Raw Cannabis, Is It Being Considered the New Super Food?

WRITTEN BY MULTIPLE AWARD DR. PEPPER HERNANDEZ ND, PH.D. & BOARD CERTIFIED HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTITIONER

So did you know that cannabis is a superfood? I have been well aware of that starting over a decade ago when I started juicing leaves for health and wellness benefits. Cannabis is an incredibly unique plant that contains over 400 different chemical compounds. The number of vitamins, essential oils, and acids found in cannabis has leading experts calling cannabis a “dietary essential.” Cannabis is a particularly special plant in the world of nutrition because the herb contains extremely high concentrations of cannabinoid acids. These acids are incredibly important for human basic cell function.

Two of the primary cannabinoid acids that have been studied thus far are THCa and CBDa. When you heat these acids via smoking, vaping, or cooking cannabis you break them down into slightly different chemicals. Specifically, some degrade them into psychoactive THC and cannabinoid CBD. The process of converting these cannabinoid acids into their “active” form is known as decarboxylation, or “decarbing.” Active THC and CBD have their share of benefits, but the one major downside to decarbing is that your body can only handle small amounts of these now-activated cannabinoids.

When you eat raw cannabis, your body can process extremely large amounts of THCa and CBDa without issues for most. Your body then converts these acids into the nutrients it needs via your metabolism. Consuming these cannabinoid acids is important because they help your cells communicate with each other via the endocannabinoid system. Consuming more cannabinoid acids may be the key to preventing chronic diseases caused by endocannabinoid deficiencies. Endocannabinoid deficiencies are thought to play a major role in the development of medical conditions like:

Anti-inflammatory properties

Anti-diabetic properties

Anti-ischemic properties

CBD & THC both have medical benefits. They are also both considered safe. The World Health Organization suggests “any side effects that occur with CBD use are likely the result of drug-to-drug interactions between CBD and other medications you may be taking.”

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources. Please check with your Cannabis Educated Primary Health Care Physician or Cannabis Therapy Consultant before beginning any new diet or lifestyle change.

Dr. Pepper Hernandez ND, CTC, CNHP is a Naturopathic Nutritionist, Cannabis Therapy Consultant, and the Founder and Education Director of the Cannabis Holistic Institute.

To find out more about her private practice, educational programs, videos, and other offerings you can find her on the massive inter-webs, social platforms, or at drpepperhernandez.com.