The dietary and therapeutic benefits of raw cannabis

Marijuana is a vegetable like many other plants that we eat every day. In fact, cannabis is a super food in itself! Its raw hemp flowers and leaves are packed with beneficial phytochemicals not commonly found elsewhere, and add a healthy touch to salads, smoothies and juices. Discover the benefits of eating raw marijuana.

Discover the benefits of eating raw marijuana.

Forget kale and spinach - marijuana is the new super food. After all, marijuana is technically a vegetable, although it is not generally considered as such. Most cbd marijuana users are familiar with the effects of smoke, vamping and eating edibles, but have you ever wondered if you can eat marijuana leaves raw? From a nutritional standpoint, marijuana contains a host of healthy molecules, including:

Protein

Fibers

Antioxidants

The idea of ​​chewing on a bunch of fresh buds and leaves may sound crazy.

Benefits of eating raw marijuana

Some of these changes create beneficial chemical reactions, while others are harmful. Many of the essential molecules in marijuana, such as terrenes and cannabinoid acids, are volatile and sensitive to high temperatures. Consuming raw marijuana maintains these compounds in their natural state, allowing consumers to access the phytochemicals that disappear or change when smoked.

Consuming raw weed favors the stimulation of our end cannabinoid system (a regulatory network that keeps the body in balance), without experiencing a high or having to inhale anything during the process. Raw marijuana could well become a very popular functional food in the future.

Cannabinoid acids

Raw marijuana contains molecules very different from those that are inhaled after combustion or vaporization. THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids don't really exist in raw marijuana. These acids contain a carboxyl group that is lost after exposure to heat, during a process known as decarboxylation. For example, non-psychoactive THCA turns into psychoactive THC, and CBD turns into CBD.

Scientists studying marijuana have found that these chemical precursors have their own unique benefits, different from their counterparts resulting from decarboxylation.

Terrenes

These aromatic molecules are the basis for the characteristic smell of marijuana. In addition to being responsible for the delicious taste of certain strains, they also modulate the effect of marijuana through the entourage effect [3] . Different terrenes interact with different cannabinoids to enhance their effects.

Terrenes also produce their own effects. For example, limonene [4] and Miocene [5] elicit a relaxing response that can enhance feelings of well-being.

Since terrenes are volatile and degrade when exposed to high temperatures, when we smoke we cannot enjoy all of them. However, raw marijuana flowers are packed with these fascinating molecules. By consuming raw marijuana, the terrenes maintain their natural state. Researchers are still studying how exactly terrenes survive digestion, but at least we know that some of these molecules make it into the blood.

The flavonoids are often overlooked in discussions related to marijuana because cannabis smokers tend to be more concerned about the profiles of cannabinoids and terrenes. However, flavonoids are a significant factor. These phytochemicals are found in a number of super foods, from kale and broccoli to berries and tea.

Flavonoids play an important role in marijuana plants. Among the specific flavonoids that marijuana contains are:

Conflating A

Conflating B

Kaempferol

What is considered raw marijuana?

Like any other fresh vegetable, raw marijuana means that the buds and leaves are fresh and unhandled. Before being exposed to heat, these parts of the plant maintain their natural biochemistry and offer a different experience than smoking or cooking marijuana. Even when drying the buds and leaving them in the jars, over time the cannabinoids and terrenes will degrade. In turn, the benefits obtained from consuming freshly cut flowers and leaves could be reduced.

Can you get high eating raw grass?

So, can you get high by chewing the leaves? In short, no.

You see, fresh, raw marijuana does not contain THC, but is packed with THCA. This cannabinoid acid only becomes psychoactive THC after decarboxylation, induced by heat. THCA can also be broken down into THC through UV exposure and aging, although these types of buds are not really "raw."

Possible downsides of raw marijuana

It is clear that almost all foods carry some risk if they are eaten raw. When it comes to marijuana, eating raw leaves can expose diners to potentially harmful bacteria; E. coli and salmonella have been found in some marijuana samples. There are also growers who use chemical pesticides on their crops to keep pests under control. Although these substances are effective, they can leave residues on the flowers and leaves that give a horrible taste and damage our body.

Consumption methods

The wide variety of marijuana consumption methods allows smokers and vapers to enjoy a large selection of pipes, bongs, extracts, concentrates, vaporizers and bubblers. Consuming raw marijuana is just as enjoyable and fun, thanks to the diversity of options; chewing raw leaves, while simple and surprisingly tasty, is not the only option when it comes to eating raw cannabis. Here are some of the most popular methods.