How do THC drinks compare to THC edibles?
Neither product is necessarily better, but you may prefer one over the other, depending on what you’re looking for.
In this article, we’re going to discuss how THC drinks and THC edibles compare in terms of effect, consumption experience, cost, and more.
THC Drinks vs. Edibles Effects: How Do They Compare?
THC drinks and edibles contain the same ingredient, but they render slightly different effects due to the way they’re processed by your body.
Onset time
THC drinks offer a quicker onset than THC edibles do.
While THC drinks will start working in just 10-20 minutes, you’ll need to wait 45 minutes to 1 hour to feel the effects of THC edibles.
Duration
The effects of THC edibles are longer-lasting than those of THC drinks.
Once the effects of THC drinks kick in, they’ll last for 2-4 hours. The effect duration of THC edibles, on the other hand, is 6-8 hours.
Potency
THC isn’t more or less potent when it’s consumed in a drink versus an edible.
However, THC edibles tend to be made with higher amounts of THC, with many products containing in excess of 100mg THC per piece.
THC drinks, on the other hand, typically contain smaller doses of this psychoactive cannabinoid, with between 2.5mg and 20mg THC each.
Low-dose cannabis-infused beverages, in fact, are some of the most popular new drinks to hit the market in recent years.
THC Drinks vs. Edibles: How They Work in the Body
We just mentioned that THC drinks tend to have a quicker onset than THC edibles, but that their effects also don’t last as long.
The reason for this is that each type of product is processed differently by the body.
THC drinks are typically made with a process known as nanoemulsion. In this process, THC is broken up into very small particles and enclosed in small “capsules” that are water-soluble, or able to dissolve in water.
And because the THC is water-soluble, it’s absorbed by your body’s tissues immediately and passed to the bloodstream quickly.
THC edibles, on the other hand, are fat-soluble, and therefore have to be digested and processed through your body as food.
As a result of this difference, THC drinks begin working more quickly, but they also pass through your body more quickly (think about water vs. food).
Likewise, THC edibles take longer to start working, but their effects linger for longer.
THC Drinks vs. Edibles: Consumption Experience
THC drinks and THC edibles are each better in different contexts due to the experience they provide. This experience may differ in three main areas: taste, social experience, and discreteness.
Taste
Generally, THC drinks taste like normal drinks (e.g. THC seltzer tastes like seltzer, THC soda tastes like soda), whereas THC edibles often have a distinct earthy flavor from the cannabis plant.
This means that if you’re looking for an alcohol alternative to pair with your dinner or take for a beach outing, THC drinks provide a great-tasting option.
On the other hand, if you’re using THC for therapeutic purposes and just want a larger dose, you may be willing to sacrifice a bit on taste and go with THC edibles.
Social experience
THC drinks may provide many of the same social benefits as alcohol, but without all the detriments.
This does not apply to THC edibles.
Discreetness
Due to the way they’re packaged, you can usually consume a THC beverage in public without people knowing what it is (just be sure to do so legally and responsibly!).
Taking an edible in public, on the other hand, could draw a few looks, depending on the context.
THC Drinks vs. Edibles: Cost
While THC drinks offer a variety of benefits as compared to edibles, one area where they fall short is cost.
Whereas a single 10mg THC edible will be much less, at about $1-2, a 10mg THC beverage may cost between $5 and $10.
You likely won’t be purchasing single THC edibles, but the fact remains that you get more potency for your money if you choose THC edibles than if you go with THC drinks.
Still, the experience offered by THC drinks is still, for many people, worth the extra cost.
Pros and Cons of THC Drinks
Here are the pros and cons you’ll want to consider when buying THC drinks:
Pros
- Great for smaller doses: THC drinks often contain small amounts of THC, making them a good option if all you’re looking for is a milder head high.
- Faster acting: THC drinks have a fast effect onset of just 10-20 minutes.
- Good for social situations: THC drinks provide a healthier substitute to alcohol in social drinking situations.
Cons
- Cost: The cost per mg of THC drinks is significantly higher than THC edibles.
- Effects don’t last as long: THC drinks render effects for just 2-4 hours, compared to 6-8 for THC edibles.
- Not as effective for therapeutic use: Because THC drinks contain smaller doses and don’t work for as long, they’re not typically as effective as THC edibles for therapeutic use.
Pros and Cons of THC Edibles
Here are the pros and cons you’ll want to consider when buying THC edibles:
Pros
- Longer-lasting effects: The effects of THC edibles last 6-8 hours.
- Great for therapeutic use: Because they contain larger doses of THC and render longer-lasting effects, THC edibles are often people’s first choice for therapeutic or medicinal use.
- Cost: THC edibles are typically cheaper per milligram than THC drinks.
Cons
- Taste: Some THC edibles have a somewhat bitter or earthy flavor.
- Not as good for beginners: Because many THC edibles are stronger, there are fewer beginner-friendly options than there are with THC drinks.
- Slower acting: THC drinks take 45 minutes to 1 hour to begin working, as compared to 10-20 minutes for THC drinks.
Conclusion: How to Choose Between THC Drinks and Edibles
If you’re looking for an alcohol alternative that’s still plenty powerful, THC drinks are a great option. They offer the same potency as THC edibles, and while they don’t render effects for as long, they start working sooner.
But if you want a stronger, longer-lasting option, THC edibles are still the go-to.
THC Drinks vs. Edibles: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about choosing between THC drinks and THC edibles.
What is the shelf life of THC drinks?
If stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight, shelf-stable THC drinks can last for up to 1 year.
Are THC drinks better than edibles?
THC drinks offer a quicker onset time than THC edibles, and they’ve become a popular alternative to alcohol. However, THC edibles have a longer effect duration and are better for therapeutic use.
Are THC drinks legal?
If they’re made from THC that’s been derived from hemp, a variant of the cannabis sativa plant that contains less than 0.3% THC, THC drinks are federally legal in the US.
Is THC syrup better than edibles?
THC syrup and THC edibles offer comparable onset times, effect durations, and potency, since they’re both processed through the digestive system.
