Ultimate Guide to Edibles Dosage

I remember the last time I tried a high-dosage edible. This moment was a long string of extremely poor judgment mistakes on my part, all of which eventually worked to teach me important lessons which I would later throw out the window—because, let's face it, I am not very wise.

I was at work (Mistake #1) and decided to chow down on the edible. It literally came with a warning against eating the entire package. I took the edibles dosage advice in stride, and ate half of the brownie bar (Mistake #2).

The total amount of THC I ate ended up being around 300 milligrams, without me having smoked a bowl in as long as months. I started to work when the high hit, and I started to realize that I probably shouldn't be at work. I pretended that I was okay (Mistake #3), I then realized I was too high to move.

Then, I tried to deal with a meeting with my higher-ups, which I willingly went to (Mistake #4). By the time the day was over, I couldn't do much more than try to breathe, rock back and forth, and do my damnedest to avoid sprawling my vibrating body across the concrete floor.

It was also about the time that I realized I have a cannabis allergy, since I also broke out in a rash around my neck (Mistake #5). I did nothing about it but blink. It was not a fun experience, even if no one seemed to notice that I was high off my ass I couldn't even drive for another six hours.

I ended up having to book a hotel room nearby because I couldn't really move. So, there I was, after work... slinking off into the sunset like the shot-out, red-eyed bozo I was. I pretty much humiliated myself.

I then learned that dosing my edibles is just as important to hard drug users as it is to newbies. That's why I decided to make a guide on dosing your edibles the right way. May you learn from my mistakes.

Is this your first time doing an edible?

If this is the first time that you're eating THC-loaded brownies, then you definitely have to be careful about edibles dosage. It's best to take a very small portion at first—smaller than what's even recommended by the package.

The reason why is because you never know how you will react to edibles. The ways you ingest THC will have different effects in terms of strength and power. Small doses are best.

Moreover, it's important to remember that edibles can take some time to kick in. In fact, it can take as long as two hours for the THC in edibles to start working their magic. So, don't keep eating if you don't feel anything right away.

Remember that your tolerance does matter, even if THC is being taken in through a different venue.

If you pull a Snoop Dogg and smoke weed every day, then you will be able to handle edibles more than someone who has never touched a blunt before. A high tolerance will drastically reduce the effects of THC during your food session.

THC is still THC, so if you've smoked a lot of it, then you probably will have less of an issue than if you were totally new. Tolerance can make the difference between a heavy high and a nice mellow buzz.

Shoot for a mild buzz, and build your way up.

I'd suggest starting at around 5 to 10 mg of THC if you're new to cannabis, 10 to 15 if you smoke occasionally, and 15 to 20 mg of cannabis if you smoke regularly. Heavy users can usually get a decent buzz going on at 25 mg.

Truth be told, most people should probably start at 10 mg, even if they are veterans to cannabis use. It's simply a good starting point and allows you to get a good buzz without it being overboard.

To ramp up the effects, add another 10 milligrams of potency to your meal. It's often best not to go much higher than 30 milligrams of additional THC in your session unless you really know what you're doing.

Your metabolism will have a huge impact on how you enjoy edibles, not to mention the edibles dosage you should shoot from. Larger people will need larger doses to feel the same way due to the way your metabolism works.

The best cannabis edibles on the market will often work to be long-lasting, but if you have a fast metabolism, it may not last as long as you'd hoped. Slower metabolisms may take a lot longer to enact, and will also last longer.

What I'm saying is that everyone has their own dosage "sweet spot."

What works for one person won't work for another, which is why it's hard to fully offer up some edibles dosage advice that works with everyone. The best way to figure out what works for you is to start at the basic level of dosage and then undergo a process of "trial and error."

I'll also point out that different brands will have different consistencies, and yes, different effects. If you want to curb anxiety and paranoia, it's best to get an edible with both THC and CBD.

If you're worried about the edibles dosage affecting you too heavily, don't eat the edible on an empty stomach.

A good way to ensure that you don't get the "OMG TOO HIGH" vibe I got is to eat your edibles alongside other goods. Carbs, for some reason, tend to work well for this.

So, if you're having Burnie Brownies, make sure to eat some pasta beforehand. If you want fully loaded Pot Baked Potatoes, then you should grab some soup, too.

Regardless of your dosage, you need to time it out.

Even if you are going for a low dosage of edible THC, you need to be aware of the time and place that you're doing it. A typical edible will take effect 45 to 120 minutes after it's been ingested, with some slow metabolisms possibly taking longer.

You also have to be aware of how long the high will take. A typical trip will last anywhere from four to six hours. The higher your dose, the longer your edibles will last. My trip lasted around 16 hours, I think.

No, seriously, set aside time for yourself when you're toking.

The thing most people don't realize about edibles is that it isn't the same kind of high as a regular smoke session. Sure, you might be able to drive after a spliff, but on edibles? Probably not likely.

Eating a special brownie isn't the same as smoking. It's a different high, and it's a lot more disorienting. There's also a deeper "body high" that tends to happen. You should only eat when you've got crash space or an Uber.

Also, keep hydrated.

This may sound like generic drug use advice, but it really makes a huge difference when you're talking about edibles dosage. Certain people (myself included) get serious dry mouth when they partake in THC-infused foods.

A little bit of water makes the entire experience more comfortable.

Finally, if you do overdo your edibles dosage, remember it's not that bad.

When I reached the peak of my dose, I really thought that I was going to die. I was thisclose to acting a fool and just crawling under my desk. But, then I took a deep breath. Then, I took another one.

Part of being a good drug user is knowing when to talk yourself out of a freakout. If you took too much, remember the following:

1. No, you're not dying. It feels like you are, but you're not. At most, you might upchuck the edibles that you took in. That's actually somewhat common in ultra-high doses.
2. Deep breaths help. Inhale, exhale. Focus on your breath. You will feel better the more you concentrate on your breath.
3. This will pass. As much as it feels permanent, this will pass. It will most likely pass within a couple of hours.

If you're still not feeling like you can prevent a freakout, reach out to a friend for help. Chances are that you really don't need to go to an emergency room over an edible, especially if you got one from a dispensary. You'll make it through, I promise.