How Do THC Drinks Make You Feel? A Beginner’s Guide to the Buzz

Table of Contents

• What is a THC drink?
• How fast do THC drinks kick in?
• Plan for a good time
• How do I find the right THC drink?
• The bottom line

Health and wellness are in, and for many people, that means alcohol is out. It may be baked into our social lives, but it just doesn’t align with the healthier lifestyles many people are embracing. As people look for alternatives, THC drinks are, well, buzzing with popularity. But while most people understand how alcohol affects them, the same can’t necessarily be said of cannabis drinks. It’s normal to wonder how THC drinks make you feel, how quickly you might notice effects, how long they last, and what’s considered a standard dose.

In this beginner’s guide to the buzz, we’re answering all of your burning questions about THC drinks so you can shop and sip without worry.

What is a THC drink?

Let’s start with the basics. Cannabis drinks are infused with THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. This is the psychoactive compound that made cannabis famous. It’s one of over 100 identified cannabinoids in the cannabis plant, and it’s the one responsible for the signature “high” we all associate with marijuana. You’ll find THC in hemp plants as well, but in a much smaller percentage (no more than 0.3%).

Like cannabis edibles, THC drinks come in a pretty wide range. Here at Cornbread, we favor the fizzy, refreshing seltzer variety, but you can also find juices, teas, and coffees.

How do THC drinks work?

THC drinks are part of the edibles category. Most manufacturers use some type of nano or emulsifying technology that breaks down the cannabis into teeny tiny particles. That accomplishes two things: It makes the THC water soluble so it blends nicely into the liquid, and it increases absorption, which means effects come on far more quickly than traditional edibles.

When you sip a THC drink, it’s similar to eating a THC edible. But unlike an edible, which has to be chewed and swallowed so it can meander its way through your digestive system before being metabolized in the liver, THC drinks are on a much faster timeline.

Because the THC in drinks is water soluble and so effectively chopped down into smaller particles, it actually starts absorbing sublingually while you’re sipping it and in the stomach lining, before it makes it to your liver. That sidesteps the lengthy conversion process that happens with edibles, when the liver converts THC into 11-hydroxy-THC. This is the reason edibles can hit you so hard and last so long. With THC drinks, you get much more of the original Delta-9 THC, which is less intense, smoother, and more predictable. Plus, effects are noticeable much faster.

How do THC drinks make you feel?

The effects of cannabis are personal, so everyone is going to feel a little different. But in general, people who consume cannabis-infused beverages find themselves feeling looser, more relaxed, and more euphoric. It’s comparable to the effects of a single light beer, but with a different vibe—and no risk of a hangover.

You can indeed catch a buzz from a THC drink. Cornbread Hemp THC seltzers are infused with 5mg of THC and natural fruit flavors for a mild buzz and low-key sense of calmness and euphoria.

As with all things cannabis, dosing is key to a good time. While low-dose THC drinks shouldn’t cause anxiety, you can definitely overdo a good thing. Too much THC is associated with a pretty lengthy list of unpleasant side effects—think: dizziness, nausea, panic attacks, headaches—so the trick is to start low and go slow. The best approach is to ease into the experience by sipping slowly and paying attention to how you feel.

A word on potency and dosing

THC drinks are generally low dose, in the 2.5mg to 5mg range, though you can certainly find higher potency options in licensed dispensaries (which are located in states with legal medical and recreational cannabis). For beginners, half a can to a full can is a great starting point.

It’s really important to dose properly for the very best experience, so pay attention to how much THC is in a single can, and sip slowly so you can assess how you feel. If you’re drinking on an empty stomach, be mindful that this can change how quickly and intensely effects hit. 

Avoid mixing and matching THC drinks with alcohol—the crossfade is real! Depending on what you drink first, combining these substances can intensify effects and leave you feeling nauseated, anxious, way too intoxicated, and with a killer hangover the next day.

How fast do THC drinks kick in?

Part of the appeal of cannabis drinks is how quickly you notice effects. Thanks to their rapid absorption, infused beverages are highly effective. Unlike effects from edibles, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to become noticeable, some THC drinks kick in about 10 to 15 minutes after you start sipping. That rapid onset means a lower risk of accidentally overconsuming, which is more common with edibles.

Plan for a good time

A little planning goes a long way, so if you’re new to THC drinks, here’s how to make the most of your first experience.

• Start low, go slow. We’ve already said it, but it bears repeating. The very best way to enjoy THC is to control your dose. With 5mg of THC apiece, Cornbread Hemp THC Seltzers make it easy—sip, savor, and see how it goes.

• Avoid drinking on an empty stomach. This is also worth repeating. While the risk of nausea is pretty low with low-dose THC drinks, hedge your bets by snacking on something beforehand.

• Choose a familiar, comfortable environment. Anxiety is a possibility if you overdo it with the THC, but being somewhere you can fully relax sets you up for a good time.

How do I find the right THC drink?

Federally legal THC drinks must be hemp-derived with no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. But that’s where the similarities end. Different manufacturers do things differently, which means cannabis beverages can vary pretty significantly in terms of ingredients and the type of THC being used.

Ingredients

Look for cannabis-infused drinks that are low in additives, sugar, and calories, especially if you're on the hunt for an alternative to alcohol for the sake of your health. A lot of THC drinks are made with artificial ingredients and dyes, and many include additional ingredients for different effects and benefits.

The good stuff is out there, though, if you know where to look. Cornbread Hemp THC Seltzers are crafted with natural flavors and a hint of real cane sugar, available in four flavors: Raspberry Limeade, Peach Iced Tea, Salted Watermelon, and Blueberry Breeze.

THC content and type

Beyond scanning the label to double-check potency and serving size, make sure you aren't inadvertently buying synthetic THC. Delta-8 THC occurs naturally in the cannabis sativa plant, but only in very small amounts. That means any Delta-8 products on the market are using a synthetic version.

Nicknamed "diet weed" for its milder effect, Delta-8 is heavily processed, which means the finished product is at a higher risk of contamination. Additionally, the market itself isn't well-regulated, resulting in rampant potency and quality issues.

Play it safe with a cannabis-infused drink from a brand using Delta-9 THC (with the certificates of analysis to back it up).

Brand reputation

Anytime you’re buying a cannabis product, it’s really important to shop from reputable brands. That means clear labeling, transparency about where the hemp comes from and how it’s extracted, and third-party testing to ensure safety and potency. It should be quick and easy to find lab results that ensure your cannabis-infused drink is free of heavy metals, microbials, toxins, and other contaminants.

The bottom line

There are a lot of reasons people are exploring cannabis-infused drinks. Maybe you're part of the growing sober-curious movement, or you're sick of dealing with headaches and hangovers after a night of drinking. Maybe you want a controlled way to relax or unwind, or you're looking for a social alternative to alcoholic beverages. Whatever your motivation, cannabis-infused beverages are designed for a mellow, controlled high—no hangover, no negative consequences. Just remember to sip slowly and responsibly. Bottoms up!