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5 Effects of THC You Can Experience With Edibles and THC Drinks
Reviewed by | Raven Ariola, Cannabis Science Educator and Professor of Cannabis Agriculture
From medicinal benefits to recreational uses, cannabis and THC have a lot to offer, and the ways to enjoy it continue to expand. With access to tinctures, gummies, edibles, and THC-infused drinks like seltzers or cocktails at your fingertips, how can you decide which to try next, and what effects of THC might you experience with each?
We’re here to break it all down, so you can sip or munch your way into your next batch of THC with confidence and joy.
What Is THC?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a major cannabinoid found within the cannabis plant. Of over 100 known bioactive cannabis compounds, THC is one of the most well-researched and well-known. In fact, people have been consuming THC for millennia, putting us in good company.
THC is particularly popular for its psychoactive effects. Its unique way of working with receptors in the brain allows the cannabinoid to temporarily alter the mental state, producing a range of desirable effects from promoting feelings of euphoria to helping us chill all the way out.
How Does THC Work Within the Body?
THC’s effects are all thanks to the endocannabinoid system, or ECS. This complex internal networking system is responsible for helping the body maintain balance. It works by sending messages throughout the nervous system, responding to unusual activity, and helping find the fix.
Say a stressful situation is causing your cortisol levels (also known as the stress hormone) to rise, or a recent workout is leaving your muscles extra sore. The ECS is triggered by these shifts and uses chemical messengers called endocannabinoids to respond.
Our internally produced endocannabinoids can move throughout the nervous system and bind to cannabinoid receptors scattered throughout the brain and body. CB1 receptors are commonly found in the brain as well as peripheral tissues (e.g., liver, fat tissue, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive organs, cardiovascular system), while CB2 receptors are primarily found on immune cells as well as some other cells in peripheral tissues (like bones, spleen, and tonsils).
When endocannabinoids bind to these receptors, it can trigger a range of biological activity.
The goal of the ECS is to promote homeostasis and support self-regulation, from helping regulate cortisol levels to easing tension or promoting feelings of bliss. Once the endocannabinoids complete their job, enzymes break them back down to their original form. Because cannabis-derived phytocannabinoids like THC are molecularly similar to our endocannabinoids, they can work within the ECS to engage with cannabinoid receptors, too.
While some cannabinoids like CBD work more subtly, supporting our endocannabinoids by slowing the rate at which enzymes break them down, THC’s molecular structure allows it to bind directly with CB receptors — and it has a particular affinity for the CB1 receptors in the brain.
This accounts for its psychoactive effects and ability to promote strong feelings of euphoria, giddiness, or relaxation after consumption.
What Are Edibles?
THC comes in all different forms, from the dried flowers and buds you can smoke to extracted versions of the cannabinoid that can be infused into tinctures, capsules, topical lotions, food, or drink.
Any form of THC that you consume is considered an edible. This includes gummies, sweets like chocolates and brownies, and THC drinks.
The THC in edibles moves through the digestive tract like anything else we eat before undergoing first-pass metabolism in the liver. Here, the cannabinoids are processed and then absorbed into the bloodstream. The bloodstream carries them throughout the brain and body, allowing them to reach CB1 and CB2 receptors and bring on their effects.
Why Choose Edibles and Drinks?
Because edibles need to move through the digestive tract before their effects kick in, they typically take longer to work compared to other methods like inhalation or sublingual absorption. The effects of edibles also last longer since the body takes longer to break the cannabinoids down after they are metabolized and biotransformed in the liver. “This phenomenon is known as first-pass metabolism,” adds Raven Ariola, Professor of Cannabis Agriculture and Cannabis Science Educator.
With edibles, you can keep the good vibes going from two to eight hours before they start to wear off.
Many users enjoy the social aspect of THC drinks, which can be toasted and enjoyed with friends — without leaving you hungover and groggy come morning. Edibles and drinks also offer the unique ability to pair THC with other enjoyable flavors and nourishing ingredients like uplifting ginseng or calming ashwagandha, elevating the experience even further as the bioactive compounds work together.
THC gummies provide on-the-go convenience, while drinks offer a consistent amount of THC per can, taking out the guesswork that comes with smoking or the task of measuring out tincture doses.
Whether you’re kicking back beachside style, celebrating with friends, or seeking some calm among the hustle and bustle of a busy day, a bubbly citrus seltzer or flavorful gummy is sure to hit the spot.
5 Key Effects of THC From Edibles and Drinks
Depending on the scene and your desired goals, THC edibles and drinks can help you feel balanced, relaxed, inspired, or ready to take on the night.
Here’s a closer look at how THC affects the body and some key THC benefits:
Encourage Relaxation
Sometimes, after a long day at work, a night of studying, or before an event that’s giving you the jitters, all you want to do is chill out. However, if your thoughts are spiraling and your cortisol levels are rising, pumping the breaks on that nervous energy or moving through feelings of stress can feel like no small feat.
Trust us, we know how much it sucks to feel stuck in a negative headspace, and THC can offer support.
When you’re stressed or overwhelmed, the ECS helps respond to those high stress levels and sends signals throughout the brain and body to help promote a sense of calm. THC can work within the ECS for added support, working with CB1 receptors in the brain to help shift our headspace.
Research suggests that THC might also help ease the physical manifestation of nervous energy while encouraging the body to relax.
For an added relaxation boost, try sipping on a soothing ashwagandha-infused Raspberry THC Iced Tea while engaging in a calming activity like deep breathing or yoga, or enjoy a fun-packed Sour Fruit Gummy for balanced, long-lasting support.
Ease Tension
THC is well-loved for easing feelings of mental stress, but it can help with physical feelings of stress, too. CB receptors are scattered all throughout the body, from our immune cells and skin cells to within our connective tissues and our gut. Basically, wherever the body can experience discomfort, there are CB receptors nearby.
When THC binds with these receptors, it can support responses meant to help soothe tension and discomfort. From nausea to muscle tension, THC edibles and drinks can help offer hours of relief.
That said, it’s important to note that individual experiences vary, and results are dose-dependent as well. “While some find THC anxiolytic, others, especially at higher doses or with pre-existing anxiety, can experience increased anxiety, paranoia, or dysphoria,” notes Ariola. It’s always best to consult a doctor and use a mindful approach.
Inspire Creativity
By temporarily altering the mental state when binding with receptors in the brain, THC can shift our perception and inspire awe and creativity.
Once in the brain, CBD can work with neural pathways to support dopamine release and inspire feelings of awe, which can help with your creative flow. Grounding yourself in a calming space and using THC intentionally can serve as the perfect remedy for a creative block, helping open your mind to new ideas and ways of thinking.
Try enjoying a smooth square of THC chocolate or reaching for a bright and bubbly THC seltzer as the perfect mind-opening thirst-quencher when you’re feeling mentally blocked, working on an artistic project, or pursuing your creative passions for a balanced burst of inspiration as you sip into an elevated way of thinking.
Bring on Better Zzzs
If you have trouble falling asleep, you’re far from alone. Nervous thoughts, screens, stress, diet, and an inconsistent schedule can all interfere with a good night’s sleep.
Luckily, a THC gummy shortly before bedtime can help quiet the mind and encourage full-body relaxation to help you drift into that much-needed sleep. Research suggests that THC’s role in the brain can send chemical messages through our neural pathways to help promote restfulness.
“High doses of THC, or chronic use, may disrupt sleep architecture (e.g., suppress REM sleep), potentially leading to rebound effects upon cessation,” notes Ariola. This is why a mindful approach is essential.
Certain gummies are desired specifically for sleep support. Our Elderberry Sleep Gummies, for instance, utilize the calming cannabinoid CBN for an added level of relaxation. For best results, remember to time it right by taking your sleepy-time gummy 30 minutes to an hour before bed, giving it the time it needs to work its way to the brain.
Use this time to set aside the screens and engage in other calming activities like stretching, breathwork, or reading.
"Users should be aware that regular use of THC for sleep can lead to tolerance, requiring higher doses for the same effect, and may result in dependence. Discontinuation after chronic use can lead to withdrawal symptoms, including sleep disturbances, irritability, and anxiety, which could exacerbate pre-existing sleep issues,” Ariola highlights.
Get Your Giggle On
THC is known to promote a sense of euphoria and giddiness, making THC drinks the perfect alcohol alternative to toast with during celebrations or at gatherings with friends.
While THC can temporarily alter the mental state, helping encourage relaxation and lowering your inhibitions, it won’t cause a hangover.
As more wellness-conscious connoisseurs are moving away from alcohol, low-dose THC cocktails can keep the party going without paying for it in the morning.
How To Best Enjoy Your Edible of Choice
While THC drinks and edibles can help set the scene and lift the mood when used in moderation, using responsibly is key. In high doses, THC can have undesirable side effects, such as elevated heart rate, dry mouth, red eyes, and paranoia or nervousness.
Everyone’s THC sweet spot is different, so it’s best to start low and slow. We recommend beginning with 2.5 mg of THC to see how that feels. Try cutting a gummy or chocolate square in half and sipping your THC-infused drink slowly over time.
And don’t forget that edibles can take up to two hours to kick in, while THC drinks usually take effect earlier as the body metabolizes liquid faster. Give yourself time to feel the effects, and don’t take more if you aren’t feeling anything right away!
Make sure you use high-quality THC products that are transparent about the ingredients used and make their certificate of analysis easily available.
And make sure to match your edible or drink of choice to your atmosphere. A delicious bite of THC chocolate can be the perfect treat when you’re craving relaxation, while an uplifting THC cocktail is a better fit for a celebration with friends. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types and flavors to find what feels best for you.
Get Your Groove On With Gigli
From kicking back on the couch, delving into your next artistic pursuit, or giggling the night away with friends, the rich THC-infused drink or treat is sure to elevate the experience.
Here at Gigli, we’re committed to having a good time and feeling good while doing so. Our THC drinks, gummies, and chocolates are all low-sugar, low-cal, gluten-free, and vegan. Made with natural ingredients, nourishing botanicals, and absolutely no alcohol, our hemp-derived THC products are carefully crafted to keep the giggles going.
Ready to discover edibles as bold and fun as you are? Explore our full collection at Gigli.
Sources:
The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious | Harvard Health
