What are the effects on cannabis edibles?
Edibles are foods that contain cannabis. There are many types of edibles: baked goods, chocolates and candies. You can buy ready-made edibles or make your own oils, butters and brownies.
Edibles are a trusted source popular delivery methodTrusted Source both for medicinal and recreational cannabis.
Many people believe edibles are a discreet and safe way to consume cannabis. There are risks to be aware of.
This article will explain the side effects and effects of cannabis edibles. It also explains how they differ from smoking cannabis.
Health benefits from edibles
The benefits of edible cannabis products are often the same as those from other forms. They can be ingested to produce certain effects such as relaxation or to treat chronic pain.
How much of an edible you take will determine how it affects your body. The effects of edibles increase with increasing doses. Consuming too much cannabis via edibles can lead to nausea and vomiting.
The following are some of the benefits of cannabis edibles:
Relaxation and anxiety relief
Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as THC, is a component of cannabis.
THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects in edibles and other forms cannabis. A study from a previous time suggests that THC can causeTrusted Source feelings like relaxation and euphoria.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is also found in cannabis. CBD is known to have anti-anxiety properties.
A 2019 studyTrusted source reported that CBD was effective in reducing anxiety and sleep problems. Although scientists still need to do more research, this study shows that there is significant hope.
Another study of teenagers suffering from social anxiety confirms the fact that CBD can significantly lower anxiety levels.
Pain management
The anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties of CBD could also be used. It is a popular treatment for chronic pain.
ResearchTrusted source indicates that patients who use medical cannabis for chronic pain have reported improved pain management after they consume cannabis products.
These are some of the conditions that can be treated with edibles or other forms medicinal cannabis:
- arthritis
- Cancer pain
- fibromyalgia
- Neuropathic pain
Muscle spasm control
For muscle spasm relief, doctors may recommend medicinal cannabis.
ResearchTrusted source, 2013. This study shows that cannabis users experience significant improvements in muscle spasticity as well as other types of pain.
To treat pain and muscle spasticity, an oral preparationTrustedSource is available. Although research is limited, it is possible that other edibles have similar effects.
Antiseizure effects
CBD also has antiseizure properties, suggesting it could be used as a treatment for epilepsy.
A 2017 studyTrusted source provides evidence that CBD can improve seizure control for people with epilepsy.
One way to get cannabis to lower seizures is through edibles. But, epilepsy sufferers need to do more research before they consider cannabis as a treatment.
Other effects
For those with cancer, edible cannabis products can also be used to treatTrusted Source any other health problems, such as weight loss or appetite loss.
Overdose and side effects
Although edibles can be discreet and delicious ways to consume cannabis, there are risks. Side effects and potential risks include:
Negative health effects
ResearchTrusted source suggests that regular cannabis use can cause adverse effects on:
- brain development
- Heart health
- Memory and cognition
- Psychiatric Health
Teens who use cannabis long-term may be particularly concerned. It may increase their riskTrusted Source for schizophrenia, as well as their learning and memoryTrustedSource.
Accidental ingestion
Children, pets, and other people may accidentally eat candies, cookies, or other cannabis-containing goods. Researchers are unsure if the danger is for pregnant women or their baby.
In the United States, there has been a 30.3% increase in cannabis-related poison control center calls between 2005 and 2011. This was in states that have decriminalized cannabis. Many of these calls were caused by accidental ingestion of edibles.Trusted Source
Interactions between medications
Cannabis edibles and other forms can interact with alcohol, blood thinners, and certain medications. These interactions can increase the effects of THC or alter the action of medicines.
Overdose
Cannabis edibles dosing pose another danger.
Ready-made cannabis products have different levels of THC. It is also difficult to determine the strength of homemade edibles. It is therefore difficult for people to determine how much they are taking in.
It takes longer for edibles to take effect than other forms of cannabis consumption, like smoking.
While smoking cannabis takes only minutes, edibles can take between 1-3 hours. People may consume more cannabis while they wait for the effects to kick in, believing that they don’t need as much.
Also, overdose symptoms from edibles can be more severe that overdose symptoms from cannabis smoking.
A high intake of edibles could lead to:
- Paranoia
- nausea
- Hallucinations
- Panic attacks
- Mobility impairment
What is the difference between edibles and smoking?
any people consider edibles safe, discreet, effective, especially when compared to smoking cannabis.
Moreover, edibles are not subject to the same potentially harmful effects as smoking.
Both tobacco smoke and cannabis smoke seem to have similar levelsTrusted sourceof toxicity. They both contain various carcinogens and toxins that can cause cancer.
The effects of cannabis smoke include bronchitis and lung inflammation. Some research TrustedSourcelinks regular cannabis smoking to multiple forms of cancer.
Consuming edibles is not thought to have any adverse effects on the lungs or increase cancer risk.
However, edibles come with their own risks.
To fully understand the effects of edibles and compare them to smoking cannabis, more research is needed.
Summary
Edibles can be discreetly ingested cannabis. They do not carry the same risks as smoking. People should be cautious when using edibles, especially if it is their first time.
Effects of edibles can take up to three hours to manifest. People who consume too much of the product may experience an overdose.
If there are adverse reactions, individuals should adhere to the recommended dosage.
Chronic, long-term cannabis use can have adverse effects on your mental and physical health.
