Contents
- Reduces Stress
- Combats Inflammation
- Manages Body Weight
- Promotes Neurological Health
- Prevents Heart Complications
- Improves Sleep Quality
- Assists Against ADHD
- Fights Cancer Cells
And Counting!
The health benefits of cannabis are receiving ever-growing mainstream attention. Studies and anecdotal reports are coming up left and right, discussing another new use of marijuana as a treatment.
Is this a fad, or is there credence to the claims?
There’s a bit of both. Some suggest cannabis as a cure-all, healing everything from depression to diabetes. From what we currently know, that’s an overstatement.
On the other hand, many researchers verify the anecdotes. According to their peer-reviewed studies, cannabis does have quite a wellness-boosting potential.
Of course, the experience is individual. Some tokers buy easy-grow cannabis seeds, visit i49 Seed Bank to learn more and start growing marijuana at home after falling in love with the healing properties. Others find the effects too slight to make a difference.
The only way to know where you stand is by giving it a shot. So, here are eight potential cannabis health benefits worth your attention.
1. Reduces Stress
Long-term exposure to stress can harm your mind and body. Stress reduction is among the primary cannabis benefits for mental health; it can also aid your physical well-being.
The effect is dose-dependent. A study showed that a lower dose of a full-spectrum product (THC, CBD, and terpenes) decreases stress levels for several hours. However, higher amounts of THC can impact the cardiovascular system and increase anxiety symptoms.
This cannabis health benefit also varies between strains. Notably, terpenes found in indica breeds display anxiolytic properties.
2. Combats Inflammation
Inflammation follows injury and imbalances, causing neuropathic pain and gastrointestinal issues. Chronic inflammation is associated with discomfort-inducing health conditions, like bowel disease and arthritis.
Inflammation reduction is one of the widespread health benefits of cannabis. Research mostly focuses on CBD, which interacts with neurotransmitters. By doing so, the compound reduces pain perception, providing temporary comfort.
Some reports propose broad-spectrum products for even higher rates of relief. Many tokers agree, choosing to smoke marijuana flowers to reap this cannabis health benefit.
3. Manages Body Weight
Obesity is the leading cause of many severe ailments. Although the culture relates cannabis with junk food consumption, surveys display that tokers generally have lower BMIs.
CBD is mostly responsible for this health benefit of cannabis use. It’s shown to suppress appetite, helping people consume fewer calories. THC might reduce the body’s energy storage potential.
While science is still unclear why marijuana revs up the metabolism, the trend is undeniable. People are increasingly jumping on the bandwagon and taking advantage of this cannabis health benefit.
4. Promotes Neurological Health
The FDA approved a CBD-based medicine Epidolex in 2020. People with multiple sclerosis have the CBD drug Sativex available for usage. Modern researchers believe this potential cannabis health benefit could be even broader.
There are emerging studies on using CBD to treat other neurological conditions, like Parkinson’s disease and rare disorders. The calming THC influence could assist with associated spasms, tremors, and pain.
Some research is going even further, offering neuroprotective health benefits of cannabis for users without diagnoses. THC and CBD might lessen oxidative stress and long-term cognitive damage after brain trauma.
5. Prevents Heart Complications
Heart disease is the ‘silent killer’ of American adults, and stress seems to be the driving force behind severe complications. The soothing health benefits of cannabis could be key to a healthier heart.
Research shows that CBD consumption can reduce heart rate and blood pressure. THC has the opposite effect at first, but it could also soothe physical anxiety manifestations in the long run.
Additional investigation is needed to confirm this cannabis health benefit and incorporate it into clinical treatment. Still, adults turn to medicinal marijuana to cope with stress and prevent heart risk en masse. For many, it’s working.
6. Improves Sleep Quality
Proper rest is the cornerstone of general wellness, and marijuana might help. Several studies focus on cannabis health benefits for sleep and showcase promising results.
There are two layers to this health benefit of cannabis use. The first stems from terpenes and THC in relaxing indica strains. According to reports, people with insomnia find it easier to get uninterrupted rest after consumption.
The secondary influence relates to the physical effects of THC and CBD. Users experience less pain, nausea, and general discomfort, falling and staying asleep without dependency-inducing pharmaceuticals.
7. Assists Against ADHD
Many people rely on the mood boost that accompanies marijuana consumption, but that doesn’t seem to be the only cannabis benefit for mental health. Some sativa strains might have potential to aid people with the attention deficit (hyperactive) disorder.
Full-spectrum products that contain terpenes limonene and pinene best lend themselves to this purpose. Users experience a temporary increase in concentration and cognitive performance, facing fewer struggles in school and the workplace.
This cannabis health benefit shows great promise, especially since pharmaceutical solutions, like Ritalin and Adderall, could harm physical health.
8. Fights Cancer Cells
Prefacing this health benefit of cannabis with a disclaimer, there’s no confirmed cure for cancer at the moment. However, cannabinoids appear to slow the growth of those malicious cells.
The evidence is still in early testing stages, but scientists report that both CBD and THC could hinder development of lab-dish cancer cells. In some optimistic cases, the cannabinoids would kill some types of such cells.
Several animal studies back this prospective cannabis health benefit. They offer that marijuana may reduce the spread of some cancerous forms.
And Counting!
These health benefits of cannabis use still need FDA approval, but the existing evidence is enthusiastic. Numerous other assertions belong to this category, too. We merely chose ones with the highest amount of reliable backing.
If you’d like to use marijuana against any condition, always start by consulting your physician.
Track your responses to tailor your approach and maximize the gain. After all, there are so many strains and consumption methods out there. Trial and error are central to finding your fit.
Once you do—and if it works—buy seeds and join the growing body of tokers using natural treatment.
