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.
Most cannabis consumers are familiar with the different effects from THC and CBD. But what they may not know is that all cannabinoids interact with our bodies in a unique way. With more and more new edibles on the market containing cannabinoids other than THC and CBD, consumers might wonder what a product is and how to use it. In this post we’ll explore CBG edibles. We’ll look at what CBG is, how CBG edibles work, and what kinds of effects the consumer should expect.
What are cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are molecules that interact with our endocannabinoid system. (Endocannabinoid is short for endogenous cannabinoid system. The word endogenous means that it is something naturally found inside our bodies.)
Our endocannabinoid system (or ECS for short) regulates our internal homeostasis. That means it’s responsible for keeping us balanced and healthy. It does this by facilitating communication between our different body systems. It also manages digestion and metabolism, breathing and breath rate, emotions and cognitive performance, pain management, reproduction, and immune response.
While cannabinoids all interact with our ECS, they can come from three different places. Some come from the cannabis plant. These are called phytocannabinoids, or “plant cannabinoids”. Phytocannabinoids grow to protect the plant from diseases and pests. While we still don’t have a lot of research on their effects on humans, it does seem that each cannabinoid has its own unique effects.
Many cannabinoids are produced in the cannabis plant
Some cannabinoids are naturally produced inside our bodies. These are called endocannabinoids, or “inside cannabinoids”. Anandamide was the first endocannabinoid discovered, and was named after the Sanskrit word for “Joy, bliss, or delight”. Cannabinoids can also be synthesized in a lab to be used in medical applications, such as Sativex or Epidiolex.
What is CBG?
CBG (Cannabigerol) is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that forms the basis for other cannabinoids. Its acid form (CBG-A) is nicknamed the “mother” cannabinoid because it’s the building block for all the other cannabinoids. (Remember that the acid form is a “raw” cannabinoid. It must be decarboxylated with UV light or heat to activate and affect our bodies and minds.)
A close-up of cannabis trichomes, where cannabinoids are formed
As the cannabis plant grows, CBG-A forms in the trichomes. When the flower is mature enough, specific enzymes in the plant begin to break down the CBG-A. Then, the molecules are converted to another cannabinoid acid, like THC-A or CBD-A. In hemp plants, much of the CBG will be converted to CBD. In female cannabis plants, it is usually converted to THC.
For most cannabis cultivars, CBG-A is converted very quickly to either THC-A or CBD-A. Because of this, chemovars with more THC or CBD generally have less CBG, and those with higher CBG amounts will have lower relative percentages of THC and CBD.
CBG-A is the original cannabinoid from which all the others are formed
To get higher yields of CBG, breeders experiment with genetic manipulation and cross-breeding plants. Scientists can also extract higher levels of CBG from budding plants. They do this by pinpointing the optimum extraction time, which is usually about six weeks into an eight-week flowering cycle.
How will CBG edibles affect me?
When people hear “non-intoxicating cannabinoid”, they often expect something like CBD. But each cannabinoid works with our body in a different way. CBG interacts with our ECS receptors in the same way that THC does, while CBD works to block our receptors. Because they use different mechanisms, the effects will be different.
While we’re still lacking research on the subject, CBG does seem to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, general mood-enhancing properties, and strong anti-anxiety effects. CBG may also protect your neurons from damage.
The effects of CBG edibles aren’t very pronounced. Instead, CBG works together with other cannabinoids to produce effects. It doesn’t get you “high”, or make you intoxicated. Rather, some users report that it helps them “tune in” a bit better, making it easier for them to pay attention and be more focused in the moment. Some consumers also report that CBG helps with gut issues, like Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS).
Some consumers report that CBG helps them focus and tune in to the present moment
In a recent online survey of adult cannabis consumers, over 70% of respondents reported that a combination of CBD and CBG edibles improved their energy and thinking, their attention levels, and decreased their fatigue levels. Calmness and anxiety were improved in 63.2% and 58.6% of the respondents, respectively, while only 44.1% reported sleep improvements. No one reported any adverse effects. Of the respondents that reported pain, 57.6% reported improvements in their pain, with 51.2% being able to reduce or stop their pain medications. 70.8% of the respondents with ADHD, 83.3% of those with chronic fatigue, and 62.1% of those with IBS all reported improvements in their conditions.
Potential Therapeutic Effects of CBG Edibles
While we still need research to determine CBG’s full effects, some studies on the cannabinoid do exist. And those studies indicate that CBG might have strong therapeutic applications.
CBG is a vasodilator and may be especially effective at treating glaucoma because it reduces pressure in the eyes. Endocannabinoid receptors are prevalent in eye structures, which is why eyes are so affected by CBG.
In animal experiments on mice, CBG was effective in decreasing inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease.
In a recent 2015 study, CBG was shown to protect neurons in mice with Huntington’s disease. Huntington’s disease is the degeneration of nerve cells in the brain.
Since the 1950s, topical formulations of cannabis have been effective in skin infections, but researchers at the time didn’t know why. European research shows evidence that CBG is an effective antibacterial agent, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains that are resistant to several classes of drugs.
In a study that looked at the effects of five different cannabinoids on bladder contractions, CBG tested best at inhibiting muscle contractions. It could be a future tool in preventing bladder dysfunction disorders.
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