A really strong edible is a common remedy for chronic pain patients. Making potent extractions will ensure that you have a lesser taste of cannabis in your edibles and more control in dosing. Controlling dosages will determine whether you’re in for an amazing experience or an uncomfortable time.

Here are 5 tips to create potent extractions for your edibles.

1. Use concentrates

Concentrates are processed cannabis products made by separating trichomes and resin from weed flowers. This is to extract the maximum amount of cannabinoids and terpenes without any unnecessary plant material.

Small amounts of concentrates contain substantially more cannabinoids and terpenes than dried flowers. Most flowers contain around 20 percent THC, while concentrates can yield up to 80-90 per cent. So, you can see why why many patients use shatter, rosin or FECO to make edibles.

2. Decarboxylate first

Dried cannabis isn’t “active” until it has been heated. When heated, cannabis goes through a process known as decarboxylation. Sometimes referred to as “decarbing,” decarboxylation transforms a molecule called tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) into the famous psychoactive, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). To get the most out of your herb, decarbing correctly is important.

3. Use sunflower lecithin

Sunflower lecithin is an emulsifier. An emulsifier is something that you add to a food or skin care product to improve texture. It also helps fatty substances and watery substances bind with each other. THC is a fatty substance which is why it is dissolves into cooking oil.

It is thought that adding in sunflower lecithin can improve the body’s ability to break down and access more THC. This means your edibles will be more potent. As luck would have it, adding in lecithin can also increase the shelf life of your goodies.

4. Use laboratory tested cannabis products

This is a surefire way to figure out just how potent your edibles are going to be. Opt for products that have been laboratory tested. Laboratory tested cannabis will tell you exactly how much THC or CBD a strain contains, which will help you get a better sense the potency of your edibles. This will allow you to dose more accurately.

Simply adding more cannabis negatively affects the taste of your edibles. Many may find that starting with a stronger product is preferable by allowing you to use plant material.

5. Consider mixing in some CBD

Potency doesn’t always have to be about the THC. Edibles that contain various cannabis compounds can be pleasurable for both medical cannabis patients and herb enthusiasts.

While extremely high-THC edibles can be fun, adding in a little CBD provides subtlety to the experience. CBD can take the edge off of a high-THC concoction and can perhaps check back THC-induced sedation.