Call it a life hack, but this is one of those things you’ve probably heard of – and should probably try – if you prefer to eat your THC. Depending on the person, it can take anywhere from thirty minutes up to a couple hours for the effects of edibles to really hit. And because you can’t always plan that far ahead, it’s best to jumpstart that high by allowing your body to work for you. The important thing to remember here, is that you can use the same method on almost any edible.
What is sublingual absorption?
When you eat food, consider that it doesn’t just go straight to your stomach; it gets to hang out in your mouth first. Sublingual absorption is the process of absorbing a substance through the tissues under the tongue. It’s particularly effective because the tissues under the tongue are rich in blood vessels, and can quickly transport THC to the bloodstream. This is why many medications are administered sublingually (and also, why infused suckers and chewing gum seem to work faster).
How does sublingual absorption of THC work?
When THC is placed under the tongue, it's absorbed through the sublingual gland and transported directly to the bloodstream. This method of consumption allows THC to bypass the liver, which would normally metabolize the compound before it reaches the bloodstream. It’s the ultimate way to maximize bang-for-buck. And although you don’t want to let an edible sit in your mouth for super long – we get it, it’s gross to chew a brownie for 5 straight minutes, eww – doing what you can to keep it there for a while will do the trick. Even mindfully chewing slower will help.
Key Benefits
Quick onset of effects: Sublingual absorption results in a quick onset of effects, typically within 10-15 minutes. Unless you’re using hard candy or gum, the digestive process will bring on the rest of the high well after you chew and swallow, and in the meantime you’ll be left with a pleasant prelude.
Higher bioavailability: This process has a higher bioavailability compared to other methods of consumption, such as smoking. This is because the compound is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, allowing for more of the compound to be immediately utilized by the body. The only thing faster would be an I.V. drip, and hey, we’re not crazy.
But there’s one other major advantage. Above and beyond the wait time and other factors (like how much normal food is being digested), consider this: there’s an actual population that doesn't have the same consumption experience as the rest. We’ve heard a soft poll of 1 in 6 people don’t feel edibles very strongly, likely due to an unknown difference in the liver or metabolism process. But there’s hope for you, if you fall into this category – because sublingual absorption is your ticket to maximizing the high.
Can you do this with our Delta 8 and Delta 9 gummies? Absolutely! We recommend it, to get the full natural effects, with a more gradual high than one hitting all at once. Just be careful not to drool! Eating an edible should be easy and discreet if necessary, so make sure you’re in a good place to have a solo chewing break–and go to town. You’ll be glad you did.