Cannabis has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times. The Chinese, Greeks, Romans and Egyptians found cannabis useful for treating painful cramping, vomiting and nausea, aches and pains within the body and for relieving tension. Some cultures used the herb simply for its calming effect on the body and mind.
Today the herb is still useful for its medicinal properties and for the enjoyment and pleasure it can provide. Not only is cannabis smoked, but people also add it to all kinds of baked goods, which are known as cannabis edibles.
What is the best way to eat cannabis edibles?
Cannabis gourmet goodies come in many edible forms such as:
- Cakes
- Brownies
- Cookies
- Pastries
- Breads
- Pies
- Rice Krispies treats
Before eating any of these special treats, it is essential for beginners to eat them in small amounts. This is because the cannabis in these goodies can, potentially, cause side effects that newbie’s may not be expecting. It is also important to keep in mind that cannabis is one of the safest herbs you can take and the side effects that you may experience will pass once it leaves your system. Some of the potentially powerful side effects that you could experience if you make the mistake of consuming a large edible dose for your first time are:
- Impaired body movement
- Changes in mood
- Difficulty thinking clearly
- Altered senses
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Extreme hunger
- Rapid heartbeat
These side effects do not usually occur to those that have gradually built up their tolerance to stronger doses. Some people do not experience side effects until 20 minutes after the herb has had time to enter the bloodstream. This means those of you feeling fine right after eating edibles should not go for another treat just yet no matter how tasty and tempting they might be. Remember the key to not experiencing side effects after eating marijuana-infused baked goods is to eat “low and slow.” In other words, eat a small amount to start and it eat slowly.
Most of the time, the herb provides a calming feeling to the mind and body to promote relaxation. It can also encourage an appetite in people suffering from an illness that makes it difficult to eat, due to the stimulating effects it has on the body’s metabolism.
Sometimes people even use the herb to make a medicinal tea by blending it with other calming herbs to further encourage a relaxed state of being. This is especially helpful to cancer patients and those suffering from autoimmune diseases. People that suffer from mental disorders such as anxiety, panic attacks and depression often find relief from eating edibles or smoking the herb.
Other forms of edible cannabis come in tinctures, elixirs, capsules and oil drops. These can be more potent than eating baked goods or simply smoking marijuana. As such, these forms of edibles need to be taken in very small doses in the beginning and then adjusting to higher doses as the body acclimates to them. This will prevent potentially severe side effects and provide you with the positive calming effects the herb typically gives when taken in appropriate amounts.
What gives cannabis its calming properties?
Cannabis comes from the leaves, flowers, stems and seeds of the hemp plant which contains a brain-altering chemical known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol commonly referred to as THC. The mind-altering chemical is what gives marijuana its medicinal properties. THC causes the brain cell receptors to overreact, which causes the “high” sensation people feel when using the herb.
Why choose cannabis edibles instead of smoking the herb?
Many people choose to eat cannabis edibles instead of smoking the herb because it does not hurt the lungs and the way it enters the bloodstream can sometimes mean a stronger, longer-lasting effect on the body and the mind.
Those who dislike smoking, in general, may find taking the herb in edible form is more pleasurable and tastier that smoking it. Most importantly, to these users, edibles do not leave a lingering marijuana scent on clothing, hair and in the home, which you typically get from smoking it.
Final thoughts
Remember, those new to trying cannabis edibles need to start “low and slow.” Consuming too much at once can cause unpleasant side effects. If you do ingest too much and experience those side effects, just remember the herb cannot hurt you and the side effects will pass.
If you have any questions about cannabis edibles, please consult with the friendly staff at Chronic Therapy. We would be more than happy to help you!