Are you a senior cannabis consumer or caregiver looking for the best ways to use cannabis edibles for health and wellness? Look no further! With edibles, there’s a world of innovative options that can help seniors feel their best everyday. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at various benefits of cannabis edibles that are especially applicable to seniors, and provide helpful tips on how seniors and their caregivers can make the most out of their experience. So if you’re ready to learn more about this topic, buckle up, because it’s time to explore edibles for seniors!
Cannabis edibles are food products infused with cannabis. They can be eaten or drunk, and work by entering the bloodstream through the digestive system. Unlike inhaling cannabis smoke, which takes effect almost immediately, the effects of cannabis edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to kick in and can last for several hours. Edible potency can vary widely, so it’s important for new consumers to start with a low dose and wait until the effects are fully felt before consuming more.
Cannabis edibles work by entering the bloodstream through the digestive system, where they are absorbed through the stomach lining and digestive tracts, and also metabolized by the liver. When cannabis is ingested as an edible, your body processes the active compounds (like THC or CBD) and then converts them into metabolites that are distributed throughout your whole body, including to your brain. This process results in the effects associated with cannabis use, such as euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception of time and space. It’s important to note that the effects of cannabis edibles can be much stronger and longer-lasting than those produced by smoking or vaporizing, so it is important to experiment slowly with cannabis edibles until you know how they will affect you.
How can seniors use cannabis edibles to improve their quality of life?
Seniors can use cannabis edibles to improve their quality of life in several ways:
Pain management: For some consumers, edibles can provide persistent relief from chronic pain and other types of discomfort associated with conditions such as arthritis, neuropathy, and cancer. If you find that cannabis helps relieve your pain, consuming it in edible form can help the benefits last longer than smoking or vaping dried flower or concentrates.
Insomnia: Edibles can help seniors who struggle with insomnia or sleep disturbances to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Check out our post on using cannabis for sleep for more.
Improved Appetite: Seniors can struggle with lost appetites, due to illnesses or the side effects of medication. Cannabis edibles are known for their ability to stimulate our appetites! If you’ve ever heard of “getting the munchies”, you know exactly what we’re talking about.
Glaucoma: Cannabis edibles have been shown to help reduce the intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma, a condition that can lead to vision loss, and that becomes more common as we age.
It’s important to note that every individual reacts differently to cannabis edibles. That’s why it’s important to start with a low dose and wait until you fully feel the effects before consuming more. It’s also important for seniors to consult a healthcare provider before using cannabis edibles, especially if they’re taking other medications, which can interact with cannabis in surprising ways.
Are there any risks associated with using cannabis edibles for seniors?
The answer is “yes”! Perhaps the most common risk for seniors is the potential for unexpected interactions with other medications. Cannabis consumption can also cause side effects, such as drowsiness, confusion, and changes in blood pressure. Seniors taking blood-thinning medication may experience an increased risk of bleeding if they use cannabis edibles. Additionally, older adults may be more sensitive to the psychoactive effects of THC, the main active ingredient in cannabis. It’s important for seniors to talk to their doctor before using cannabis edibles, and to start with a low dose to minimize the risk of adverse effects.
How can caregivers and loved ones help seniors safely consume cannabis edibles?
Caregivers can help seniors safely consume cannabis edibles by following these guidelines:
Consult a doctor: Caregivers should encourage the senior to talk to their doctor before using cannabis edibles to make sure they are safe to use and won’t interact with any medications the senior is taking.
Start with a low dose: Edibles can take up to two hours (or more!) to take effect, and the effects can last for several hours. Starting with a low dose can help reduce the risk of adverse effects.
Read the label: Caregivers should carefully read the label of the edibles to understand the dose and ingredients.
Store edibles safely: Be sure to store edibles in a secure place where they are not accessible to children or pets.
Keep track of effects: Caregivers should encourage the senior to keep track of how they feel after taking edibles and to report any negative effects to their doctor.
Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery: Seniors should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery after taking cannabis edibles, as they can impair coordination and judgement.
Follow dosing instructions: Caregivers should encourage the senior to follow the dosing instructions carefully and not to exceed the recommended dose.
By following these guidelines, caregivers can help seniors safely consume cannabis edibles, which can be a helpful tool for seniors to improve their quality of life and manage certain health conditions that often come in our golden years. Because they work by releasing cannabinoids into the body over time, they can be very effective in helping with pain relief, sleep issues, and appetite stimulation.
Conclusion
It’s important for seniors to use cannabis edibles responsibly, as they can pose risks such as accidental overconsumption. Caregivers and loved ones can assist by educating themselves on cannabis edibles and guiding seniors in using them in a safe and controlled manner. Ultimately, using cannabis edibles can be a positive experience for seniors if they approach them with caution and understanding.
For many, the combination of cannabis and caramel is an absolute match made in heaven. With buttery-sweet indulgence coupled with the potent effects of cannabis, what’s not to love? While it might sound tricky, making your own homemade cannabis-infused caramels isn’t all that complicated. These treats make for a delicious edible you can enjoy on your own or share with family, friends and special occasions! Keep reading to find out how easy it is to harness the power of cannabis in these scrumptious caramels.
Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly butter the sides.
In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, heavy cream, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp salt.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a heat-resistant spatula, until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
Once the sugar has dissolved, stop stirring and let the mixture come to a boil.
Let the mixture boil until it reaches a temperature of 245°F on a candy thermometer. This should take around 10-15 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool for 2-3 minutes.
Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and let it cool completely.
Once the mixture is cool, use a sharp knife to cut it into small squares. You can sprinkle the additional sea salt on the caramels at this point, if you prefer a saltier flavour.
Wrap each square in wax paper and store in an airtight container.
Enjoy your homemade caramels! Making your own edibles at home is a fun and delicious way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis. Be sure to follow the recipe and instructions carefully, starting with a low dose of THC and increasing gradually until you find the perfect amount for you. If you’ve used infused butter you made on your own, you can estimate the dosage of your edibles, but be sure to start low and go slow until you know how they will affect you.
We’d love to hear how your batch turned out, so be sure to let us know in the comments below!
The endocannabinoid system is a biological system that interacts with cannabinoids, which are chemicals produced by the body. The endocannabinoid system plays a role in many functions within the human body, including regulating pain, our appetites and our mood. It mediates your stress response, plays a role in your immune system, regulates your metabolism and how you sleep. It is a vital to keeping you alive, happy, and healthy.
Understanding how the endocannabinoid system works can help you better understand how cannabis products interact with your body—and why and how they might be able to help you feel better.
Your endocannabinoid system regulates communication between your body’s different systems.
What is the endocannabinoid system?
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is part of the body’s natural regulatory system and helps the body maintain homeostasis. It does this by helping our body’s systems communicate with each other. It does this through a series of communication portals in your cells (called “receptors” because they receive information) and certain molecules that interact with them. These molecules might be produced naturally in your body or introduced from outside sources, like the cannabis plant.
Several types of receptors have been identified as part of this system, but your CB1 and CB2 receptors are the most widely known. CB1 receptors are found mainly in the brain but also exist in peripheral tissues like the liver and spleen. When they’re activated by THC or anandamide (an endocannabinoid, naturally produced in our bodies), they play a role in regulating mood, sleep cycles and pain sensation, among other things.
CB2 receptors are mostly found within certain immune cells called macrophages and B-cells (white blood cells). We don’t understand their function very well, but some researchers believe they may help regulate inflammation, and potentially protect against growths such as tumors or cancers themselves.
Your endocannabinoid system is a series of receptors found in most tissues in your body.
Cannabinoids can bind to receptors or block them
THC, the primary psychoactive phytocannabinoid, is arguably the most well-known cannabinoid. THC binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors in our bodies, resulting in intoxicating effects.
CBD, on the other hand, has been shown to reduce inflammation by blocking both types of cannabinoid receptors at once. As a result, CBD is considered non-intoxicating because it doesn’t activate our receptors like THC. This is true whether you ingest, inhale, or absorb CBD products.
Your endocannabinoid system creates effects by responding to the cannabis products you consume.
Understanding the endocannabinoid system is crucial to understanding how cannabis works
The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of cell receptors and cannabinoids (like THC or CBD) that work together to maintain homeostasis in the body. When this system works correctly, it mediates your stress response, plays a role in your immune system, regulates your appetite and metabolism, and regulates how you sleep, how you feel and how you experience pain.
It’s important to understand how this network works so you can get the most out of the cannabis products you consume. Understanding how the endocannabinoid system operates will allow you to identify which specific ailments might be impacted by cannabis use and how best to address them using flower, extracts, edibles, or topicals made from cannabis or hemp plants.
We hope that this guide has helped you to understand more about the endocannabinoid system and how it works with THC and CBD. Check out our Ultimate Guide to CBN Edibles and our Ultimate Guide to CBG edibles to learn more about how those cannabinoids work with your body too!
Slowly but surely, cannabis edibles are making their way into people’s home pharmacopeias. The therapeutic benefits of edibles and their versatility in effects has led to their increasing popularity as a wellness product for all kinds of consumers. Let’s take a look at the ways edibles are being used as a wellness product.
The rise of edible cannabis products
Edible cannabis products are a growing trend. While it’s obvious to most consumers that using edibles is a safer alternative to smoking or vaping, but many people don’t realize just how many benefits they can offer to overall health and wellness.
In fact, edibles are becoming an increasingly popular method of consuming cannabis because they provide a different type of high than smoking or vaping. Edibles tend to last longer and for some consumers, can cause less anxiety too. This makes edibles appealing to people who want to take their time in order to enjoy the experience more fully.
The rise in popularity of edible products has been caused by several factors: one is the health benefits associated with CBD (cannabidiol), another is the health benefits associated with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Other cannabinoids such as CBN (cannabinol) and CBC (cannabichromene) also contribute positively towards wellness; however these compounds are only present in small amounts compared with THC and CBD respectively so they aren’t as common among edible products at this time.
More people are using cannabis edibles for wellness
Cannabis edibles are becoming more popular for health benefits. A study published in 2017 by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that cannabis may reduce pain and inflammation associated with diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Another study from 2015 suggests that cannabis could be beneficial for people with anxiety disorders or PTSD by reducing symptoms such as fearfulness, irritability and insomnia.
Current regulations in Canada have strict rules surrounding where consumers can purchase edibles. They must go through a licensed recreational cannabis retail store where budtenders are often precluded from speaking about their wellness benefits to consumers due to federal restrictions on cannabis promotion and advertising. While budtender education programs that teach budtenders to explain wellness benefits do exist, many budtenders have not had enough training to confidently and accurately offer this information to consumers. This makes it even more difficult for consumers to understand and access the wellness benefits of cannabis edibles.
As CBD regulations ease in the coming years, CBD products will be available over-the-counter at pharmacies like Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall Pharmacies across Canada. As this occurs, pharmacists will become even more familiar with the benefits of this cannabinoid, and consumers will be able to more easily access information.
Budtenders are an important source of cannabis information for consumers.
The CBD vs THC debate
The most commonly known cannabinoid is tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is the psychoactive component of cannabis and has been used for pain relief, sleep aid and appetite stimulation. On the other hand, cannabidiol (CBD) doesn’t produce a high like THC does but it’s still used to treat anxiety and inflammation. Although CBD works quite differently from THC, there are still some ways you can use both cannabinoids together to maximize their therapeutic effects.
CBD can be used to reduce the side effects caused by over-consumption of THC such as feeling paranoid or anxious; experiencing headaches or dizziness; having trouble concentrating; feeling nauseous or vomiting; getting dry mouth; etc. Because it acts as an inhibitor of THC, reducing or blocking its psychoactive effects, many people prefer CBD to THC for wellness applications.
Some researchers believe that other non-intoxicating cannabinoids such as CBN and CBG may be useful for treating certain mental health disorders including anxiety and depression. CBN has been shown to induce sleepiness in some users while CBG is known to improve focus and mood without causing intoxication — both traits that could help with anxiety disorders if taken at night before bedtime.
Recommended cannabis edibles doses for different cannabinoids
The most common cannabinoids in cannabis edibles are THC and CBD. In terms of psychoactivity, THC is more potent than CBD—but that doesn’t mean all cannabinoids have the same effect on everyone.
CBN (cannabinol) is a breakdown product of THC and may be mildly intoxicating for some consumers. CBG (cannabigerol) is one of three major precursors to both THC and CBD. CBG comes from young cannabis plants, so it’s less common in mature buds or extracts derived from them; however, some people report experiencing mild euphoria when consuming products containing high amounts of this cannabinoid (such as certain strains grown outdoors).
Everyone’s ideal dose is unique to them, and the best way to figure out what will work best for you is to experiment. Be sure to start with a low dose (around 2.5 mg) and gradually increase the dosage until you get the effects you’re looking for. Be sure to give yourself enough time to feel the edible before ingesting more. Most people feel effects in 45-90 minutes, but others will need hours to notice any changes.
There are some medications that can be affected by CBD, so if you’re taking any prescription medications, or if you have any questions or concerns about using cannabis edibles safely, please talk with your doctor first!
Conclusion
These are just some of the ways cannabis edibles have been making their way into the wellness industry. As people become more familiar with different cannabinoids and their effects, they will become standard medicines for people looking for natural treatments of ailments.
CBN is a cannabinoid that many consumers are just discovering, and there are lots of options for consuming it. Some like to smoke dried bud while other prefer a vape pen. Still others prefer to eat CBN edibles rather than inhaling. With so many methods, it can be hard to know what to do and where to start. That’s why we created this guide to CBN edibles.
What is CBN and where does it come from?
Have you ever smoked some old cannabis you found, and ended up sleepy rather than high? If so, it’s most likely because of the CBN in the weed. Short for cannabinol, CBN is derived when THC degrades due to light, heat, or time. CBN can usually be found in small amounts in old cannabis. This is because over time THC degrades to CBN. Adding light or heat to the equation speeds up this process.
The potential health benefits of CBN
As a more novel cannabinoid, researchers haven’t studied CBN as much as THC or CBD. That’s why we don’t yet have a lot of studies on its potential benefits. While CBN products are often marketed as sleep aids, we need more research to confirm these claims.
Anecdotally, some consumers have reported CBN to be a non-intoxicating way to fall asleep fast and an anti-inflammatory agent. Because of this, CBN has gained popularity in recent years as a natural alternative for managing sleep disorders and chronic pain. Early research shows that CBN has neuroprotective properties and may be useful in treating inflammation and other causes of pain. While research on CBN is still limited, these early studies do suggest it may have a range of potential health benefits in addition to helping consumers fall asleep.
Every human comes with an Endocannabinoid System whose job is to facilitate communication between different systems in your body. In order to do that job, you have endocannabinoid receptors in almost every tissue in your body that act as communication portals between body systems.
There are two kinds of endocannabinoid receptors in your body—CB1 and CB2. The CB1 receptor is responsible for regulating motor activity, pain perception, and other functions of the central nervous system that are processed in the brain. CB2 receptors are associated with the peripheral nervous system and the physical body. They can be found in your skin, pancreas, bones, and immune system.
THC binds with both CB1 and CB2 receptors, increasing the amount of information that is sent through them, and resulting in the common effects of “being high”. In contrast, CBD blocks THC (and other kinds of molecules) from binding with your receptors, which slows down the information flow.
But unlike THC, which connects strongly with our receptors, CBN binds more weakly to our ECS system. Because of this, the effects of CBN will feel different from either CBD or THC. Most people report feeling sleepy or more relaxed after consuming CBN, and any sense of being “high” may be present, but is greatly diminished from a THC experience.
Consuming CBN edibles
If you’re interested in trying CBN for yourself, one way to consume it is through edibles. CBN edibles, like gummies and chocolate, provide a convenient and discreet way to get your desired dose of the cannabinoid. They’re also a great option for people who don’t like the taste of raw cannabis or prefer to avoid smoking or vaporizing.
Keep in mind that edibles’ effects often take longer to appear than other forms of consumption. Be patient and give them time to work. It’s also a good idea to keep a journal to track your dosage and effects, so you know what to expect when you’re consuming CBN.
Using a journal to track your cannabis consumption can help you identify the cannabinoids, dosage, and timing that works best for you.
How much CBN should I take?
When trying a new cannabinoid, finding the right dosage is always a big part of the experience. It’s important to start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed.
In general, 10 mg of CBN is roughly equivalent to 1 mg of THC. This means that if you were to consume an edible with 5 mg of THC and 10 mg of CBN, you’d feel like you ate around 6 mg of THC.
There are no known side effects of CBN, which doesn’t mean they don’t exist. It just means that CBN hasn’t been studied enough to discover them. While CBN edibles are generally considered safe, it’s definitely possible to experience side effects like drowsiness and sedation. In fact, that’s probably what you’re going for! So if you’re planning to drive or operate heavy machinery, it’s best to avoid CBN edibles or use them with caution until you really understand how they affect you.
When trying a new cannabinoid, give yourself 12 to 24 hours after consumption before you drive or operate dangerous equipment.
Conclusion: are CBN edibles worth trying?
Overall, edibles are a convenient and potentially therapeutic way to consume this lesser-known cannabinoid. As with any new cannabinoid, it’s important to do your research and start with a low dose to determine what works best for you. With a little bit of trial and error, you may find that CBN edibles are a natural and effective way to get better sleep, deal with pain and inflammation, and support your overall health and well-being.
This post is part of our series on novel cannabinoids. Click here for our ultimate guide to CBG edibles.
The path to market for a cannabis gummy in the Canadian industry can be a complex and challenging process, but it’s also an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to bring innovative products to consumers. In order to bring a cannabis gummy to market in Canada, producers take several key steps.
Step 1: Conduct R&D
Before diving into the process of bringing an edible to market, it’s important to conduct thorough research and development (R&D) to ensure that the product is viable and meets your target market’s needs. This might involve doing some market research to understand consumer demand, testing various formulas and ingredients to find the optimal combination, and prototyping the product to ensure it meets all regulatory requirements. We often do the first stages of our R&D right in our own kitchen.
We conduct a lot of our preliminary R&D in our home kitchen.
Step 2: Get a license from Health Canada
In order to legally produce and sell cannabis products in Canada, a company must first obtain a license from Health Canada. This involves submitting an application and providing detailed information about the company and its proposed products, as well as meeting strict regulatory requirements related to quality control, good manufacturing practices, and security. Some companies, like Fritz’s, pay a royalty to operate under another company’s license, which makes the process of getting to market easier.
Step 3: Develop a compliant product
Once a license is worked out, the next step is developing a gummy that meets all of the regulatory requirements set out by Health Canada. This includes ensuring that the product is made with high-quality ingredients, is properly labeled and packaged, and meets all dosage and potency requirements. Fritz’s also conducts additional types of product testing, such as contaminant and stability testing, to ensure our gummies are safe and effective.
Step 4: Obtain product approval
Before brands can sell their cannabis gummies in Canada, Health Canada must first approve them. This approval process involves submitting a detailed application to Health Canada and providing information about the product, as well as conducting various types of testing to ensure that it meets all regulatory requirements. This application is known as an “NNCP” or Notice of New Cannabis Product.
Step 5: Source raw materials and ingredients
In order to make a weed gummy, we need to source various raw materials and ingredients, such as hash rosin, sugar, corn syrup, and flavouring ingredients. It is important to ensure that these ingredients are of high quality and meet all regulatory requirements, so we spend a lot of time qualifying our vendors before we work with them.
Ingredients are carefully sourced to ensure they meet our high standards.
Step 6: Manufacture the gummy
Once we have all the necessary raw materials and ingredients, the next step is to manufacture the gummy. This involves a process of mixing, heating, and depositing the gummies into molds with the desired shape and size. Then the gummies are cooled, before we coat them with and sugar and leave them to cure. Once they’re finished curing, after a day or two, they’re packaged up and sealed. Fritz’s always follows good manufacturing practices and adheres to strict quality control measures to ensure that our final product meets all regulatory standards. Check out our blog post on how gummies are made for a more in-depth overview of this step.
Step 7: Market and sell the gummy
Once your cannabis gummy has been approved by Health Canada, you can begin marketing and selling it in the Canadian regulated market. This involves pitching your product to provincial distributors, marketing directly to retailers, and accessing online medical platforms to get your product into the hands of patients. Regulations limit a brand’s ability to connect directly with consumers, so it is also important to ensure that your company complies with all relevant marketing and advertising regulations.
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