Are Weed Edibles the Healthier Alternative for Cannabis Use

Edibles

Widespread cannabis use is still a new phenomenon across the United States. Access to a variety of products, including joints, pre-rolls, and weed edibles, allows consumers numerous choices of how to partake. Many assume that smoking weed is the default consumption method and, therefore, the “best” or most basic. Yet, growing research shows that various forms of cannabis work within the body differently than others.

Two of the most common forms of consumption are smoking and edibles. Each offers its own advantages, ranging from the time it takes to see effects to price, customizability, and more. Still, several considerations should be taken into account regarding the potential health implications of these options.

The Science Behind Smoking

When you smoke weed, small particulates of the plant travel to your lungs, where the cannabinoids they contain are absorbed by the body to produce the effects you’re expecting. However, smoking introduces outside particles into the lungs in a much greater concentration than you would experience by simply breathing the air. This can have numerous effects.

For example, not everyone may respond well to smoking. If you have respiratory conditions, such as asthma, you might find that smoking cannabis exacerbates your symptoms, even if all your friends seem fine. If you have pets, you may be considering how the smoke could impact them, too.

At the same time, smoking can produce effects much faster than edibles. While this may be ideal for some individuals, those who are thinking about the intensity of their high may prefer edibles. Smoking can hit hard, while edibles can provide prolonged effects that gradually ease you into the intensity.

Many consumers enjoy smoking; it is, after all, the most common method of enjoying cannabis. If you would like to experiment with other options, though, edibles can provide another entry point into the world of weed.

Are Weed Edibles the Healthier Alternative?

Not everyone finds that smoking weed is their preferred method. Many consumers wonder if edibles carry similar risks. The good news is that edibles can help you to avoid many of the effects of their inhaled counterparts if you find that smoking does not work well for you.

The biggest risk of consuming edibles comes in the form of overdosing. While a true “overdose” has never been reported (no one has fatally consumed too much of an edible), eating more than the appropriate dosage can lead to noticeably uncomfortable symptoms, such as nausea, heart palpitations, confusion, and agitation.

The main challenge consumers face when using edibles is making sure they eat the correct amount. Edibles made at home can be inconsistent in dosage due to a failure to mix the ingredients fully, improper cooking or baking times, and more. However, even store-bought products might not be reliable if they come from facilities that do not have their ingredients’ composition tested via reliable third parties. This is why buying your edibles from a trusted dispensary is so essential.

What Should You Do?

Ultimately, you are the only person who can make decisions about your health and habits. Your best option is to equip yourself with the knowledge to make informed choices. Many people choose to indulge in a smoke from time to time to minimize the effect it has on the lungs, while others pivot entirely to other forms of marijuana, such as edibles, tinctures, and batter. For those with respiratory conditions, smoking is likely the less beneficial alternative.

At the same time, edibles might not provide the high you’re looking for if you want something that comes on fast and hits hard. If you know that you’ll struggle not to eat more than the recommended dosage, smoking (and especially pre-rolls) can be the choice that works better for you. Each option has its advantages!

It is also important to remember that weed is still in its infancy when it comes to research. Smoking has been the primary focus of studies so far, and the health benefits and risks of edibles are still active discussions among researchers. Only purchase products from companies that invest in high-quality ingredients and thorough testing, so you are certain about what you are putting in your body. From there, you can make a choice that most suits your risk tolerance, preferences, goals, and needs.

Find Edibles at Your Local Dispensary

If you would like to explore the wide variety of cannabis products at your disposal, stop by Pure Oasis! Our budtenders can guide you through our reliably sourced edibles, concentrates, and more, so you can find the product that’s right for you. If you have questions, we are happy to answer or help you get the information you need. Pure Oasis has been proud to serve our neighborhoods for years, and we want to see you flourish and enjoy the many benefits that weed can offer.