Curious About Cannabis
- Priya Kumar
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Image credit: Freepik
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis commonly known as marijuana, is the dried parts of the marijuana plant. It contains more than eighty biologically active chemical compounds that can alter your mood, thoughts, and consciousness. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are the commonly known compounds in the cannabis plant. THC is the compound know to give you the "high" with marijuana use.
How is Cannabis used?
Cannabis is used for medicinal purposes to treat certain conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, prolonged ongoing pain, nausea, epilepsy and seizures to name a few. It is also used for recreational purposes. It's recreational use has gained popularity following legalization of its use in certain states in the United States.
How is Cannabis commonly used for recreation?
Cannabis can be used in many different ways. It can be inhaled via smoking, vaping,and dabbing. It can be ingested via mixing with food products. Cannabis containing food products are known as edibles. These edibles can be in the form of gummies, beverages, and baked goods.
Is it safe to consume Cannabis edibles?
The commonly held belief about these edibles is that cannabis is a plant based product, its all natural so it's safe to use. Although many people consume these edibles with little to no adverse health effects, careful consideration should be given to its potential side effects.
Some of the short term side effects include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Dizziness
Confusion
Cognitive and motor impairment
Risk of over consumption since edibles take about 2 hours to start working
Some of the long term side effects include:
Development of respiratory illnesses when inhaled.
Pregnancy related exposure to THC could impact fetal brain development.
Regular use during adolescence can impair learning and memory.
Chronic use is associated with increased risk of developing mental health disorders.
Why would you want to consume Cannabis edibles given its side effects?
Cannabis edibles are used for recreational consumption due to the rewarding effects associated decreased stress and increased sense of euphoria or sense of well being. This rewarding effect or "feel good" feeling is due to the effects of THC, the main psychoactive
compound. It acts to alter the brain chemistry by activating the reward centers in the brain which in turn makes you feel good.
What to know before trying Cannabis edibles?
It is important to know, understand and abide by the state laws for cannabis use. State wise laws and guidance can be found on: https://disa.com/marijuana-legality-by-state.
It is important to understand how edibles work. Start with low dosing and go slow to avoid taking too much too quickly.
Can the "feel good" feeling be achieved without the use of edibles?
Some of the ways to achieve the "feel good" feeling without the use of edibles include:
Regular physical exercise
Exposure to sunlight
Connecting with nature
Meaningful social connections
Meditation and mindfulness
These activities activate the brain's own reward system triggering the release of happy hormones which in turn regulate mood, decrease stress and contribute to overall sense of well being.
References
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board