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Weed edibles
Dr. Robert S. Stevenson, of the Horizon Health Network department of cardiology, Canada, explained: “Most previous research on marijuana-induced myocardial ischemia focused mostly on younger patients and did not focus on its different formulations and potencies. As a result of widespread marijuana legalization, healthcare providers need to understand and manage cannabis use and its complications in older patients, particularly in those with cardiovascular disease.”
Man Who Ate Marijuana Lollipop Had Heart Attack Caused by ‘Fearful Hallucinations’
A man ate a lollipop and suffered a heart attack triggered by frightening hallucinations, physicians have revealed.
The unnamed man, 70, was taking medicines for coronary artery diseaseand his condition was stable. He suffered a heart attack after he ate around 70mg of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. A friend had suggested it could help him sleep and ease pain for osteoarthritis. To put the does into perspective, the average joint contains around 7mg. Doses of dronabinol, a drug designed to ease nausea and poor appetite in Aids and cancer patients, start from around 2.5mg. According to the case study published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, the man was not aware that the effects of cannabis take a while to kick in if the drug is eaten, and can last longer.
As a young man, the patient had smoked cannabis. However, since then the average THC content of marijuana has spiked from 3 percent on average to 12 percent. Also, this was the first time he had tried an edible.
Around 30 minutes after eating the lollipop, the man was consumed by “fearful hallucinations,” the authors wrote. He called a family member, and said he “felt like [he] was dying,” according to the report. The man suffered “crushing chest pain,” and started sweating, shaking and turning pale. His family rushed him to the nearest ER department. When his symptoms passed, he was discharged from hospital.
The authors of the paper believe the relatively large amount of THC he consumed triggered frightening visions and anxiety, sending his sympathetic nervous system into overdrive, and causing a spike in his heartbeat and blood pressure.
“The patient had not retried marijuana lollipops in the meantime and was suggested to abstain from consuming similar quantities in the future,” the authors of the paper wrote.
As cannabis for recreational use has been legalized in nine U.S. states and Washington D.C. and in Canada, where the man lives, this warrants further investigation into how cannabis can affect those with heart conditions, the authors said.
Dr. Alexandra Saunders of Dalhousie University commented in a statement: “Marijuana can be a useful tool for many patients, especially for pain and nausea relief. At the same time, like all other medications, it does carry risk and side effects.”
Dr. Robert S. Stevenson, of the Horizon Health Network department of cardiology, Canada, explained: “Most previous research on marijuana-induced myocardial ischemia focused mostly on younger patients and did not focus on its different formulations and potencies. As a result of widespread marijuana legalization, healthcare providers need to understand and manage cannabis use and its complications in older patients, particularly in those with cardiovascular disease.”
Ian Hamilton of the Department of Health Sciences at the University of York, U.K., who was also not involved in the research, told Newsweek that the patient had a history of tobacco use, “making any causal conclusions about this health event difficult to make.
“It might be that he would have had this heart problem anyway and the fact he had used a potent form of cannabis was just a coincidence.”
“This study adds to a growing number of studies suggesting we need to be cautious about the strength of cannabis people can access. We need to identify and warn particular high risk groups about these products such as naive users or those with pre-existing psychological or physical health problems.”
However, he stated cannabis is generally a relatively safe drug, and only a minority of people will develop problems due to taking it.
Dr. Thierry Favrod-Coune of the Geneva University Hospital, who was also not involved in the work, told Newsweek the findings were limited by the fact the man was old, had health conditions and took such a “huge” and “unsafe dose.” That means the results can’t be generalized to younger and healthier people, he argued.
Last week, a separate study into the potential health impact of using cannabis indicated smoking the substance could boost a man’s sperm count. The findings were published in the journal Human Reproduction.
However, Feiby Nassan, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Chan School, told Newsweek: “These findings do not mean that using marijuana will increase sperm counts. Secondly, the study is a great opportunity to spark interest on investigating the health effects of marijuana particularly with the backdrop of increasing legalization of recreational use in the U.S. coupled with a greater perception that marijuana poses no health risks.”
This article has been updated with comment from Dr. Thierry Favrod-Coune.
Weed edibles
Weed and CBD edibles can be quite effective. Shop infused options like gummies, candy, and chocolates, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Just remember: start low and go slow.
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More about weed edibles
Edible forms of cannabis, including food products, lozenges, and capsules, can produce effective, long-lasting, and safe effects. Most weed edibles contain a significant amount of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC-dominant edibles are consumed for recreational and medical purposes and can induce a wide range of effects including relaxation, euphoria, increased appetite, fatigue, and anxiety. Some edibles feature other cannabinoids predominantly—most commonly cannabidiol (CBD) with very little THC. To learn more, browse our library of great edibles to find the type that works best for you.
Frequently asked questions about edibles
The right dose of weed edibles is different for everyone. Start with a small dose, especially if it’s your first time or it’s been a while since you’ve used cannabis. Each person’s response to a dose of edible cannabis can vary significantly, more so than with other medications or herbs. The “standard dose” is considered 10 mg, but someone new to cannabis or with low tolerance should start with half of that. Trial-and-error is an integral part of finding the perfect dose for a great experience, just remember to start low and slow. Read more: Cannabis Edibles Dosing Chart: Find the Right Dose
The amount of time it takes for the effects of edibles to kick in varies and also depends on your metabolism. People with faster metabolisms may feel effects after an hour; people with slower metabolisms may not feel the effects for two hours or more. An important factor is whether you consume the edible on an empty stomach or after you’ve eaten. An empty stomach will feel the effects much more quickly — a full stomach will keep it from hitting you as hard. Read more: 5 Tips to Safely Dose and Enjoy Cannabis Edibles
If you become uncomfortably high, don’t panic. A cannabis overdose isn’t fatal, it’s just uncomfortable and possibly disorienting. Find a safe, comfortable place to rest. Put on music that eases you. Closing your eyes can also help. Take long, slow, deep breaths, ideally of fresh air – open a window if possible. And hydrate! Read more: 8 Ways to Counteract a Too-Intense Cannabis High
Marijuana products aren’t yet FDA regulated, which can result in a lack of consistency in dosage from one product to another. This can make finding the right dose even more difficult. Look for products that are clearly labeled and read the label carefully to figure out the correct portion size for the dose that works best for you. Read more: What to Know About Dosing, Potency, and Labeling
It may not surprise you that it’s hard to pinpoint the exact length of the effect of a marijuana edible. The short answer: it varies. Generally, the effects of edibles can be felt up to about 5-6 hours. This varies widely based on your individual biology, the dose, and the type of edible consumed. The peak euphoric experience may only last 1-3 hours but may continue for much longer. Bottom line: start with a low dose and slowly work your way up to avoid uncomfortably long and uncomfortably potent effects.
What to do if you don’t feel the effects from a weed edible after an hour?If you don’t feel any effects from a marijuana edible after an hour, try eating a snack like an organic apple to turn on the digestion and absorption in your gut. Some people new to cannabis may not feel anything the first few times they try edibles, so it’s often best to try the same low dose three times with 8 to 24 hours between tries before you increase the dose.
Weed edibles is a term that refers to any food item that contains CBD or THC. Weed edibles are fun because they come in a variety of forms including drinks, snacks, candy, desserts, and more. Cannabis consumers choose weed edibles because the effects are long lasting and don’t require inhalation. Another reason weed edibles are so popular with consumers is because they are much more discreet than smoking, vaping, or dabbing.
Weed edibles look just like food. For example, a weed brownie will look just like a regular brownie your grandma would make. Without cannabis packaging—which is required in all legal states—it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between an edible and a non-edible simply by looking at it. Because of this, weed edibles are extremely discreet.
The cost of weed edibles varies and is based on a number of factors including THC content, quality of ingredients used, geographic location, and local taxes. In general, weed edibles cost anywhere from $8.00 to $60.00 each. THC candies are typically on the lower end of the price spectrum, with single servings priced at around $10 or less. An edible brownie will run slightly higher, usually over $10. Bigger edibles products like batches of cannabutter sell for around $55 each.
You can buy edibles online using Leafly.com. With Leafly, you can place a pickup order online for weed edibles available in your area including cannabutter, THC candy, and THC-infused drinks. You can also use Leafly.com to find deals on marijuana edibles at dispensaries near you.