The rising popularity of weed today is partly due to the research that proves it has safe, effective medicinal benefits. But it’s also because we now have options to choose from, like cannabis edibles.
Pre-made edibles are sold in cannabis dispensaries in many states, available in chocolate, gummy, and other yummy forms. You can also make your own and control how much you ingest using an edible dosage calculator, like the one Veriheal offers here.
You can smoke, vape, and wear your cannabis (in topical form), but research shows that eating weed is one of the safest ways to get the plant’s medicinal benefits. Here, we’ll dive into the reasons to consider choosing cannabis edibles for your CBD and THC results.
1. Infusing Cannabis Into Food is Historically Effective
For over one thousand years, records show that people have Farxiga vs Jardiance infused cannabis into their foods and beverages to obtain desired medicinal results. Ancient Chinese and Indian medical providers used this plant in tincture and other edible forms to alleviate chronic pain and reduce stomach issues.
Over the centuries, the practice spread to Western medicine, where cannabis was infused into edibles to help get rid of stress and bring about feelings of euphoria. It was legal and frequently used in the US until 1937, at the tail end of the Prohibition Era.
The government claimed that marijuana served no medicinal purpose and placed it as a Schedule I prohibited drug. Yet, every research study since then has shown otherwise.
The dangers stemmed from the way cannabis was ingested, as smoking the plant has damaging side effects from the carcinogens that come with inhaling burning substances. Gummies, capsules, teas, infused butters and oils, infused beverages, candies, and other edibles remove this unwanted side effect.
2. Treating Medical Conditions
The medical community at large has shifted its stance on using medical marijuana to treat certain medical conditions. Now that the concern of causing lung cancer through prescribing marijuana joints is not a problem, doctors are willing to offer medicinal cannabis in edible and topical form.
Medicinal marijuana is approved for many diagnoses that are typically handled with addictive or damaging medications. Studies show that healthcare professionals prefer to offer this option to patients dealing with conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Arthritis symptoms
- Cancer-related symptoms such as nausea and vomiting
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological conditions
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Many of these conditions are treated with controlled substances that have serious side effects and the potential to become addictive. Cannabis edibles can be prescribed in specific dosages to reduce the chance of addiction and damaging side effects while still treating the problem effectively.
3. Considering the Downsides
The most powerful sway of cannabis in the medical community, aside from the research, was the move from smoking marijuana to consuming it in safer forms. However, there are still some potential side effects, even with edibles.
The main drawback to consider as you consume your cannabis is the dosage. If you’re not buying pre-portioned edibles and you’re infusing the plant into your food, you take the risk of eating too much or not enough.
As mentioned earlier, a dosage calculator can help, but it’s up to you to control the portions you eat. Let’s face it, for most of us, limiting our intake of cannabis-infused brownies can be a bit challenging.
Since edibles have a longer latency period than other cannabis products, you may not notice the effect right away. Typically, it takes 30-90 minutes to notice the psychoactive effects of an edible. This delay can tempt you to eat more — and then feel the compounded effects at once. The results of edibles last longer than smoking a joint, and will peak around 2-4 hours after you ingest them. The long delay often creates an illusion where you feel safe eating more than the recommended dosage because you don’t notice any effects. Too much cannabis can bring on side effects like impaired motor and cognitive function and paranoia.
Another caution if you’re infusing your edibles yourself is to pay attention to the concentration of THC and where the product was made. High-quality cannabis typically has a more potent level of THC. If you’re used to buying your edibles off the shelves in a gas station, and you switch to a cannabis dispensary’s product, you will likely notice a difference in potency.
Common side effects of edibles include fatigue, changes in vision, and dry mouth. As you’re getting comfortable with using cannabis edibles, the safest advice is to start with low dosages and go slow, working your way up over time to the right amount for your desired effect.
Conclusion
The debates regarding the pros and cons of medicinal cannabis continue to rage across the world. Yet, the more studies that come out, the more rigid the evidence is that cannabis is medically beneficial in many ways.
The most vocal and accurate argument is against smoking marijuana. Cannabis edibles effectively eliminate that issue, keeping you safe from the dangers of inhaling weed while still giving you the benefits of cannabis.