What happens if you eat weed? - Brazos Recovery

The Truth About What Happens if you Eat Weed: Effects, Risks, and What You Need to Know

As cannabis use becomes more mainstream, many people are exploring different ways to consume marijuana. One of the most popular alternatives to smoking weed is eating it, so what happens if you eat weed? Often it is in the form of baked goods, candies, and other edible products. But while eating weed may seem like a safer or more convenient option for some, it comes with its own set of unique effects, risks, and concerns.

At Brazos Recovery, we believe it’s important for individuals to understand not just the recreational appeal of weed but also the potential dangers that come with long-term use, especially in non-traditional forms like edibles. In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at what happens when you eat weed, how it differs from smoking, and why it’s crucial to be aware of the risks involved.

How Eating Weed Works

When you eat weed, the process by which it affects your body is quite different from smoking it. This is because of how THC, the psychoactive compound in marijuana, is metabolized in your body.

  1. THC and Decarboxylation: When marijuana is smoked, the heat from the fire decarboxylates THC, making it active and immediately available to your body. When you eat weed, this same decarboxylation process happens during the cooking or baking phase. Without this heat-induced process, the THC in weed remains in its inactive form, THCA, which does not cause a high.
  2. Digestive System Processing: When you consume edibles, the THC is absorbed through the digestive system and metabolized by the liver. This process takes longer than smoking, which is why the effects of edibles are delayed. Typically, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours for you to feel the effects of an edible, depending on factors like your metabolism, the amount of food in your stomach, and your body’s unique physiology.
  3. 11-Hydroxy-THC: Once the THC is metabolized by the liver, it is converted into a compound called 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound is much more potent than THC and has a longer-lasting effect. This is why eating weed often produces stronger, more prolonged highs than smoking it.

How Eating Weed Differs From Smoking

While both smoking and eating weed introduce THC into your body, the two methods differ significantly in terms of how they affect you. Here are some key differences:

  1. Onset Time: As mentioned, eating weed takes much longer to kick in than smoking. When you smoke weed, the effects can be felt within minutes, while edibles can take up to two hours to fully kick in.
  2. Duration: The effects of smoking weed usually wear off after two to three hours, while edibles can last much longer—up to eight hours or more. This is due to the slower metabolism of THC when consumed orally.
  3. Intensity: Edibles are often associated with stronger and more intense highs because of the conversion of THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite is more potent and can produce a more powerful and sometimes overwhelming experience, especially for inexperienced users.
  4. Dose Control: One of the most significant challenges with edibles is controlling the dose. Unlike smoking, where users can feel the effects almost immediately and stop consuming once they’ve had enough, edibles take time to work. This delay often leads people to consume more than they should, thinking that the initial dose wasn’t enough, only to find themselves much higher than they intended a couple of hours later.

The Risks of Eating Weed

While eating weed can be an enjoyable experience for some, it comes with certain risks that need to be carefully considered, especially for those who may already struggle with substance use issues. Here are some of the main risks:

1. Overconsumption and Intense Highs

One of the biggest risks of consuming edibles is overconsumption. Since the effects take longer to set in, people often make the mistake of eating more in an attempt to feel the high faster. This can lead to consuming a much higher dose than intended, resulting in an overwhelming, uncomfortable, and sometimes frightening experience.

High doses of THC can lead to extreme anxiety, paranoia, confusion, and hallucinations. Some people even report feeling detached from reality or experiencing panic attacks after eating too much weed.

2. Impaired Motor Skills and Cognitive Function

Just like smoking weed, eating it can impair your motor skills and cognitive function. However, because the high from edibles lasts much longer, the period during which your judgment and motor skills are impaired is extended. This can make activities like driving or operating machinery especially dangerous.

It’s important to remember that the impairment from edibles can last much longer than you may expect, making it critical to avoid driving or engaging in other risky activities after consuming an edible.

3. Unpredictable Doses

Many edibles, especially homemade ones, can vary widely in terms of THC content. Even store-bought edibles in legal markets can sometimes have inconsistent doses, leading to uncertainty about how much THC you’re actually consuming. This unpredictability can increase the likelihood of consuming too much THC and experiencing negative side effects.

4. Risk of Dependence

Like smoking weed, eating weed can also lead to dependence and, in some cases, addiction. Regular, prolonged use of edibles can result in tolerance, where you need more and more THC to achieve the same high. This can increase your risk of developing a psychological dependency on cannabis.

While many people believe weed is non-addictive, research has shown that approximately 9% of marijuana users will develop some form of dependence. For those who start using in their teenage years, that number rises to 17%. The longer you use marijuana and the more frequently you consume it, the greater your risk of developing a dependency.

Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Eating Weed

Chronic use of weed, whether eaten or smoked, can have long-term effects on both the mind and body. While many people use weed recreationally without experiencing major problems, others find that it negatively impacts their mental and physical health over time.

1. Cognitive Effects

Regular marijuana use, including in edible form, can impair cognitive function, particularly in areas like memory, attention, and problem-solving. Research has shown that chronic marijuana use can reduce IQ and negatively affect brain development, especially in younger users whose brains are still developing.

2. Mental Health Risks

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that regular marijuana use is linked to an increased risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and even psychosis, especially in individuals who are genetically predisposed to these conditions.

For people who are already dealing with anxiety or depression, marijuana may worsen symptoms over time. Some users experience heightened anxiety or panic attacks after consuming high doses of THC, particularly in edible form.

3. Physical Health Risks

Although smoking weed carries obvious risks to lung health, consuming edibles is not without its own physical health concerns. Long-term cannabis use can affect the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, particularly in older individuals or those with preexisting heart conditions.

Additionally, frequent marijuana use can interfere with the body’s immune system and has been shown to increase the risk of respiratory infections and other health issues in some users.

The Role of Edibles in Marijuana Addiction

While edibles may seem like a safer alternative to smoking, they can still play a significant role in marijuana addiction. Because the effects of edibles are often more intense and longer-lasting, they can be particularly appealing to individuals who are looking for a more powerful high. This can lead to the development of a psychological dependence on cannabis and make it harder to quit.

At Brazos Recovery, we understand that addiction to marijuana, whether through smoking or edibles, is a real and growing concern. While many people may view weed as a harmless or “soft” drug, the reality is that it can have serious consequences for some users, particularly those who are predisposed to addiction or who use it as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, or other emotional issues.

Finding Help for Marijuana Addiction

If you or someone you love is struggling with marijuana addiction, it’s important to know that help is available. At Brazos Recovery, we offer comprehensive treatment programs that address not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the underlying emotional and psychological factors that contribute to substance use.

Our team of experienced professionals can help you develop healthier coping mechanisms, work through any co-occurring mental health issues, and provide the support you need to break free from marijuana dependence. Whether your marijuana use started with smoking, vaping, or eating edibles, our holistic approach to recovery can help you regain control of your life and find a path to lasting wellness.

Conclusion

Eating weed has become an increasingly popular way to consume cannabis, but it comes with its own unique set of effects, risks, and challenges. While edibles may offer a more discreet or convenient alternative to smoking, they can also lead to overconsumption, stronger highs, and a higher risk of dependency.

At Brazos Recovery, we believe in educating individuals about the potential risks of marijuana use, particularly in non-traditional forms like edibles, and offering compassionate, effective treatment for those who need help. If you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Medically Reviewed: September 25, 2019

Dr Ashley

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

About

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Dr Ashley Murray obtained her MBBCh Cum Laude in 2016. She currently practices in the public domain in South Africa. She has an interest in medical writing and has a keen interest in evidence-based medicine.


All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

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