These days, cannabis products are widely available. As more states relax their legal restrictions on its use for medical and recreational purposes, more people are taking to the habit of cannabis consumption…
Benefits of Cannabis
Cannabis and its products have been helpful to the human race for a long time. Let’s look at some of its numerous benefits:
Medical Use
- Cannabis can effectively manage pain from conditions like neuropathy and arthritis.
- It can also help manage PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
- For those with loss of appetite from chemotherapy and other conditions, cannabis can greatly boost your appetite.
- CBD and various non-psychoactive cannabinoids can treat and prevent ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders.
Relaxation
- Cannabis induces a sense of serenity and calmness.
- As a result, some people use it to alleviate insomnia.
Social Interactions
- As more states legalize cannabis, it’s becoming a part of bonding activities and social gatherings.
- The “high” it produces makes it ideal for social and fun activities.
Better Blood Flow to the Brain
- Cannabis improves blood flow to the hippocampus, the part of the brain that helps with memory and learning.
Medical Cannabis Successes
- Medical cannabis has stood out as an alternative for people who don’t respond well to conventional medicine.
- For instance, patients with severe pain disorders have found relief with medical cannabis. A study by JAMA Internal Medicine showed that opioid prescriptions significantly decreased in states with medicinal cannabis programs.
- Cannabis can also effectively manage social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Sativex, a cannabis-based medication, has been approved in some countries as a treatment for spasticity and muscle stiffness related to multiple sclerosis.
- The FDA-approved drug Epidiolex, which is CBD-based, has significantly decreased the frequency of seizures in people with severe epilepsy, including Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
- Cannabis is well known for preventing cell growth and inducing cell death. Also, cancer patients report feeling less nauseated and having a greater appetite after consuming medical cannabis products, such as THC-rich tinctures or edibles.
- CBD-based products have been used for skincare. They regulate oil production, hydrate dry skin, and reduce inflammation from skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Potential Risks of Using Cannabis
Here are some potential risks associated with the use of cannabis, especially when used irresponsibly.
- Cannabis, particularly in heavy users, affects the brain. It can impair cognitive function and short-term memory.
- High dosages have the potential to cause or worsen panic episodes, paranoia, and anxiety.
- Cannabis use early in adolescence is not advised if you have a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis. It can cause psychotic symptoms as well as possibly more chronic schizophrenia and psychosis issues.
- Frequent cannabis users can also become dependent and addicted, causing cannabis use disorder.
- Studies show that heavy recreational marijuana use before the age of 16, when the brain is still developing, can negatively affect cognitive or behavioral tasks involving the frontal cortex, such as attention, memory, and judgment.
Final Thoughts
You might try cannabis for various reasons, including recreational or medical use. However, it’s crucial to remember that everyone reacts to cannabis differently and that using it carries risks, such as dependence or negative side effects. Anyone thinking about trying cannabis should do their homework, be aware of local regulations, and speak with a healthcare provider if they plan to use it for medical purposes.