It is no secret that Hemp edibles are one of the most popular THC consumption methods today. They are highly preferred as a more discreet and safer method of getting your daily dose of cannabinoids than smoking or vaping.
Manufacturers infuse consistent and safe doses of delta 9, delta 8, CBD, and other cannabinoids in edibles. Today, there is a huge variety of edibles on the market, including candy, cookies, lollipops, gummies, and more.
If you have ever used an edible, you may have noticed a difference in effects compared to other ways of using THC. Put simply, the same amount of THC in an edible hits you much harder than smoking.
According to experts, the reason for these powerful effects is a metabolite known as 11-hydroxy-THC.
Edibles vs. Smoking
Even before we can delve deep into what HXY11 is, it’s important that you first understand how your body responds to different delivery methods. Smoking is one of the oldest and most common ways of using cannabinoids.
Once you inhale a joint, the THC enters your lungs, from where it is passed directly into the bloodstream and brain.
That is why effects are felt more rapidly when smoking or vaping than if you consumed an edible. However, these effects only last for a short period of time.
Hemp Edibles
There is a huge variety of edibles on the market, from gummies to tinctures, capsules, and soft gels. Edibles are consumed orally. The THC first travels to your digestive system and liver.
Here, it is metabolized into a more powerful form before being absorbed into the bloodstream and brain. Because your body takes longer to absorb the THC from an edible, the effects of ingesting cannabinoids are usually delayed, but they last much longer than smoking and vaping.
So, What Is HXY11?
11-Hydroxy-THC is actually not produced by the hemp plant. In fact, it is not an ingredient in hemp edibles. Instead, HXY11 is a powerful chemical created by your body when breaking down THC.
Edibles are typically infused with one of the two popular tetrahydrocannabinols (delta 9 or delta 8) extracted from the hemp plants. Delta 9 THC is well known for causing the euphoric ‘high’ a user gets after smoking or vaping cannabinoids. Delta 8 THC also produces the same psychoactive effects as delta 9 THC, except its effects are much less potent than delta 9.
Once you ingest an edible product containing either of these THCs, the cannabinoid first travels to your stomach and liver before being absorbed into the bloodstream and brain. One theory suggests that when THC passes through the liver, it is broken down into molecules referred to as metabolites.
During first-pass metabolism, THC is broken down into two metabolites (11-OH-THC and 11-carboxy-THC) before entering your bloodstream. According to researchers, the psychoactive effects of 11-hydroxy-THC are four times more powerful than regular THC. This explains why the effects of an edible are much stronger than other delivery methods.
HXY11 Frequently Asked Questions
What is 11-hydroxy THC?
11-hydroxy-THC is a powerful metabolite created by the body when processing an edible. When you consume a delta 8 or delta 9 edible, the THC cannabinoid travels to your digestive system and liver, where it is converted into a metabolite known as 11-hydroxy- THC. To be more specific, delta 9 THC is converted into 11-OH- Δ9-THC, while delta 8 THC is converted into 11-OH- Δ8-THC.
Why are edible effects stronger?
According to many researchers, the psychoactive effects produced by 11-hydroxy-THC are four times more powerful than regular THC. In addition, HXY11 crosses the blood-brain barrier more effectively than delta 8 and delta 9. This contributes to the stronger effects experienced after consuming an edible compared to other consumption methods.
What are the benefits of edibles?
Edibles are highly preferred because they provide powerful and long-lasting effects. The high of an edible typically last between 6-8 hours, while that from vaping and smoking usually last between 1-4 hours, depending on a consumer’s THC tolerance. Users also note that the effects of an edible tend to be more sedating compared to smoking hemp cannabinoids.