Products in the full-spectrum CBD category. Edible cannabis products can offer several benefits, including reducing symptoms of chronic diseases and anxiety. This full-spectrum product contains organic hemp extract to help people feel calm. The company also states that they can help regulate sleep cycles and improve recovery from exercise.
As recreational cannabis continues to be legalized in more states, people are asking more questions about the effects of the drug on overall health. Smoking cannabis is one thing, but what about edibles or the use of the drug in foods such as brownies, gummies, muffins, donuts, and even peanut butter? Here's what you need to know about how cannabis affects your body when you consume it in food. While one of the desirable effects of THC is to feel more relaxed, Stolbach says, things can quickly get worse if you accidentally consume too much. Common symptoms of an overdose can be feelings of panic, a fast heart rate and anxiety, he says.
These reactions can become serious. Most edible products can take two to three hours before they begin to feel their full effects, and the effects of edibles can last for six or more hours, and the strongest side effects usually occur within three hours after ingestion. That's why it's important to wait at least two hours after eating an edible to have more (check out these tips to avoid overdoing it). Let's say that the brownie tasted fantastic and that at that time you consumed it for seconds or thirds, excess calories and sugar are what worries you the least.
If that brownie contained a high dose of THC, you could feel the effects for up to 12 hours, Stolbach says. Some states require that edibles be labeled with the amount of THC per serving, such as individually wrapped packs of gummies. However, many bakeries and facilities that produce groceries may not be strictly regulated when it comes to the amount of THC in each serving of that product. And even if they're labeled, as is the case with supplements, numbers can't always be trusted without strict regulation.
Consumers must do their homework to ensure that the source of any food they consume is credible, as well as consider where it comes from. According to the FDA, it's technically illegal to sell any food containing THC across state lines, in most cases. Manufacturers now make everything from protein powders to chocolate bars and granola bites with THC, allowing you to consume groceries while still following a healthy diet. If you want to try edible products, start with low doses, make sure they come in a package that clearly indicates the THC concentration, and consume them at a time when you don't need to drive a vehicle for a few hours, Stolbach says.
Take some time to see how your body handles it, he says. Try to minimize your stimuli and relax. More research is needed to determine the positive or negative effects that cannabis use can have on health, and Stolbach is very concerned about edibles falling into the wrong hands. Often, groceries can be packaged to look like regular candies or treats, which appeals to children.
The most commonly reported exposure to cannabis in children under 12 years of age is through baked goods and candy, according to the American College of Medical Toxicology. If you keep groceries at home and have children, make sure that they are in child-proof containers and that you store them in a place out of reach. The extraction, separation and refining of cannabinoids, as well as analytical techniques for measuring the concentration of cannabinoids in food (identification and quantification of cannabinoids), are all components of cannabis consumption in the food sector.