Cannabis Questions – Part 3

Can you be allergic to weed?

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), the simple answer is yes. Cannabis is like many other plants in that it releases molecules that act as allergens for some people.

In some cases, the reaction won’t occur unless there is actual contact with the plant. In these cases, the most common reactions are rashes, hives, and a frightening condition called angioedema. Angioedema and hives are actually somewhat complementary. Hives involve swelling of the upper layers of the skin, while angioedema is swelling of the lower layers of the skin. The swelling can occur all over the body and is common in the facial regions including the tongue and larynx. It can also occur in the abdomen or in the arms and legs.

Allergens that enter the body through breathing or inhaling cannabis smoke can also produce typical allergic symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watering eyes. Depending on whether the user is susceptible, asthma symptoms can also occur.

There is also an interesting aspect of this that many people don’t realize. Cannabis can cause cross-reactivity with several foods, including tomatoes, peaches, and hazelnuts. This is because these foods contain the same kind of allergens found in cannabis plants. This means that if you are allergic to any of these foods, chances are good that you will also develop allergies to cannabis. It also works the other way, so that if you develop allergies to cannabis you will probably react also to these foods.

Can you get high from weed lube?

This is a stimulating question and the short answer is yes, but in a localized way. Many people have questions concerning cannabis and its connection to sexuality. Indeed, the growing popularity and legalization of cannabis has led to a growing number of “cannasexuals” – people who use cannabis-infused products to enhance their sexual experiences. The use of cannabis to enhance sexuality (or help with childbirth) goes back thousands of years in ancient China, Egypt, and India. Current research on the topic is lacking and what research exists is far from conclusive. It seems to be a very subjective experience and depends significantly on the amount of cannabis used, its concentration, and the ratio of CBD to THC. A little cannabis use seems to reduce anxiety and lower inhibitions for both men and women. However, too much cannabis use might cause distraction, or an inability to be in the moment, and, for men in particular, difficulties maintaining an erection – the dreaded “stoner boner.” 

With regards to cannabis lube, the research is again somewhat lacking. The qualitative evidence suggests that cannabis lube does enhance sexual intercourse by enabling relaxation and enhancing sensation. It takes roughly 40 minutes to take effect, but cannabis-infused lube works by being absorbed by the body’s mucous membranes, found in sensitive areas with lots of capillaries, such as the vagina. The capillaries draw in the lube’s THC and CBD chemicals, dilating and increasing blood flow in the smallest blood vessels in our body. This enhanced micro-circulation magnifies the area’s sensitivity and sensation.

Users don’t experience a head high like they would through smoking or eating cannabis, but rather report localized sensations of relaxation, warmth, and pleasure that intensifies orgasms and facilitates multiple orgasms. There is no head high because the absorption that takes place is not as great as that which takes place in our lungs and small intestine (so if lube is consumed through oral sex a head high could be experienced).

Another important point concerns whether the THC use can be detected. While the topical application of THC is unlikely to be as fully absorbed as consuming THC, there is still a risk of it reaching the blood stream. If this happens, the THC could then be detected in blood or urine or even hair.

It is also important to remember that most cannabis lubes are actually oil based and should not be used with latex condoms or silicon-based sex toys because it can break them down. Apart from this problem, perhaps the best test is to simply try it yourself.

I have three dogs. If I smoke weed inside, will it affect them?

Yes – it could, depending on how much second hand cannabis smoke they are exposed to. While we are aware of the dangers of second hand cigarette smoke, very little research on second hand cannabis smoke has been conducted. A 2016 study in rats found that second-hand exposure to cannabis smoke affected a measure of blood vessel function as much as second hand tobacco smoke, and the effects lasted longer. Research on humans in 2014 and 2015 found that extreme – and the emphasis is on extreme – second hand cannabis smoke exposure mimicked, though to a lesser extent, active cannabis smoking. Provided that there is adequate ventilation, and the dogs are not in near proximity it is unlikely the dogs will be affected.  

The more common danger is dogs consuming edibles. To get a sense of how strongly they can be affected check out the video link below to see a dog reeling and falling in an attempt to walk down a hallway after eating cannabis-laced edibles. This is powerful evidence of how much THC can impair coordination.

https://www.facebook.com/djwhookid/videos/damn-the-dog-ate-the-weed-stash-%EF%B8%8F/258860356273236