down the cannabinoids without frying them. Depending on the vape, some damage might be done if the temperature is not set correctly.
Dosage Recommendations
Edibles are easier to dose than pre-rolls and some vapes. With that said, gummies are the easiest product to dose and they are infused with an extract containing anywhere from 10 mg to 50 mg of cannabinoids per gummy.
If your daily dose of CBD or THC is 40 mg, it’s best to purchase gummies with that exact dose (or consume two 20 mg gummies) than break down one 80 mg gummy in half. This is because most gummies aren’t evenly sprayed with cannabinoid extract, so you might consume a higher or lower dose than the daily recommendation.
Users who are new to cannabinoids should start with the lowest dose and be especially careful with edibles. As mentioned, gummies take longer to kick in, so it’s wise to wait for an hour for the onset of effects. This prevents taking a higher dose by assuming that the product doesn’t work, which may cause adverse effects.
It can be harder to dose pre-rolls, cigarettes, and vapes because you can’t know how much cannabinoids you’re consuming. A typical pre-roll contains anywhere from 100 mg to 150 mg of CBD (or other cannabinoids), while some vapes offer a precise inhalation dose. The best approach is to start with a puff and see how it affects your body and mind.
Summary: Edibles vs. Smoking And Vaping: Which Is Better
Potential Side Effects: Are Smoking & Vaping Safe?
As a method of consumption, edibles don’t cause side effects. If the user experiences adverse effects from edibles, it probably has to do with the dose and the sensitivity of the user rather than the method of consumption.
With that said, not all edibles are made equal. If you’re worried about hidden ingredients in your CBD gummies, Mr. Hemp Flower’s selection of sugar-free, vegan gummies will give you peace of mind.
Unlike edibles, vaping and smoking cause adverse effects on the lungs. According to the American Lung Association, inhaling smoke — regardless if it comes from cigars, cigarettes, weed, vape pens — negatively affects your lungs. There’s a difference between smoking or vaping nicotine or inhaling CBD or another hemp cannabinoid because cannabinoids provide quick relief from pain, inflammation, nausea, and vomiting.
The side effects also depend on the type of cannabinoid used. Consuming cannabinoids at high levels typically leads to the following:
- Extreme anxiety
- Paranoia (most common with THC)
- Cognitive impairment
- Dry mouth
- Red eyes
- Low blood pressure
Final Thoughts: Edibles or Smoking & Vaping?
Cannabinoids can be consumed through inhalation and edibles or combined. It’s up to the individual to choose the preferred method. Edibles are definitely slower-acting, so if you need to experience the beneficial effects of cannabinoids almost immediately, vaping and smoking are better options.
If you’re after a longer-lasting experience, edibles deliver one that lasts a few hours. Edibles are ideal for non-smokers and people concerned about health-related issues that smoking may bring.
FAQs on Edibles vs. Smoking & Vaping
How much edible is equivalent to a CBD pre-roll?
It depends on the strength of the pre-roll and the potency of the edible. Typically, a pre-roll contains anywhere from 100 mg to 150 mg CBD, while edibles can contain up to 50 mg CBD. So, half a pre-roll can be equivalent to two 25 mg edibles or one 50 mg edible.
What’s the pros and cons of edibles?
Edibles offer variety and are long-lasting, which is excellent for people who need an appetite boost or help with pain and inflammation. The negative effect of edibles is that they take longer to act.
What is the harm of edibles?
The only adverse effect of edibles is that large doses can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, rapid heartbeat, and even paranoia and hallucinations (only experienced with THC).
Can edibles affect the liver?
Not all edibles are made equal, but high-quality ones are pretty safe. It’s highly unlikely for top-shelf edibles to cause damage to the liver.