What Is 11-Hydroxy-THC?
Cannabis Edibles: A Different Feeling Explained
You’ve probably heard of THC, but have you heard of 11-Hydroxy-THC? Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of cannabis edibles. While many are familiar with smoking or vaping cannabis, consuming it in the form of edibles such as gummies or baked goods offers a distinctly different experience. Let’s explore what happens when you eat cannabis, particularly focusing on the transformation of THC in the digestive system.
The Journey of THC in Edibles
From THC to 11-Hydroxy-THC
When you consume cannabis through smoking or vaping, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the primary psychoactive compound, quickly enters your bloodstream via the lungs. This leads to a relatively fast onset of effects, usually within minutes.
However, the process is quite different with edibles:
- Ingestion: When you eat a cannabis-infused gummy or brownie, the THC travels through your digestive system.
- Absorption: It is absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the stomach and intestines.
- Liver Metabolism: Once in the bloodstream, THC makes its way to the liver. Here, it undergoes a transformation into a different compound called 11-Hydroxy-THC.
Why 11-Hydroxy-THC is Important
11-Hydroxy-THC is significantly more potent than THC. This transformation is crucial because it explains why the effects of edibles are often described as stronger and more intense compared to smoking or vaping.
- Increased Potency: 11-Hydroxy-THC is believed to be 2-3 times more potent than THC.
- Longer Duration: The effects of edibles can last much longer, often between 6 to 8 hours, compared to 2-3 hours for smoked or vaped cannabis.
The Onset and Duration of Effects
Because edibles need to be digested and metabolized, causing the transformation of THC into 11-Hydroxy-THC, the onset of effects is much slower. It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to start feeling the effects. This delayed onset can sometimes lead to overconsumption if users do not wait long enough before consuming more.
Benefits and Considerations
Benefits:
- Discreet Consumption: Edibles are odorless and can be consumed without drawing attention.
- No Smoking: Avoids the potential lung irritation associated with smoking.
- Long-lasting Relief: Thanks to the conversion of THC into 11-Hydroxy-THC, edibles can be ideal for those seeking prolonged effects for discomfort relief, sleep, or stress management.
Considerations:
- Dosing: It’s easy to consume too much. Start low and go slow to find your ideal dose.
- Onset Time: Be patient and wait at least 2 hours before consuming more.
Conclusion – THC vs 11-Hydroxy-THC
Eating cannabis-infused edibles like gummies offers a unique experience due to the conversion of THC into the more potent 11-Hydroxy-THC in the human body. This results in stronger, longer-lasting effects compared to smoking. Whether you’re seeking medicinal benefits or a prolonged recreational feeling, edibles provide a potent and discreet alternative. Remember to consume responsibly, start with a low dose, and enjoy.
Where to find the best edibles
If you’re interested in trying cannabis / hemp edibles, we offer a selection of gummies with and without THC. If you try our THC gummies or THC mints, you can experience the conversion of THC to 11-Hydroxy-THC for yourself. All of our gummies contain a relatively low to moderate amount of THC so there is little risk of overdoing it unless you exceed the recommended amounts of half to one gummy to start with and wait until you feel the effects. Our THC gummies include the following products. Click on the name to learn more.
- Mood Gummies – 5mg THC, 5mg CBC oil, and 25mg CBD oil per gummy for mood improvement.
- Mood Mints – Nano-emulsified cannabinoids for fast-acting mood improvement – 2.5 mg Delta-9-THC, 2.5mg CBC oil, and 12.5mg CBD oil.
- THC + THCV Gummies – 2.5mg THC, 12.5mg THCV, 10mg CBD per gummy for an uplifting feel – all the fun of THC without the added hunger or risk of falling asleep.
- THC + CBN Gummies – 5mg THC, 30mg CBN, 10mg CBD per gummy for deep sleep.
- THC + CBG Gummies – 2.5mg THC, 30mg CBG, 10mg CBD per gummy for discomfort relief.