News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. Dec. 16, 2021: Cannabis, popularly known as “weed” or “marijuana”, is the dried seeds, flowers, stems, etc. of the Cannabis plant and is used as a psychotic drug for medical purposes or even for pleasure. There are several ways of consuming weed, which include smoking it, vaping, and eating it. One might wonder, what exactly are marijuana edibles? They are cannabis-infused food products like cakes, breads, beverages, and gummy bears, amongst others.
People often wonder if eating cannabis has the same effects as smoking or vaping it, and if it is a healthier option. If you’re concerned about the same, read our edibles guide to clear up all your doubts about eating weed gummies.
Let’s Talk Facts
Marijuana edibles have been in use for a very long time. While in Western medicine, cannabis was not used before the early 19th century, in the east, weed has been used for treating medical conditions since 1000 B.C. Weed is known to treat a wide range of conditions, from chronic diseases to digestive disorders. Eating it can also help relieve stress and induce an effect similar to that of alcohol on the human mind.
There are various examples of cannabis edibles. In the west, edibles became popular in the United States during the 1960s, and edibles like weed chocolates, candies, capsules, teas, oils, etc. were being sold on the market, either illegally or legally, according to the laws of different states.
One can even create their own cannabis edibles by infusing weed into baking recipes, drinks, etc. Eating raw cannabis does not induce the same effect as eating processed and heated cannabis. While in many countries like India, marijuana might be illegal, in some countries like Alaska, it can be legally consumed by anyone over the age of 21.
Health Benefits of Marijuana Edibles
Cannabis is known to have many positive effects on one’s health. Edibles are becoming increasingly popular amongst medical professionals, and they recommend that their patients consume them. Their benefits include:
- Relief from chronic pain
Due to their chemical composition, cannabinoids present in weed are popular for providing relief from chronic pain. Cannabis-infused edibles work along similar lines and are hence, recommended by doctors.
- Regulates Diabetes
Cannabinoids help regulate insulin in the human body and can help in regulating and preventing diseases like diabetes. According to research done by the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis, weed is said to stabilise blood sugar, lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation if consumed in healthy amounts.
- Fights cancer
Cannabinoids present in cannabis are known to help fight certain types of cancer. Some studies have shown that weed causes slow growth or sudden death of some cancer cells, thus showing promise in treating cancer.
- Helps aid ADHD and ADD
Patients with ADHD and ADD often find it difficult to concentrate on any particular job that they are given. There are often issues with their cognitive performance. Cannabis has shown promise in this regard, whereby, it helps individuals with ADHD and ADD focus. While the usual medicines used to treat such conditions include Adderall and Ritalin, cannabis is cited as a safer option.
Other benefits of eating healthy amounts of cannabis include weight reduction, treatment for glaucoma, treating arthritis and depression, etc. The second most active chemical in weed, cannabidiol (CBD) can even alleviate anxiety because it is all about Full spectrum cbd gummies.
Side Effects of consuming cannabis edibles
Consuming weed gummy bears can have health benefits if eaten in regulated amounts. On the other hand, cannabis can also have some negative side effects, which are the main reason for it being illegal in some countries.
The main disadvantage of eating weed is that it is very difficult to decide upon the appropriate dosage. It is unsafe when consumed in large amounts or for a long period of time. Edibles containing more than 50g of THC can induce serious side effects like cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). This can often lead to serious nausea and vomiting that is hard to treat with common anti-nausea drugs. Also, consuming cannabis-infused edibles for longer periods can potentially lead to dependence or addiction.
Moreover, eating cannabis can lead to ill effects like dry mouth, sleepiness, and changes in visual perception. Certain medications, alcohol and blood thinners, can even react with edible cannabis. So its consumption should be avoided with products like these.
Often, cannabis edibles share a resemblance with regular edibles like candies, cookies, and other baked goods. This can lead to the accidental ingestion of cannabis by adults, pets, and children, which can be extremely harmful.
Is edible cannabis healthier than smoked cannabis?
Some recent studies have shown that cannabis smoke, like cigarette smoke, can negatively impact one’s health. The smoke from both cigarettes and weed contains toxins like ammonia that can cause significant damage to the lungs and increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Although the link between marijuana smoking and cancer is still weak, it is there.
Some scientists say that smoking cannabis can lead to lung inflammation, bronchitis, and even impaired brain functions. On the contrary, eating cannabis products has not been known to cause any harm to the lungs or increase cancer risk because there is no smoke produced. However, this conclusion remains incomplete because there is not enough research on the long-term side effects of cannabis smoking.
Make sure you purchase safe cannabis edibles
When buying edible cannabis for the first time, make sure that you do it safely by sticking to the prescribed dosage. If marijuana edibles are legal in your state or country, make sure you purchase the edibles from a trustworthy licensed dispensary because they have their products tested for safety.
