The History and Benefits of Cannabis: From Edibles to Pain Management

It could appear as though marijuana-infused gummy bears and cookies are a relatively recent development given the widespread availability of both products. It's hard to believe, but edibles have been around for thousands of years, beginning with the traditional bhang of India and continuing all the way up to Mary Jane Rathbun, often known as Brownie Mary, who baked homemade brownies in the 1980s for AIDS patients who were in pain. Through video chat, individuals can connect with knowledgeable professionals who can answer their questions, offer dosage recommendations, and provide insights on the wide variety of edible options available.

What Exactly is Cannabis?

Cannabis sativa, more commonly referred to as cannabis, is a multifaceted plant that is a member of the Cannabaceae family. It has about 540 different chemical components, the most notable of which are tetrahydrocannabinol (often known as THC) and cannabidiol (sometimes known as CBD). It also has more than 100 other cannabinoids (CBD).

Tetrahydrocannabinol

THC is the molecule that lends cannabis its reputation as an intoxicatingly psychoactive drug due to the sensations of euphoria, decreased anxiety, and greater relaxation that it evokes. Its reputation is due to cannabis' ability to produce these effects. Daniele Piomelli, Ph.D., director of the Center for the Study of Cannabis at the University of California, Irvine, says that THC and other cannabinoids found in cannabis plants can have psychoactive effects on the human body due to how they interact with the endocannabinoid system, which regulates pain, appetite, and the response to stress.

These Interactions Cause THC and Other Cannabinoids to have their Psychoactive Effects

One Does Not Necessarily Get Stoned After Using Cannabis

To begin, using cannabis in the kitchen does not necessarily require you to experience the psychoactive effects of the drug. THC, a type of cannabinoid, is the principal psychoactive ingredient that is found in cannabis. But, when these leaves are not allowed to ripen and are kept raw, the cannabinoid that is discovered in them is called THCA, and it is not in the least bit psychotropic. It is only through the process of aging or, more effectively, being heated that THCA is converted into the psychoactive compound known as THC. It's a chemical reaction known as decarboxylation.

Dependence on alcoholic beverages and illicit drugs

A further extensive evaluation of the research that was conducted and published in the same year by the journal Clinical Psychology Review found that the use of cannabis may assist individuals who are dependent on alcohol or opioids in their struggle against their addictions. This finding, however, may be contested because a research conducted by the National Academy of Sciences reveals that cannabis use actually contributes to an increased risk of consuming other substances and developing a dependence on them.

Control and prevent diabetes

Given the effect that cannabis has on insulin, it stands to reason that the drug can also play a role in the management and prevention of diabetes. Cannabis has been associated to the stabilization of blood sugars, the lowering of blood pressure, and the improvement of blood circulation, according to research carried out by the American Alliance for Medicinal Cannabis (AAMC).

It is Possible for It to Alleviate Both Chronic Pain and Nausea

One of the most prevalent reasons people use medical marijuana is to get pain relief. In 2017, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine came to the conclusion that there is sufficient evidence to support this practice.4 The report stated that marijuana products appear to be effective at calming muscle spasms caused by multiple sclerosis and easing nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

Pain Treatment

Cannabis may not reduce the amount of physical pain directly, but it does appear to change the emotional response that one has to the experience of physical pain. This is an intriguing idea. You'll notice that there is a common thread running through the accounts of people who use cannabis to help them operate normally throughout the day despite experiencing chronic pain.

Effects that last for a longer period of time

Keep in mind that the liver is the organ that is responsible for metabolizing food before the rest of the body. Because of this, the effects of the marijuana come on slowly and steadily over time. It also indicates that the effects will continue for a substantially longer period of time, typically ranging from six to eight hours.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while marijuana-infused edibles like gummy bears and cookies may seem like a recent development, edibles have been around for thousands of years, with roots in traditional bhang in India and continuing up to Brownie Mary's homemade brownies for AIDS patients in the 1980s. Cannabis, the plant used in these edibles, contains over 540 chemical components, with THC and CBD being the most notable cannabinoids. THC is responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, but the use of cannabis in the kitchen does not necessarily require psychoactive effects. It's important to note that the effects of edibles come on slowly and steadily over time, with effects lasting for a longer period of time, typically ranging from six to eight hours.