Cannabis gummies have become an extremely popular way to consume THC and CBD. With their delicious flavors and precise dosing, it’s easy to see why. But if you’re new to the world of edibles, you may be wondering just how many gummies you should eat to achieve your desired effects without going overboard.
What Are Cannabis Gummies?
Cannabis gummies are fruit or vegetable juice-based treats infused with a specific dose of THC, CBD, or a combination of both. The THC and CBD are extracted from cannabis plants and then mixed into the gummy base. The gummies are then molded into fun shapes like bears, worms, fruit slices, rings, sharks, and more.
Most gummies are made with fruit pectin, which gives them their chewy texture. They come in a huge range of flavors like orange, lemon, strawberry, pineapple, watermelon, and more. Many brands also coat the gummies in sugar or sour sugar for an extra pop of flavor.
Gummies provide a discreet, portable, and tasty way to ingest cannabis. They take a bit longer to kick in than other methods like vaping or smoking because they have to be digested first. However, their effects tend to last much longer. Gummies are great for providing sustained relief from symptoms like chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, lack of appetite, and more.
How Do Cannabis Gummies Work?
When you eat a cannabis gummy, the THC and CBD compounds must first pass through your digestive system before they can enter your bloodstream and start interacting with your endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate various functions in the body like sleep, mood, appetite, pain and more.
As the gummy moves through your stomach and intestines, the THC and CBD separate from the fruit pectin base. The compounds then get absorbed into your bloodstream through the stomach and intestinal lining. From there, the cannabinoids make their way to your liver, where they are metabolized into a more potent form.
The peak effects from an edible kick in around 60-90 minutes after ingestion, and can last for up to 8 hours or longer, depending on the dose. Compare this to smoking or vaping THC, which elicits effects within seconds to minutes, but only provides relief for 2-3 hours max.
Factors that Influence Gummy Potency
There are several key factors that determine how strong the effects from a cannabis gummy will be:
- THC and CBD content – The higher the THC and CBD content, the stronger the gummy’s effects will be. Look for the milligrams (mg) or percentage of THC and CBD listed on the package.
- Tolerance – Frequent cannabis users have higher tolerances and need larger doses to feel gummy effects. First-timers have low tolerances and should start very small.
- Body composition – THC and CBD compounds dissolve in fat, so gummies may be more potent and longer-lasting for those with higher body fat percentages.
- Medications – Some prescriptions and over-the-counter medications can increase lethargy when combined with THC gummies.
- Delivery method – Edibles provide much longer lasting, but less intense effects compared to inhaled methods.
- Full vs. empty stomach – THC absorbs better with food, so gummies may take effect faster on an empty stomach.
How Many MG of THC in a Standard Gummy?
The amount of THC in a single gummy can vary quite a bit between different brands and products. However, here are some general THC levels to expect:
- 2.5-5 mg per gummy – Low dose for mild effects.
- 5-10 mg per gummy – Moderate dose provides soothing effects without intense high.
- 10-25 mg per gummy – High dose better for experienced users for potent effects.
- 25-50+ mg per gummy – Very high dose only recommended for tolerant users.
Always check the packaging for exact dosing information, as THC content can range significantly. Consuming edibles from an unregulated source makes it very difficult to estimate THC levels.
Recommended Gummy Dosage for Beginners
If you’re new to THC edibles like gummies, it’s vitally important to start with very low doses and increase slowly as needed. Consuming too large a dose of THC too quickly can result in an intensely unpleasant experience featuring side effects like:
- Racing heart
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Additionally, it can take 1-2 hours for gummy effects to peak, so resist any temptation to take more right away. When first using THC gummies, follow these dosage guidelines:
- 2.5-5 mg THC – Try 1/4 or 1/2 a low dose gummy first.
- Wait at least 2 hours to monitor effects before increasing dose.
- Increase by one quarter or half gummy incrementally.
It’s always best to start super low and find your minimum effective dose. You can always take a little more if needed, but you can’t undo taking too much. Taking it slowly helps ensure you don’t end up way higher than intended.
Recommended Gummy Dosage for Experienced Users
Those with previous edible experience can handle slightly higher starting doses and increases:
- 5-10 mg THC – Start with 1 moderate dose gummy.
- Wait at least 1.5 hours then increase effects with half/whole gummy as desired.
- 10-15 mg THC is effective dose for many experienced users.
Even with tolerance, doses above 15-25 mg become very potent, so increase carefully. Consuming too many gummies can result in an overwhelmingly strong high that lasts 8 hours or more.
Tips for Dosing Gummies
Here are some key tips for safely dosing cannabis gummies:
- Always start low, 2.5-5mg THC is plenty for gummy newbies.
- Wait the full effect onset time before taking more, at least 2 hours.
- Increase dose slowly in 2.5-5mg THC increments.
- Don’t take more gummies once you feel effects coming on.
- Have CBD gummies on hand to counteract excess THC effects if needed.
- Eat gummies on a full stomach to delay absorption.
- Use half gummies to find your ideal dose.
Signs You’ve Had Too Many Gummies
If you take too high of a cannabis gummy dose, you may experience:
- Rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Cold sweats
- Heightened anxiety, panic
- Auditory and visual illusions
- Impaired balance and coordination
- Racing thoughts
If you overindulge and feel too impaired, try these remedies:
- Stay calm and ride it out in a safe environment.
- Drink water to stay hydrated.
- Eat peppercorns to help counteract THC effects.
- Take CBD oil or gummies to mellow the high.
- Use breathing exercises to relieve anxiety.
The effects will wear off with time. Just relax until your high subsides. You’ll be feeling normal again in 8 hours or less.
Should I Choose THC, CBD, or Combination Gummies?
Gummies are available with just THC, just CBD, or a combination of both compounds. Here’s how to choose:
- THC gummies – Provide robust recreational or medicinal benefits. Best for already tolerant users.
- CBD gummies – Non-intoxicating and provide CBD medicinal effects only. Ideal for new users.
- Combination gummies – Offer a balance of both THC and CBD effects. Great for mild-moderate relief without intense high.
You can also make your own custom combinations by eating both THC and CBD gummies together. The CBD helps level out the THC high.
General Gummy Dosage Guidelines
Here are some general dosage guidelines to consider with THC gummies:
| User Type | Dose |
|---|---|
| Beginner | 2.5-5 mg THC |
| Intermediate | 5-15 mg THC |
| Experienced | 15-30 mg THC |
Again, it’s wise to start low and increase slowly. Give gummies time to take full effect before taking more. Aim for the minimum dose that provides the relief you need.
Should I Buy Indica, Sativa, or Hybrid Gummies?
You can choose between indica, sativa, and hybrid cannabis gummies:
- Indica – Relaxing body high perfect for sleep and unwinding.
- Sativa – Uplifting mental effects ideal for energy and focus.
- Hybrid – Provides a blend of indica and sativa effects.
Those newer to cannabis may want to stick with milder sativa or hybrid gummies. While indicas provide relaxing body effects, they can be overly sedating in high doses for inexperienced users.
Gummy Dosage FAQ
How long do gummy effects last?
Expect gummy effects to last 6-8 hours or longer. They take a bit to kick in butEffects tend to persist much longer compared to vaping or smoking.
What’s the ideal starter dose of THC in a gummy?
2.5-5mg THC is ideal for gummy beginners. Wait 2+ hours for full effects before increasing dose by small increments.
How many gummies equal a joint or bowl?
About 5-15mg of THC gummies provides effects similar to smoking/vaping a joint, bowl pack, or half gram vape cartridge.
Can you overdose on cannabis gummies?
While very unpleasant, fatal overdose from THC gummies alone is unlikely. However, extremely high doses can cause vomiting, panic attacks, and temporarily elevated heart rate/blood pressure.
How long do opened gummies last?
Store opened gummies in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer to help prevent mold and preserve potency for up to 6 months.
Conclusion
When ingesting cannabis gummies, moderation is key. If you’re new to THC edibles, start with very low doses of 2.5-5mg and wait at least two hours before increasing your dose incrementally if needed. Even those with higher tolerances should exercise caution when dosing gummies. It’s much easier to take more than to undo taking too much. With some care and patience finding your optimal dose, cannabis gummies offer an enjoyable, long-lasting way to reap both the recreational and medicinal benefits of THC and CBD.
