Cannabis edibles are food products containing cannabis. It’s an alternative way of consuming cannabis that has grown popular over the years due to its many benefits.
Usually, when discussing cannabis or marijuana, as the plant is commonly known, smoking comes to mind. It’s considered a fun and fast-acting method of delivery but one fraught with health problems.
But now that edibles are becoming increasingly popular, you may wonder about their health benefits. Using edibles provides you with the same benefits as any other means of delivery, with a few unique ones.
You can buy edibles at a dispensary alongside other marijuana products or prepare them yourself at home. It’s a relatively easy process that Veriheal discusses in detail here.
In this post, however, we look at some of the health benefits of eating edibles.
1. Edibles are Safe
One thing that makes edibles much preferable is that they are safer for your health than smoking and its variations like dubbing and vaping.
Since you’re not inhaling smoke or heated vapor, you won’t have to worry about harming your respiratory system with tar or heated chemicals.
The carcinogens that damage your lungs due to smoking are not present in edibles because you’re not combusting marijuana flower, and that’s because you take edibles orally.
2. Prolonged Pain Relief
Cannabis has properties that can aid in pain management. The cannabinoids THC and CBD are the most actively involved chemical compounds when it comes to relieving pain.
When taking edibles, the cannabinoids travel through the digestive tract before they are metabolized in the liver. The process is much slower, prolonging the effects and fighting pain for much longer.
In addition, the THC metabolized in the liver undergoes some changes, which turn it into 11-hydroxy-THC, a more potent and long-lasting version of the psychoactive cannabinoid.
3. Control for Muscle Spasms
People suffering from muscle spasms experience pain or discomfort characterized by uncontrolled stiffness. The condition generally occurs when there’s nerve damage in the pathways of the brain or spinal cord.
Research into the medicinal capabilities of cannabis has shown that it can aid in muscle spasms treatment. Patient reports have also been positive, with many citing improvement after using cannabis.
However, the effects of cannabis vary due to different factors, including dodge and potency. Since edibles have stronger effects, they may be better for controlling muscle spasms.
4. Desired Dosage
Being able to dose marijuana properly is beneficial for your overall health. Too little of the drug may not produce the desired effects, and taking too much could just lead to adverse effects.
You can’t possibly dose a joint, but you can use precise measurements when cooking with marijuana.
5. Protects the Brain
Another side to edibles is that you can take them raw. What does that mean?
Other forms of cannabis delivery require heating the buds to activate the main cannabinoids: THC, CBD, and CBG. These compounds are naturally present in an acidic form as THCA, CBDA, and CBGA, until exposed to heat or light.
Now, the known effects of cannabis, including the mind-altering effects of THC, are not present when the cannabinoids are not activated. That means raw weed only contains cannabinoid acids and other nutrients, which is less fun but healthy.
Researchers have found that raw weed taken orally as edibles may have a protective effect on your brain cells. For people with neurodegenerative conditions, raw weed edibles bring hope.
6. Helps with Insomnia
When you begin your journey into the cannabis industry, you will quickly realize that the plants are not all the same. The diversity is insane. You will be dealing with varieties of indica and sativa.
The two categories aren’t just different physically but also chemically. As such, the effects vary. When it comes to insomnia, users have come to associate treatment with indica varieties, as they are known for their strong seating effects.
While you could definitely smoke indica buds to combat insomnia, the effects may set in fast and dissipate just as quickly. With edibles, you ease into a relaxed state resulting in a much longer resting period and sleep.
Final Thoughts
There are various ways to experience cannabis; each affects us differently. While the benefits are the same, edibles offer a deeper, safer, and more convenient experience than other delivery methods.
