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There are several ways people consume marijuana with the most popular being vaping and smoking. But what happens when you eat cannabis? Are the effects similar to that of vaping or smoking?
You can eat marijuana. Eating marijuana dates as back as 1000 B.C., where it was used as medicine in India and China. It was introduced into modern medicine in the early 19th century. It was prescribed to patients suffering from digestive disorders to chronic pain. It was also used in the induction of euphoria and in relieving stress.
In the 1960s edible cannabis products started to become popular with many users engaging in them recreationally. Today, there are numerous edible cannabis products in the market. Depending on the state you are in, using them may either be legal or illegal.
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Eating Raw Weed
Even though you can eat raw weed, the effects are not similar to when you consume weed products. For marijuana to be activated, it has to go through decarboxylation. When cannabis is raw, it carries both cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) compounds. You need to expose these compounds to heat for them to activate and turn into tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). It means that raw marijuana does not have the same effects as marijuana that is heated or baked. Therefore, you cannot get high from eating fresh weed. However, it carries several health benefits due to the various compounds that make it.
Health Benefits of Eating Marijuana
For several years, many people have turned to marijuana due to its health benefits. Today, the plant has numerous uses in the medical field as its popularity continues to skyrocket. People use edible marijuana products in the treatment of anxiety, chronic pain, and symptoms relating to cancer. Various countries around the world, which include Spain, Germany, the United States, and Italy legally prescribe medical cannabis products.
One active compound found in Marijuana is THC. It is responsible for the properties of marijuana that induce relaxation and euphoria. It also contains CBD that is responsible for the anxiety and pain reducing properties. With a combination of several therapeutic compounds, marijuana is a natural and effective pain reliever. Even though marijuana actively treats pain and other body ailments, there should be more research on how it affects the body.
Side Effects of Eating Marijuana
Edible marijuana products may have various health benefits. However, there are still risks of potential side effects occurring. The most significant problem with edible marijuana products is the lack of a set dosage. The concentration levels of THC in a marijuana product may vary depending on the quality of the marijuana and the location the product was created. Additionally, edible marijuana has a long latency period, meaning it can take several hours before it takes effect. It is unlike smoking, whose results are within minutes.
When you smoke marijuana, the effects grow gradually and reach a peak after 20 to 30 minutes. They will last for a period of 2 to 3 hours before they begin to wear off. In contrast, when you consume edible marijuana, its healing properties will take between 30 to 90 minutes before they can start to work. How long the effects last depend on your body weight, metabolism, gender, and how you ingested your food.
The concentration of THC levels and the long latency period may make it simple for a user to consume more than the required unintentionally. It may then lead to the occurrence of Paranoia and disability to move the arms and legs. It may also cause paranoia, hallucinations, confusion, and extreme sedation. Marijuana can as well react with alcohol and certain medications.
Which is Safer: Eating Weed or smoking Weed?
People may not consider smoking weed as harmful; however, just like any other cigarette, the smoke it produces can negatively affect your health upon inhaling. Both marijuana and cigarette contain harmful toxins that cause damage to your lungs, eventually leading to cancer — several people associate smoking weed with bronchitis, impaired brain function, and lung inflammation. Edible marijuana does not have any proven association with lung cancer.
Enjoying Edible Marijuana Safely and Legally
There are various reasons that people use edible marijuana. Some do it for its health benefits, while others only do it to relax and ease their stress. Regardless of the reason, you need to exercise better caution when dealing with edible marijuana products. Even without any preset doses, you need to consume only a small amount to stay safe. If you want to use edible marijuana products for a health reason, it is imperative that you consult a healthcare practitioner.
Summing Up
Depending on your location, you can get a prescription if marijuana is legal in your state or country. On the contrary, the use of edible marijuana products for recreational purposes is illegal in many parts of the world, with only ten states in the USA consenting to its use. Still, the federal law recognizes it as illegal abuse of schedule one substances. The social and political bias on consuming edible marijuana is, however, changing with time. Still, you should abide by all laws, both federal and state if you want to use edible marijuana either recreationally or for medical reasons.
