Are Edibles Dangerous?

One of the primary concerns people have about edibles is the possibility of overdosing. While it’s true that consuming too much THC can lead to discomfort and unpleasant effects, fatal overdose from marijuana alone is rare. Unlike certain other substances, such as opioids or alcohol, weed doesn’t suppress vital bodily functions like breathing to the point of causing death.

However, it’s important to recognize that consuming extremely high doses of THC, particularly in the form of edibles, can lead to intense psychoactive effects that may be overwhelming and uncomfortable. These effects can include extreme anxiety, paranoia, rapid heart rate, hallucinations, and even temporary psychosis in some cases. While not life-threatening, such experiences can be distressing and may require medical attention to manage symptoms and ensure well-being.

Due to the delayed onset and lasting effects, avoiding certain activities is recommended. Some things that could pose risks to yourself and others include:

Driving a Car: Operating a vehicle under the influence of marijuana edibles can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. This increases the risk of accidents on the road. You should wait until the effects of the edible have fully subsided before getting behind the wheel.

Operating Heavy Machinery: Similarly, operating heavy machinery or engaging in tasks that require concentration and coordination should be avoided while under the influence of edibles. Impaired thinking can increase the likelihood of accidents and injuries in industrial or workplace settings.

Making Important Decisions: Avoid making big decisions or commitments while under the influence of edibles. Impaired judgment and altered perception may affect your ability to assess situations accurately and make sound choices.

Going to Work or School: Depending on the potency and duration of the edible’s effects, it may be advisable to refrain from attending work or school. Attempting to function in a professional or educational setting while under the influence can impair productivity, performance, and interpersonal interactions.

Mixing with Other Substances: Combining edibles with alcohol or other drugs can increase the effects of both as well as the risk of bad reactions or overdose. It’s essential to use caution and moderation when consuming edibles and avoid mixing them with other substances.

How Long Do Edibles Last?

Many people wonder how long edibles stay in your system and will an edible show up in drug test results. Several factors can influence how long edibles stay in your system, including:

Dosage: Higher doses of THC in edibles may result in longer-lasting effects and a more extended detection window in drug tests.

Frequency of Use: Chronic or heavy use of edibles can lead to the accumulation of THC metabolites in fat cells, prolonging the detection window in drug tests.

Individual Metabolism: Metabolic rate, body weight, and overall health can affect how quickly your body processes and eliminates THC from your system.

Product Potency: The potency of the edible product, measured in milligrams of THC per serving, can influence both the intensity and duration of effects.

Detection in Drug Tests: How long do edibles show up in drug tests? On average, THC metabolites can be detected in urine for up to 1-7 days after consumption. Occasional edible users typically clear THC from their system more quickly than frequent or heavy users. If you take an edible, there’s a good chance a drug test will detect cannabis. Almost any recreational amount of THC can trigger a positive test. This includes hair follicle tests and urine tests.

Some people who use marijuana daily or close to that may find it takes up to a month or longer to remove all of the drugs from their system. 

What Are the 12 Steps of NA?

The 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) represent a transformative journey toward recovery from drug addiction. These steps serve as a roadmap for individuals seeking to break free from the cycle of substance abuse and embrace a life of sobriety, spirituality, and personal growth. Let’s delve into each step, exploring what it entails and what is required in each phase of the journey.

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addiction, that our lives had become unmanageable.

The first step is about acknowledging the grip that addiction has on our lives. It requires a humble acceptance of our powerlessness over drugs. It’s recognizing that our lives have become chaotic and unmanageable as a result.

Step 2: Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

In the second step, we open ourselves to the possibility of a higher power—a force beyond our own understanding—that can guide us toward healing and restoration. It’s about cultivating faith and trust in something greater than ourselves to help us find clarity and sanity amidst the chaos of addiction.

Step 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Step three involves surrendering our will and ego to a higher power, as we understand it. It’s an act of relinquishing control and placing our faith in a spiritual principle to guide our actions and decisions moving forward.

Step 4: Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

The fourth step is a thorough self-examination—a fearless inventory of our past behaviors, actions, and motivations. It requires honesty, introspection, and a willingness to confront the shadows lurking within ourselves.

Step 5: Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

Step five is about owning up to our past mistakes and wrongdoings. It involves confessing our shortcomings and character defects to a higher power, ourselves, and another trusted individual—a process that fosters accountability, humility, and the courage to seek forgiveness and redemption.

Step 6: Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

In the sixth step, we build toward letting go of our character defects and shortcomings, trusting in the transformative power of a higher power to guide us toward personal growth and spiritual evolution.

Step 7: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

Step seven is a prayer for divine intervention. It’s an earnest request for our higher power to help us shed the burdens of our past and lead us toward a brighter future. It’s an act of humility, surrender, and trust in the process of spiritual healing.

Step 8: Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

In the eighth step, we take inventory of the harm we’ve caused others as a result of our addiction. We compile a list of individuals we’ve wronged and cultivate a genuine willingness to make amends and seek forgiveness for our past actions.

Step 9: Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

Step nine involves taking concrete action to make amends for the harm we’ve inflicted on others. It requires humility, sincerity, and a commitment to repairing the damage done, while also respecting the well-being of those we’ve harmed.

Step 10: Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

The tenth step is about maintaining ongoing self-awareness and accountability. It involves regularly assessing our thoughts, actions, and behaviors, and promptly admitting when we’ve veered off course. It’s a practice of honesty, humility, and continual growth.

Step 11: Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

Step eleven emphasizes the importance of spiritual connection and mindfulness. It encourages us to cultivate a deeper relationship with our higher power through prayer, meditation, and reflection, seeking guidance and strength to align our actions with divine will.

Step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

The final step is about embracing the transformative power of the 12-step journey and paying it forward. It involves sharing our experience, strength, and hope with others who are struggling with addiction. It’s about embodying the principles of recovery in all aspects of our lives. It’s a commitment to service, compassion, and the ongoing pursuit of spiritual growth.

While each step presents its own unique challenges and opportunities for growth, steps 1, 4, and 9 tend to be the most difficult to navigate for many NA members. Having dedication and willingness is key.