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Medically Reviewed By:

Nidra Sidhu, M.D. Integrative Medicine

Edibles vs. Vapes: Properties, Benefits, Side Effects

Nowadays, there are a seemingly infinite number of ways to use hemp for personal purposes. Many people include cannabis in their daily wellness routines because it has various health advantages. This article will discuss the new cannabis consumption methods. We’ll look at the difference between edibles & vapes, including their properties, benefits, side effects, and their safety profile. Let’s get started!

What is Delta 8?

Delta 8 THC Online (Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol) is a cannabis compound that has gained popularity due to its resemblance to delta 9. It is one of more than 100 cannabinoids found in hemp plants although it does not exist at a significant level. Therefore, the majority of the commercially available delta 8 has been created by a conversion process that combines a number of chemicals to transform CBD from hemp into delta 8.

How do Edibles and Vapes differ?

Recently developed cannabis consumption methods include chocolate edibles and vapes. Let's explore.

Edibles are products containing cannabinoids that you ingest, either you eat or drink them. Even though gummies are the most popular type of edibles, they can take quite different forms, ranging from candies, breath mints, and chocolate to savory snacks and even ice cream. Technically, cannabis-infused beverages are also edibles because our body processes them in the exact same way as cannabis-infused food products. Edibles contain either one or both active constituents of marijuana: THC and CBD. Whether consumers enjoy eating marijuana or prefer to consume other cannabis edibles, both provide similar effects.

Vapes are battery-operated devices that people use to inhale an aerosol that typically contains marijuana, nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals. Users can also enjoy smoking marijuana for similar effects. They can look like traditional tobacco cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or even everyday items like pens or USB memory sticks. Other devices, such as those with refillable tanks, may have a different appearance. Regardless of their design or appearance, these devices all work in the same way and are made of the same components. They are commonly known as electronic cigarettes or E-cigarettes.

How do Edibles & Vapes function?

Edibles have to travel down through the stomach once ingested and then into the liver before they enter one’s bloodstream and brain. While in the liver, the THC is converted into a stronger form: 11-hydroxy THC.

Vapes and smoking cannabis produce an aerosol byproduct from heating up a liquid that may consist of flavorings and other chemicals. This liquid or smoke from smoking cannabis delivers marijuana, nicotine, or other drugs from cannabis oil to the user via a mouthpiece that is inhaled into the lungs and exhaled via the mouth or nose.

The active component in cannabis tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) acts on cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) located on the surface of neurons to produce psychoactive effects. CBRs are parts of the endocannabinoid system, a communication network in the human brain that plays a significant role in neural development and functions. CBRs are activated by a naturally occurring neurotransmitter anandamide. THC mimics anandamide, binding with the CBRs and activating the neurons, but the effects of THC are more potent and long-lasting than the endogenous neurotransmitter. CBRs are widely distributed in the brain, but they are particularly prevalent in the hippocampus, cerebellum, prefrontal cortex, and amygdala.

Eating Edibles & Vaping Cannabis Effect?

Cannabis high feelings are not the same for everyone. The effects cannabis users may experience will vary based on the type of the plant, learn more about does indica make you sleepy or hyper here, the person, how frequently they use the drug, and how they use it or the method of consumption.

If you have never tried THC or cannabis oil, you might wonder what it feels like. Smoking, ingesting, or vaping marijuana can make you highly stimulated. 

How long will it take for them to start working?

Edibles typically take from 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in after ingestion, depending on metabolism and whether or not the user ingests them on an empty stomach, which in turn accelerates absorption. Though taking edibles can vary from product to product with delta 8 gummies often being different. The full effects of eating marijuana can be felt within 4 hours after use and can last up to 12 hours. However, some residual effects can last up to 24 hours.

Vapes will make you feel the effects only from seconds to a few minutes after inhaling. The effects will typically reach their peak before 30 minutes and fade within a couple of hours.

Which will increase your level of stimulation?

Vaping is the fastest way to feel the effects since your lungs absorb the cannabinoids directly into the bloodstream, causing noticeable effects much sooner. Delta 8 edibles take longer to kick in because they have to pass through the stomach and liver before reaching the bloodstream, but they also last longer and tend to hit harder than smoking or vaping once they get into your bloodstream. Edible cannabis products are able to cross the blood-brain barrier more readily after passing through the digestive system and being digested by the liver, which increases their potency by boosting their propensity to bind to endocannabinoid receptors.

Safety profiles

When looking at the safety profile of edibles and vapes it's important to ask: Is consuming cannabis edibles healthier than smoking?

The answer is yes!

Numerous cannabis consumers choose cannabis-containing edibles over vaping or smoking because cannabis smoke contains carcinogens. Moreover, consistent cannabis smoking is associated with respiratory diseases such as pneumonia and bronchitis. The hazards associated with edibles are lower because they don't entail smoking marijuana and breathing in the smoke.

Edibles will help you with appetite, nausea, and pain more effectively than smoking or vaping marijuana. Moreover, smoked cannabis might also be more addictive.  When you use vapes or inhale cannabis, newly oxygenated blood carries THC rapidly from the lungs to the brain. Multiple studies have shown that the more quickly a drug reaches the brain, the higher the risk of addiction.

What Are The Side Effects?

A side effects of edibles vs vapes is an unintended consequence of the use of a drug that may result in certain outcomes. The outcomes of edibles and vapes could be adverse or have health benefits.

Edibles: Even though there is no well-established data, some people may experience the attached side effects from eating edibles, usually from taking too much.

Vape: Compounds that cause issues, heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead, and flavorings such as diacetyl (a chemical known to cause issues) may be present in vaping juice, and the vapor that results from it. Generally smoking cannabis or vaping cannabis is less recommended than eating edibles.

Comparing The Popularity

About 2.5% of the world's population (that is, approximately 147 million people) consume cannabis or enjoy vaping cannabis each year and enjoy its exotic effects. Although smoking is still the most popular form of consuming cannabis worldwide followed by vaping and edibles respectively, recent research reveals that the number of people using edibles is steadily rising. Edibles are receiving increasing attention and popularity from all over the world due to their more enduring effects and less exposure to toxins with possible negative health outcomes than other intake forms. More people prefer to consume cannabis and other cannabis flower products.

Vape Pen Vs. Flowers?

Whether you are a novice or seasoned cannabis warrior, the question of what might possibly set a vape pen apart from flowers may have crossed your mind. Then, let's have a look at these.

Cannabis was first consumed as flowers, which is still the oldest and most common method. The THC must be extracted from flowers by burning them. Given that it uses a more sanitary method to acquire THC, vaping is considered a healthier alternative to flowers. Vaping works by heating THC to a high temperature (121-204 degrees Celsius) to produce a concentrated THC vapor which will be inhaled through the mouthpiece as an aerosol.

Which one will hit you harder?

Flowers will cause your body to absorb all of the cannabinoids from the bud in your pipe after combustion, causing powerful effects similar to when you ingest cannabis. The intense euphoric or sleepy sensation we associate with getting high is produced by flowers because you have less overall control over the amount of THC you are consuming. But even while vapes are thought to be the most effective way to get THC into the body, they won't make you feel as heavy as flowers do.

As a consequence of combustion when you smoke flowers, cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens) that may be bad for your lungs and your body as a whole will be formed. Even though vape pens are thought to be healthier than flowers, the only way to consume cannabis that won't hurt your body over time is through edibles. For a full-body high, consuming edibles will hit you harder.

Final Thoughts

The "best" technique depends on your tastes and the kind of experience you're looking for in terms of convenience, cost, potency, and health impact when comparing the options for edibles and vapes.

Consuming edibles is typically preferred to smoking marijuana whether you are a novice stoner or a more experienced, regular stoner. Comparing edibles & vapes, you'll find that edibles are more practical, tastier, and approachable for users. Additionally, for those with medical conditions who might be unable to engage in smoking or vaping, edibles are a great candidate. Taste our Delta 8 Gummies 1000 mg today, Perfect tasting tests have been conducted on them.

Clayton McCall

Clayton is a Senior Content Specialist, researcher, and holistic healthcare practitioner. Having been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the delta 8 space. His publications include alternative therapy, stress and coping, and alternative health.