The border between drug and nutrient is blurring. How many people can get through the day without the assistance of the psychoactive food/drugs coffee, tea, tobacco, alcohol, and cocoa? A nutrient, for most organisms, is a chemical containing carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen. According to that definition, the contents of the cannabis plant are clearly nutrients. Some of them are also psychoactive.
When we think about cannabis and food, most people are aware of the ability of cannabis to increase food consumption. This feature has been known for centuries. Cannabis amplifies our already existing preferences for calorically dense, palatable foods; this phenomenon is called hedonic amplification of feeding. Chemicals within the cannabis plant produce this effect by mimicking the endogenous chemicals in our brain called endocannabinoids that, among many other functions, control our feeding behaviors. Despite the hyperphagia induced by cannabis, people who use cannabis regularly do not gain weight. There are multiple explanations for this, however, it is mostly due to the actions of cannabinoids on the numerous mitochondria within every cell of our body.
I have previously discussed the well-established medicinal pros and cons of regular cannabis consumption. Recently, this versatile plant has also received significant interest for its nutritional values beyond possessing carbon bonds. For example, hemp (Cannabis sativa ssp. sativa) seeds are a rich source of nutrients, containing high levels of protein, lipids, many essential amino acids, minerals, and total dietary fiber. The proteins found in hemp seeds, such as edestin and albumin, are readily digestible seed storage proteins and serve as a valuable source of the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine. One cannabinoid, THC, can reduce high-fat diet-induced obesity and obesity-induced hepatic steatosis in mice; this action would be highly beneficial to people following a ketogenic diet who are prone to fatty liver diseases. Furthermore, cannabis extracts can restore glucose and lipid homeostasis by acting on fat deposits via their effects on mitochondrial activity.
Because the cannabis plant known as hemp is without psychoactive proclivities, historically more attention has been given to its potential nutritional benefits. Hemp is rich in cannabigerolic acid and cannabidiolic acid, as well as their decarboxylated counterparts, cannabigerol and the more familiar compound cannabidiol, which is widely sold for its potential anti-anxiety benefits. Hemp seed oil is low in saturated fatty acids and high in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearidonic acid, and a-linolenic acid. The abundance of these fatty acids in hemp oil is associated with potential benefits in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, inflammatory issues, and autoimmune diseases.
Cannabis edibles are foods or beverages that contain enough cannabis to induce a desired physiological or psychological effect. The cannabis plant can serve as an additive or ingredient in diverse food products, and the seed or leaves are the most utilized plant parts. Today, cannabis plant parts, or their extracts, are found in yogurt, hemp flour, baked goods, pasta, rice, protein seed powder, energy bars, sauces, pralines, chocolates, beverages, candies, and gummies. Cannabis flowers and sprouts may also be ingested raw, or are commonly made into juices and salads. The amount of psychoactive THC allowed by many regulatory agencies is typically set at 1 mg THC per kg of body weight. The lowest observed adverse effect level is 2.5 mg per day (corresponding to 36 mg/kg of body weight in a 70 kg person). As recreational marijuana use becomes more widespread, these values are constantly being adjusted.
In summary, all parts of the cannabis plant are nutritionally rich and are used in food products. Today, in many states, high-potency plant extracts, vape cartridges, topicals, and edibles have already gained a significant market share, reflecting an increase in cannabis consumption. The continuing evolution of our relationship with this ancient plant has led to a growing demand for alternative consumption methods, such as in bakery goods, confectionery, beverages, dairy, fruits, vegetables, and meat. As cannabis products increase their presence on our grocery shelves, the plant’s transition from drug to nutrient will continue to evolve.
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