Does Eating Cannabis Get You High?
More and more people, for both recreational and medical purposes, are choosing to consume raw cannabis as part of today's cannabis culture. Many people are still unclear about this current craze and wonder; “does eating cannabis get you high?” or “How important is it to know if the plant has been decarboxylated?”
We need to know whether it's safe to eat cannabis before we can answer the question, "Can you eat cannabis raw?"
Well, the answer is, you totally can!
It's completely risk-free, and more and more people think it might have good health effects when they ask does eating cannabis get you high. If you've ever heard the urban legend that consuming raw cannabis might lead to serious illness or death (a story that every cannabis user has heard), then we must inform you that this is not the case. That's not at all true!
Read on to find out what happens to your body when you eat raw cannabis and whether or not eating raw cannabis is beneficial for you!
Understanding Cannabis and Its Forms
The cannabis plant is the source of cannabis, also known as marijuana. The psychoactive component delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is present in the cannabis plant. Binding to specific locations on the nerves and in the brain is a feature of these psychoactive compounds by which they cause euphoria.
The two most extensively researched cannabinoids from cannabis, THC and CBD, are among more than a hundred. The plant's leaves and buds contain the most of cannabinoids. For the psychoactive effects of THC, which can change one's state of mind and perception, the cannabis plant's dried flowers and leaves are smoked or consumed.
People often ingest the plant in various forms, each of which imparts its own distinct set of benefits, such as:
Forms of Cannabis
- Raw Cannabis: Everything from the plant's branches and leaves to its flowers and leaves constitutes raw cannabis. Even when eaten straight, it does not have any stimulating effects. They are used frequently in raw recipes or for juicing. There are cannabinoids in it that don't make you high, including tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA).
- Decarboxylated Cannabis: Heating cannabis undergoes decarboxylation, which transforms inactive cannabinoids into their active counterparts. Take THCA and CBDA as examples: THCA becomes THC, and CBDA becomes CBD. Common practice dictates simmering the cannabis for 30–45 minutes at a temperature between 220 and 240°F. This is done to produce oils, tinctures, and consumables. It is important for inducing cannabis's euphoric effects.
- Other Forms: Some of the other forms of cannabis include cannabis concentrates (Hash, Oil, Wax, Kief, etc.), edibles, topicals, tinctures, etc.
The Science of Decarboxylation
To make inert or inactive cannabis compounds, such as THC, active, the acid group must be removed so that the body can identify the substance. This procedure is called decarboxylation. Carbon dioxide is emitted from heating cannabis to temperatures higher than 105℉ (40 ℃).
Even after drying in the sun or oven, a significant quantity of THC-A or CBD-A remains in the cannabis plant, as decarboxylation starts during this process. To finish, it's best to heat the cannabis to a point where all acidic chemicals would dissolve, such as when it's nearly burned.
Sun-drying cannabis happens at temperatures just above 100℉ to give you an idea of scale. At approximately this temperature, decarboxylation will begin to take place. To prepare edibles from dried cannabis, it is best to cook it in oil at a temperature of 200 to 350 degrees Celsius for several hours.
Vaporizing or smoking cannabis, on the other hand, causes decarboxylation to happen at a considerably higher temperature (a Bic lighter's flame reaches over 3,000℉!). At such temperature, THC-A can be converted to THC in a millisecond.
Does Eating Cannabis Get You High?
Moving on to the original question: does eating cannabis get you high?
The short (and rather unexpected) answer is no, you cannot get high from consuming raw cannabis.
You would be surprised to know that THC is not present in raw cannabis. It has the non-psychoactive cannabinoid tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), which is found in cannabis.
The process of decarboxylation that we discussed above activates the compounds, producing psychoactive effects. These effects of THC are solely due to its interaction with the endocannabinoid system in the human body.
We get the psychoactive "high" that people describe when they consume THC because the compound interacts with cannabinoid receptors that are spread throughout their neurological and immunological systems.
Eating raw weed won't get you high since the main cannabinoid, THCA, doesn't release THC until it reaches a specific combustion threshold. It may not produce psychoactivity, but that doesn't imply it doesn't have other possible advantages.
Potential Effects and Benefits of Raw Cannabis
Although consuming raw cannabis could not have any psychoactive effects, it could have other positive health effects. Many people who consume raw cannabis report feeling the medicinal and physiological advantages of cannabinoids without the high.
Research shows THCA may have some health benefits, so it's no longer hearsay. Cannabinoids, such as THCA, were found in 2013 to inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of specific cancer cells.
In 2012, researchers discovered THCA and THC both have neuroprotectant properties that are good for the brain.
Cannabis contains many health-beneficial compounds, such as terpenes, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6). Additionally, it contains a lot of fiber, amino acids, and protein.
Among the many other advantages are:
- A British Journal of Pharmacology study suggested that THCA could save brain cells from injury.
- A study conducted by the International Immunopharmacology examined the effects of raw cannabis on tumor necrosis inhibition. Their research confirmed that THCA effectively reduced immune cell tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels.
- Researchers in a separate study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology explored THCA's anti-nausea effects in rats. They saw a decrease in nausea and vomiting after taking it.
- The antioxidants found in abundance in raw cannabis also help fight free radicals, which are the culprits behind aging and tissue damage.
Comparison of Consumption Methods
You may consume cannabis in a few different ways, and you might find some form of many cannabis edibles are more manageable than others. The easiest way to discover which one you like is to give each a go!
Vaporizing or smoking
Smoking or vaporizing cannabis works faster than ingesting or swallowing cannabis oil. Cannabis is readily absorbed into the bloodstream by inhalation or smoking. This gives your body the peak cannabis dose in minutes after inhalation.
Topicals
Cannabis-infused lotions, creams, and ointments rarely affect the mind. This is because the skin absorbs cannabis slowly into the bloodstream.
Oils & Edibles
Various cannabis edible types and oils take longer to work than inhaled cannabis. Before reaching your body, cannabis must pass via your digestive system and liver. The cannabis’ maximal bloodstream absorption is delayed by up to 2 hours.
Legal and Health Considerations
Now we know the answer to “Does eating cannabis get you high?” However, there are certain legal and health considerations that you still cannot overlook.
For example, individually packaged packs of cannabis gummies are required by some states to have the amount of THC per serving labeled. The amount of THC in each serving of edibles may not be strictly regulated by many bakeries and facilities that make them.
Similar to dietary supplements, the need for more stringent regulation makes it difficult to trust the data, even when they are labeled. Anyone buying various forms of cannabis edibles should be wary of their origins and conduct their research to verify the legitimacy of the product's manufacturer.
The Food and Drug Administration states that, in most cases, it is technically prohibited to sell food containing THC over state boundaries.
Moreover, if you are suffering from any preexisting serious illness or are pregnant, ensure your healthcare provider knows that you are planning to consume cannabis edibles.
Conclusion
Finally, eating cannabis does not get you high!
However, while there is no psychoactive impact from eating raw cannabis, it is an interesting fact to know that you still get to enjoy some amazing medicinal benefits. From treating nausea and vomiting to providing antioxidants, cancer-killing mechanisms, and even neuroprotectant properties, cannabis is amazing in many ways!
Raw cannabis has several health benefits, including even small amounts of the plant in nutritious meals can help.
But before you try adding raw cannabis to your diet, whether in a smoothie or a salad, it's important to monitor your body's reaction to the change in consumption technique. Also, it is always highly suggested to discuss this inclusion with your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, or have an ongoing serious medical condition.
FAQs
What is THCA, and how is it different from THC?
The cannabinoid THCA does not produce psychoactive effects like THC. The "high" that people experience from cannabis is the result of the conversion of THCA to THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, when the plant is heated (decarboxylation).
Can you absorb any cannabinoids by eating raw cannabis?
Yes, THCA and CBDA can be absorbed from raw cannabis, but they won't have the same euphoric effects as THC.
What are the health benefits of eating raw cannabis?
The non-psychoactive cannabinoids found in raw cannabis, such as THCA and CBDA, may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects.
How does the potency of cannabis change with different preparation methods?
Decarboxylation boosts potency by transforming inert cannabinoids into their active forms, while extraction techniques concentrate cannabinoids even more, increasing potency even further.
Is it legal to consume cannabis in raw form in all states where cannabis is legal?
Each state has its laws regarding the consumption of raw cannabis. Before you buy, grow, or cook with cannabis, be sure you know the rules in your state.