Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, has been used by humans for thousands of years. For many people today, it’s a casual recreational activity that helps them de-stress after a long day or spark up some fun time with friends in the same way that drinking alcohol or going out might.
In the past, it was also commonly misunderstood and misrepresented by the media as a dangerous drug with no medical benefits. In more recent years, the negative stigma around marijuana consumption is dissolving. Are there risks involved when consuming marijuana? Yes, just like any substance that alters your state of mind. But proper usage in controlled doses provides numerous health benefits.
Marijuana is primarily consumed as a psychoactive drug through smoking it or drinking its juice (known as ‘weed’ or ‘green’ juice). It can also be taken in pill form or as an edible such as brownies and cookies, oils and sprays, or even as an oil you can use to cook with. There are different strains of marijuana and each one has a slightly different taste profile.
The perception around marijuana is rapidly changing
It’s no secret that the legalization of marijuana is sweeping the nation. In fact, it’s become an extremely hot topic during this election cycle. Now more than ever, people are asking questions about cannabis and its therapeutic properties. Fortunately, as a result of this increased exposure, there has been a surge in public awareness about the benefits of marijuana as a medicinal resource.
It’s not just a bunch of “stoners” who see the value in marijuana; science and research support its continued use for relieving pain, stress, anxiety, nausea, and much more. It is now legal in 25 states with another 17 pending legalization efforts. If you’re one of the many people discovering this information for the first time right now, you’ll likely be surprised by how much you don’t know about cannabis as well as how many potential benefits it may offer to your own life.
1. Relieves muscle spasms
Researchers have found that a compound in cannabis called cannabidiol (CBD) can ease the painful and often uncontrollable spasms that are associated with various types of epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. As a result of this finding, many parents have turned to CBD therapy in the form of oil for kids in order to control their violent and debilitating seizures. In addition to helping with seizures and spasms, CBD has also been shown to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and reduce the frequency and severity of muscle spasms.
2. Fights depression
A study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology found that individuals who use marijuana are less likely to develop depression than those who don’t. However, researchers also observed that the likelihood of becoming depressed increases significantly if cannabis is used purely for recreational purposes rather than medicinal. The reason cannabis seems to help fight depression is because it affects the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood. Specifically, it has a positive impact on serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels in the brain.
3. Helps those with PTSD
Many veterans who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have begun using cannabis to help ease their symptoms. Because it’s been shown to have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, cannabis is often prescribed to patients suffering from anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks. Additionally, a recent study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs found that cannabis users reported fewer PTSD symptoms than nonusers. These findings suggest that marijuana might be of great use in treating PTSD symptoms by helping patients feel less anxious and more relaxed.
4. Can help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that causes nerve cells to die off. This leads to memory loss, confusion, cognitive decline, and a host of other symptoms. If you suffer from Alzheimer’s or if you know someone who does, you know that the disease is incredibly painful and there are no FDA-approved therapies to treat it. However, a recent study published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration found that THC (the psychoactive compound in cannabis) may be able to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
5. May treat various forms of cancer
Cannabis is often associated with smoking, which is unfortunate because smoking anything is hazardous to your health. However, the benefits of cannabis extend far beyond its psychoactive properties. While you shouldn’t try to smoke cannabis in order to reap the benefits, many scientists have discovered that cannabis has strong anti-tumor properties that can be used in the treatment of various types of cancer.
In fact, marijuana has been shown to help kill cancer cells and reduce the growth of tumors in various animal studies. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of the anti-cancer properties of cannabis because it remains listed as a Schedule 1 drug by the DEA.
6. Can help those with epilepsy and other conditions
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that affects 2.3 million people in the United States. Unfortunately, many of these patients suffer from debilitating seizures and have not found an effective treatment. However, researchers have found that CBD may be helpful in treating epilepsy and other conditions associated with the nervous system.
7. Improves quality of life for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities
While some of the health benefits of cannabis may seem obvious, others may be a bit less clear. However, cannabis has been shown to improve the lives of many people who suffer from various chronic illnesses and disabilities. These include people with chronic pain disorders, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and many more. Additionally, cannabis has been shown to enhance the quality of life for people who are terminally ill.
8. Supports healthy skin and hair
You may have heard that marijuana is good for skin, but you may not have known why. Well, it turns out that marijuana has skin-enhancing properties that can be used to treat everything from acne to psoriasis. Harmful bacteria and skin infections are no match for cannabis oil. It is also thought to reduce redness, reduce the appearance of pores, and tighten loose skin.
Unfortunately, the skin-boosting capabilities of cannabis oil come from its high THC content. This means that it has to be used in moderation for it to have positive effects. However, if you are able to moderate your dosage, you can use cannabis oil to treat various skin conditions and promote healthy skin.
9. Can be utilized as a biofuel
Yes, you read that correctly. Marijuana can be used to make biofuel. Researchers have discovered that hemp, an industrial variety of cannabis, is an excellent source of cellulose. Cellulose is the most abundant organic compound on the planet. Because hemp is an abundant source of cellulose, it can be used in the production of biofuels, building materials, fabrics and much more. However, in order to utilize hemp for any of these purposes, it must be grown organically.
Did you learn anything new about the benefits of marijuana? Unfortunately, due to years of misinformation, many people have been led to believe that cannabis is bad for you. However, this is simply not true. If you suffer from one of the conditions mentioned in this article or if you just want to try something new, you should definitely consider using marijuana. You never know, it could change your life for the better.
If you would like to try marijuana from a safe, trusted, and legal source, visit our dispensary in Lemon Grove. Our San Diego dispensary, The Boulevard has a large variety of top-notch marijuana products. You can come in and comfortably browse our selection. Our experienced budtenders will be more than happy to assist you or answer any questions you have.