Have you ever woken up feeling as though you are experiencing a significant amount of pain somewhere in your body? Did you think to yourself that you would do just about anything to make that pain go away? If so, you are not alone. Plenty of people have found themselves in the same situation, and they are looking for just about anything that can help them find some relief from that pain. This is one of the reasons why many have begun to turn to edibles as a potential alternative source of relief from pain and inflammation.
What are Pain and Inflammation?
Everyone has experienced some pain in their lives at some point. The type of pain that we are generally referring to in these situations is physical pain, although there are other types of pain as well (mental, psychological, and emotional). Many are now looking to edibles as a way to find some relief from those various forms of pain.
When you boil it all down, pain is simply the body's way of warning us that something that we are doing is leading to danger and should be avoided. It is a signal from our nervous system to our brain that we should turn away from what we have been doing and do something different.
Connected to pain, inflammation is the body's natural reaction to an injury or infection. It is actually an attempt by the body to heal that area of itself by bringing immune cells to that specific body part. However, long-term inflammation can actually cause more harm than good and can be incredibly uncomfortable for the individual dealing with it. As such, long-term or chronic inflammation is something that one should try to deal with head-on. Edibles might be a helpful tool in that battle.
Disclaimer: this article is here to share information and is not medical advice. If you have questions about your health or need to make any big decisions, make sure to check in with a qualified healthcare professional.
How Edibles Help with Pain and Inflammation
It is important to note right from the start that there is still a lot of research to be done about the connection between edibles and their ability to reduce pain and inflammation. Although more work needs to be done, there are plenty of people who have shared their personal experiences with using edibles to help with inflammation and pain, and it is fairly accepted that this can be a helpful tool in doing exactly that.
The human body contains an endocannabinoid system that is directly responsible for regulating pain, inflammation, mood, and other functions within the body. The cannabinoids that are contained within edibles interact with that system directly and may be useful in bringing down levels of inflammation for the user.
The research that has been conducted on this subject shows that THC edible products are particularly adept at altering the perception of pain within the brain. They can reduce the immune response that causes swelling and bring down the amount of pain that one is experiencing as a whole. Meanwhile, CBD edible products are great are reducing nerve-related pain. They help to calm that pain and block some of the inflammatory signals that would otherwise be sent to the brain to indicate that it is in pain.
We know these things to be true, but the question is, why should you use edibles compared to other forms of consumption of THC or CBD products? The answer there lies in the numerous benefits offered via the consumption of edibles.
Benefits of Consuming Edibles
Among the reasons why people tend to prefer to consume edibles compared to smoking or vaping their THC or CBD products include the following:
- More Discrete - It is far more discrete to simply pop in an edible no matter where you are or who you happen to be around. You can simply take one wherever you happen to be and enjoy the effects that it brings about for you. It is also true that these products are generally easier to take into areas where smoking might be prohibited.
- Longer-Lasting Effects - Those who have taken edibles before state that they experience longer-lasting effects with them than they get from smoking or vaping their THC or CBD products. They state that they are able to enjoy the benefits that the consumption of these products brings about for them, and that is something that can go a long way towards making these products highly valuable.
- Non-Psychoactive Options are Available - There are non-psychoactive options available in the form of edibles for those who are interested in pain relief without the risk of the intoxicating effects that might come with other products. As such, those who are interested in avoiding those feelings but still enjoying the benefits of pain relief can find something that is right for them.
For these reasons, along with the fact that edibles can be outright delicious and easily accessible, many are moving towards using edibles as their primary means of THC/CBD consumption.
Best Types of Edibles for Pain and Inflammation Relief
Let's now talk about the different types of edibles that you might consider trying for pain and inflammation relief. There is a vast array of options that you might want to experiment with, and you should take each under careful consideration.
Edibles to Try
CBD Gummies
Those experiencing mild pain, inflammation, or anxiety might consider starting with CBD gummies. Unless otherwise labeled, these gummies do not contain THC in them. Therefore, they are a great way to step into the world of edibles without going beyond what you honestly feel comfortable with. Additionally, CBD gummies are widely available at various smoke shops and other retailers throughout the country. You can find specifically what you are looking for no matter what your taste preferences are, and that is a very big deal for anyone who is interested in discovering how they can experience the brave new world of edibles.
THC/CBD Infused Chocolates and Gummies
Anyone experiencing modern pain or inflammation might want to take things up just a notch and get THC/CBD infused chocolates and gummies. This is a step up from simple CBD gummies because these chocolates and gummies can have THC infused into them. Always check the packaging to see if this is the case for the product that you are considering purchasing. If you so choose, you can take the plunge and enjoy these products to give yourself a bit more relief than you might not otherwise have been able to enjoy.
Many also appreciate THC/CBD infused chocolates and gummies simply because they are so tasty. After all, who doesn't like to have a little bit of chocolate at the end of a hard day? If that sounds appealing to you, then you should also ask your local smoke shop if this product might be available on their shelves.
Infused Beverages
You don't just have to think about the types of THC-infused foods that you can potentially eat. It also happens to be the case that you can enjoy your THC in the form of beverages if you would like to do so. Many people have found that this is the way to go because they prefer to sip on their THC-infused products rather than eat them. It can offer them a slightly calmer experience as their body takes in the THC or CBD, and it can be the perfect thing to add to any social experience.
Many shops are beginning to add THC-infused beverages to their inventory of products, but you should check ahead with them to ensure that this offering is available at the specific shop that you choose to do business with.
Choosing the Right Product
The perfect THC/CBD product for one person might not make much of a difference for someone else. How are you supposed to tell the difference between a product that works wonderfully for you and one that simply misses the mark? A lot of the answer to that question boils down to doing some research before you make your final selection. Let's take a look at some of the things that you should do before settling on any particular CBD/THC product.
Check the Ingredients
The labels on THC/CBD products will tell you quite a bit about what you are about to get yourself involved with. Those labels will tell you about any ingredients that you will find in what you are about to consume. Keep an eye out for organic and additive-free options so that you are only enjoying the highest-quality products when you consume THC or CBD.
Understanding Dosage
The dosage of the product that you ultimately settle on is a very big deal. You should do what you can to start at a low dosage and move your way up as your body is able to tolerate it. Don't expect that you will immediately have the ability to consume a large dosage of a THC or CBD product right from the start. Consuming too large of a dosage in the beginning can create an unsettling and unwelcomed experience for you.
Opt for Lab-Testing Products
Go with the products that have already been tested in a lab. This means that they have undergone a significant amount of testing to ensure that they are safe for the public. It also means that you can have a bit more peace of mind that what you are consuming has been approved by the kind of people who know what to look out for as far as safety risks are concerned.
Tips for Safe and Effective Use
Don't forget your safety as you explore your options in the world of THC/CBD edibles. Among the things that you should always do before consuming such a product include:
- Keep These Products Out of the Reach of Children - You do not want your children to have any opportunity to gain access to THC/CBD products. Store them away safely.
- Take it Slow - It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours before the onset of effects from a THC/CBD edible product. Give yourself the time and space necessary to let those effects begin to roll in. You don't want to add on to your dosage until the original portion has kicked in.
- Identify What Works Best for You - Keep track of the results of your consumption and see what works best for you. This is to say that you ought to take a look at how different products impact your system and which ones make the most sense for you.
These are some things that you should always do when using THC products. You might be shocked by how effective they can be for you. As you begin to explore how it all works, make sure you reach out today to learn more about the interaction between THC/CBD edibles and pain or inflammation.
References
1) Harvard Health Publishing. (2021, August 11). The endocannabinoid system: Essential and mysterious. Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-endocannabinoid-system-essential-and-mysterious-202108112569
