Generally, edibles are considered safe for consumption. But as with a lot of other things out there (not just the food we consume), there is a lot of debate on the subject of how safe a product is. Edible THC products are no different.
Edibles have become a popular and profitable part of the legalized cannabis industry for both recreational and therapeutic purposes. The many formulations of cannabis extracts used in edibles confront policymakers with a distinct regulatory issue, especially those involved in the medical industry.
Though edibles are generally regarded as a safe, discreet, and effective way to get the therapeutic and/or intoxicating effects of cannabis without the potentially harmful risks of cannabis smoking, that is still not enough.
This is because there is little research that has been conducted to compare how ingestion compares to other methods of cannabis administration in terms of therapeutic efficacy, subjective effects, and safety.
If you are thinking about giving THC edibles a try, it is first important to understand what they are, how they will affect your body, and what some opinions about them are from a medical perspective.
What Are THC Edibles?
An “edible” is an edible cannabis-based type of food. These edibles come in a variety of forms, and they can be anything from candies to brownies. With edibles, it can include one or both of the active components in marijuana. The first active ingredient is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and the second is CBD (cannabidiol).
Edibles are cannabinoids like THC and CBD-infused meals, snacks, and drinks. You’ve probably stumbled across both the THC and CBD terms before, especially now that edibles are becoming more popular as marijuana becomes legalized. People use them for a number of reasons, the most common of which are symptom alleviation and recreational use.
Other cannabis products provide a different experience than edibles. The “high” that you get from consuming edibles might be stronger and stay with you for much longer than the one you get from smoking.
Are There Any Side Effects To Consuming THC Edibles?
As with most products that get consumed, the question that looms on everyone’s mind is the side effects. THC edibles are not excluded from that list. One example of a popular THC edible is the delta 8 gummies, and yes, there are side effects to be expected.
One of the possible side effects of delta 8 gummies is the way that it will affect your body. Delta 8 THC has an effect on the body when it begins interacting with CB2 receptors in the ECS (human endocannabinoid system), which are found in the peripheral nervous system and are important for immune function regulation.
The gummies have a milder effect on the mind than delta 9 because they interact with CB1 receptors in the central nervous system. This reduces anxiety, anger, and paranoia, which are major adverse effects of delta 9 THC. As a result, delta 8 THC allows users to relax while they continue to remain focused on their work.
Gummies and other edibles must pass through the digestive tract before reaching circulation, which takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on the consumer’s metabolism and body chemistry. Edibles’ effects might last anywhere from 3 to 8 hours. The number of delta 8 THC gummies you ingest has a big impact on how the product affects your body and mind.
The potency of the delta 8 gummies varies. Some people may have 5 mg of delta 8 for each piece, while others may include up to 60 mg.
What The Medical Industry Thinks
The medical opinions when it comes to THC edibles are varied. Some may argue that it can be the safer option if you intend to use it for medical reasons. In the United States, medicinal marijuana is most commonly used to treat pain.
Admittedly, when you hear the word “cannabis” or “marijuana”, the immediate perception is negative. The majority of what we know about the negative effects of therapeutic cannabis comes from research on recreational marijuana users.
For example, short-term cannabis usage has been linked to impairments in short-term memory, motor coordination, judgment, and paranoia or psychosis at large dosages. From that perspective, one would immediately draw the conclusion that consuming edibles too is probably not a good idea.
However, the medical industry is not disregarding the benefits that it brings either. While there is insufficient evidence for national or international cancer societies to recommend routine use of medicinal cannabis for the relief of chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, therapeutic agents based on THC (like dronabinol, for example) have received the green light for use as an antiemetic in the United States for several years now.
While marijuana isn’t strong enough to treat severe pain (such as a broken bone or post-surgical pain), it is quite successful in treating chronic pain. Chronic pain is something that affects millions of Americans and people all around the world for that matter, particularly as they become older.
Its attractiveness stems from the fact that it is plainly safer than opiates. One of the biggest benefits is that it is difficult to overdose on THC edibles and therefore, it becomes considerably less addictive. Edibles may be used in place of NSAIDs like Advil or Aleve if patients are unable to take them owing to kidney, ulcer, or GERD issues.
The usage and acceptability of medicinal cannabis are evolving, as seen by the expanding number of states that have legalized it for particular medical purposes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering how it might support the scientific rigour of medical cannabis claims, and it is now reviewing public data on safety and misuse potential.
Despite the lack of clinical proof, state legislatures have accepted a number of medical diseases and symptoms as qualifying criteria for medicinal cannabis usage.
Delta 8 THC is deemed harmless since it has no effect on your immune system, so you won’t get the munchies, have a dry mouth, or have bloodshot eyes, at least at low dosages. When used at higher amounts than suggested, however, these adverse effects are possible. At the end of the day, it all boils down to using it responsibly.