6 Positive Effects of Cannabis on the Body and Mind
Cannabis contains two main active ingredients, CBD and THC. CBD is a non-psychoactive compound that doesn’t give you the sensation of “high.” It’s extracted from the hemp or marijuana plants, and since it doesn’t give you that euphoric sensation, it’s tolerated even in larger doses. For commercial therapeutic use, it’s sold in the form of oils, gels, gummies, supplements, and more.
On the other hand, THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient that can affect the human mind both positively and negatively. Upon consumption, THC interacts with your cannabinoid receptors and makes you feel “high”. If you want to buy THC products, you can choose from a wide variety of oils, capsules, tinctures, edibles, etc., not to mention the all-time classic joints, ground-up marijuana flowers, and cannabis oil for vape pens.
Despite their similar chemical structures, CBD and THC have different effects on the human mind and body reactions. While the psychoactive properties of THC make it less preferable when it comes to authorities and medical practitioners, studies show that the consumption of neither of the compounds is fatal. Have you ever wondered what exactly you can expect from cannabis consumption? The experts from Planet 13 Las Vegas are here to shed some light on some of the effects of marijuana on the human body and mind. If you want to learn more, keep on reading!
Helps Relieve Pain
The treatment of chronic pain is one of the best-documented cases of cannabis use for medical reasons. According to the report by the National Academies of Sciences, it’s the most common reason for people’s requests to use medicinal marijuana.
So, what are the official findings? Studies done at rheumatology units tested the results of a CBD-based pain-relieving medicine. After only two weeks, patients reported a significant reduction in pain. And that’s not all! The quality of their sleep also improved.
Similar results have been reported in the case of arthritis pain. This time, both plant-derived cannabinoids and inhaled marijuana proved to be effective. And the list doesn’t end here! There are promising results on the short-term use of oral cannabinoids for patients with multiple sclerosis. It seems to relieve pain and improve spasticity.
Alleviates Stress and Anxiety
People who use cannabis recreationally often report feeling more relaxed and calm. Scientists know that, but they also found that excessive consumption of THC may actually make the anxiety so much worse. For this reason, moderate use of THC products is advised.
However, some states have already legalized cannabis for the treatment of patients with PTSD. Many veterans speak up on this matter, reporting that cannabis helps them manage their condition.
Studies that back up medicinal cannabis use in the case of PTSD, also support its use in patients with depression. Nevertheless, not all mental health conditions can be treated with marijuana. Research shows that cannabis consumption is not advisable in the case of bipolar disorder and psychosis.
Manages Epilepsy
Recent research shows that CBD helps people suffering from epilepsy, including the treatment-resistant type. Some people even came out with statements about cannabis, claiming that it’s the only solution that helps their epileptic children.
What’s more, a medical marijuana strain high in CBD and low in THC helps children with Dravet Syndrome. The seizures are prolonged, repetitive, and dangerous to such an extent that 1 in 5 children with Dravet syndrome do not reach the age of 20. As many studies and documentaries have shown that the use of CBD significantly decreases the number of potentially lethal seizures, it was approved by the FDA as a medication to treat Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
While there’s still the need to conduct more studies and collect more conclusive results, these reports are extremely promising and give hope to many people who suffer from various types of epilepsy.
May be Helpful in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Research reports claim that chemicals in CBD and THC interact with cells in the body responsible for immune responses and bowel functions. These findings suggest that cannabis could actually help patients with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. However, the results are still inconclusive, so a cannabis-based medicine for such conditions is still yet to be approved.
Reduces Tremors and Muscle Spasms
All these standard methods probably make you wonder if smoking marijuana will ever make a list. The answer is yes! Israel has approved medical marijuana, which is used to treat a number of conditions. The country’s views on this issue are rather progressive, so a lot of research has been done there.
One of the studies done in Israel shows that smoking marijuana helps patients with Parkinson’s disease. The positive effects include improved sleep, as well as a significant reduction in pain and tremors. The study also found that as a result of cannabis treatment, the patients’ fine motor skills improved.
And that’s not all! Once again, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report claim that cannabis can help with muscle spasms related to conditions such as multiple sclerosis and diaphragm spasms, which sometimes can’t be treated by traditional prescription medications.
Promotes Creativity
Lastly, cannabis users often report creativity bursts related to their consumption of the substance. While some studies suggest that people’s short-term memory may temporarily decrease, they also show that participants have better results in tests for creativity. The positive outcome includes the ability to come up with new ideas and different words.
These bursts of creativity following up cannabis consumption may be the result of how the substance impacts the brain, namely, the release of dopamine. Dopamine allows you to feel more relaxed and lowers inhibitions, giving you the ability to see things differently.
The Bottom Line
Even though the legal status of cannabis use is still subject to change, the attitudes in society continue to shift. Along with new studies and experiment results come awareness and knowledge. Obviously, the key to healthy use and positive effects is the right dosage. Ultimately, educating about the substance instead of demonizing it is going to bring the best results.
