If you look back at the trends that dominated the last decade, cannabis was the winner. With increasing research and legalization of the plant around the globe, it has become a household name. More and more people are now consuming cannabis for the plentiful benefits that it offers. Among the many methods of using cannabis, some users are inclined towards eating it raw. Wondering if you should consume raw cannabis too? Read on and find out how it can benefit you.
What is cannabis?
While everyone is talking about cannabis, not many people know what it is. If you are one of them, you are in the right place. Cannabis is a psychoactive and medicinal plant that originated from the South Asian subcontinent. People have been using the plant for centuries, for both medicinal and recreational reasons. There are three different subspecies of the plant: Indica, Sativa, and Ruedaralis.
The plant contains hundreds of different chemical compounds known as cannabinoids. They decide how the plant will affect your body. Among them, CBD and THC are the most prominent ones. While CBD is a medicinal and non-high inducing cannabinoid, THC is psychoactive.
Can you eat raw cannabis?
For centuries people have been smoking the flowers and leaves of the cannabis plant, but with the increase in popularity, new ways of using it are coming up. A popular method of consuming cannabis that is gaining popularity today is eating it raw. It came to light when Dr. William Courtney, a member of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, started giving raw cannabis to his wife. She was suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and a few other health issues all at once, but he saw positive changes in his sick wife after she consumed the plant. Many people have also reported enjoying the goodness of the plant after consuming the buds or leaves. It is safe to say that you can consume raw cannabis.Alternatively,one can stock up a Pound of Weed at discounted rates and reap all benefits.
How can you consume it?
Are you planning to consume raw cannabis but don’t know where to begin? Here are a few easy ways to use it:
·     Salad:
Like all the greens, cannabis can also become a part of your salad. You can chop the plant and mix it with other vegetables, or you may make an only cannabis salad as well. Use your favorite dressing to make it more delicious.
·     Smoothies
If you don’t like the raw taste of cannabis, a smoothie can be your go-to recipe. Mix the plant with fruits of your choice and blend it. The flavors of the fruits will cover up the bitterness of cannabis.Non GMO hemp derived cannabis seeds should be added in food as they are probably the best cannabis seeds we’ve seen.
·     Juicing:
To enjoy the real goodness of cannabis you can extract the juice from the flowers and leaves. You can customize the juice as you like, for instance by adding spices to it. Drink it in the morning to give a good start to your day.
Are there any benefits of consuming raw cannabis?
Doesn’t get you high:
Like we discussed before, THC and CBD are the popular cannabinoids present in cannabis. But actually they are known as THCA and CBDA. The ‘A’ behind their names stands for ‘acidic’, meaning that they are non-psychoactive. The cannabinoids convert into their non-acidic form when you heat the plant. If you are consuming raw cannabis, it will not induce a mind-altering high.
How it helps: People often stay away from cannabis and its byproducts because of the thought of getting high. If it is stopping you as well, you can consume the plant directly. THCA might have medicinal properties to help people suffering from spasms and regulate inflammation as well.
Provides essential nutrients:
You might have grown up listening to the importance of adding green leafy plants to your diet. They are rich in vitamins, fatty acids, calcium, iron and even folate. You would be surprised to know that all of these nutrients are also present in the cannabis plant as well.Â
How it helps: Raw cannabis has an abundance of Vitamin B which may help combat depression and mood swings. It produces serotonin, or the happy hormone, that can keep you in a good mood. Besides that, the essential fatty acids like Omega-3 and Omega-6 constitute 60% of your brain and consuming a sufficient amount of it from cannabis may protect you from neurodegenerative diseases.
Adds fibre to your diet:
Fibre is an integral component of a healthy diet. It can not only improve your immune system but also protect you from inflammatory diseases. The cannabis plant contains an abundance of fibre that may do wonders for you.
How it helps: By consuming raw cannabis every day, you ingest fibre that adds bulk to your stool. It may prevent any digestive disorders or constipation. The anti-inflammatory action of cannabis might also prevent any infection or pain in your stomach.
Rich in antioxidants:
Antioxidants are yet another crucial part of a diet. Antioxidants are electron donors produced by our body. They help slow down or prevent the damage caused to cells by oxidative stress. If it goes unnoticed, cell damage can go on to become a serious illness.
How it helps: The cannabis plant is known as a natural antioxidant. CBD and THC are antioxidants that have neuroprotective properties. It might prevent the brain cells from damage to keep neurological disorders at bay.]
Contains an abundance of terpenes:
Besides cannabinoids, the cannabis plant also contains terpenes. They are the chemicals that add flavor and aroma to the plant, but also have plenty of health benefits. If you smoke the plant, you can lose around 50% of the terpenes due to combustion, but with eating raw cannabis, you will ingest them as well.
How it helps: Terpenes primarily work as relaxants. They may relieve you of stress and tension, and calm your mind. It can also perform the same calming effects for your entire body. If you have insomnia, these aromatic compounds might even help you fall asleep easily.
May alleviate pain:
Suffering from chronic and debilitating pain can disrupt your normal course of life. Apart from limiting your movement, it can also hinder you from carrying out your responsibilities. If you have tried many remedies with no substantial results, you might want to try eating raw cannabis.
How it helps: The cannabinoids present in the plant when communicating with the endocannabinoid system in your body might help reduce excruciating pain. Adding cannabis juice to the diet may also help people suffering from arthritis or fibromyalgia. Cannabis may limit the pain and let you live your life to the fullest.
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Final Thoughts
Gone are the times of dried and cured cannabis, as people are now switching to consuming raw plants. From being abundant with nutrients to helping out with many physical and mental ailments, it wouldn’t be wrong to call raw cannabis the future of the industry. If you are planning to add an organic supplement to your diet that may help you become healthy, it is high time you give raw cannabis a hit. Consult with a doctor and then get your hands on this superfood that is transforming the lives of many.
Reference links:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eating-weed#bottom-line
https://thefreshtoast.com/advice/health-benefits-of-raw-marijuana/
https://www.thegrowthop.com/cannabis-health/why-you-need-to-start-eating-raw-cannabis-5-reasons
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This article is intended for informational purposes only. If you have any questions or are considering any recommendations, please consult your health practitioner.
