Pumpkin seeds are tasty. But they could also be used as marijuana. Yes, in some cases, the pumpkin seeds have been found to contain a high amount of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), an active chemical compound that is quite like the active compound in marijuana, known as cannabidiol (CBD). If you are worried about how to smoke pumpkin seeds, or curious about whether you should eat them, this blog post will surely put your worries at rest.
Can You Smoke Pumpkin Seeds?
Pumpkin seeds are a healthy snack, but can you smoke them?
While pumpkin seeds are edible, it’s not recommended to smoke them. Smoking causes the seeds to lose their nutritional value and can lead to lung cancer.
Pumpkin seeds are packed with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc. They also contain phytoestrogens that may protect against breast cancer and prostate cancer.
The answer is no — you shouldn’t smoke pumpkin seeds because they contain too much moisture to be effective in a pipe or joint. Smoking pumpkin seeds will also destroy their nutritional value and make them less tasty than they already were.
Pumpkin Seeds and Smoking
Smoking pumpkin seeds is a great way to extend the shelf life of your pumpkin seeds and add a little extra fun to your snack.
Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are high in protein, fiber and vitamin E. They can be eaten raw or roasted. When smoked, they become an excellent addition to salads or savory dishes like soups, stews, and casseroles. You can also use them as garnishes on savory foods such as vegetables, meats, and fish.
Smoking pumpkin seeds is easy to do at home with little equipment required. Follow these steps for smoking pumpkin seeds:
Step 1:
- Soak the seeds in water overnight so they will be easier to remove from their shells after roasting. Drain before smoking them if you don’t plan on eating them right away after roasting them.
Step 2:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius) and spread out the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Roast for about 45 minutes or until you start seeing brown spots on the seeds’ surface (they will pop open when done).
How To Smoke Pumpkin Seeds.
Smoking pumpkin seeds is not as difficult as it may seem. If you have a smoker, you can use that to smoke the pumpkin seeds. However, if you don’t have one, there are other ways to smoke those pumpkin seeds.
You can smoke pumpkin seeds in an oven or on a grill. The best way is to use an oven because it gives you more control of the temperature and time.
- The Steps for Smoking Pumpkin Seeds in an Oven:
Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius). Spread the pumpkin seeds on two baking sheets and roast them for about 30 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Once done, let them cool completely before removing them from their shells. You can also use your fingers to remove the shells from some of the larger seeds. This step is optional but highly recommended for removing some of the hard shell from around the seed so that it does not end up tasting bitter when cooked further.
What Are the Health Benefits of Smoking Pumpkin Seeds?
Smoking pumpkin seeds is a great way to add flavor and crunch to your favorite dishes. The practice of smoking pumpkin seeds has been around for centuries, but it has only recently become popular in the United States.
Smoked pumpkin seeds are widely used as a snack food, particularly in the United States and Canada. They can be eaten raw or roasted and salted, but they are often also used as an ingredient in recipes like salads, soups and stews.
Smoking pumpkin seeds is thought to have many health benefits, including:
- Improved digestion
- Reduced risk of heart disease
- Lower blood sugar levels
Is It Possible to Get High from Smoking Pumpkin Seeds?
There is a myth that it is possible to get high from smoking pumpkin seeds. This myth has spread like wildfire because the seeds contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted into serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in mood and sleep regulation.
So, is it possible? Well…no. Not really. But let’s look at why people think this myth started and whether or not there are any health benefits from eating pumpkin seeds.
The Truth About Getting High from Smoking Pumpkin Seeds
It’s true that you can get high on pumpkin seeds if you eat them in large enough quantities, but it takes about 10 pounds of raw pumpkin seeds to produce an effect comparable to a couple puffs from a joint or pipe. You’d have to eat about 5,000 raw pumpkin seeds to get high from the tryptophan in them!
Conclusion
It is not recommended to smoke pumpkin seeds because of their high levels of protein and essential minerals. However, it is entirely possible to roast pumpkin seeds and consume them without adverse effects. Pumpkin seeds are also a great source of healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids, so for those who do smoke a bit of weed, using pumpkin seeds is a better alternative than smoking other food products containing fats or oils.
