Marijuana use has become increasingly popular across the United States with 11 states having so far legalized use. In California, medical marijuana use was first approved in 1996, with recreational use following suit 20 years later in 2016. Only two years after this recreational approval, in 2018, California saw a total of $2.757 billion in cannabis and cannabis-infused product revenue sale, both from medical and recreational sources, and these numbers continued to steadily rise.
If you’re new to recreational or medical marijuana use and are curious about the benefits or where to begin, edibles and other smokeless options are a good place for beginners to start. Cannabis dispensaries often have a large selection of edibles and extracts to choose from, with edibles being available in candies, drinks, brownies, cookies, and other delicious options. You can ask your local cannabis dispensary about what options they carry, and in some cases, they may even offer medical cannabis delivery straight to your home. Some dispensaries may even offer cannabis delivery services for recreational use.
How Do Edibles Work?
Many people chose to use edibles either because they cannot or prefer not to smoke cannabis. This makes them especially popular with people who are sensitive to smoke. Whatever the reason, it’s important to understand how edibles work when compared to their smoked counterpart. As opposed to being inhaled and absorbed via the lungs, the cannabis is instead digested and absorbed in the intestines.
For those who have never used edibles before, dispensaries will often advise beginning with edibles that contain a lower dose of cannabinoids — around 10 to 15mg — to see how they affect you. Once you’ve started to learn how you react to specific dosages, you can begin to determine what works best for you. You can also experiment with which types of edibles you enjoy most. If you’re using edibles for a medical condition and your dispensary offers medical cannabis delivery, consider having a new type delivered every time you order just to see how you like it. You never know what type may become your new favorite!
The Benefits of Edibles
The use of edibles can come with some surprising benefits, and they can be used to relieve a variety of issues. From anxiety and sleep problems to chronic pain and muscle spasms, here’s a closer look at a few of the most significant benefits that have been reported.
- Anxiety Management and Relaxation
Probably the most well-known use of marijuana products is their ability to promote relaxation and ease anxiety. Cannabidiol — CBD — has been well documented for its anti-anxiety effects, and millions of Americans are now using it for this exact reason. Additionally, individuals struggling with sleep-related issues have begun using edibles before bed to help promote relaxation and relieve sleepless nights. - Managing Pain
In addition to helping promote relaxation and ease anxiety, CBD has also been noted to help with pain management. As an anti-inflammatory, recent studies have shown that patients struggling with chronic pain have seen improvement while using consumables. The most common issues treated with marijuana now include fibromyalgia, arthritis, and neuropathic pain. - Anti-Seizure Effects and Autism
Along with helping with pain and anxiety, CBD has also been documented to have anti-seizure effects, along with helping relax those struggling with severe autism, especially in cases where individuals demonstrate self-harming behaviors. In cases like these, medical cannabis delivery is an option to consider to ensure you can get what you need safely.
Edibles are a great option for those looking for a smokeless way to reap the benefits of marijuana. If you’re curious about receiving products, reach out to your local dispensary and ask about the types they carry.
To clarify, it’s not a contest of one consumption method being superior to the other. Eating cannabis has a few benefits over smoking it, and smoking cannabis has a few benefits over eating it. Today, we’re simply going to tackle the benefits that edibles enjoy — four of them, to be precise.
1. Edibles are introduced to the body through the gastrointestinal tract.
When you smoke cannabis, the chemicals make their way straight through your bloodstream to your brain, then to the rest of your body. Conversely, when you consume a cannabis-infused edible, the THC gets absorbed into your bloodstream through your digestive tract, before undergoing a first metabolic pass in your liver. Then, and only then, does it enter your general circulation. Why does this matter? Well, in being processed this way instead, your liver transforms the cannabinoid THC into a more potent THC form that’s inclined to wield a stronger effect on you. A more sedative one, too.
2. Eating an edible will last longer, resulting in a more intense feeling.
Because the absorption process outlined above occurs less quickly than it does through your lungs — taking upwards of 30 minutes to an hour before reaching your brain — the effects you’re bound to feel after consuming an edible will usually be more gradual in onset. They’re also likely to last much longer than from smoking or vaping. Think anywhere from from six to eight hours. Peak blood levels occur in edibles that contain THC around three hours. It’s at this point the effects promise to be at peak intensity. As with onset time, the length of an edible high itself is contingent on numerous factors, from the dose to its potency. Your metabolism, your weight, your overall tolerance and other individual factors could further affect duration.
3. Obviously, edibles are much easier on the lungs.
Despite the underlying mechanisms and correlated risks differing quite dramatically from those related to tobacco smoking, whether you like it or not, smoking cannabis could have an adverse effect or two on your respiratory health. It’s nothing pleasant and we’ll move right on, but the fact remains that associations with airway inflammation, barotrauma and obstructive pulmonary issues have been reported in various studies. Research in recent years also indicates that while cigarette smoking is in decline, marijuana use is going in the opposite direction. In turn, those who smoke cannabis account for a substantially higher rate of tobacco use than those who do not.
4. Edibles are conducive to more of a body buzz.
The sedative effect we mentioned at the end of our first point is felt more intensely in your muscles in comparison to an inhalant. And, considering the extent to which edibles are capable of relaxing your body, this delivery system is becoming more and more favourable among those seeking to manage symptoms like joint or muscle pain. What’s more, both CBD and THC usually work great with pain relief, and edibles can deliver both cannabinoids in spades. That’s why some doctors are themselves even saying that the greater potency of CBD- and THC-laced edibles work to deliver faster pain relief, and since edibles are known to last longer than your average hit from the joint or pipe, the pain relief subsequently remains in your system longer.
What Are The Other Benefits Of Ingesting Marijuana-Infused Products?
Not as harsh on the lungs – When you inhale marijuana smoke, you are inadvertently inhaling other toxins that can cause damage to the lungs. People with weak lungs or medical conditions that affect their lungs can experience the benefits of marijuana without having to inhale it by consuming edibles.
More of a “body high” – The effects experienced after consuming marijuana-infused products cause more sedative and relaxing feelings. The body is so relaxed that pain and discomfort is alleviated.
Effects last longer – Though edibles take longer to produce a reaction, the effects also last longer – usually 3 to 7 hours. The effect is also more intense, eliminating the need to consume another dose.
Has a medical professional suggested trying marijuana-infused products? Are you just interested in trying edibles for yourself? Nice Guys Delivery offers an array of edible options to suit any taste! From gummies and cookies to concentrates and capsules to drinks and teas, we offer it all!