19Aug

Learn These Important Facts About Edibles Before You Eat Them

Edibles are food products and beverages infused with marijuana compounds. Although smoking is the most common method of cannabis consumption, it’s not safe. So, edibles are quickly becoming a popular way of marijuana delivery for health benefits.

Brownies are considered as the most common cannabis edibles. However, you can also buy candies, beverage mixes, gummies, baked goods, chocolate bars, etc. at a medical dispensary. To access the dispensary, you require a medical marijuana evaluation Moreno Valley from a licensed doctor.

But, before you start using edibles, there are certain facts you should know about them. Read on for more details.

Edibles Are Safer Than Smoking

When you smoke cannabis, its active ingredients, such as THC, reach the bloodstream through the lungs. This provides instant relief from pain, anxiety, etc.

It’s important to note that smoking generates carcinogenic substances, which can potentially damage the lungs, thus causing irritation and other health issues. So, for patients with lung problems, smoking isn’t recommended.

In a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2019, researchers noted that the most concerning part were the data about heart symptoms. 8 percent of the patients who went to the emergency room at the University of Colorado Hospital reported symptoms, such as irregular heartbeat. There were a few cases of heart attacks, and 3.1 percent of the smokers had these issues.

Since vaping occurs at a low temperature, it doesn’t cause as many harmful chemicals. But, it produces formaldehyde or other substances. Some of the e-liquids contain vitamin E acetate, which can lead to severe illness.

On the other hand, edibles don’t link to any of the above-listed issues. So, they are safer as compared to smoking or vaporizing cannabis.

Edibles Don’t Kick in Instantly

Smoking marijuana delivers immediate effects while edibles don’t. This is because, in edibles, cannabinoids are processed through the digestive system. So, after you ingested a marijuana candy or chocolate bar, you have to wait for anything between 30 minutes to 1 hour. And, you can feel peak levels of edible high in 2-3 hours after ingestion.

However, the onset time of edibles depends on various factors. Firstly, it depends on the edible’s active ingredients. If it contains high levels of THC or you are taking high doses, you will feel the effects faster. Additionally, the body chemistry of the consumer largely affects how edibles are processed and absorbed in the bloodstream.

There are some edibles, such as gums, lollipops, etc., which kick in faster. This is because they aren’t actually swallowed, and the absorption takes place through the mucus membranes.

It’s important to note that CBD edibles don’t cause psychoactive effects associated with THC. If you want to experience the herb’s therapeutic effects without getting high, go for CBD products.

They Last Longer

Edibles usually last longer than smoking or vaping. You can feel their effects for 6-8 hours. That’s why many medical experts suggest edibles to patients suffering from pain or severe anxiety.

The duration of cannabis effects depends on a wide range of factors. These include the quality of marijuana, dosage, weight, metabolism, and potency. The effects of chewable or swallowable products last longer than the ones that are absorbed orally.

In a study published in 2016, medical researchers explored the Twitter data on marijuana edibles in the United States. They examined about 100,000 tweets and reported “unpredictable high duration” as one of the major adverse effects.

As compared to smoking, edibles deliver a smaller amount of chemical compounds in the bloodstream. About 10-20 percent of THC or other compounds are delivered to the blood plasma when you ingest marijuana while it’s 50-60 percent in the case of inhaling.

Dosage is Important

How much you ingest is one of the major factors influencing edible effects. So, figuring out the correct dose is important.

Since edibles don’t kick in instantly, there are chances that you can ingest higher amounts. So, we recommend you to go slow. Don’t take the second dose immediately after the first one. Wait for at least an hour to analyze the effects instead. Usually, 10 mg is the standard dose. You can start with it.

Additionally, the THC content in the edible product matters. So, you should check the label, and read dosing guidelines carefully. If a chocolate bar contains 100 mg, you can divide it into 10 equal parts with 10 mg each.

Taking high doses of THC can cause unpleasant side-effects, which can last for several hours. Some other symptoms associated with edible overdose are cognitive impairment, psychosis, nausea & vomiting, anxiety, fast heart rate, and motor impairment.

Don’t combine edibles with alcohol. For beginners, doing so can result in uncomfortable sensations. Drinking fruit juice is a great option instead.

Bhang is a Popular Edible in India

Bhang is associated with the Indian festival Holi. It’s a marijuana edible recipe popular in the country since 1,000 BC. There are several government-run shops that sell bhang, so the edible is widely-distributed during the Holi and other festivals.

How to make bhang? Heat water and add cannabis parts. Now, remove the marijuana leaves and flowers by squeezing properly to extract all liquid. Put the leaves & flowers into the milk, and grind the solution together. Then, squeeze cannabis and extract milk. Repeat the process until you use half a cup of milk. Now, add almonds, rose petals, pistachios, etc. to the milk to make the paste. Combine all liquids and add spices. Mix well and enjoy it.

Bhang is also reported to have medicinal properties. So, it’s often used as an effective treatment for fever, digestive system problems, and boosting sex life.

Accessing Medical Marijuana Legally

To access medical marijuana legally, you require an MMJ doctor’s recommendation. The recs confirm you as a medical user, thus allowing you to enjoy benefits, such as legal access to medical dispensaries, cannabis tax saving, age relaxations, permission to grow cannabis plants, etc.

With telemedicine technology, you can see a doctor online for medical marijuana evaluation Moreno Valley. It’s very simple and takes less than 10 minutes. Here’s the complete process-

Sign up an account
Talk to a licensed doctor via HIPAA-compliant platform (which ensures 100 percent safety)
Receive an MMJ rec letter in PDF via email instantly

Final Thoughts

Edibles are perfect for patients who have lung problems. These cannabis-infused products are considered safe as compared to smoking or vaping. When you eat marijuana, the chemical compounds are absorbed in the body through the digestive system. Edibles take 30 minutes to 1 hour to kick in because cannabis doesn’t reach the bloodstream directly. They last longer than smoking or vaping, thus are perfect for patients with chronic pain, sleep problems, or anxiety.

There are several things you need to keep in mind when using edibles. Dosage is one. It’s recommended to start with a low dose. Don’t take the second dose immediately. Wait for at least an hour instead. Taking too much THC can cause unpleasant side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, rapid heart rate, etc.

Apply for your medical marijuana evaluation Moreno Valley to buy and use edibles legally.