How Do Weed Gummies Compare to Smoking? Your Beginner’s Guide
If you’re new to cannabis, you might be wondering: What’s the difference between popping a gummy and lighting up a joint? Both methods will get you high, but the way they work—and how they make you feel—can be pretty different. Whether you're more into gummies or old-school smoking, this guide will break down the pros and cons of each method, so you can choose your vibe.
The Basics: How Do Gummies and Smoking Work?
Smoking: When you smoke cannabis, the THC (the compound that gets you high) goes straight into your bloodstream through your lungs. This means the effects hit you almost immediately—usually within a few minutes.
Gummies: Edibles like gummies, on the other hand, take a little longer to kick in. That’s because your body has to digest the THC before it enters your bloodstream. Depending on your metabolism, this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. So, if you're the impatient type, edibles might test your patience.
Onset Time: Fast or Slow
The biggest difference between smoking and eating weed is how fast the effects hit you.
Smoking: You’ll feel the effects within minutes, which is great if you want a fast-acting high. This also makes it easier to control your dosage—you can stop once you feel like you’ve had enough.
Gummies: With edibles, it’s more of a waiting game. Since they take longer to kick in, it’s easy to think they’re not working and eat more (which we do not recommend). Be patient—once they hit, they hit good.
How Long Do the Effects Last?
Here’s another big difference: how long the high lasts.
Smoking: The effects of smoking weed usually last 1-3 hours, depending on how much you smoke and your tolerance. This makes it a shorter, more manageable high.
Gummies: Edibles tend to stick around longer—up to 6-8 hours or more, depending on the dose. This is great if you’re looking for a long-lasting experience, but it can also be overwhelming for beginners. Start low and go slow with edibles.
How Intense is the High?
The way THC affects your body is different depending on how you consume it.
Smoking: Smoking tends to give you a more immediate and controllable high. You can smoke a little, wait to see how you feel, and smoke more if needed.
Gummies: Edibles, on the other hand, are metabolized by your liver, which turns THC into a stronger form called 11-hydroxy-THC. This means the high can be more intense—and sometimes a bit more psychedelic—than smoking.
Health Considerations
Let’s talk health. Is one method better for you than the other?
Smoking: Inhaling any kind of smoke, whether it’s tobacco or cannabis, isn’t ideal for your lungs. If you’re concerned about respiratory issues, smoking might not be the best choice for you.
Gummies: Since you’re ingesting edibles rather than inhaling them, they don’t pose the same risks to your lungs. However, edibles do have some calories and sugar, so keep that in mind if you're watching your diet.
Which One is Right for You?
So, how do you decide whether to go with gummies or smoking? Here are a few things to consider:
Go with smoking if you want a fast-acting, short-lived high and prefer more control over your dosage. It’s also great if you’re more experienced with weed and know your limits.
Go with gummies if you’re looking for a longer-lasting, more intense high that doesn’t involve inhaling smoke. Gummies are perfect for those who don’t mind waiting a little longer for the effects to kick in.
Final Vibes
In the great debate of weed gummies vs. smoking, it really comes down to what kind of experience you’re after. Smoking gives you a fast-acting, manageable high, while gummies offer a long-lasting, more intense vibe. Whichever method you choose, the key is to know your limits and enjoy the ride.
The Basics: How Do Gummies and Smoking Work?
Smoking: When you smoke cannabis, the THC (the compound that gets you high) goes straight into your bloodstream through your lungs. This means the effects hit you almost immediately—usually within a few minutes.
Gummies: Edibles like gummies, on the other hand, take a little longer to kick in. That’s because your body has to digest the THC before it enters your bloodstream. Depending on your metabolism, this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. So, if you're the impatient type, edibles might test your patience.
Onset Time: Fast or Slow
The biggest difference between smoking and eating weed is how fast the effects hit you.
Smoking: You’ll feel the effects within minutes, which is great if you want a fast-acting high. This also makes it easier to control your dosage—you can stop once you feel like you’ve had enough.
Gummies: With edibles, it’s more of a waiting game. Since they take longer to kick in, it’s easy to think they’re not working and eat more (which we do not recommend). Be patient—once they hit, they hit good.
How Long Do the Effects Last?
Here’s another big difference: how long the high lasts.
Smoking: The effects of smoking weed usually last 1-3 hours, depending on how much you smoke and your tolerance. This makes it a shorter, more manageable high.
Gummies: Edibles tend to stick around longer—up to 6-8 hours or more, depending on the dose. This is great if you’re looking for a long-lasting experience, but it can also be overwhelming for beginners. Start low and go slow with edibles.
How Intense is the High?
The way THC affects your body is different depending on how you consume it.
Smoking: Smoking tends to give you a more immediate and controllable high. You can smoke a little, wait to see how you feel, and smoke more if needed.
Gummies: Edibles, on the other hand, are metabolized by your liver, which turns THC into a stronger form called 11-hydroxy-THC. This means the high can be more intense—and sometimes a bit more psychedelic—than smoking.
Health Considerations
Let’s talk health. Is one method better for you than the other?
Smoking: Inhaling any kind of smoke, whether it’s tobacco or cannabis, isn’t ideal for your lungs. If you’re concerned about respiratory issues, smoking might not be the best choice for you.
Gummies: Since you’re ingesting edibles rather than inhaling them, they don’t pose the same risks to your lungs. However, edibles do have some calories and sugar, so keep that in mind if you're watching your diet.
Which One is Right for You?
So, how do you decide whether to go with gummies or smoking? Here are a few things to consider:
Go with smoking if you want a fast-acting, short-lived high and prefer more control over your dosage. It’s also great if you’re more experienced with weed and know your limits.
Go with gummies if you’re looking for a longer-lasting, more intense high that doesn’t involve inhaling smoke. Gummies are perfect for those who don’t mind waiting a little longer for the effects to kick in.
Final Vibes
In the great debate of weed gummies vs. smoking, it really comes down to what kind of experience you’re after. Smoking gives you a fast-acting, manageable high, while gummies offer a long-lasting, more intense vibe. Whichever method you choose, the key is to know your limits and enjoy the ride.