Edibles vs. Vaping: What’s the Best Way to Consume Cannabis

If you’re new to cannabis, one of the most fundamental questions that come to mind is how best to consume it. Currently, the most common methods of consuming cannabis are smoking/vaping and eating edibles (food items infused with THC). There’s no general answer to that question – your needs and preferences will determine the better option between edibles vs. vaping.

Try asking your friends and other people who use cannabis, and you will likely get different answers. No method is inherently better than the other, but there’s one that is more beneficial for your specific situation.

To determine which is best for you, you must take an unbiased look at the similarities and differences between the two methods.

What Are Edibles?

First, we have to get to know what these cannabis-infused edibles are. It’s any product that you ingest and contains at least one type of cannabinoid, such as Delta 8, CBD, or THC. The most popular form of edibles is gummies, but they come in many other forms, such as brownies and caramel nuggets. Even beverages, such as coffee, tea, and shots, can be infused with cannabinoids. 

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Comparing Edibles, Smoking, and Vaping

Each method will appeal to different groups of cannabinoid users. The differences lay mainly in the potency of the effects per dose, ease and discretion of use, and how long the effects will take and last. 

If you want a faster kick, vaping and smoking is the method for you, although the effects won’t last as long. Meanwhile, edibles deliver more lasting effects but take longer to kick in. The effects tend to be stronger for edibles too. 

When it comes to discretion, edibles take the cake here. To the untrained eye, edibles look like ordinary food items, and you can carry them anywhere and consume them without attracting attention. It’s a different story when it comes to smoking – using joints, bongs, dabs, and vapes will call attention. 

This is especially when you factor in the distinct odor and plume of visible smoke that comes with the method. Some will say that vaping is somewhat more discreet, but one can easily detect the smell when the vape is used indoors.

Edibles vs. Smoking: How Do They Work

When you smoke or vape, your lungs absorb the cannabis directly into your bloodstream, which makes the effects set in much faster. You don’t have to wait for your body to digest the substance, which is what happens when taking edibles. Many users say that they can feel the effects of cannabis mere minutes after they have last smoked or vaped.

The process is slower when it comes to edibles since it has to go through the digestive system and then be processed by the liver. It has to break down in your stomach and intestines before it gets into your bloodstream. Since you have to wait for your body to digest the edible, it will take a while for you to feel the effects of the cannabis.

Edibles vs. Smoking: How Do They Feel

A lot of cannabinoid users claim that edibles are more potent than smoking. Since the effects of the edibles last two or three times longer than those of smoking or vaping, it feels like the experience is more powerful. 

Also, the dose is more difficult to control when using edibles – many people tend to take more than they can originally handle since edibles take so long for the effects to be felt. This can make people assume that the experience with edibles is much stronger.

What’s clear is that the ingestion method does not make a difference when it comes to the overall strength and effects of consuming the same amount of cannabinoids. The effects and potency are the same when you take in the same amount, whether by smoking, vaping, or eating edibles. 

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Edibles vs. Smoking: Duration of Effects

Many users want to feel the effects of the cannabinoids as soon as possible, which explains their preference for smoking or vaping. Most users will be able to feel the effects kick in after five to 10 minutes and will last for one to two hours. 

Those who don’t mind the wait and prefer the discreteness of using edibles will have to wait for 30 to 60 minutes for the effects. The wait is usually rewarded with much longer-lasting effects, which is around four to six hours.

Of course, the strength and duration of the effects also depend on other factors, such as the user’s age, weight, and metabolism. 

Edibles vs. Smoking: Which Is Safer?

Smoking and vaping are considered more dangerous because of their link to lung and throat problems. In comparison, edibles have no known side effects besides the common ones associated with consuming cannabis. Frequent cannabis users and those who are particular about their health long-term may opt for edibles over smoking or vaping.

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Edibles vs. Smoking: Dosing Differences

Regardless of the consumption method, the specific dose of any cannabinoid will stay the same. How you get that amount in your system makes the difference, and it will vary between smoking/vaping and edibles.

It’s generally easier to get the right dosage when smoking or vaping, although it’s trickier to know exactly how many cannabinoids you consume. Most users measure their doses in puffs. It’s an imprecise way of doing it, but then again, it’s easy to take small amounts until you get the level of effect that you’re going for.

Edibles are much more difficult to dose, and users must be careful not to take in more than they intend. You can have an easier time dosing when you eat gummies, but labels can vary drastically between companies. Fortunately, most labels of edibles are in milligrams, which makes it easier to compare products.

An alternative for those conscious about doses is making the edibles themselves. But it’s still not a 100% guarantee that you won’t end up taking too much since the strength variation across a batch of brownies can be substantial. 

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Edibles vs. Smoking: Efficiency

Edibles have the upper hand in terms of efficiency compared to smoking. Cannabinoids tend to break down when subjected to intense heat. Smoking, which involves combustion, breaks down cannabinoids, thus losing potency.

And while it doesn’t involve combustion, vaping still uses high temperatures, which is not so good when it comes to preserving cannabinoid content.

Edibles vs. Smoking: Side Effects

The side effects of all methods are the same when equivalent doses are taken. Whether you smoke, vape, or consume edibles, you risk getting red eyes, elevated heart rate, anxiousness, paranoia, and memory impairment.

Some believe that edibles are more likely to cause side effects because they are stronger. This is not true – those who experienced side effects from edibles may have more likely miscalculated their dose and have unintentionally consumed too much.

Edibles vs. Smoking: Which Is Better?

It all boils down to personal preference. You may prefer the fast-acting nature of smoking or vaping, or you like the slower and longer-lasting experience that edibles bring. The strength and effects of your experience are not dependent on the manner of consumption, assuming you take the same amount of cannabinoids.

Beginners are better off trying smoking or vaping first since it’s easier to control the doses. The more experienced ones can indulge themselves in edibles, as long as they are not so concerned about lung and throat problems or do not have existing health problems in those parts.

Those with medical issues who cannot partake in smoking or vaping will find intense relief from consuming edibles. This is also true for people who simply don’t want to try smoking marijuana or vaping marijuana.

Fortunately, options are growing for those who want alternatives, which include edibles, tinctures, isolated powders, and even pills. Given the variety of choices, you will surely find the method that works for you best.

What’s important is how you plan to use your cannabinoids and how comfortable you are with smoking or vaping them. Smoking and vaping are more convenient but can be risky. Edibles are more efficient, but they are more volatile.

Whichever method you choose, begin with a lower dose and wait for the effects to kick in. It’s easier to add more rather than deal with the unpleasant effects of too much cannabis consumption.

FAQ

Which is better, vape or edibles?

There is no one right answer to this question. Vaping products work best for some people, while others may do best with edibles. Vaping is better for those who want the fastest way to feel the effects that will last a shorter time, while edibles are more suited for those who wish for slower effects that last longer. 

Is smoking the same as eating edibles?

It’s not. Smoking cannabis involves using joints and devices such as bongs, dabs, and vape pens, while edibles involve ingesting cannabis-infused food items. Smoking attracts more attention because of the smoke and smell involved, even when using vapor pens. Edibles are more discreet since you can eat or drink the products the same way you would ordinary food items.

What are the pros and cons of edibles?

Edibles are a more discreet way of consuming cannabis since you can take the products anywhere and consume them like everyday food items. They are best for those who want to feel the effects in a slower, steadier way.

But edibles can be difficult to dose since it’s too easy to take more when waiting for the initial effects to kick in, thus leading to taking more than you should.   

Is vaping CBD better than gummies?

If you want effects you can feel mere minutes after your first inhalation, smoking or vaping cannabis products is the better option. If you prefer to take it slow and steady and have effects that will last longer, then using gummies is something to consider.

Generally, vaping is not necessarily better than gummies, and vice versa. The better option for you is the one that will align with your needs and preferences.

Get the Best Products for Smoking, Vaping, and Edibles In Melbourne, Florida, at Harbor City Hemp

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