It’s incredible to know that it’s possible to eat marijuana. The same THC-filled leaves of the marijuana plant that gets rolled into tobacco leaves and smoked can also be added to food. The final result is that it triggers a similar blissful, euphoric high as smoking it.
There is some debate regarding which mode of ingesting marijuana is best. But the one crystal clear thing is that many marijuana users have done both at some point in their life.
According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), over 72% of long-term marijuana users say they have consumed edibles at one time or another. Of course, none of this comes as a surprise to those who have been following marijuana trends.
Keep reading if you’re curious to learn more about edibles and whether you should eat them.
How the Legalization of Marijuana Is Fueling the Demand for Edibles
The demand for edibles among long-term and first-time marijuana users has been trending upward for a while.
The legalization of marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes is definitely behind it. Marijuana consumption has become more mainstream over the last few years. So, the availability of cookies, brownies, candies, and other food products containing marijuana has greatly increased.
In Colorado alone, companies sold roughly 4.8 million edible marijuana products to consumers in 2014. Marijuana products made up 40% of the state’s legal marijuana sales!
But Colorado is not the only state where consumers buy their favorite edibles. Other states that have legalized marijuana are witnessing a similar trend.
Are Edibles the Right Choice for You?
For some, deciding whether to smoke or eat marijuana comes down to preference. Some people like the texture and unique flavor edibles add to their favorite foods. Others only care about experiencing the joy of inhaling and exhaling marijuana smoke.
If you are thinking about eating weed instead of smoking it, there are a few things you should know:
Delayed euphoria – You may be thinking about eating edibles strictly for the euphoric high. If so, it will take longer for the psychoactive compound known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) to kick in.
When individuals smoke marijuana, THC reaches the brain and triggers dopamine release in minutes. Dopamine is the “feel-good” neurotransmitter in the brain associated with pleasure and relaxation.
By comparison, it takes 30 to 90 minutes to experience the same dopamine release when eating edibles.
Keep this in mind should you decide to eat edibles. Many people assume its effects happen right away. The result is they may consume more than what’s necessary. As you can imagine, eating too many edibles can result in unpleasant side-effects.
THC concentrations can vary – The THC in edibles can sometimes be inconsistent. And more often than not, it’s way too high. You must be careful when consuming cookies, brownies, and the like. If they contain too much THC, you can put themselves at risk of dealing with the following side effects:
● Arrhythmia
● Changes in appetite
● Dry eyes
● Fatigue and drowsiness
● Hallucinations
● Disorientation
● Headaches
● Lightheadedness and vertigo
● Nausea and vomiting
● Xerostomia
Health benefits – The health benefits derived from smoking or eating edibles are pretty much the same. The reason the benefits are the same is due to one key ingredient. For those unaware, the second-most-prevalent active ingredient in marijuana is cannabidiol (CBD).
CBD is a phytocannabinoid proven to provide relief from the following:
● Chronic pain
● Depression and anxiety
● Epilepsy
● Inflammation
● Migraines
● Various autoimmune diseases
Final Thoughts on Whether Eating Edibles Is Right for You
All in all, deciding whether to consume edibles or use marijuana comes down to what you want to accomplish. If you want to experience a blissful high, smoking marijuana will be the better option. On the other hand, consume edibles if you need relief from pain, seizures, or other health problems. Remember, edibles contain more CBD than THC. Thanks to CBD, edibles can provide relief for various conditions.
Getting relief from a health problem and getting a euphoric high may be preferable. If it is, then smoking marijuana is the way to go.
Regardless of which you prefer, you can’t deny that eating edibles is an enjoyable experience. Not only that, but with CBD, it offers a range of benefits. Take advantage of what edibles have to offer. You’ll now doubt have a positive experience moving forward.