Despite being illegal in many countries, cannabis is smoked all over the world. The United States is the second biggest smoking population in the world, with 16.3% of Americans admitting to regularly use weed.

Perhaps, almost 9 million Americans smoke marijuana almost every day, be it for medical and recreational purposes.

And how many times have you asked yourself: “Should you smoke weed every day?” If you’re a  recreational user, then you probably don’t need to use marijuana on a daily basis, but then again, why shouldn’t you do it?

Well, while many high-profile entities recommend that we smoke weed every day, it would be wise to take a while and consider if the pros outweigh the cons.

In this article, we’re going to shed light on both the advantages and disadvantages of smoking weed every day. But before we dig deeper into it, let’s see what both the U.S. Government and science have to tell about the effects of cannabis on human health.

Of Course, the Government Believes It’s Bad to Smoke Weed Everyday

Given the Schedule I status of marijuana, the plant has no medicinal values and comes with the strong potential for abuse – at least that’s what the Controlled Substances Act wants us to believe.

Surprisingly, the same government that created this act holds a patent on cannabinoids, where it states that THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids are potential neuroprotectants and antioxidants that can aid people in neurodegenerative diseases and illnesses resulting from oxidative stress.

Marijuana Smoke vs. Tobacco Smoke

Despite this disturbing contradiction, regulatory drug agencies believe that regular weed smoking can indeed pose risk to one’s health. Lung-related problems are, of course, the biggest concern among researchers and smokers.

The National Institute of Drug Abuse has stated that people who smoke marijuana frequently can experience the same issues as those who smoke tobacco. These inconveniences include a daily cough, phlegm, lung diseases, and an increased risk of lung infections. [1]

But at the same time, other studies, including the one conducted by the American Thoracic Society’s medical journal, stated that lifetime marijuana use is not associated with adverse changes in the spirometric measure of lung health. In fact, cannabis users performed slightly better on the lung function test than those who smoked tobacco. The researchers investigated more than 5,000 people over twenty years to come to such conclusions.

Your Brain Will… What Was I Saying?

USA Today interviewed the Medical Director of the Caron Treatment Centers, Dr. Joseph Garbely, about the impact of marijuana on the brain. In the interview, Garbely told the magazine that daily cannabis use leads to slower brain function and a range of other impairments.

According to Garbely’s statements, chronic marijuana users perform at a lower level at work and at school. Moreover, he goes on, 15% of marijuana users develop an addiction, which may lead to problems with memory coordination and problem-solving issues.

Although the science is scant on the effects of daily cannabis use, cannabis advocates tend to disagree with Dr. Garbely’s biased view. Some of the world’s best athletes, scholars, artists, entrepreneurs, and other professionals have admitted to smoke weed every day. Willie Nelson, Snoop Dogg, Cheech & Chong, Richard Branson, Morgan Freeman, Michael Phelps, Woodie Harrelson – these are merely a few examples of successful people who believe that daily cannabis smoking can even improve the quality of one’s life.

Of course, these are sheer assumptions and we don’t know if there happen to be legions of talented people that were thwarted by daily weed use, or maybe weed just reveals you to yourself, being neither a cure nor a curse.

What Actually Happens If You Smoke Weed Daily

Given that opinions on whether you should smoke weed every day are split, maybe we should shed some light on the real pros and cons of daily marijuana use. No ideological bias, just raw meat.

Let’s get this rolling (pun intended).

7 Reasons to Smoke Weed Everyday

Wondering if you should smoke weed every day? Here are 7 reasons that may convince you to stay positive about your habits.

1. Creativity Boost

Contrary to the omnipresent lazy-stoner stereotype, weed can boost your creativity to the ceiling. The key is to be able to choose the right strain for the right time. For example, if you want to boost your energy levels and stir creativity, then you might want to consider a pure Sativa strain or a Sativa-dominant hybrid. [] Sativa varieties are known for their strong cerebral effects that bring up euphoria and sharp focus for several hours. After all, there’s a reason why so many people love to wake n’ bake. Unlike their indica counterparts, sativas won’t leave you couch-locked because the body high doesn’t usually occur in sativas, unless it’s a balanced hybrid.

2. Protection for Your Brain

As a recent study conducted by researchers in Germany and Israel suggests, cannabis can increase the number of nerve cells in the brain, which is an essential aspect of our cognitive abilities. As we age, our ability to learn decreases, and we are more exposed to neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Daily weed use could slow down neurodegenerative processes in the brain and thus keep our brains in better shape for longer. []

3. Weight Loss

It may come to your surprise that smoking weed every day can actually help you lose extra weight, but yeah, this bold theory is backed by some serious scientific evidence. An article published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2013 states that smoking marijuana can reduce sugar levels, waist size, and help control weight in general. On top of that, weed smokers have lower fasting insulin levels than those who abstain from the green. As a result, their bodies are less resistant to the naturally produced insulin, which helps stave off diabetes.

4. Improved Sleep

Marijuana has been used for centuries due to its stress-relieving properties. As a modern society, we are plagued by insomnia. More and more people experience sleep deprivation issues because they are always told that they can do better and better, with no time to stop and take care of themselves.

Until recently, insomnia and other sleep disorders were treated with pharmacological medications that only masked the symptoms and served as a source of short-term relief. However, given the myriad side effects of such drugs, people have grown tired of popping pills and turned to more natural resources.

As it turns out, marijuana can improve your sleep in many ways. When used every day, cannabis may promote better breathing, inhibit REM sleep and dream, help you fall asleep faster, and regulate your sleep-wake cycle.

So, the next time you think about smoking weed less often, remind yourself how it puts you to sleep, and voila – all doubts are gone!

5. Less Stress

As we said, cannabis can significantly reduce stress, which is probably the “why” behind the infamous stereotype that marijuana makes you not care about anything at all. This, dear friends, is a far cry from the truth.

In fact, marijuana smokers simply don’t give a damn about things that they consider insignificant – shouldn’t the world work that way? Sadly, we’ve got so occupied by so many unimportant triggers that we’ve started to treat them as if they meant the world to us. And let’s face it, if you get stressed out by bollocks, there’s something wrong with you.

Marijuana smokers, on the other hand, want to be left alone, because they know that life can be brutal itself and there’s no need to overburden yourself with unnecessary stuff – simple as that.

6. More Energy

If you really need to boost your energy levels to get through the day like a princess on her unicorn, go with a pure Sativa. There are some strong sativas out there that can literally kick you out of your shoes. Don’t get us wrong, we don’t want you to expect a cocaine-like buzz from weed, but something like a triple espresso? Yeah, that comparison looks more accurate.

For example, Green Crack, a super potent Sativa named by Snoop Dogg himself (and one of his favorite weed strains), produces a powerful brain-centered high that brings you into a very productive vibe that can last up to three hours. Some people like to microdose Sativa strains throughout the day to keep their energy levels constantly elevated. Microdosing weed means taking small doses of marijuana so that you can experience the benefits of the herb, just on the verge of being high.

7. A ‘Helpway’ Drug

We bet you’ve heard that at least several times in your life: “Weed is a gateway drug!”

No, it’s not. A 2016 study conducted in Michigan showed that daily medical cannabis use resulted in a 64% drop in opioid use. Besides the growing body of scientific evidence, we cannot pass indifferently by hundreds of success stories from people who have managed to conquer their alcohol/drug addiction with weed. []

Given that America is clearly in the midst of an opioid crisis that claims almost 100 lives a day, marijuana could help U.S. citizens overcome their addiction while treating the ailments for which they’ve been prescribed opioids.

4 Reasons Not to Smoke Weed Everyday

Although smoking weed every day comes with plenty of benefits, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any negatives. Although the side effects of daily weed use are rather mild and pass after around a week from quitting, it’s worth knowing the potential risks.

1. Smoking Anything Is Basically Wrong

Isn’t it? Combustion triggers the release of potential toxins and harmful substances like carcinogens to your lungs. That being said, smoking marijuana every day can lead to lung damage over time, not to mention lung and cardiac diseases, cancer, or heart attacks. []

On top of that, smoking causes a wide range of other short- and long-term side effects, such as yellow skin and teeth, shortness of breath, increased blood pressure, and more. If you want to stick to your daily habits because you simply like to puff, puff and pass consider buying a vaporizer. Vaporization heats the herbal material to the point where all cannabinoids and terpenes are released to your bloodstream upon inhalation, but without producing smoke.

2. Developing Cannabis Use Disorder

Lately, people have been arguing – even weed enthusiasts between each other – whether or not you can develop a cannabis addiction. While from the physiological point of view marijuana is not addictive, an individual can, in fact, develop weed dependence in some cases.

So, basically speaking, yes, you can get addicted to weed on the mental level, but isn’t that the issue with all the enjoyable things in life? People get addicted to gambling, eating, sex, and religion, yet we don’t throw daggers at people who go to church or make love, every day, do we?

3. Increased Risk of Cardiac Event

Even though daily cannabis use can result in lower blood pressure, smoking the plant may actually increase the risk of hypertension. A 6-year study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology examined the heart health of 1,200 people, and the result indicated that chronic weed users were 3.34 times more likely to die from hypertension than those who didn’t smoke marijuana. However, the study didn’t conclude if it was marijuana that caused hypertension, or if the consumption method was to blame. []

4. Potential Sexual and Reproductive Issues

Recently, it has been suggested that smoking weed every day could reduce testosterone levels and sperm count in men, possibly leading to infertility. Moreover, the high levels of carbon monoxide in the smoke can be dangerous to pregnant women, as it may cause a lower birth rate.

This point is a bit controversial, though, because many weed advocates out there are saying that weed can improve your sex drive and doesn’t cause any impairments in newly born children. More interestingly, a 1974 study found that marijuana had no impact on plasma testosterone, so as you can see, there are two sides of the coin. []

So… Should You Smoke Weed every day?

We haven’t even touched on many other potential benefits of smoking weed every day, such as supporting the immune system, preventing aging, and reducing the growth of cancer cells – yet, they already outweigh the possible downsides of daily marijuana use.

To be honest, there simply aren’t enough studies on the long-term consequences of chronic weed use to draw any definitive conclusions. The idea that it can lead to cognitive dysfunction and hypertension is a genuine concern, but then again, it needs to be backed by more detailed research that could investigate marijuana and smoking as two independent variables.

In our experience, long-term marijuana users definitely don’t fall into the ‘reefer madness’ stereotype. Of course, weed gets you high, so it can be considered a drug – one that can make you feel amazing during the experience. That said, this can lead to dependency problems, so we wouldn’t recommend smoking it daily as an escape measure.

Other than that, it appears that much of the negative data is contradicted by many positive studies, so this is our ultimate suggestion: use common sense.

References:

1. Substance Abuse Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Results from the 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. SAMHSA. Published September 8, 2016. Accessed January 18, 2017.
2. Schafer G. et al. Investigating the Interaction Between Schizotypy, Divergent Thinking and Cannabis Use, Consciousness and Cognition 21 292-298, published in 2012
3. Bilkei-Gorzo et al. A Chronic Low Dose of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Restore Cognitive Function in Old Mice. Nature Medicine 23, 782-787, published in 2017.
4. Boehnke K. F., Litinas E., Clauw D.J. Medical Cannabis Use Is Associated With Decreased Opioid Medication Use in a Retrospective Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients With Chronic Pain. The Journal of Pain: Official Journal of the American Pain Society, Volume 17, Issue 6, 739-744, published in June 2016.
5. Muhammad F. Tobacco Smoking and Lung Cancer: Perception-changing Facts, Sultan Quabos University Medical Journal, issue 13(3), 345-348. Published online in June 2013.
6. Yankey A. B., Rothenberg R., Strasser S. Effect of Marijuana Use on Cardiovascular And Cerebrovascular Mortality: A Study Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Linked Mortality File. First published in August 2017.
7. Mendelson J. H. et al. Plasma Testosterone Levels Before, During and After Chronic Marihuana Smoking, N Engl J Med 1974; 291:1051-1055. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM197411142912003. Published in November 1974.

The post Should You Smoke Weed Everyday? Benefits & Side Effects of Using Marijuana Daily appeared first on Weed News.

Adderall and marijuana are two of the most well-known substances in the biohacker community.

Adderall is highly popular outside of its prescribed protocol for ADHD and narcolepsy. It’s used by college students looking to gain an extra edge on their study efforts by boosting their focus and productivity.

This prescription amphetamine is sometimes combined with other substances, like marijuana. Many users claim it reduces the negative side effects of the drug, while others suggest it makes them worse. Some even use marijuana as a replacement for Adderall due to the similarity in their effects on focus and creativity.

Adderall & Weed

What are people using Adderall and marijuana for? Is this a safe and effective practice? Should I be interested in combining weed and Adderall?

Adderall: Uses and Effects

Adderall is a common prescription amphetamine. It’s manufactured by the Irish company Shire Pharmaceuticals—with generic versions available from the Israeli company, Teva Pharmaceuticals.

Immediate release Adderall (IR) will last about 4-6 hours, while extended-release (XR) lasts about 12 hours. When the effects begin to wear off, users begin to experience a “come down”. Effects can include fatigue, depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety.

The prescribed purpose for Adderall is narcolepsy (a condition that causes those affected to fall asleep at any moment), and ADD/ADHD. Unprescribed use is common for Adderall, especially among college students.

Users report significant improvements in productivity and memorization when using the drug, despite many potential side effects.

Biochemically, Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant. It works by prolonging the exposure of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.

Unfortunately, Adderall also has a wide range of side effects, some of them can be quite severe:

• Loss of appetite, nausea, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and stomach aches
• Panic Attacks
• Hallucinations
• Thoughts of Suicide
• Mood Swings
• Inability to Concentrate
• Heart Disease
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Tremors

Marijuana: Uses and Effects

Marijuana is a psychoactive plant with a diverse set of uses. The resin found in the flowering buds of female plants contains a rich source of volatile oils and a potent therapeutic class of chemicals known as cannabinoids.

There are about 113 different cannabinoids in the marijuana plant, each offering unique therapeutic benefits to humans.

Some of these cannabinoids, including THC, offer similar benefits to Adderall on conditions like narcolepsy, ADD/ADHD, and concentration/memory. Others, such as CBD have directly opposing effects to Adderall, working to reduce anxiety and overstimulation.

The effects of marijuana include:

• Calming
• Pain reduction
• Antidepressant
• Antipsychotic
• Anti-anxiety
• Appetite stimulant

Smoking Weed on the Adderall Comedown

Marijuana use is commonly reported on Reddit forums regarding the use of marijuana as a way to alleviate the negative side effects of Adderall come down.

As the drug begins to wear off, negative side effects like depression, suicidal thoughts, and fatigue are common. The effects of marijuana are useful for addressing these effects, especially those high in CBD.

Users who combine weed with Adderall can have very different reports. Some say that combining the two makes the side effects of Adderall worse, others use is specifically to reduce these negative side effects.

So how does this work? How can weed both worsen and improve the negative effects of Adderall?

The answer is in the cannabinoids. Different strains of weed have different amounts of cannabinoids in them, giving them vastly different effect profiles. Some are helpful for reducing the side effects of Adderall, others making them worse. To make matters more confusing, it also depends on when you take the weed in combination with Adderall.  [See our guide to cannabinoids to learn more about the differences.]

It sounds complicated at first, but it’s really not…

THC Boosts Adderall’s Effects

THC has many of the same effects as Adderall, causing CNS stimulation and improved focus and concentration. It works through a different system in the brain than Adderall but provides many of the same effects. Because of this, Adderall and THC may compound off each other, making the effects of both more pronounced. This can be used to reduce the dose of both, but can also result in too strong of a dose if not used carefully. This can increase the chances and severity of side effects.

Taking THC during the comedown, however, can balance the negative effects caused by a loss of the drug affecting dopaminergic regions of the brain. This helps users smooth out the comedown, making it less severe and uncomfortable.

High THC extracts may be used as a replacement for Adderall due to the overlap in their effects and benefits.

CBD Reduces Adderall’s Effects

CBD has an opposite effect to many of Adderall’s effects, including calming, anti-anxiety, and mild sedation [3]. It can be especially useful if taken while Adderall is in full effect to reduce the side effects of anxiety, paranoia, and overstimulation.

During the comedown, it may worsen the effects by causing over sedation and the sensation of “couch-lock”.

Replacing Adderall With Marijuana

Due to the overlap in effects with high THC products and Adderall, it’s becoming a popular replacement for ADD/ADHD. There’s been recent evidence to suggest weed to be as beneficial for these conditions as Adderall, without the nasty side effects.

The body has a naturally produced version of THC called anandamide. In 2009, a study involving 15 children with ADD/ADHD was tested on their anandamide levels. They were found to have abnormally high concentrations of this compound compared to healthy control subjects. [1].

Anandamide has many uses in the body, one of which is to trigger dopamine release. Therefore, the high levels in sufferers of ADD/ADHD may be burning up the dopamine too quickly, virtually eliminating the attention span.

THC helps to increase dopamine concentrations in the brain by regulating abnormal anandamide levels in the brain.

This is essentially the same mechanism Adderall uses to treat these individuals.

Smoking Weed on Adderall—Is It Safe?

There are no official drug interactions with marijuana and Adderall, however, high THC strains may increase the normal side effects of Adderall due to overlapping mechanisms in the brain.

If side effects are experienced, simply reduce the dose of either the marijuana, Adderall, or both.

The side effects during the come down from Adderall can be particularly uncomfortable for some individuals. Suicidal thoughts and depression are not uncommon. High THC Marijuana may improve the safety of this drug by reducing these side effects in, particularly susceptible individuals during the comedown.

The Effects of Combining Adderall and Marijuana (Adderall and Weed Experiences)

Users on Reddit share their experiences combining Adderall and weed. Most of the negative reports involve symptoms around anxiety, with some reporting that the Adderall high was not as pronounced when in combination with weed.

Ultimately, the reason for this is likely to be the chosen marijuana strain.

Some Reddit users specifically discuss their experiences with THC or CBD.

To summarise several hours of sifting through Reddit, the general agreement is that high THC cannabis should be taken during the comedown, with a lower dosage of Adderall, or as a replacement rather than at the peak of a full  Adderall dose.

High CBD strains or extracts, however, should be taken with Adderall and avoided during the comedown to maximize effects, and minimize side effects.

Alternatively, a well-balanced THC-CBD ratio at controlled doses is likely to be the simplest option.

A Note On Experimenting With Adderall & Weed

As with any supplement/medication stacking, it’s important to test the effects on your own body conservatively. Everybody is different and will present different reactions to the same things.

The best thing to do is to start at a low dose (for both if mixing), and slowly building from there, when side effects are noted, dial back the dose and lock it in.

Conclusion

There is a lot of different opinions when it comes to mixing weed and Adderall, some stating it’s a positive combination while others report the opposite. After careful consideration of the effects of THC, CBD, and Adderall, it becomes clear how there can be such opposing views on the same thing based on the variation of cannabinoids found in the plant.

When it comes to mixing the two, it’s important to look at the reason you’re combining (such as eliminating side effects from the comedown or making the side effects of Adderall less severe), it’s equally important to be specific on the type of weed or marijuana product you’re consuming.

High THC appears to be better for replacing Adderall altogether, or alleviating the comedowns, while high CBD is better for reducing the anxious effects of Adderall in full effect.

References:

1. Centonze, D., Bari, M., Di Michele, B., Rossi, S., Gasperi, V., Pasini, A., … & Maccarrone, M. (2009). Altered anandamide degradation in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Neurology, 72(17), 1526-1527.
2. French, E. D. (1997). Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol excites rat VTA dopamine neurons through activation of cannabinoid CB1 but not opioid receptors. Neuroscience Letters, 226(3), 159-162.
3. Crippa, J. A. S., Derenusson, G. N., Ferrari, T. B., Wichert-Ana, L., Duran, F. L., Martin-Santos, R., … & Filho, A. S. (2011). Neural basis of anxiolytic effects of cannabidiol (CBD) in generalized social anxiety disorder: a preliminary report. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 25(1), 121-130.
4. Beltramo, M., de Fonseca, F. R., Navarro, M., Calignano, A., Gorriti, M. A., Grammatikopoulos, G., … & Piomelli, D. (2000). Reversal of dopamine D2 receptor responses by an anandamide transport inhibitor. Journal of Neuroscience, 20(9), 3401-3407.

The post Adderall & Weed: Mixing and Combination Effects appeared first on Weed News.

Government statistics show that in 2017, approximately 14,000 Americans died from a cocaine overdose. �������Ƶ 10,000 died from an overdose of psychostimulants like meth or prescription drugs like Ritalin or Adderall. Nearly 50,000 died from opioid overdoses.

Not a single person, though, died in 2017 from smoking or ingesting too much marijuana. In fact, there’s not a single fatality attributed directly to pot – in history.

And those numbers are totally consistent with research that’s regularly done by scientists.

What Would Theoretically Be A Lethal Dose Of Weed?

Scientists have determined how much of every drug, including recreational drugs, would have to be consumed in order to cause death; the way they explain it, they calculate the potential for short-term fatal toxicity. The results are expressed in something called the LD-50, representing a lethal dose for 50% of the test subjects. (Remember, these tests are done on animals, so the results have to be taken with a grain of salt. No, not bath salt.)

Without getting into confusing numbers, the findings show that a potentially lethal dose of heroin or GHB is actually a lot lower than the amount you’d need to get high. However, you’d have to take ten or twenty times the “effective dose” of alcohol, coke or ecstasy to have a 50% chance of death, according to these animal studies; for mescaline and roofies, it would require twenty to eighty times the “effective dose” to have a 50% chance of dying.

What about pot? The number is so low that it can’t be measured. When pressed, scientists who calculate LD-50s guess that risking a 50% chance of a deadly overdose would require consuming 100 to 1000 times the amount it would take to get baked. (Our term, not theirs. They use more scientific language.)

Other and more recent ways to measure the potentially deadly effects of a drug involve complicated formulas that include the LD-50. But the end result of the calculations is something called the “therapeutic index,” and initial research on the “TI” shows that the LD-50 numbers are actually quite low.

Marijuana is said to have a therapeutic index of 40,000 to 1 (by comparison, morphine’s TI is 70:1). Here’s what that means: you’d have to consume 40,000 times the “effective” dose of weed before running a significant risk of death. Put another way, you’d have to smoke somewhere between 25,000 and 40,000 joints – or consume 1500 pounds of pot – in 15 minutes. If you want to put that into even greater perspective, the equivalent risk numbers are 1.2 grams of coke and 80mg of Oxy.

That’s a long-winded way of confirming what every stoner and the recreational user already knows – you can’t overdose on weed.

But not everyone equates “overdose” with “death.” Some medical professionals, not to mention those opposed to legalization, define an overdose as experiencing serious, non-fatal medical issues after overindulging. And that certainly can happen.

The Risks of Overdoing It

Regular tokers probably know someone – or at least have heard stories about someone who knows someone – who had a really bad reaction after smoking too much weed.

The ones that most readers can likely relate to are hallucinations and paranoia, which taken to an extreme level can lead to psychotic episodes. The medical cases which have been reported usually involve people already prone to those disturbing health episodes, since they can continue for much longer than the amount of time that THC is active in the body.

Other serious incidents reported having been triggered by “THC toxicity” include a period of vomiting which can’t be controlled (but can often be stopped by taking a hot shower) and heart palpitations or arrhythmias.

However, documented incidences of those issues don’t clarify whether the patients also had alcohol or other drugs in their system. And mixing intoxicants to excess is much more likely to bring about serious medical problems, than simply smoking enough herb to get totally wasted.

The bottom line? A very small number of people who smoke too much, do too many dabs, or consume too many edibles do end up needing emergency room treatment. But even then – they’re not going to die of an overdose. It simply doesn’t happen.

The post Marijuana Overdose: Can You Get Poisoning from Smoking Too Much? appeared first on Weed News.

Gathering with friends to kick back and smoke up has been a time-honored way to enjoy cannabis for decades (and not just among the young). And the sense of belonging to a vibrant 420 community can often be just as important as the buzz.

However, legalization in many states, combined with the growing focus on health and well being, has led many who enjoy the green – or have started using it to treat medical conditions – to search for healthier ways to indulge.

It’s common knowledge that the THC and CBD in marijuana can provide important health benefits, and that smoking pot doesn’t carry the major risks associated with smoking tobacco. But inhaling smoke from burning plant matter of any type isn’t the kindest thing anyone can do to their lungs. The process can aggravate pulmonary problems like asthma and COPD, and some studies suggest that long term weed smoking can actually create them.

There once was a time when stoner bona fides depended primarily on how quickly and expertly you could roll a joint, or how many common objects you could use to make a bong. That time is dying; there’s now very little stigma attached to enjoying your herb in other ways. (If that stigma does still exist in your circle of friends, perhaps it’s time to expand the circle.)

Not all of the healthier ways to consume cannabis will get you wasted; some just let you experience the medical benefits of cannabinoids while going about your daily life. They’re all worth considering, though, particularly since many of the alternatives are now easy to obtain in dispensaries and even from dealers.

Tinctures

The healthiest alternative of all? Tinctures.

These liquid pot products are designed for direct consumption, since their cannabinoids have already been activated by the manufacturers or producers. Most people put a drop or two of cannabis tincture under their tongue, where capillaries quickly absorb the liquid and the high comes on within ten minutes or so. This is the fastest-acting way to ingest cannabis, since the THC and CBD don’t have to go through the lungs, the liver or the digestive tract; they go right to the bloodstream. That also makes tinctures the most “efficient” alternative, since most of the psychoactive components reach the bloodstream without being filtered out.

Tinctures can be either oil-based, alcohol-based or vegetable glycerin-based. The latter is the healthiest option, since vegetable-based glycerin is much better for your body than the saturated fats used to make oil tinctures. Alcohol-based tinctures speak for themselves, but since you only use a few drops, you won’t be getting much alcohol. If you want a weed-infused cocktail, glycerin-based tinctures are the best choice because they easily mix with water (unlike oil-based liquids). And tinctures are perfect for patients whose illnesses make swallowing difficult or those who get nauseous easily.

The one negative: even alcohol-based tinctures will taste like weed. For most people, that’s a small price to pay. And without sugar, fat or anything else that will pack on the pounds or clog the arteries, a few drops of tincture are the healthiest alternative to smoking.

Edibles

Edibles are an ideal way to consume marijuana, for several reasons.

First, they’re discreet – no smell, no smoke, no sign that you’re doing anything except getting a sugar boost in the middle of the day.

Second, the body efficiently absorbs THC and CBD once it hits the digestive tract, as long as the cannabis has been heated in order to activate those cannabinoids. If you’re cooking your own edibles, that means “decarbing” the weed by heating it in an oven and then blending it with fat for cooking; butter is used in almost all recipes and cannabinoids bind to it like glue. And if you’re buying edibles, there’s no need to worry about the details – the good stuff is ready to do its magic as soon as it’s digested. One warning: it can take an hour or more for edibles to kick in, so don’t get impatient and keep eating. Give it a test run or two, so you know what to expect.

Third, what could be better than getting your weed and your munchies all in one product? It sure beats late-night trips to 7-11.

Pot-laced cookies, brownies or candy do sometimes have a funky weed taste, but many recipes do a terrific job at minimizing it or hiding it completely.

Unless you’re on a Keto diet, or simply trying to avoid butter, sugar or baked goods, edibles are a great way to go.

Tea or Other Beverages

The experience is mellower, but you can still receive both the psychoactive and medical benefits of cannabis by dissolving cannabutter or a few drops of glycerin-based tinctures into a cup of warm tea, coffee or other beverage of your choice. It’ll work when blended into smoothies, too. You can make weed tea from scratch if you prefer, but you’ll have to go through the whole decarbing process in order to activate the THC and CBD in your flower. Just putting bud into your hot tea will make it taste like pot, but only provide a little of the cannabinoids’ benefit.

Topical Applications

Ointments, creams, and balms that have been infused with cannabis won’t get you baked. In fact, you probably won’t experience any psychoactive effects at all when these products are absorbed into the skin, since they never reach the bloodstream or brain. But the medical benefits of applying topicals to sore muscles and joints, burns and inflammation are well-established and will begin providing relief within 15-30 minutes. Cannabis patches, relatively new to the market, are an even easier way to administer cannabinoids to your skin.

Vaping

You’re still taking a foreign gas into your lungs when you use a vaporizer, so vaping pot isn’t as healthy as the other methods we’ve mentioned. However, the process does eliminate almost all of the “smoke” produced by smoking marijuana, so there’s much less lung irritation and a much lower possibility of exacerbating or causing asthma or COPD.

Just as importantly, vaping only heats the herb. So vapers aren’t inhaling most of the toxins that are released from weed when it’s burned and smoked. They just feel the same effect when the THC hits their lungs and is absorbed. That makes vaporizers far superior to smoking, for the health-conscious.

One final tip for those vapers: oil is a better choice to use in a vaporizer than bud or wax. Wax often contains residual butane and fats, which can be somewhat problematic when heated and inhaled. Bud is completely natural, of course, but oil is much more potent – so it can deliver as much as two-thirds more THC. Those concerned about their health but also looking for the best bang for their buck should definitely consider vaping weed oil rather than flower.

The post Healthiest Ways To Consume Weed: Better Than Smoking appeared first on Weed News.