Reasons You Should be Eating Weed

Eating or drinking raw cannabis sounds kind of gross, but there’s enough evidence to back up unorthodox practice and make us think that the plant should become an important green in our diets

Eating raw weed is not going to get you high (you lied to me Supertroopers!), but there are plenty of reasons why you should be eating raw weed. This might seem a little weird and unappetizing that is until you realize that eating raw weed is all the rage right now. So why should you jump in on this trend?

In its natural state, the THC in marijuana isn’t psychoactive, which means that the plant is just filled with nutrients that are begging to be consumed but won’t get you high.

Eating Raw Weed Gives You Lots of Fiber

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that fiber is an essential nutrient your body needs to function properly. The problem with the modern diet (especially here in the States) is that no one is getting nearly enough fiber in their diet. To combat this many people take fiber supplements, but they simply aren’t doing the trick. Raw weed happens to have a ton of fiber in it (it is a leafy green after all).

 Like all leafy greens, cannabis is filled with fiber and could work really well if drunk on a smoothie or eaten on a salad (as weird as that would look). High fiber foods help your digestion, your immune system, and mental health. While this all sounds awesome, some users have reported that raw cannabis fan leaves can be rough on the stomach lining, so if you have a sensitive stomach try to drink it via smoothie, or add some leaves as a garnish on your dish.

Pain Relief

Cannabinoid acids share some of the benefits of over the counter medicines, like ibuprofen and aspirin, but without all the chemicals. Some medical cannabis patients use raw cannabis as a supplement to their treatments, easing the symptoms of diseases like fibromyalgia and arthritis.

Extensive research demonstrates that green juices are a great addition to the diets of people with arthritis and that also consuming foods that are rich in nutrients help fight off all pain related illnesses.

Also Vitamins

In addition to fiber, raw weed contains tons of vitamins and minerals your body needs. As I stated above, cannabis is a leafy green. Raw weed contains Vitamin C, which you need as an immune booster, and Vitamin K essential for blood clots and absorbing calcium. Cannabis plants also contain folate, iron and calcium, which are needed for repairing DNA, moving oxygen through the blood stream and maintaining strong bones.

Leafy greens are rich in nutrients like folate, iron, calcium, vitamin K and vitamin C. Cannabis contains all of this plus cannabinoid acids. CDB and THC are also considered antioxidants, battling stress and helping with cancer prevention. 

Raw Weed Has TONS of Antioxidants

Yet another reason you should be eating raw weed is because it has tons of antioxidants. In case you weren’t aware THC and CBD are themselves considered antioxidants. Antioxidants are neat little compounds that help repair and maintain the body during the normal wear and tear that one experiences in their daily life.

Not to Mention No Negative Side Effects

Eating raw weed also has none of the negative side effects that come with consuming cannabis via smoking, vaping, or doing edibles. Since you’re not decarbing your cannabis, you’re not going to get any of the same psychoactive side effects that you would normally be expecting. That means no anxiety, no dizziness and of course, no cottonmouth. You might want to make sure your cannabis hasn’t been sprayed with any pesticides before eating it though!

Did We Mention the Fatty Acids?

Cannabinoids are unique to marijuana and hemp plants, and they offer an immense amount of goodness, providing anti-proliferative and anti-spasmodic effects. THCA is also present in raw cannabis, and research suggests that it’s a great cannabinoid for treating inflammation and pain regulation. The raw form of cannabidiol, known as CBDA, has also shown some promising results for epilepsy and preventing inflammation.

Raw weed contains tons of omega fatty acids, which are awesome for keeping your brain fit and healthy. This is why hemp is such a popular health food. Hemp also contains tons of linoleic acid which promotes healthy skin and nails. That might not seem as important to you now, but as you get older, you will definitely appreciate it.

Wellness benefits of raw cannabis seeds

This pretty much goes without saying, but a diet rich in vitamins, plant-based proteins, and healthy fats will go far in helping you live an optimal and healthy life. The heart of the cannabis seed contains all of these, in a perfect little package!

Raw cannabis and hemp products can provide some serious physical perks, but only if you are willing to make them an everyday part of your diet. This shouldn’t be tough, as they typically come ready-to-eat in huge bags from which you can scoop as desired.

Several benefits accompany a well-lubricated hemp-loving body. For one, you’ll experience decreased inflammation in the joints and muscles due to the healthy fat you’re consuming. You might feel more energy or stamina throughout the day, and have a much easier time managing your weight.

Cardiovascular function and blood pressure are known to improve on a high-omega diet, and there’s even a chance that you could be defending your brain against the onset of Alzheimer’s, dementia or other mental disorders.

Consider adding shelled hemp or cannabis seeds to your diet, rather than make drastic and difficult changes to your routine. You may find that you can control many aspects of your well-being, simply through more wholesome nutrition.

Ways to consume raw cannabis

Eating fresh or dry flowers

Besides THCA and CBDA, there are several dozen minor cannabinoids present in every cannabis variety. Dr. Courtney has reported that only freshly cut buds and fan leaves should be consumed when juicing or eating cannabis. His take is that drying and curing is something that should be avoided because cannabinoid acids transform into regular cannabinoids over time and with heat.

Even though dried flowers may not be as effective as raw ones, at least to some, proponents of the method claim that they still hold medical value.

Eating fan leaves

While fan leaves have a much lower concentration of cannabinoid acids compared to buds, Dr. Courtney has suggested they should also be used in “raw cannabis” treatment. Again, bearing in mind that individual response may vary, his recommendation would be to use 25 fan leaves and one flower daily for maintaining optimal health. For those afflicted with a medical condition, more exploration of uses and greater quantities, perhaps several leaves daily, would be needed.

Using raw cannabis as a superfood

Some believe that raw cannabis may also provide numerous nutritional benefits. It is rich in protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, essential amino acids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and also various terpenesand flavonoids that have a wide range of dietary uses.

How to use raw cannabis

Dr. Courtney suggests using a regular blender for juicing raw buds, and a wheatgrass juicer for fan leaves, further recommending that cannabis be placed to soak in water for about five minutes prior to juicing. Cannabis should be stored unrinsed in a fridge or a freezer, in bags or containers normally used to preserve the freshness of vegetables. Because cannabinoid acids are fat-soluble, raw cannabis juice can be mixed with frozen yogurt, ice cream or fruit and vegetable juices since the cananbis juice is bitter when consumed separately. Consider splitting the mixture into several smaller portions so that it may be consumed over the course of the day.

Is raw cannabis a real thing or not?

Although current understanding of the mechanisms of action of cannabinoid acids remains limited, there seems to be some promise. A persistent challenge is that acquiring fresh cannabis is tough for most people, though it may be more readily doable for people in Canada and the U.S. Those who can grow or purchase fresh fan leaves and raw uncured buds can also consider that option.

There’s also many ways that you can prepare raw weed, so you don’t have to eat it like it’s carrot sticks, or anything like that. As mentioned above, you can throw it in a juicer with your other vegetables. You can also make a pretty delicious pesto with it, or sprinkle it onto your favorite salas. The possibilities are endless!