Do Edibles Affect Your Organs? Edibles And The Liver

Unlike smoking, where effects hit quickly, edibles can introduce a slower, and stronger psychoactive experience.

But what exactly makes edibles so potent, and how does the liver play a key role in this?

The liver metabolizes substances like THC to make them safer for your body to process.

As soon as THC from edibles hits the bloodstream, it heads to the liver, where it goes through a process called “first-pass metabolism.” In this phase, liver enzymes, such as CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 from the cytochrome P450 group, spring into action.

They convert THC into a more potent metabolite called 11-hydroxy-THC,  and 11-hydroxy-THC is much more bioavailable, meaning it can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. This conversion is why edibles produce a stronger and longer-lasting high than what you’d experience with inhalable forms of THC.

Smoking or vaping cannabis sends THC directly to your bloodstream via the lungs, producing effects that peak quickly within seconds to minutes and can fade fast. This method skips the liver’s initial breakdown that edibles undergo, which is why the effects can feel so immediate.

According to a 2023 review, there’s no direct link between cannabis use and clinical liver injury.

In fact, some researchers have critiqued earlier studies that labeled cannabis as harmful to the liver, noting that these studies looked back at old data without considering other possible causes of liver damage.

Other research suggests that cannabis might actually be beneficial for liver-related diseases like chronic liver disease (CLD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and alcohol-induced liver disease (ALD).

Studies are showing that compounds in cannabis, such as 11-hydroxy-THC, could be helping to shield the liver from damage by interacting with various biological pathways.

Even the American College of Gastroenterology has found evidence that supports this idea. They pointed out that cannabis use in obese patients seemed to lower the risk of NAFLD, concluding cannabis helped protect liver cells and reduce inflammation.

Although many reviews suggest that cannabis may not harm the liver and could even protect it, more well-controlled studies are needed to understand the complete impact of cannabis use on liver health.

Are Edibles As Bad For Your Liver As Alcohol?

Alcohol has well-documented negative effects on the liver. When metabolized by the liver, alcohol produces acetaldehyde, a potent toxin that contributes to liver diseases such as cirrhosis and fatty liver disease.

THC and CBD are metabolized differently through liver enzymes and do not produce this toxic compound.

However, caution is advised for individuals with pre-existing liver conditions who want to use cannabis edibles. The metabolism of THC can be more demanding in compromised livers, potentially exacerbating issues.