With the huge demands for cannabis products today it is likely that you have tried one form or another. Maybe you’re an avid fan or just cannabis-curious but there are multiple types of these products including, but not limited to, CBD, Delta 8 THC, and Delta 9 THC.
One popular form that is gaining traction among cannabis enthusiasts is edibles. These are an easy-to-use and fun way to get your daily dose of CBD, Delta 8 THC, or Delta 9 THC goodness. However, you may have noticed a difference in the effect between edibles and other ways of experiencing cannabis or THC products, like vaping. Simply put, the edible dose had a much stronger impact than vaping. Well, one of the reasons for that impact is a metabolite known as 11-Hydroxy-THC.
The Difference between Edibles and Other Delivery Methods
Before we go into exactly what 11-Hydroxy-THC is, it’s important to first understand the difference in how your body handles the common delivery methods of cannabis products. Depending on if it’s a CBD, Delta 8 THC, or another cannabis product, you will find high levels of cannabinoids within that product. These are the beneficial compounds you are utilizing for your overall wellness experience. Here are the most common methods for delivering those cannabinoids to your system.
Vaping and Smoking
With vaping, the cannabinoid oil is made into a vaping solution. This solution is heated with a vape pen and inhaled into the lungs. Smoking is simply the burning of hemp flower in a rolled joint and inhaled. The lungs then distribute the cannabinoids found in the vape solution or smoke directly into the bloodstream. This gives the user an immediate effect from the product that is felt throughout the body. However, the effect of these methods does not last as long as edibles.
Balms and Salves
With balms and salves, the cannabinoid oil is mixed with beeswax and other skin-enhancing products. The user then rubs a small amount on their skin. From there, the skin absorbs the balm and the cannabinoids go into the muscle and joints. This method works well for specific areas and is not felt throughout the body.
Edibles
These can be tinctures, softgels, or other edibles like gummies. These are taken orally and are processed through the stomach and liver before entering the bloodstream. This method takes longer to feel the effects. However, the effects last longer.
What Is 11-Hydroxy-THC?
There are two well-known tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) cannabinoids in the cannabis plant: Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC. Delta 9 THC is the most commonly known and is the one responsible for the high a user gets from ingesting or smoking marijuana. Delta 8 THC is slightly different on a molecular level and produces less of a high when consumed.
If you ingest an edible product that contains either of these THC cannabinoids, the digestive system and liver go to work to break them down and feed them into the bloodstream. However, during this digestive process, the THC cannabinoids are turned into a metabolite known as 11-Hydroxy-THC before entering the bloodstream. To be more specific, the Delta 9 THC turns to 11-OH-Δ9-THC and the Delta 8 THC turns into 11-OH-Δ8-THC.
So Why Are the Effects Stronger?
Not only does the stomach turn THC into 11-Hydroxy-THC, the hepatic portal system in the body then transfers the cannabinoid to the liver, which also turns the THC into 11-Hydroxy-THC, before distributing it to the rest of the body. This greatly increases the amount of THC that goes to the brain and the rest of the body.
When you vape or smoke cannabis the 11-Hydroxy-THC levels are only around 5 percent. However, when you take a cannabis product orally, the average levels studied showed the 11-Hydroxy-THC levels start from 25 percent THC content and climb from there. In addition, the 11-Hydroxy-THC more effectively crosses the blood-brain barrier than Delta 8 or Delta 9 THC.
A Word of Caution with Edibles
Edibles are a great way of getting your daily dose of THC. However, if you are just beginning to experience the benefits of edible THC there are a couple of things you should keep in mind.
When it comes to the edibles dosage, start slowly. We recommend starting with one-third of the edible, like our Delta 8 THC Gummy Worms. From there, if you do not experience the desired results, increase your consumption until you feel the needed effect.
Second, as we discussed before, ingesting THC is different from vaping, smoking, or using it in a balm. This is because it takes longer to feel ‘high’ and those effects are much longer-lasting. When you first try an edible, if you do not experience the effects immediately, understand that this is common. You should wait at least a couple of hours for the THC cannabinoid to kick in as the effect may be delayed for hours. Only after that time should you take another third of the edible. In this way, you won’t accidentally ingest too much.
Get Your Delta 8 THC Edibles from The Hemp Doctor!
When it comes to getting the best Delta 8 edibles on the market, there is no place better than through The Hemp Doctor, America’s Premier Hemp & CBD Dispensary. On a federal level, our products comply with the 2018 Farm Bill, which allows hemp-derived products with no more than 0.3% THC to be federally legal.
We have so many great flavors and styles to choose from. Take our Delta 8 THC Gummy Bears for example. Each delectable and fun bear delivers 30 mg of THC. Or if you’re in the mood for more of a Skittles kind of candy treat, our D8 THC Bombs are sure to please.
Place your order by shopping our extensive inventory online. Of course, if you have any questions about Delta 8 products or any of our line of products, don’t hesitate to give us a call or contact us online. We are always here to keep you informed and to help you find the right product to fit your needs and your lifestyle.
