The (casual) science behind the edible

[Ptah]

What’s better? Smoking or eating an edible?

While the answer to that question can be deeply personal, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to the overall experiences that THC consumption provides. Edibles do not interact with the lungs and, in the process, can deliver a high that differs in intensity and longevity from smoking THC.

Cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, bind with cannabinoid receptors in many ways, the effects of which are mainly dictated by the consumption method. When THC is smoked or vaped, cannabinoids are absorbed through the lungs and into the bloodstream, quickly entering the blood-brain barrier. As these cannabinoids travel to the brain, they bind with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), resulting in the feeling of being high. This means that THC’s effects are practically instant, which is attractive to many.

With an edible, however, the body must process the cannabinoids via the digestive tract and liver, where they are eventually absorbed into the bloodstream. This process results in a longer activation time, but it can be more potent and intense. The high from an edible is different from smoking THC, possibly because the liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. This compound is thought to be two to three times more potent than THC. Research regarding 11-hydroxy-THC is still relatively new, and there is much to still discover.

https://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/the-casual-science-behind-the-edible/Content?oid=34271145