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If you’re even slightly versed in the world of cannabis, you’ve already heard of, and most likely got fried off, Thc Gummies. These sweet, delicious treats look and taste like your run-of-the-mill gummy candies, but they’re much more fun. Like, way more fun.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, THC Gummies are, well, gummies infused with THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol—AKA, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. But when did these delicacies emerge? What are their drawbacks and benefits? How do they affect the human body?

Let’s take a closer look.

A Brief History of THC Gummies

While cannabis edibles date as far back as 1000 BCE (see Indian bhang), the beginnings of our modern edibles likely evoke the colorful, peaceful, and super chill hippie movement. More specifically, we mainly think of pot brownies. Tales of 1960s West Coast hippies infusing their confections with cannabis compounds might make you think that cannabis-infused foods were born out of an already stoned mind, but that’s far from true.

Even in American society, the iconic hippies weren’t the first to incorporate THC into food. In fact, during the 1800s, cannabis tinctures and cannabis-laced candies were commonly sold as medicinal aids, and believe it or not, they were just as normalized as cough syrup!

Even with a history extending hundreds of years, however, cannabis gummies have never been more popular than today.

THC Gummies: The Most Popular Girl in School

With the rise of dispensaries, friendly neighborhood dealers, and now hemp-selling companies, THC gummies have never been so accessible. But the same is true for flower, vapes, oils, and even infused drinks, so what makes THC gummies the belle of the ball?

Well, from our research (and maybe some personal experience), we’ve narrowed it down to a few reasons:

• They’re discreet: Smoking, and even vaping, THC can get smelly. THC vapes are an excellent way to get high in a restaurant bathroom without triggering any smoke detectors, but they still result in an impermanent smell and a big old cloud of vapor. THC gummies are an incredible way to get high on the low. They look like any other candy, so they raise zero suspicion!
• They get you higher: THC gummies result in a stronger and more long-lasting high than any other method of ingestion. We’ll get into why in just a second, but this is one of the main benefits these buzzy sweets offer.
• They’re better for your lungs: Although smoking cannabis is generally regarded as safe in the sense that the plant itself has no serious long-term side effects, smoking or vaping anything can irritate or otherwise negatively impact the lungs. Edibles are a terrific way to reap the amazing benefits of THC without any interaction with the lungs.
• They’re delicious: Do we even have to explain this one? What stoner do you know that wouldn’t like a little treat?

A Quick Overview on the Benefits & Drawbacks of THC Gummies

Let’s keep things simple here:

THC gummies offer a range of benefits and drawbacks that cater to different preferences and needs. On the positive side, gummies are better for your lungs than smoking, easy to dose, discreet, and delicious, making them an appealing option for many users. They also provide numerous potential therapeutic effects such as pain relief, anxiety reduction, improved sleep, euphoria, and relaxation.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider, as the psychoactive effects of THC gummies last longer and can feel stronger compared to other consumption methods. Additionally, the effects take longer to kick in, which might require some patience. It’s important to note that over-consumption of THC gummies may lead to paranoia, anxiety, or panic attacks.

To avoid these negative side effects, users should give their bodies adequate time to absorb the THC and avoid overindulging.

How THC Gummies Work

It’s simple, really. THC gummies, as opposed to vapes or flower, are not quickly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs. Instead, they are ingested and broken down by the liver, which in turn converts the THC into a more potent metabolite called 11-hydroxy-THC.

From there, the 11-hydroxy-THC makes its way into the bloodstream and eventually, to the brain. The reason this metabolite is stronger than regular THC is that it has a higher binding affinity for CB1 receptors. The better a cannabinoid binds to cannabinoid receptors, the higher you get.

THC Gummies vs. Vapes & Flower

As previously mentioned, smoking or vaping THC results in a fast onset time and a fast wear-off. This process is pretty quick, and you’ll usually feel the effects within minutes, but they’ll wear off within a couple of hours.

When using edibles, you need to give them a little time to settle into the body. They are, after all, traveling all over the place. This process may take up to a couple hours, but once they kick in, oh boy, they kick in. And their effects have been observed to last upwards of eight hours.

The Dangers of Too Much THC

You’ve probably already heard that you can’t overdose on cannabis. This is true in the sense that you won’t die, end up in a comma, or have any significant lasting side effects. That said, you can certainly overdose on THC, and while it won’t lead to death, it won’t really be a walk in the park either.

Overconsuming THC can lead to adverse side effects such as paranoia, anxiety, and panic attacks. You won’t be dying, but you might feel like you are. This brings us to our next point: why dosing is so important.

Dosage Recommendations for First-Time Users

As a general rule of thumb, especially when trying something new for the first time, always start low and slow and build your way up to a comfortable high. A low tolerance THC dosage can range from anywhere between 5-15mg, but we usually recommend newbies stay on the low end of that spectrum.

Remember, digesting edibles can take some time, so give your body about two hours to fully absorb the THC before you go chewing on handfuls of gummies!

Safe Consumption Tips

• Take it slow: Don’t eat them like a bag of gas station gummy worms. We know they’re delicious, but they’re also insanely powerful. Don’t start big because you won’t come down for a while. Start slow, give your body time, and take it from there.
• Find reputable sources: To ensure safe consumption, it is recommended to purchase THC gummies from reputable brands and follow the dosage guidelines.
• Stay aware of legality: Be sure that THC gummies are legal in your state. Who wants to get locked up or fined over some sweets?

Different Types of THC Gummies

While they have the same effects and benefits, THC gummies made from marijuana and THC gummies made from hemp are different. Under the Farm Bill, hemp refers to any cannabis plant with THC contents of 0.3% on a dry-weight basis or less, while marijuana refers to any cannabis plant surpassing that THC threshold.

While the former is legal at the federal level and in most states, the latter is considered a schedule I controlled substance and is only legal in the states where recreational cannabis is legal.

Different Cannabinoids in THC Gummies

THC gummies contain different cannabinoids that offer varying potencies, benefits, and side effects. For example:

• Delta 8, with its mild potency, provides benefits such as appetite stimulation, better sleep, digestive support, relaxation, pain relief, and anxiety relief. However, it can also cause dry eyes, dry mouth, slowed reaction time, and impaired motor skills.
• Delta 9, a stronger cannabinoid, offers appetite stimulation, creativity and motivation boosts, pain relief, and anxiety relief, but may also result in dry eyes, dry mouth, mental fog, paranoia, anxiety, and a rapid heart rate.
• Delta 10, known for its very mild potency, is associated with stress relief, relaxation, uplifting properties, increased energy, creative boosts, and improved focus, but may lead to dry mouth, dry eyes, headaches, and grogginess.
• HHC, a moderately strong cannabinoid, offers pain relief, euphoria, relaxation, reduced inflammation, nausea relief, and better sleep, but can also cause dry eyes, dry mouth, anxiety, dizziness, rapid heart rate, and insomnia.
• THCP, an extremely potent cannabinoid, provides pain relief, relaxation, and better sleep, while potentially causing side effects like dry eyes, dry mouth, paranoia, and tiredness.

The Best THC Gummies Brand Around

Remember how we said that getting your THC gummies from a reputable source was extremely important? That’s because the FDA doesn’t really oversee the production of hemp-derived products. That means that it’s up to individual companies to set their own safety standards.

Chill Clouds, also known as just “Chill,” really live up to their name. Their main goal as a company is to create safe, delicious hemp products made to help you be more chill. Whether it’s to relieve pain, anxiety, or just for fun, Chill is committed to helping you get the best cannabinoids available.

The only thing they’re not chill about? Their quality and purity guarantee:

• Their products are made using organic, non-GMO hemp grown with no herbicides or pesticides.
• They employ the safest and purest extraction methods.
• All of their products are third-party lab tested for safety and purity.

This company is our pick because they’re transparent and accurate in their information. They’re not here to make a quick buck—they’re genuinely dedicated to bettering the hemp industry by creating a standard for safety, purity, and transparency.

THC Gummies Are Incredibly Beneficial

While they have some drawbacks, THC gummies can be incredibly beneficial to both, medical and recreational users. The history of edibles dates back hundreds of years, and we’re confident they will continue to be a prominent fixture in cannabis culture for hundreds more to come.

With a difficult and confusing cannabis market, finding a reputable cannabis source can get a little tricky. But with Chill Clouds, your safety—and the purity and efficacy of your THC products—is guaranteed.

Happy buzzing!

Article paid for by: Exploratus, LLC, Adam [email protected]
The news and editorial staff of the Bay Area News Group had no role in this post’s preparation.