I’ve spent a small fortune on cannabis edibles over the years, and all I’ve got from them is the bitter taste of disappointment. You see, eating weed just doesn’t work for me, no matter how hard I try.
In one attempt, my friends and I whipped up a batch of brownies with an entire ounce of bud added to the cannabutter. While everyone around me enjoyed a blissful high, I was left feeling nothing, like a Goth in the rain.
Over the years, I’ve experimented with store-bought gummies, oils, and even high-strength chocolates, yet the effects elude me. I’ve tried doses ranging from 60mg to a staggering 1000mg, but no matter what I do, I’m left watching others enjoy what seems like one of the most delightful ways to get blazed.
After talking with a friend and social club owner in Tenerife, I found out that the issue may not be with the edibles at all. The reason I find myself ediblocked is my genetics. Specifically, an issue with my enzymes.
Wait, what have enzymes got to do with edibles?
Enzymes, often referred to as the “workhorses” of our cells, are specialised proteins that are present in all living things. They are responsible for powering and regulating the chemical reactions in our bodies that fuel all essential processes such as digestion, metabolism, and energy production.
When cannabis is ingested in edible form, the liver, a key metabolic organ, employs a family of enzymes known as cytochrome P450s to metabolise the various cannabinoids we’ve eaten. One specific enzyme within this family, CYP2C9, helps convert delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, into 11-hydroxy-THC. This metabolite is notably more potent than delta-9-THC and is largely responsible for the unique and longer-lasting high people get from edibles.
Researchers believe that around 20% of the population lacks sufficient levels of CYP2C9 due to genetic variations. As Gruber puts it, “We’re only just now starting to understand the cannabinoid system. And it’s already clear that it’s not just about what and how much you’re using — it’s about how you’re wired.”
Every body is different
The effects of edibles can be influenced by various factors beyond just enzymes. Individual variations in body chemistry, diet, age, and health conditions, especially liver disease, can all significantly impact how cannabinoids are processed.
Diet, in particular, plays a crucial role. As THC is fat-soluble, consuming edibles with healthy fats can boost absorption, while a low-fat diet may diminish their effectiveness. Furthermore, high-fibre diets can modify digestive transit times, thereby affecting both the onset and intensity of edible effects.
Gut health is another key factor to consider. The gut microbiome consists of diverse microbes that are essential for digestion, metabolism, and immune function. Recent studies suggest that the composition of this microbial community can affect how cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, are metabolized. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in gut bacteria, has been linked to various health problems and can hinder cannabinoid absorption, making it challenging for some individuals to achieve the desired effects from edibles. Conversely, a healthy gut may enhance cannabinoid bioavailability and improve the overall experience.
Age also plays a role, as older adults may experience slower cannabinoid processing due to declining metabolic rates. This can result in prolonged effects or increased sensitivity to THC and CBD. Additionally, age-related changes in body composition, such as increased fat mass and decreased muscle mass, can impact cannabinoid distribution and storage. Moreover, cognitive changes associated with ageing might alter the perception of cannabis effects, leading to varying experiences across different age groups.
Enhancing edible effectiveness
If you’re in the ediblocked boat, don’t give up hope just yet. Consider these strategies to enhance your edible experience:
- Suck Don’t Swallow: If you struggle to feel the effects when eating edibles, opt for something suckable. While your liver might not be able to process THC you still may feel the effects when you absorb it sublingually. Sucking on a THC-laced lolipop or hard sweet releases the THC into your saliva which is then absorbed under the tongue, bypassing the enzyme deficient liver.
- Build Up Your Dose: Going overboard with edibles is easily done, but your age, weight, height and other genetic factors could just mean you need a higher dose compared to others. Try experimenting with incremental increases in how much THC you eat to find the sweet spot.
- Dose Your Dessert: Eating a small meal before taking edibles can improve THC absorption. Since THC is fat-soluble, the fats in your meal can ensure your body digests and absorbs the THC in your edibles.
- Combine Cannabinoids: Using products that combine both THC with CBD may yield better effects, as some users report a more balanced response. This is debated amongst experts considering the effects of CBD and THC together and whether they counter each other or make the subjective high stronger.
Science to the rescue
I’ve tried almost every suggestion to increase the effects: increasing my dose, eating before and after consumption, and trying different edible formats. Still, that elusive edible high evades me. But I’m not giving up. There’s hope in science.
Researchers are experimenting with different emulsifiers and carriers, like liposomes or micelles, to protect cannabinoids from degradation during digestion and enhance their absorption into the bloodstream. Nanoemulsion technology is gaining attention for creating smaller particle sizes which are more easily absorbed in the digestive system. These products may lead to faster onset and more pronounced effects by increasing the surface area of cannabinoids.
As the cannabis industry innovates, consumers might soon find more options for those who have struggled to experience edible effects. These advancements offer hope for those of us who are feeling left out.
For the lucky ones who do experience the magical effects of edibles, remember that they are more potent and longer-lasting than other consumption methods. As a wise man once said, “You can always take more, but you can’t take less.”
Time for a coffee and a brownie to check if I’m still ediblocked.
