Introduction
Marijuana edibles are becoming increasingly popular as more states legalize the use of cannabis. While they can provide a variety of benefits, there are some surprising side effects that you should be aware of before consuming them. In this article, we’ll explore the potential risks and benefits of marijuana edibles, as well as some tips for safe consumption. We’ll also discuss the potential for addiction and how to recognize the signs of overuse. Finally, we’ll provide some advice on how to find the right edible for you. So, if you’re considering trying marijuana edibles, read on to learn more about the potential risks and benefits.
Surprising Side Effects of Marijuana Edibles — Eat This Not That
Marijuana edibles are becoming increasingly popular as more states legalize the use of cannabis. While edibles can provide a unique and enjoyable experience, they can also come with some unexpected side effects. Here are some of the surprising side effects of marijuana edibles that you should be aware of.
1. Intense High
One of the most common side effects of marijuana edibles is an intense high. This is because edibles are metabolized differently than smoking or vaping cannabis. When you eat an edible, the THC is absorbed through your digestive system and enters your bloodstream, resulting in a much more intense high than smoking or vaping. This can be a pleasant experience for some, but it can also be overwhelming for those who are not used to it.
2. Longer Duration
Another side effect of marijuana edibles is that the effects can last much longer than smoking or vaping. This is because the THC is absorbed more slowly through the digestive system, resulting in a longer-lasting high. This can be beneficial for those who want to enjoy the effects of cannabis for a longer period of time, but it can also be dangerous if you are not prepared for the extended duration.
3. Increased Appetite
Marijuana edibles can also cause an increase in appetite. This is because THC can stimulate the appetite-regulating hormone ghrelin, resulting in an increased desire to eat. This can be beneficial for those who are trying to gain weight, but it can also be a problem for those who are trying to lose weight.
4. Drowsiness
Another side effect of marijuana edibles is drowsiness. This is because THC can act as a sedative, resulting in a feeling of sleepiness. This can be beneficial for those who are trying to get a good night’s sleep, but it can also be dangerous if you are operating a vehicle or engaging in other activities that require alertness.
5. Anxiety and Paranoia
Finally, marijuana edibles can also cause anxiety and paranoia. This is because THC can affect the brain’s reward system, resulting in feelings of anxiety and paranoia. This can be a frightening experience for those who are not used to it, so it is important to be aware of this potential side effect.
Marijuana edibles can provide a unique and enjoyable experience, but they can also come with some unexpected side effects. It is important to be aware of these side effects so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to consume edibles. If you do decide to consume edibles, make sure to do so responsibly and in moderation.
Marijuana is legal in a number of U.S. states for both medical and recreational use—but that doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t any risks associated with taking it. “It is critical to tell your doctor if you are using any cannabis product,” says Yasmin Hurd, Ph.D, Director of the Addiction Institute of Mount Sinai. “Like any drug, cannabis is broken down into various active chemicals that your body can use by liver enzymes. If you are taking any other pharmaceutical drugs, cannabis may interact with the same liver enzymes and either diminish or increase the activity beyond its intended use. So, your doctor absolutely has to know to avoid a potentially dangerous drug interaction. One of the benefits of legalization is that there should not be any risk in being honest with your doctor about your cannabis use. The more honest that you can be, the better medical care you can receive.” Here are five side effects of marijuana edibles you might not be aware of. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Doctors have shared concerns about the impact of marijuana on heart health after a THC-laced lollipop caused a 70-year-old Canadian man to have a heart attack. “One of the most reliable acute effects of the THC in cannabis is that it increases heart rate,” says Ryan Vandrey, P.h D. “And it’s dose dependent. Even at modest doses you can get increases in heart rate of 20 to 30 beats per minute. And it can go higher. If someone with cardiovascular risk factors experiences a short-term bump in heart rate, that would be a concern. Part of my frustration with products like this is that nobody is going to take just a couple of licks and then put it away. There should be no circumstance where you get a product and you’re not supposed to consume the whole thing and it’s not clear when you’re supposed to stop.”
“In addition to potentially developing an addiction to cannabis, with use of highly potent cannabis products, we see mental health related problems,” says Dr. Hurd. “For example, issues with attention, memory, and cognition. Those are a side effect of chronic cannabis use, and even occasional use can impair motor issues. We also see the risk for psychosis, especially in certain younger people, when they use cannabis.”
Taking too much marijuana can lead to a host of unpleasant outcomes, including nausea, anxiety, and psychosis. “Because ingested cannabis needs to be digested prior to absorption, the onset of effects is typically delayed, which might lead someone to consume more than intended early on only to experience symptoms consistent with overconsumption later on,” says Lawrence C. Loh, MD, MPH, clinician and public health researcher at the University of Toronto.
If you are going to take edibles, make sure they have been vetted to avoid any potentially dangerous health outcomes. “For those who do consume, and have never done so before, we recommend consuming licensed products, to avoid the possible issues linked with the ongoing availability of illegal edibles that may be contaminated with mold, pesticide residues, or other drugs,” says Dr. Loh. “We also recommend proceeding slowly, even if no particular effects are felt initially, and consuming with others around who may be able to assist in the event of an unforeseen response.”
One study showed that many marijuana labels for edibles either overstated or understated the amount of THC in the product. “If this study is representative of the medical cannabis market, we may have hundreds of thousands of patients buying cannabis products that are mislabeled,” says Dr. Vandrey. “We didn’t have a guess as to how many products would have inaccurate labels, but I was surprised it was so many.”
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