Can Edibles Be Used for Pain Relief and Anxiety

Edibles

Many people enjoy edibles for the exciting flavors and textures they provide, as well as the nuanced differences in the high they offer. Many prefer weed edibles over smoking, and some hobbyists specifically prefer edibles because they are seeking pain relief or a reduction in mental health symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

But do weed edibles actually help with these challenges, or is any progress just the placebo effect? Staying educated about what you’re putting in your body is important, so before you commit to edibles, make sure you understand how they work.

Here’s a quick overview of how edibles interact with the body, why they behave as they do, and some things to try.

Can Edibles Be Used for Pain Relief and Anxiety?

The relief cannabis edibles offer is not merely a placebo effect; studies have demonstrated that patients using edibles to treat pain experienced a clinically significant reduction in their levels of pain over time.

Additionally, many strains of cannabis (especially from the Indica family) are carefully developed to relax the body and mind, which many patients report is beneficial for their anxiety and depression. Cannabis edibles can be helpful for those struggling with mental wellness or physical pain, but it’s important to understand why.

Why Do Edibles Help?

Edibles help because of the cannabinoids and terpenes contained within them. The body has its own endocannabinoid system, which processes compounds of the same name produced by a person’s other bodily systems. However, cannabis also contains these compounds, meaning that they can interface with the endocannabinoid receptors in the same way.

Because this system is responsible for feelings such as pleasure and mood, edibles can create these sensations. From there, it all comes down to which molecules are being introduced to the endocannabinoid receptors. THC and CBD are the two primary participants. On top of these are terpenes, which offer their own specific benefits: limonene for feeling uplifted, myrcene for relaxation, and more.

If your goal is pain relief or anxiety reduction, choose strains containing the compounds that complement your goals.

Strains to Try

Everyone has different tolerances to THC and CBD levels as well as individual effects, such as bodily relaxation or head highs. It’s useful to sample a few strains in small amounts to learn what you like best and how your body responds. Remember that edibles take a while to kick in. Take it low and slow to start.

Here are some strains to give you some inspiration.

Pain relief

Carophyllene is one of the main terpenes to look for when choosing pain-relieving strains.

• GDP: Granddaddy Purple has earned its place as a crowd favorite. This iconic classic contains caryophyllene and myrcene, which can relieve pain by helping the body relax. As an Indica with around 17% THC, it’s more accessible to newcomers and much easier to find than other options. It also has a pleasant taste and smell reminiscent of fruit and flowers, making it a complementary part of many edible desserts.
• Purple Kush: Like GDP, Purple Kush offers ideal terpenes for pain relief. It blends physical relaxation and tension relief with a more uplifting euphoria that can help improve your mood. This is important because studies show that people who suffer from chronic pain have a more “primed” pain reception, meaning that even the anticipation of more pain can make their bodies hurt more. By instilling joy and hope, strains like Purple Kush can calm this reflex.

Anxiety

While many types of strains can help with anxiety, people often report that 1:1 options (those with an equal amount of CBD and THC) are especially effective.

• Pennywise: As a 1:1 strain, Pennywise is bred from Harlequin (which is also an anxiety favorite) to create a complex Indica. It helps to induce feelings of relaxation without creating sluggishness, so you can still focus. As a peppery plant, these buds go well in more savory edibles such as butters.
• Blueberry: As an uncontested staple in anti-anxiety cannabis use, Blueberry offers a mix of relaxation and happiness that can significantly boost one’s mood. However, be aware that it’s higher in THC than CBD, so start with small doses!

Get High-Quality Edibles You Can Trust

Whether you’re struggling with chronic pain, anxiety, depression, or something else, there is increasing evidence that high-quality cannabis can help. The budtenders at Pure Oasis can offer edible recommendations that suit your goals based on your needs, tolerance, and flavor preferences. Stop by Pure Oasis to see what we have in stock and get started on sampling edibles that can change how you go about your day!