By now, we are all aware of the myriad of ingestion methods for cannabis – smoking, vaping, consuming edibles, etc. But there are some cannabis enthusiasts that are raving about the benefits of eating raw cannabis, or even making smoothies with it. Raw cannabis is not psychoactive and is rich in nutrients, including amino acids. Why might raw cannabis be a good addition to any healthy diet?
The cannabis plant contains 421 distinct known chemical compounds. Over 100 of those are molecules called cannabinoids. There also may be some benefit in saving cannabis leaves and throwing them in a smoothie or on a salad. Leafy greens, like the leaves of the cannabis plant, tend to be high in fiber. Consuming the right amount of fiber is essential for immune function and some even believe it can help your mental health.
Raw cannabis leaves and stems also tend to be high in nutrients like folate, iron, calcium, and vitamins C and K. Introducing cannabis leaves into your diet may also help protect against various cancers. Perhaps even more nutrient dense than raw cannabis leaves and buds, raw hemp seeds and hemp oil are high in omega-3 and other essential fatty acids.
Many patients have anecdotally reported positive pain-relieving results when consuming raw cannabis, which is likely due to cannabinoid acids in the plant. The lack of psychoactive properties found in raw cannabis is also attractive to older patients who are seeking pain relief without the high.
If you’re looking to add hemp seeds to your diet, you can find them at health food stores and online. There has been some speculation that hemp oil could be beneficial for patients who are suffering from arthritis. This research has also shown that consuming hemp oil could treat symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Like so many other things regarding medical marijuana, the truth of this is still unclear, as there have been little to no studies, trials or conclusive research conducted on raw cannabis consumption due to the plant’s federal illegality. As we continue to peel back the layers of prohibition, we could see more and more people adding leafy cannabis greens and hemp seeds and oils to their daily diets.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for information and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice.
