The number of milligrams (mg) of THC needed in an edible to get high varies from person to person. Factors like tolerance, body weight, metabolism, and more play a role. For first-time or occasional cannabis users, here are some general guidelines:
For mild effects:
- 2.5-5 mg THC
- Effects may include relaxation, euphoria, increased appetite, sensory enhancement
- Recommended for new users to start slow and find optimal dosing
For moderate effects:
- 5-15 mg THC
- Effects build on mild effects but more intense
- Recommended for those with some experience looking for stronger high
For strong effects:
- 15-30+ mg THC
- Substantial euphoria, sensory enhancement, sedation
- Recommended only for experienced users with existing tolerance
These ranges are general estimates. Many factors can influence the effects felt from a given THC dose in edibles.
Factors that influence THC dosage effects
Tolerance
Those with high cannabis tolerance from frequent or heavy use may need much higher THC doses to get desired effects. First time or occasional users have low tolerance and need lower doses.
Body weight
THC is distributed throughout the body, so those with lower body weight typically feel effects more strongly from same dose than heavier individuals.
Metabolism
People naturally metabolize edibles at different rates, causing THC to become active and produce effects at different speeds. Those with fast metabolism may feel effects sooner.
Sex
Some research shows females may be more sensitive to cannabis’ effects. THC may produce stronger effects in women at lower doses.
Genetics
Genetic differences influence how each person’s endocannabinoid system responds to THC, making some more sensitive to its effects.
Full vs. empty stomach
Edibles taken on an empty stomach are absorbed faster, resulting in quicker, more intense highs compared to if taken soon after a meal.
Product type
Factors like the specific edible format (gummy, baked good, candy, etc.), other ingredients, and more influence how quickly THC is absorbed and produces effects.
Finding your optimal THC dosage
With many factors impacting how edibles affect each person, finding your ideal THC dose requires some trial and error. Here are some tips:
- If new to cannabis, start very low (2.5 mg THC or less) and increase slowly
- Wait at least 2 hours before taking more to allow effects to manifest
- Increase doses incrementally, by no more than 5 mg THC at a time
- Keep track of dosing to determine sweet spot for desired high
- Consume edibles on a full stomach to slow absorption if effects feel too strong
- Try different product types and THC ratios to CBD to compare effects
Be patient and strategic in finding the edible dosing that provides the experience you seek. It may take some time to dial in, but is worthwhile for maximizing benefits and minimizing adverse effects from edibles.
Signs of consuming too strong a dose
Consuming more THC in an edible than your tolerance can handle can result in an unpleasant, intense high with uncomfortable side effects. Here are some signs you may have overdone it with your edible dosage:
- Rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure
- Dizziness, headaches
- Nausea, vomiting
- Impaired coordination, loss of balance
- Anxiety, paranoia
- Panic attacks
If experiencing these or other concerning symptoms after taking edibles, try these tips:
- Stay calm and remind yourself effects are temporary
- Get into a comfortable position and setting
- Drink water and eat if able to help metabolize THC
- Engage in relaxing activities to distract yourself
- Reach out to a sober friend or medical help if very severe
Effects should start diminishing within a few hours. Taking it easy while riding out the intense high can help reduce anxiety until you start feeling normal again.
Appropriate vs. dangerous THC dosing
Using edibles safely and effectively means finding the Goldilocks zone with your THC dosage – not too low, not too high, but just right for you. But how much is too much?
Consuming very high doses of THC edibles can potentially lead to cannabis overconsumption, with symptoms like:
- Severe confusion, loss of sense of time
- Intense hallucinations, delusions
- Extreme anxiety, panic attacks
- Nausea for hours or inability to keep fluids down
- Rapid heart rate for hours
- Trouble breathing
Doses approaching or exceeding 100+ mg THC substantially increase the risks of experiencing these negative effects. While not usually life-threatening in healthy adults, getting this dangerously high can be very unpleasant and scary.
To avoid potential overconsumption, it’s recommended to never exceed these edible THC dosing limits:
- No more than 10 mg THC for new users/first-time
- No more than 20-30 mg for occasional light users
- No more than 50 mg for experienced regular users
Consuming edibles within reasonable THC dosing ranges and increasing gradually over time reduces risks of severe unintended effects.
Signs of developing cannabis tolerance
With consistent cannabis use over time, your body can start building tolerance such that you need to consume higher THC doses to achieve the same high. Here are some signs tolerance may be increasing:
- Not getting as high consuming amount you used to
- Needing to take more to get desired effects
- High feeling weaker, shorter duration
- Taking edibles more frequently throughout the day
Developing tolerance is not necessarily harmful on its own. But chasing a high by continually increasing THC dosage can lead to potential overconsumption. Possible ways to manage increasing tolerance include:
- Taking occasional breaks from cannabis (a few days a week)
- Switching to consumption methods that provide different effects
- Sticking to the same moderate THC dosage for a period of time
- Consuming higher CBD ratios to offset tolerance buildup
Staying mindful of your tolerance over time can help maintain the benefits of edibles while reducing risks.
Safe THC dosing practices
To get the most from your cannabis edible experience safely, keep these dosing best practices in mind:
- Start low, go slow – Especially if new to edibles, start with very low THC dose and increase slowly over time
- Read labeling – Check THC content per serving and number of servings per package
- Portion control – Only consume one serving portion until know how effects manifest for you
- Wait – Be patient, effects can take 30+ minutes to fully kick in, resist taking more prematurely
- Record effects – Note results from different doses to optimize your routine
- Manage tolerance – Take breaks and vary method to help keep dosage needs in check
Following responsible edible dosing practices reduces the risks of negative effects and enhances the overall experience.
FAQ
How long does it take for edible THC to kick in?
It can take 30 minutes to 2+ hours to feel the full effects from THC edibles, depending on individual factors. Effects often start being felt within 30-60 minutes but can continue intensifying over several hours.
What are indica vs sativa edibles?
Indica edibles promote relaxation, sleepiness, pain relief. Sativa edibles promote energy, uplifted mood, creativity. Hybrids provide a blend of effects.
Can you overdose and die from THC edibles?
While very high edible THC doses can cause severe reactions, there are no documented cases of fatal THC edible overdoses. However, extreme overconsumption should still be avoided due to risks of significant distress.
Why are edibles stronger than smoking/vaping cannabis?
Edible THC gets metabolized by the liver into a more potent form. They also provide longer lasting effects as THC is gradually released over hours rather than hitting all at once like smoking.
What should you do if you take too many mg THC in edibles?
Stay calm, drink water, get into a comfortable position, distract yourself with relaxing activity, reach out to trusted person or medical help if very severe. Effects will dissipate over several hours.
Do edibles expire or go bad?
With proper storage, edibles can last up to a year before significant potency loss. Refrigeration prolongs shelf life. Check packaging for expiration date.
Can dogs or cats get high from eating THC edibles?
Yes, THC is toxic to dogs and cats. Keep edibles securely away from pets. If consumed, take pet to vet immediately.
Conclusion
Finding your ideal edible THC dosage is a personalized journey that requires starting low and gradually increasing over time. While mg amounts needed for desired effects vary by individual, following dosing best practices and avoiding excessive consumption reduces risks. Patience in determining the “just right” dose for you provides the optimal path to a safe, enjoyable edible cannabis experience.
