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Psychoactive Properties of Ingesting Cannabis VS Smoking

Updated: Nov 2, 2022


Medical decisions should not be made based on advertising. Consult a physician on the benefits and risks of particular medical marijuana products.

Highlights

  • THC is the primary psychoactive compound present in the cannabis plant that possesses psychoactive properties.

  • The nature, length, and effect of THC differ for both smoking and ingestion.

  • Smoking produces more pronounced effects as it directly enters the bloodstream through the respiratory pathway. The edibles/ ingested cannabis takes time for the desired action.

  • Ingestion prevents the direct contact of smoke generated by smoking and is much safer.

  • Coco Dispensaries has a vast menu that contains the desired beneficial cannabis products you need to check out.

 

Modes of Cannabis Consumption

Cannabis intake have different ways, but today the following are entitled to be discussed.

A raw plant isn't proactive because the compound THC gets active when it is allowed to heat.

The non-active THCA decarboxylate in the plant converts into THC.


Smoking

Smoking cannabis involves the burning and inhaling of vaporized cannabinoids ("smoke") from various modules.


Ingesting Cannabis/Edibles

Cannabis as Edibles occurs in foods, including butter and bakery products.

In certain countries, you may find cannabis infused in a beverage, bhang.


Common Forms of Edibles

You can find edibles as:

  • Baked products (Waffles, cookies, and brownies)

  • Beverages (Coffee, energy drinks, iced tea, alcohol, tea, and soda)

  • Sweets (Gummies, lollipops, marshmallows, lozenges, chocolate, and chewing gums)


THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol)

THC is the primary psychoactive compound present in the cannabis plant that possesses psychoactive properties. How does THC produce psychoactive action?

Cannabis Intake (smoking, edibles)

After smoking or ingestion, the active compound THC reaches the mainstream (blood). The time required is variable because of the different routes of administration. THC enters CNS through blood.


Interaction with CB1 Receptor

It gets attached to its receptor for producing the desired psychoactive action. THC behaves similar to the endogenous cannabinoids and binds to the cannabinoid CB1 receptors on presynaptic nerve terminals in the CNS.


Release of Neurotransmitters

As a result of binding, excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters start to release in the brain. It results in the inhibition of the adenylate cyclase enzyme and several channels.


Interaction with MAP kinase

After that, THC binding to CB1 receptors activates the MAP kinase pathway that produces ecstatic feelings.


Psychoactive Action

All the above channels and pathways produce psychoactive properties, making the individual alert and active, fleeing joy (Dopamine release).


Psychoactive Properties of Ingestion Cannabis V.S Smoking

The psychoactive properties are Due to an active compound called THC. Following are the effects of THC while smoking VS ingestion.

THC effects differ with the type of product you are consuming. The duration and how much it will last also differ in smoking and edibles. Let’s discuss the difference!

 

Inhaling Cannabis/ Smoking

Smoking produces a more pronounced effect than edibles because it directly enters the bloodstream and reaches the CNS, where the THC( main active ingredient) is responsible for the psychoactive property.


Start of effects

Smoking cannabis produces effects in 10 minutes due to the fast route of administration.


Peak effects

Within 30 minutes, the user will experience the peak effects of the compound.


Duration of effects

The duration of action will last for 3-6 hours, depending upon the individual system. Some strains may take more time to eliminate from the system.

 


Ingesting Cannabis

Edibles can also make you get high, but the intensity might be less due to less amount reaching the CNS.

Edibles are items that contain infused marijuana. Edibles are ingested, enter the digestive system, move through the liver, and undergo first-pass metabolism. After that, it reaches the blood circulation, where the amount of the THC is less.

Due to the prolonged process, it takes time to produce psychoactive action. The effects may take hours to fully sober up the user, unlike smoking which is quick and efficient.


Start of effects

Smoking cannabis produces effects in 30 min to 01 hr.


Peak effects

Within 04 hours, the user will experience the peak effects of the compound.


Duration of effects

The duration of action will last for 12-24 hours depending upon the individual system and strain opted. Some require more time to eliminate from the system.

 

THC Absorbed Percentage of Smoking V.S Ingestion

Inhaled (smoking)

It delivers around 50% to 60% of the total THC intake to get high.


Edibles (ingested)

It delivers about 10%-20% of the total THC, the prime psychoactive compound that gets you high.

 

Dependence

Besides getting high, it may cause other effects, including dependence. Human physiology is different in terms of metabolism rate etc. Some users might even experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop cannabis intakes like irritability, low appetite, mood swings, and depression. Dependence is seen higher with smoking cannabis.

Besides CNS, it may affect the other systems of your body, including the heart, respiratory system, endocrine system, etc.


Respiratory Problems Smoking

The respiratory problems are more intense with smoking than with edibles. In smoking, the active cannabinoids directly interfere with the lungs. The lungs may develop different diseases because of the chemicals interfering directly with the lung's sensitive cells. Smoking excess and more frequent use enhance the chances of bronchitis and may further lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).


Edibles

Edibles have no/or less chance to develop respiratory diseases.



COCO Dispensaries

COCO Dispensaries offers high-quality vaporizers, pre-rolls, edibles, and drinkables. Their edibles are free of artificial preservatives and are opted from organic hemp with no GMOs or toxins.


COCO Dispensaries Menu

COCO Dispensaries menu comprises three retail locations in which cannabis are enlisted, with their unique specific products and dosage form. To get your desired product go to COCO Dispensaries and select the one from the menu that best suits you.


COCO Dispensaries Menu List

Flower

Pre-roll

Vaporizers

Edibles

Concentrate

CBD

Topical And Tincture

Accessories And Apparels


Flower

Pre-roll

Vaporizers

Edibles

Concentrate

CBD

Topical And Tincture

Accessories And Apparels


Flower

Pre-roll

Vaporizers

Edibles

Concentrate

CBD

Topical And Tincture

Accessories And Apparels

Conclusion

Smoking and edibles must be in the desired dose to avoid harmful psychoactive action. The psychoactive properties require the compound THC needs to bind to its receptor.

We hope you might be clear that THC is the primary psychoactive compound present in the cannabis plant that possesses psychoactive properties.

Thanks for staying till the end!

 

References

Holland, Kimberly. "What Is Cannabis? Facts about Its Components, Effects, and Hazards." Healthline, Healthline Media, 23 July 2020, https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-cannabis#long-term-effects.

WK, Sumanasekera, and Spio K. "Cannabis (Marijuana): Psychoactive Properties, Addiction, Therapeutic Uses, and Toxicity." Journal of Addictive Behaviors, Therapy & Rehabilitation, SciTechnol, https://www.scitechnol.com/peer-review/cannabis-marijuanapsychoactive-properties-addiction-therapeutic-uses-and-toxicity-bzoW.php?article_id=5453.

Written by: American Addiction Centers Editorial StaffEdited by Kindra SclarReviewed by Scot ThomasLast updated on January 4, 2022{"@context": "http://www.schema.org". "Edibles vs. Smoking: Ingesting Marijuana." DrugAbuse.com, 5 Jan. 2022, https://drugabuse.com/blog/joints-vs-edibles-how-marijuana-effects-the-body/.

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