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As anyone who’s drank alcohol on an empty stomach can tell you, a drug’s effect can vary dramatically if you take it on an empty stomach.
This is true not just for intoxicating substances, but vitamins and medications, too. Some compounds must be taken with food to boost their absorption, while others are best taken on an empty stomach.
So, what about cannabis edibles? Is it okay to take them on an empty stomach?
The Effect of Edibles with and Without Food
You can safely consume edibles whether your stomach is empty or full. However, whether or not you’ve eaten recently will dramatically influence how edibles affect you.
THC acts differently when it is absorbed via the digestive tract. Its form changes, resulting in a somewhat stronger and longer-lasting high. The potency and longevity make edibles incredibly valuable for times when you need prolonged relief, such as over the nighttime. However, it can be incredibly uncomfortable if you accidentally consume too much THC.
Because an edible high lasts longer than a high that comes from inhaled cannabis, you want to be cautious when you figure out the right dosing. With too much, you can experience paranoia, a rapid heartbeat, or sweating for hours on end.
When you eat edibles on an empty stomach, the effects are going to hit you harder and faster than if you’d had something to eat. For this reason, we recommend that new cannabis users avoid taking edibles without eating first.
When you eat an edible when you’re full, it takes longer to kick in, and the effects will be somewhat muted in comparison to doing so on an empty stomach. Additionally, the high will last for longer. Generally, this experience is preferred over a somewhat shorter, more intense high.
But there are times when you might want to feel the effects of your edible quickly. In this case, you are safe to have an edible without eating. Keep in mind that the effects are likely to be stronger, so you may want to decrease your dose by 50%.
Edibles are safe whether taken on a full or empty stomach, however, the effects are noticeably different. When you consume edibles without eating beforehand, you will experience stronger, faster effects. On a full stomach, the effects will take longer to kick in, be less intense, and last longer.
If you’re new to edibles, avoid trying them on an empty stomach. But if you are familiar with how edibles affect you, it is okay to eat an edible without food. Just be sure that you decrease the dose to avoid an uncomfortable high.