I’d hold off another few years. There’s just enough published info pointing towards risks being higher under the mid twenties. The brain never stops developing, but that first twenty years in particular is easier to disturb since the development is more significant.

At 18, you’re still putting the polish on some key centers, so fucking with that for a little hedonism seems unwise until there’s more and better research available.

Me? I think I’d hold off until at least 21-23. Honestly, I’d do the same with any mind altering stuff. It’s not long to wait, and going at it too early can have long term consequences. There’s plenty of time to experiment and enjoy all sorts of recreational pharmaceuticals.

Iirc, I had my first (of three lol) drunk at 17, and while it did no harm as a one-off (not much will tbh), I also didn’t really sink into the experience the same as later experiments with mind altering. Mind you, I’ve never liked being drunk, and avoided any of the high addiction potential stuff, but the difference in my second drunk compared to my first was massive just by dint of being 21, just a few years of added perspective on what I wanted out of it, and how I approached it.

Weed, that’s another one that my initial exposure in my late teens (18 or 19) was just not as good as years later (late twenties).

But, I can say that trying it once is worth it. If you end up not liking it, no big deal. I’d just wait a little longer. Weed, be it smoked, edible, or otherwise, is a very powerful experience when used infrequently. Steady use weakens the benefits of it for fun imo, but a few times a year? It’s nice. It enhances joy and good feelings.

Just be easy with edibles. They hit slow, but hard. You can always have more if you don’t get the degree of euphoria you want after a half hour, but you can’t take it away if you get too stoned, which is absolutely possible.