Edible cannabis products typically provide the same benefits as other forms of cannabis. People ingest them to achieve certain effects, such as relaxation, or to treat medical conditions, such as chronic pain.

The effects of edibles depend on the dose a person takes. Typically, the effects increase as the dose increases. However, consuming too much cannabis through edibles is easy to do, and it can cause adverse effects, such as nausea and vomiting.

Some of the beneficial effects of cannabis edibles include:

Relaxation and anxiety relief

Cannabis contains a compound called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

THC is the chemical responsible for the psychoactive effects of edibles and other forms of cannabis. An older study suggests that THC can causeTrusted Source feelings of relaxation and euphoria.

Cannabis also contains the compound cannabidiol (CBD). CBD has anti-anxiety effects.

A 2019 studyTrusted Source reports that more than 79% of people with anxiety or sleep problems who took CBD experienced a decrease in anxiety over the course of the study. Scientists need more studies, but this shows significant hope.

A further study on teenagers with social anxiety supports the findings of CBD significantly decreasing anxiety levels.

Pain management

CBD may also work as a pain reliever, as well as having anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it a popular treatment among those who experience chronic pain.

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that medical cannabis patients with chronic pain report improved pain management when they consume cannabis products.

Conditions that people treat with edibles and other forms of medicinal cannabis include:

• arthritis
• cancer pain
• fibromyalgia
• neuropathic pain

Muscle spasm control

Doctors may also recommend medicinal cannabis for muscle spasm treatment.

ResearchTrusted Source from 2013 indicates that people experience significant improvement in muscle spasticity and other types of pain when they take cannabis.

An oral preparationTrusted Source derived from cannabis is available to treat muscle spasticity and pain. Other forms of edibles may have similar effects, although research in this area is lacking.

Antiseizure effects

CBD has also demonstrated antiseizure effects, which suggests it could be a potential treatment for epilepsy.

A 2017 studyTrusted Source cites evidence for the use of CBD to improve seizure control in those with specific epilepsy syndromes.

Edibles may be one way to ingest cannabis to reduce seizures. However, more research is necessary before people with epilepsy consider treating the condition with cannabis.

Other effects

Edible cannabis products may also treatTrusted Source other health issues, such as appetite loss and weight loss, for those who have cancer.

While edibles are a discreet and tasty way to consume cannabis, they are not without risk. Potential side effects and risks include:

Adverse health effects

ResearchTrusted Source indicates that regular cannabis use can have adverse impacts on:

• brain development
• heart health
• memory and cognitionTrusted Source
• psychiatric health

Long-term cannabis use may be especially worrisome in adolescents, where it may increase the riskTrusted Source of schizophrenia as well as learning and memoryTrusted Source.