Side Effects of Edibles: THC vs. CBD, Dangers & More

Marijuana edibles come with the risk of both immediate and long-term side effects. 

Side effects include paranoia, mood swings, memory loss, and increased blood pressure, among others.

Effects of Edibles

People consume edibles for the pleasurable effects they hope to experience. They may hope to lessen their anxiety, improve their sleep, and feel more relaxed. But there is the potential for negative effects with edibles.

Short-Term Side Effects

Temporary side effects may include the following:

• Bloodshot eyes
• Increased blood pressure
• Faster heartbeat
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Mood changes
• Difficulty solving problems
• Memory loss
• Hallucinations

These unpleasant side effects can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, dangerous. These side effects wear off as the “high” from edibles does with their intensity lessening as the body processes the edibles. 

Long-Term Side Effects

Most often, side effects from edibles are tied to the dosage level. The more edibles you take with higher THC levels, the more likely you are to experience side effects.

If you regularly take edibles at high doses, you may develop long-term side effects over time. These include the following:

• Brain fog
• Memory issues
• Reduced motivation
• Learning issues
• Attention difficulties

Adolescents are especially vulnerable to these side effects as habitual use affects brain development. This can result in lower IQ scores and increase the risk of chronic psychiatric disease if the person is already susceptible to it.

Approximately 9 percent of people who have used marijuana in any form develop a substance use disorder (SUD). Some studies confirm that long-term cannabis use can be a gateway drug.

What Are Edibles?

Edibles include food, snacks, and beverages that contain marijuana. While these products are legal in many states and often look like standard food items, they come with a variety of risks. 

Edibles do not have an instant effect like smoking marijuana. These foods are often infused with THC, the chemical component that makes a person feel high, although there are CBD-only edibles. 

The effects of edibles can last for a while, up to 12 hours. It takes longer to feel the initial effects of edibles compared to smoking marijuana. Due to this delay, an inexperienced consumer may keep eating the item believing that they haven’t taken enough to get high.

Types of Edibles

Common edibles include baked goods, chocolate, candy, mints, gummies, beverages, ice creams, and beef jerky. As legalization is increasing in the United States, so are the availability and use of edibles.

• Baked goods: Any baked food can include marijuana. Common choices include brownies, cookies, and cupcakes.
• Chocolates and hard candy: These may be bars, individual chocolates, truffles, lollipops, hard candies, or mints. 
• Gummies: Soft chewable candies or gummies are often infused with CBD and combinations. It’s possible to buy CBD-only gummies, and gummies are available in different dosing combinations of THC and CBD.
• Beverages: Marijuana-infused drinks include sports drinks, juices, and water.
• Other foods: Beef jerky, butter, oil, and ice cream can contain marijuana. Manufacturers are inventive, and new varieties of edibles appear regularly.

Side Effects of CBD Edibles vs. THC Edibles

THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana, while CBD does not create the “high” we associate with the drug. CBD can trigger positive effects, but it is also associated with some negative side effects.

The side effects of CBD edibles tend to be non-hallucinogenic and less intense than  THC edibles. Unpleasant side effects of CBD may include the following:

• Dizziness
• Nausea or diarrhea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Facial flushing
• Dry mouth

Conversely, the side effects of THC edibles may include the following:

• Psychedelic hallucinations
• Nausea
• Dizziness and vomiting
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Paranoia
• Increased heart rate

Dangers of THC Edibles

While THC edibles continue to grow in popularity, they are associated with various risks. As they become legal in more states and use increases, increased instances of these risks occur.

Unintentional Overconsumption

For people who have not eaten THC edibles before, there is a high danger of overconsumption. THC has a lag time before the effects are felt. People who are unfamiliar with this delayed onset may consume more. Once the effects kick in, they may feel overwhelmed.

One instance of overconsumption occurred in 2014 when a Colorado man jumped off a building and died after consuming a marijuana-infused edible. 

Poor Regulation

The amount of THC listed in items is poorly regulated. This leads to inconsistent labeling as well as varying requirements across the United States. Due to this poor regulation, it is hard to rely on labeling to get accurate information about the contents.

Homemade items are unregulated.

Variations in Potency

The potency of THC varies widely across different growers, manufacturers, and food producers across the country. Variable potency makes it nearly impossible for users to rely on labeling to regulate how much they are consuming.

Accidental Consumption

THC-infused candies, chocolates, and edibles often look like common products that do not contain THC. This can lead to accidental consumption by children, pets, or people who don’t wish to take in THC or CBD.

THC edibles are often packaged in multiple doses per container. If children mistake edibles for standard gummies or chocolate, they may be eating multiple doses at once.

Adolescent & Teen Use

According to a recent study, teens are likely to consume edibles to reduce their chances of getting caught using marijuana. Edibles are also appealing to teens who don’t want to smoke or want to avoid smelling like marijuana smoke.

Increased Poisoning Reports

In 2020, there was a rise in reported poisoning incidents from edible marijuana. These instances involved children under 12 years old, mostly 5 years old or younger.

Irregular Heartbeat

A recent study from the Annals of Internal Medicine compared emergency room visitors who consumed cannabis edibles with visits from those smoking marijuana. The study found that 8 percent of people who had consumed edibles had irregular heartbeats compared to 3 percent of people who smoked marijuana. 

Increased Risk of Driving Accidents

According to the NIH, use of cannabis before driving increases the risk of being involved in an accident. 

Higher Risk of Psychotic Disorders

According to Mental Health America, marijuana use may increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders. It can also worsen conditions of psychosis.

References 

Drug Alert: Marijuana Edibles. Just Think Twice.

Tasty THC: Promises and Challenges of Cannabis Edibles. (November 2016). RTI Press.

Cannabis Use and Blood Pressure Levels: United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005–2012. (August 2016). Journal of Hypertension.

The Impact of Marijuana on the Cardiovascular System: A Review of the Most Common Cardiovascular Events Associated With Marijuana Use. (June 2020). Journal of Clinical Medicine.

How Cannabis Use Impacts Long-Term Health. Northwestern Medicine. 

Cognitive Effects in Midlife of Long-Term Cannabis Use. (June 2022). Harvard Health Publishing.

Probability and Predictors of the Cannabis Gateway Effect: A National Study. (February 2015). International Journal Drug Policy.

Edible Cannabis. (February 2020). CMAJ JAMC.

Teen Use of Marijuana Edibles: A Focus Group Study of an Emerging Issue. (June 2016). The Journal of Primary Prevention.

Death Following Ingestion of an Edible Marijuana Product. (March 2014). Medscape.

2020 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Center’s National Poison Data System,38th Annual Report. (December 2021). Clinical Toxicology. 

Edible Cannabis Exposures Among Children: 2017–2019. (April 2021). American Academy of Pediatrics.

Acute Illness Associated With Cannabis Use, by Route of Exposure. (April 2019). Annals of Internal Medicine.

The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. National Institute of Health.

Risky Business: Marijuana Use. Mental Health America.

An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies. (June 2017). Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.

Benefit of Tetrahydrocannabinol Versus Cannabidiol for Common Palliative Care Symptoms. (October 2019). Journal of Palliative Medicine.

Acute Effects of Naturalistic THC vs. CBD Use on Recognition Memory: A Preliminary Study. (September 2020). Journal of Cannabis Research.

Cannabidiol Use and Effectiveness: Real-World Evidence From a Canadian Medical Cannabis Clinic. (June 2021). Journal of Cannabis Research.