Cannabis is often called marijuana or weed. It’s a reference to dried flowers and seeds, the stems and leaves of the Cannabis Sativa L variety that is a plant. It’s a substance that many people take for pleasure or to treat health issues. Cannabis can be utilized in various ways, but the most well-known methods are smoking or vaping and eating (sometimes called “edibles”).
Some people are still unsure whether it’s safe to consume cannabis-related products, and if cannabis has the same effects similar to vaping or smoking. This article discusses the safest way to consume cannabis-related products as well as the health consequences positive and negative that can be attributed to consumption.
Can you consume marijuana?
The simple answer is that it is possible to eat cannabis. In reality, cannabis-infused food or drinks were consumed all through history, going from as early as the year 1000 B.C. Cannabis was used as a medicine in ancient times of China in China and India as well. It was introduced to Western medicine in the 19th century. Applications that were edible, such as tinctures, were used to treat a variety of ailments that ranged from chronic pain to digestive issues.
Edible cannabis products were utilized to ease tension and produce euphoria like alcohol. Bhang, a drink that is made from flowers and leaves from cannabis, has been drunk for centuries at religious celebrations such as Holi, the Hindu celebration of colors and love.
In the United States, recreational use of edible cannabis products was popular in the 1960s.
Nowadays, a variety of edibles are offered legally as well as illegally, in accordance with the state’s laws. For instance, gummies candies, chocolate capsules, teas, and oils are just a few products that are edible items available in both dispensaries that are legal and on the market for illegal cannabis.
Edibles enthusiasts can also make their own cannabis-based products by mixing oil or butter with cannabis, and then mixing it with baked goods and other recipes.
Raw Cannabis Information
Although you can consume marijuana in its raw form, this will not produce the same effects like consuming products derived from cannabis, because it must undergo a process known as decarboxylation in order to be active.
Raw cannabis contains tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCA) and cannabidiol acid (CBDA), compounds that must be exposed to heat, such as in smoking or baking, to turn into the active forms, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Consuming cannabis that is raw is not likely to have the same results as eating cannabis that has been heated for example, in edible items such as tinctures, candies, and baked products.
Although you won’t be high by smoking cannabis in raw form Some cannabis advocates believe that it could provide unique health benefits due to the vast array of plant compounds it has. However research on this subject is not complete, and the therapeutic potential of cannabis in its raw form is not clear.
Summarizing Marijuana Edibles
Cannabis is consumed in a variety of varieties throughout history, for both medical and recreational purposes. Although you can consume the raw form of cannabis, it will not produce the same effects when it is heated. Health benefits linked to edible marijuana. Cannabis can provide many therapeutic advantages and was used for treating a variety of illnesses throughout time.
Nowadays, edible cannabis consumption by patients is becoming more well-known, and surveys consistently reveal that the majority of healthcare professionals believe the use of cannabis is considered a medical treatment option for patients.
May benefit certain health conditions Cannabis edibles are commonly utilized to treat ailments that require treatment, for example:
- chronic pain
- Cancer-related symptoms
- anxiety
Medical cannabis can legally be prescribed in a variety of countries across the globe such as Italy, Spain, and Germany as well as “recommended” by physicians in hundreds of U.S. states that have legalized cannabis.
THC is among more than 100 distinct compounds also known as cannabinoids in cannabis. THC is the substance that is responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis-related products, including edibles that can cause feelings of euphoria as well as calm. THC is thought to be the main ingredient responsible for the pain relieving properties of cannabis.
Other cannabis compounds like CBD is non-toxic and have been found to have anti-inflammatory and anxiety-reducing properties. Cannabis products that are edible such as oils pills, tinctures and gummies, are widely utilized to treat low eating habits, chronic pain or weight loss for those suffering from cancer.
In addition, these medications can decrease muscle spasms and pain, help with nausea or vomiting, improve sleep quality and decrease anxiety. Pharmaceutical companies make oral preparations made from cannabis-derived remedies like Sativex which can be described as an orally-applied spray which has the same amount of THC and CBD used for treating pain and muscular spasticity.
While edible marijuana products can be often utilized to treat a variety of illnesses, including neurological and digestive disorders Research of high quality in these areas isn’t available. Thus, the complete medicinal potential of cannabis is not yet fully understood.
Summary
Edible cannabis can be used for treating symptoms that are related to diverse medical conditions, like cancer, as well as chronic pain. However, studies of high quality are lacking, and the impact of cannabis products on our health are not clear.
Possible side effects and negatives of eating marijuana
While edible cannabis products could help with a wide range of conditions, potential negative consequences could be experienced. The biggest issue with edible cannabis is that it can be extremely difficult to determine the right dosage. The concentrations of THC differ widely based on various factors, like the place where the product was manufactured in addition to the purity of the marijuana that was used.
Furthermore, unlike smoking cannabis, edible cannabis products come with lengthy latency times which means it may take a long time (sometimes even hours)to begin taking effects. When cannabis is inhaled, THC reaches the brain and begins to take effect in a matter of minutes. The effects peak about 20-30 minutes following the smoke and fade within a couple of days.
However, the psychoactive effects of food items typically take between 30 and 90 minutes to begin to take effect. The effects last for a longer time and usually peak around 2 hours after the consumption, based on the amount you consumed and your body’s weight, metabolism, and gender as well as other variables.
Combining the extremely variable THC concentration as well as the lengthy duration of the latency of edible cannabis products makes it extremely easy to accidentally over-consume which can cause undesirable symptoms, like anxiety and impairment in motor function. Thus the old adage “start low and go slow” when taking edibles, particularly for those who are new to the practice is to start with a small dose and wait for a couple of hours before taking another.
Although it is not common; however, there have been cases of psychosis caused by cannabis, which is a condition that can be temporary and usually attributed to excessive consumption of edible cannabis which can cause symptoms such as paranoid illusions, extreme sedation hallucinations, and confusion. Other adverse reactions associated with edible cannabis products are dry mouth, insomnia, and changes in visual perception.
Edible cannabis products may interact with alcohol and other medicines, such as blood-thinning agents and antidepressants. So, it is recommended to avoid eating edibles when using these products. Another issue is edible cannabis products typically look like regular candy, cookies, and other baked products, creating a risk to children as well as pets and adults.
In reality, between 2005 and 2011, the number of calls related to cannabis for U.S. poison control centers was up by 30 percent every year in states that have decriminalized cannabis. A majority of these calls were due to the accidental consumption of edible cannabis-related items.
Summarizing Edibles
Edible cannabis products are difficult to dose and require some time to take effect. They can also be similar to regular food items, which could cause accidental consumption.
Are weed-related foods more secure than smoking it?
While smoking cannabis isn’t generally considered to be as harmful, studies have shown that smoking cannabis smoke could be detrimental to health like smoking cigarettes.
Smoke from both cannabis and cigarettes has toxins in them, like ammonia, and hydrogen chloride in addition to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which could harm your lungs and increase the likelihood of getting sick.
There is current research that shows an unsubstantiated connection between cannabis smoking and certain kinds of cancers, but it doesn’t appear to be significantly linked with lung cancer.
But, experts emphasize that it’s not clear whether or in what way smoking cannabis increases the risk of developing cancer since the majority of studies aren’t of the highest quality, and variables that cause confusion such as smoking cigarettes can affect the study’s results.
Cannabis use has been linked with inflammation of the lungs as well as bronchitis and diminished cognitive function. Contrary to this edible cannabis products haven’t been found to adversely affect the health of the lungs or the risk of developing cancer.
So, if you’re worried about the dangers to your health that come with using cannabis for smoking, then you might prefer edible cannabis products instead. But, since the majority of cannabis research is focused on smoking cannabis; however, the long-term health consequences of eating edibles are unexplored. However, ingestion of cannabis may be more secure in comparison to smoking. It is imperative that more research be conducted to prove this assertion.
The smoke of cannabis contains toxic substances that can negatively impact the health of. Although edibles are probably more secure, the long-term health effects of these products remain not known due to the absence of studies.
How do you enjoy your food in a safe manner (and legally)
A lot of people use cannabis products to ease and relax tension, and others use edibles as a way to relieve or reduce the symptoms of a medical condition.
In any case, it’s essential to choose safe products and select the right dosages to avoid undesirable adverse negative effects. If you’re thinking of the use of edibles for treating any medical issue, consult with your physician to find out whether cannabis for medical use is an alternative.
Based on the location you reside in depending on where you live, you may be able to receive an appointment with a doctor’s “recommendation.” In the United States, 36 states permit medical marijuana. It is also legal across the globe which includes Canada as well as a number of European countries.
Certain conditions that could need a medical marijuana physician’s recommendations include:
- chronic pain
- anxiety
- Multiple Sclerosis
- End-of-life disease
- IBD
However, recreational cannabis use is prohibited in many regions across the globe which includes many areas in the United States. At the time of writing 16 states and two territories as well as The District of Columbia currently allow recreational use of Cannabis and related products.
But, even though cannabis is legal in several U.S. states, it remains illegal on a federal level and is classified as to be a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) as well as other substances such as heroin. Based on the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) the schedule I drugs have been “determined to have a high potential for abuse” and are classified as having “no currently accepted medical use”.
However, there are many who disagree with this classification, especially those who have witnessed in person that cannabis products provide therapeutic and medicinal benefits to numerous people.
In reality, scientists have repeatedly questioned the validity of this classification prevents research into the real-world cannabis market, and only permits U.S. scientists to study cannabis that is grown by the federal government in Mississippi. Some believe that the current law is obsolete in that it “thwarts legitimate research” exploring the potential for cannabis use for medical purposes.
While both the political and social opinions on cannabis are shifting quickly, at present the public must adhere to the laws enacted by federal and state governments to allow the use of recreational and medicinal cannabis.
Buying cannabis products that are safe
When you’re trying marijuana for the first time to treat medical or recreational reasons, it’s crucial to take it slow and in a controlled manner. Following the prescribed dosage and usage guidelines will reduce the risk of negative side effects due to excessive consumption.
If you are purchasing edible cannabis in a state where recreational use is permitted it is best to purchase the products from a licensed dispensary you can trust. Licensee dispensaries are typically required to get their products evaluated for potency and safety by accredited state laboratories before they are certified to sell. However, the testing procedures differ widely from state to state, and some states do not need laboratory tests.
It is important to remember that cannabis purchased from dispensaries that are illegal or that offer product that have not been tested may be contaminated by pesticides, bacteria, mold, fungi as well as formaldehyde, heavy metals, and other chemicals that could be harmful to health. Dispensaries generally carry a wide range of cannabis-related products that come with various levels of CBD and THC which can be confusing for those who are new to cannabis.
Legality for cannabis differs and the usage of both recreational and medical cannabis products is dependent on the place you live. Make sure you purchase cannabis products only from reliable sources and adhere to the dosing guidelines carefully.
Cannabis edibles can provide many benefits, including the ability to reduce symptoms of chronic illnesses as well as anxiety. But, they could produce side effects or react with medications that are commonly used and require a lengthy period of time to begin to work. Based on where you live depending on where you live, you might be able to purchase recreational or medicinal drugs legally. It is important to purchase only legitimate, licensed, and reputable shops that offer products that have been tested for purity and potency.