Smoking isn’t the only way to consume marijuana. Yes, it’s right. Those who don’t like smoking can opt for other cannabis consumption methods. Eating cannabis-infused products is one of them.
However, edibles become the most popular ways to consume cannabis and are now making a large portion of the market. Eating marijuana doesn’t mean eating raw buds. Actually, edibles are products sold by medical cannabis dispensaries, and they are available in different forms and strengths. To access these legally, you require a medical marijuana card in California signed by a certified MMJ doctor.
What if you eat raw cannabis? Can it make you high? Read on to learn everything related to the topic.
What is Raw Marijuana?
When you consume raw cannabis, it doesn’t provide the same effects as you get from edibles. In the latter, the herb is processed through the process known as decarboxylation.
Raw marijuana has THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic) and CBDA (cannabidiolic), the compounds that turn into THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) only when heated.
Health Benefits of Eating Raw Marijuana
Eating raw weed doesn’t provide you the same effects as you get from smoking the flowers or taking edibles, tinctures, etc. However, researchers believe that eating raw cannabis can provide some health benefits because of the chemical compounds it contains.
Despite cannabinoids, marijuana also contains terpenes, compounds with specific flavor and aroma. Terpenes are incredibly beneficial for health. However, in raw marijuana, there are more terpenes than you would get in other forms of the plant. Terpenes provide ultimate relaxing and stress-relieving effects, thus boosting focus. You can even buy terpene products these days to add to food, vape juice, etc, to get the benefits of these useful compounds.
If you want to get a good night’s sleep without getting high, eating raw cannabis can be a great option. It helps you fall asleep naturally and stay asleep through all REM sleeps.
Another important fact about raw weed is that it contains anthocyanin, which brings a purple-ish color of the strains. Anthocyanin is a nutrient-packed element that helps in bringing different colors ( such as red, purple, blue, etc.) in foods.
How is it beneficial for health? It’s good for a healthy heart, immune system, and even improves vision. Moreover, researchers have found that anthocyanin-rich foods can help in treating chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases.
Additionally, raw marijuana contains more antioxidants, which are essential for maintaining good health by fighting off harmful free radicals. Consuming marijuana can help in keeping blood vessels healthy and reversing the aging effects as well. Moreover, researchers have found that anthocyanin-rich foods can help in treating chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases, although marijuana can have negative psychological and physical effects.
Does Raw Cannabis Make You High?
The short answer is no. Raw marijuana won’t get you high effects. To understand this, you need to be familiar with cannabis chemistry.
Marijuana contains over 100 chemical compounds called cannabinoids. When these cannabinoids are delivered into the body, they bind to cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). This results in triggering different bodily functions such as mood, appetite, pain, sleep, and memory.
Moreover, marijuana provides high effects. But, that happens only if you deliver THC into the body. As raw marijuana doesn’t have THC readily available, you won’t get high. It contains the non-psychoactive cannabinoid THCA, which is converted into THC when heated.
However, there’s no harm to consuming cannabis. You can get some health benefits instead. Some consumers say eating some leafy green is a great way to experience therapeutic benefits without getting psychoactive effects.
Dr. William Courtney believes that ingesting the whole plant is one of the healthiest ways to consume it. “When it’s consumed as a leafy green vegetable, you get the whole profile of the plant. I believe this plant, having evolved over millions of years, is put together to support that system. It’s clear that this plant is incredibly important for cell health, which at its best prevents disease.” Courtney told Fox News.
Courtney recommends patients consume raw marijuana for receiving maximum benefits. He has encouraged approximately 8000 patients and reported positive outcomes. He said, “My experience day in and day out is overwhelmingly positive with patients who are using it.”
For those who are interested in getting the health benefits of raw marijuana, juicing is a great option. It helps you get all the cannabinoids, vitamins, and minerals. Many say it tastes better, especially when mixed with other juices.
Mixing cannabis juice with vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables makes a powerful energy drink. Just chop the plant, put them into the mixer and add your favorite fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens and enjoy.
Takeaway
There’s a wide range of health benefits of eating marijuana-infused products called edibles. However, some people prefer consuming raw marijuana, which delivers therapeutic benefits without causing high effects. This is because raw cannabis contains THCA and CBDA, which are converted into THC and CBD after exposing to heat. No THC means no high. Raw marijuana contains more terpenes, thus helping consumers receive great relaxing and stress-relieving effects. Additionally, it can help you boost sleep naturally without causing any side-effects.
Image Source:
https://pixabay.com/photos/marijuana-cannabis-weed-bud-green-2174302/