Learn:
Capsules
What are cannabis capsules anyway? Simply put, it’s one of the most discreet and simple ways to consume cannabis. Low-key, smoke-free, and consistently dosed, softgels capture the essence of the cannabis experience into an easy-to-consume gel cap.
These little capsules contain cannabis oil, harnessing the essence of the cannabis plant in a tiny, easy-to-carry format. Each capsule contains a precise dose of active cannabinoids, which makes it easy to control exactly how much you consume.
Cannabinoids are some of the main compounds that are responsible for the psychoactive and experiential effects of the cannabis plant. THC is the main component in cannabis that produces.
How Do Cannabis Capsules Work?
Capsules and inhaled cannabis are processed in different ways by the human body. Dried flower is most often vaporized or smoked, meaning that the active compounds in the plant are inhaled. When inhaled, the effects of THC, CBD, and other compounds are often felt within a matter of minutes. This is because cannabis vapour or smoke is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream via your lung tissue.
Rather than traveling directly to the bloodstream, a capsule first passes through the stomach and into the small intestine. From there, the active cannabis compounds travel into the liver. The liver then metabolizes cannabinoids and other cannabis components before they can enter the bloodstream.
Unlike inhaled cannabis, a capsule must be digested and absorbed before the active effects are noticeable. It can be a slow-going process. Be patient and remember; start low, go slow.
How Long Do Capsules Last?
As an ingestible cannabis product, the active effects of capsules often begin slowly—much slower than smoking a joint, for example. The effects typically last longer too. You may still feel the effects of a capsule up to 12 hours after consuming, with some lasting up to 24 hours. Comparatively, the active experience of inhaled flower often lasts up to six hours, depending on the quantity and strength of the cannabis product consumed, as well as the person’s endocannabinoid system. Some effects of inhaled cannabinoids can last up to 24 hours.
Since capsules are digested and absorbed slowly over a longer period of time, the effects of these capsules often gradually increase over a number of hours before subsiding. It’s important to note, however, that there are many different factors that can influence how long the effects of a capsule will last.
Taking a capsule along with a meal, for example, may slow the onset of the effects. Further, all individuals may process and digest capsules at different rates, meaning that the exact same capsule may produce different effects in two different people.
