Foods to Eat with Edibles for Medicinal Benefits

Knowing what to eat with edibles contributes to the best possible experience in the same way that a fine wine brings out the best in food. Pairing edibles with specific foods can enhance their effects and potential therapeutic benefits.

The edibles industry is constantly evolving, meaning patients have more scope than ever to choose delicious and effective cannabis products. Understanding the science of food and cannabis interactions enables you to optimize the medicinal benefits of your MMJ.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a delicious, nutrient-dense, and antioxidant-rich vegetable that pairs perfectly with cannabis. This is because it's a rich source of the terpene beta-caryophyllene. Beta-caryophyllene (BCP) is an especially fascinating terpene as its molecular structure allows it to bind to CB2 receptors. 

This doesn't mean that it offers the euphoric effects associated with cannabis, however. The psychoactive compound THC binds with CB1 receptors in the brain to produce the therapeutic and psychoactive effects MMJ patients seek. However, BCP’s ability to bind to CB2 receptors means it provides many of the benefits linked with the activation of those receptors, including a reduction in inflammation [same source article as above].

Which Qualifying Conditions Could Beta-Caryophyllene Help Treat?

BCP taken with cannabis edibles may help with conditions like chronic pain and the agitation of Alzheimer’s disease.

Chronic Pain

Research shows that BCP can be useful in reducing acute and chronic pain. This effect may be in part due to its anti-inflammatory properties. The activation of CB2 receptors is also connected with pain inhibition.

Several studies have shown that the activation of CB2 receptors is critical in the modulation of inflammatory and neuropathic pain responses. One of these, a 2013 study into BCP's analgesic effects on inflammatory and neuropathic pain, concluded that BCP may be highly effective in treating long-lasting and debilitating pain.

Alzheimer's Disease

Several states, including Arizona, have approved the use of medical cannabis for dementia, specifically to treat agitation caused by Alzheimer's disease.

Various studies have reported BCP's potential in inhibiting neuroinflammation and conferring neuroprotective properties that may help with the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's disease. For example, one animal study noted that BCP exerts an anti-inflammatory effect when it activates the CB2 receptor. The study concluded that BCP is an "attractive" molecule for drugs developed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Tip: Save With A Medical Marijuana Card

Patients in Arizona who treat a qualifying condition with medical marijuana enjoy several benefits from purchasing their MMJ with an up-to-date medical marijuana card. Among these benefits are:

• An exemption from paying excise tax on cannabis products

• Higher possession limits

• Access to higher-potency cannabis edibles

• Lower age limits for medical marijuana: Patients over the age of 18 can purchase cannabis for medical purposes with an MMJ card.

Sweet Baked Goods

Consuming edibles is often associated with baked goods like brownies or cookies. There are two main reasons for this:

1. Sweet treats like brownies are delicious, easy to make, and lend themselves well to customization by adding your strain of choice.

2. Cannabis compounds like THC are fat-soluble, meaning that they’re absorbed at an increased level in the presence of lipids. High-fat recipes will facilitate greater absorption of THC. Consider using cannabutter in your edibles recipes as an alternative to regular butter.

Which Qualifying Conditions Could High-Fat Edibles Help Treat?

Delicious, high-fat edibles are an ideal option for conditions that cause appetite loss like HIV/AIDS or nausea and vomiting from cancer treatments. For example, try adding the best strains for HIV/AIDS patients to your favorite fat-rich recipes to stimulate your appetite.

Herbal Teas

Green teas contain catechin, a natural flavonoid found in several plants including cannabis. Catechin has been found to offer health benefits by preventing diseases caused by oxidative stress. Green teas infused with cannabis may therefore be a beneficial addition to your everyday routine to double up on your catechin intake.

CBD-infused chamomile tea may also help with sleep. While insomnia or difficulty sleeping aren’t qualifying conditions for MMJ use, they are distressing side effects of some treatments and can also be a result of stress from being chronically ill.

Mangoes

Mangoes are high in the terpene myrcene, a compound also found in some cannabis strains. Myrcene could play a role in helping cannabinoids travel across the blood-brain barrier. This may enhance the psychoactive responses caused by the cannabinoids contained in the cannabis plant.

Which Qualifying Conditions Could Myrcene Relieve?

Research suggests myrcene could play a role in treating chronic pain, seizures, and cancer.

• Chronic Pain: Myrcene has the potential to relieve pain and inflammation caused by arthritis.

• Seizures: Myrcene may work as an anticonvulsant. One study on rats showed that myrcene could have antiepileptic properties by reducing convulsions caused by seizures.

• Cancer: Myrcene also has anti-tumor potential as it's been shown to discourage the metastasis of breast cancer cells.

How to Pair Mangoes with Cannabis

It's hard to beat a sweet, juicy mango consumed fresh. Consume your mango within half an hour of your edible to feel the benefits. You could also try mixing cannabis tinctures into a mango smoothie or adding mango and your cannabis product of choice to yogurt, oatmeal, or rice pudding.

Eat Sweet Potatoes When You've Overindulged

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 has a significant impact on the production of serotonin and GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter). Both play an important role in calming the nervous system and slowing brain activity. This can help relieve stress, anxiety, and fear.

If you find you've misjudged your dose, don't worry. Overindulging can make you feel uneasy, but sweet potato may help to stabilize your feelings so that you can enjoy the desired effects of your edibles.

FAQs

Which Foods Best Disguise the Taste of Cannabis?

Strong-flavored foods like ginger or curry may help disguise the taste of cannabis. Mixing other foods like chocolate or caramel with cannabis helps balance out the bitter flavor often associated with cannabis tinctures. Ultimately, deciding if your favorite foods pair well with cannabis will be a question of experimenting.

Which Foods Complement the Taste of Cannabis?

Foods containing similar terpenes and flavonoids to your favorite strains could complement them well. Cannabis contains the same compounds as many other plants and herbs. For example, lemons contain high levels of the terpene limonene, while lavender is a great source of the terpene linalool. 

Should I Consume Edibles on an Empty or Full Stomach?

It's recommended to consume edibles on a full stomach. The THC in your edible is likely to be absorbed quicker and offer a stronger effect when taken on an empty stomach. However, this may lead to an overwhelming or even unpleasant experience. Eating edibles on a full stomach results in a slower and gentler digestive and absorption process. 

Experiment with Edible and Food Pairings

Pairing edibles with the right foods enhances their medicinal benefits and your overall experience. By understanding the science behind food and cannabis interactions, you can optimize your consumption for maximum therapeutic effect.

Individual responses to edibles and foods can vary, so it's essential to listen to your body and experiment to find the perfect combination for your needs. Elevate your cannabis experience and unlock additional health benefits by experimenting with various food pairings as part of your wellness routine.