Edible cannabis products (edibles for short) are products containing cannabinoids that you eat or drink. Cannabinoids are chemical compounds found in cannabis that can affect your mind and body when consumed. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a cannabinoid that makes an individual euphoric and intoxicated (or high). CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that has therapeutic benefits, although more research is needed to confirm its potential medical use. There is a wide range of edible cannabis products. Although some edible cannabis products might look like normal food items, they are not food and are not intended to provide any nutritional value. Edible cannabis products provide an alternative method of cannabis consumption to smoking and vaping. If you are interested in trying edible cannabis, here are seven things you need to know.
1. Read the label carefully
2. The effects of ingesting cannabis can be more intense than inhaling cannabis
3. Wait to feel effects before taking more.
For some people, the effects of edible cannabis can be more intense than inhaling a similar dose of dried cannabis. The effects can last up to 12 hours, with residual effects lasting up to 24 hours. Do not drive or operate heavy equipment after using cannabis.
4. It takes time to feel the full effects
With edible cannabis, the intoxicating effects or “high” do not kick in for about 30 minutes to two hours and peak at about four hours. The effects can last up to 12 hours after use and residual effects can last up to 24 hours, so you could be affected into the next day. Because it can take up to four hours to feel the full effects, consuming more cannabis within this time period can result in over-intoxication. Over-intoxication can take the form of anxiety and panic, nausea and vomiting, and symptoms of psychosis (paranoia).
Be patient and go slow, ingesting edible cannabis with no more than 2.5 mg of THC at a time.
5. Be sure to properly store your cannabis products
Chocolates and brownies with cannabis in them look like chocolates and brownies without cannabis in them. In other words, they appeal to both adults and children. Store in child-resistant containers that are re-sealed after use, and stored out of the sight and reach of children and pets.
Be sure your cannabis products are properly labelled and stored.
6. Cannabis should not be mixed with alcohol or other substances
Alcohol increases the intoxicating and impairing effects of cannabis. Consuming cannabis and alcohol at the same time can significantly raise your risk of over-intoxication and impairment.
Cannabis edibles can help with chronic pain management for those with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain. Doctors also often recommend medical cannabis (in any form) to treat muscle spasms. As always, be sure to begin with small doses.
Like other forms of medicinal marijuana, edibles have been clinically proven to alleviate nausea.
Cannabis edibles contain many antioxidants, which are vital because they shield us against anxiety, as well as cancer and other severe illnesses. Antioxidants also protect the human body from “free radicals,” highly reactive molecules that are extremely destructive.
Many U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana for medical use. There's evidence that it can treat pain, nausea, and other symptoms.
When it comes to cannabis oil, there are also medical benefits. Research has shown that some CBD oils, including those that contain THC, can help control certain types of seizures among people with epilepsy. The FDA has approved some drugs that contain CBD for seizure treatment.
RSO is an oil made by washing cannabis buds with 200-proof food-grade alcohol, produced in Maine, and then boiling it off leaving behind the oil.
Research has not shown that RSO or other forms of cannabis oil can treat cancer. Some very early studies on using THC to treat cancer have been encouraging, though.
In animals and in the lab, studies have found that THC and other cannabis chemicals can stop the growth of tumors. These lab studies have looked at cells related to lung, skin, breast, prostate, and other cancers. They've found that cannabis can in some cases stop the cancer cells from spreading.
THC distillate is a highly purified form of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) derived from cannabis. The product itself looks like a thick oil that can be anywhere from clear to amber in color. Distillation eliminates everything from plant lipids to terpenes, and because each cannabinoid vaporizes at a different temperature, producers can easily manipulate the process to capture solely one cannabinoid. For this reason, THC distillate is a highly potent concentrate.
THC distillate is not for the inexperienced user. The high potency of the product is unmatched by most other concentrates, which means you are going to experience a more intense high with much less product. While this does provoke a word of caution, this very attribute is one reason people prefer distillate over other cannabis concentrates. And, the oil can be used in a number of ways.
You can vaporize distillate THC and inhale the vapors. This actually happens to be one of the most preferred methods of consumption. However, in order to smoke distillate, you will need either an e-nail or a dab rig. Some vaporizers or vape pens can also be used to vape distillate as long as they reach the appropriate temperature to cause the thick concentrate to vaporize. You can also add a drop of distillate to the cannabis flower to heighten the THC in your smoke when using a pipe or bong.
You can ingest THC distillate. In fact, distillate is a popular ingredient in a lot of commercially available cannabis edibles. It takes so little of the product to infuse an edible that the flavor is not affected and a regular recipe does not have to be manipulated much to get a consistent end result. For example, if using THC distillate to make a batch of THC brownies, the tiny amount of distillate you would mix into the batter wouldn’t have a negative impact on the consistency of the batter, the smell of the brownies, or even the flavor. Sublingual dosing is also possible—just be sure to use the tiniest amount so you don’t overdo it.
As a newcomer to the world of cannabis concentrates, there is no question distillate THC could pique your curiosity. Just be sure you go for a high-quality product that has been properly produced and tested.
For the ultimate tincture experience, a full spectrum tincture offers a more complex chemical variety that is thought to produce a better high. Full-spectrum refers to the entire or most of the strain’s compound lineup.
Essentially, having both terpenes and cannabinoids together can minimize negative side effects and maximize the health benefits of cannabis oil.
