Health Benefits of Cannabis
For centuries, cannabis has been treasured as a treatment for pain relief and digestive ailments. The ‘Father of Chinese Medicine”, mythical Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung (2727 BCE), called beverages infused with cannabis the “Superior Elixirs of Immortality.”
Today, cannabis legalization has spread across the country, and a greater awareness of the health benefits of cannabis have developed. According to Pew Research, almost 80% of Americans live in a county with at least one cannabis dispensary and have access to medicinal cannabis products. That means there is a cannabis dispensary near you.
How Cannabis Provides Health Benefits
Cannabis is a plant that has flowers and buds that contain more than a hundred cannabinoids, chief among these being THC and CBD. Sativa cannabis can produce high levels of THC that provide an energetic and psychoactive high. In contrast, indica cannabis tends to have lower THC levels but higher concentrations of CBD, which makes it useful for treating chronic pain and other disorders.
Health Benefits of Cannabis
While research into the health benefits of THC and CBD continues, the scientific community has identified several health benefits attributed to cannabis.
Pain Management
Compared to pain-relief medications and prescriptions, cannabis alleviates deep aches in muscles and joints and other chronic pain without the risk of dependence and dangerous side effects.
Controls Nausea and Increases Appetite
Individuals undergoing chemotherapy, HIV treatments, and other therapies find cannabis flower and products helpful for nausea and vomiting, as well as triggering hunger signals to make food more appealing.
Improves Sleep
Cannabis is increasingly being used by individuals experiencing insomnia and sleep disorders. Studies suggest that cannabis can help people fall asleep faster and experience a deeper sleep. Cannabis edibles can deliver hours of relief, which makes them a safe alternative to prescription sleep medications.
Reduces Anxiety
Both TCH and CBD cannabinoid strains have anti-anxiety properties that regulate mood and help people find relief from anxiety symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) and social anxiety disorders, although they work in different ways. THC produces an energetic and focused high, although higher doses may exacerbate nervousness and tenseness, while CBD decreases anxiety by modulating neurochemical signals to the brain.
Treats Two Forms of Epilepsy
Cannabis has proven especially effective in the treatment of certain types of epilepsy, most notably Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut. CBD can reduce seizure activities of these severe forms of the disease by inhibiting signal pathways to restore balance in the body’s neural circuitry. Ongoing research continues to explore CBD’s impact on other forms of epilepsy.
Controls Symptoms of Some Neurological Diseases
Cannabis has shown promise for treating neurological disorders such as Tourette syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. While more research is needed for conclusive evidence, studies do show that while cannabis may not treat the cause, it does improve people’s quality of life and enhance their overall well-being.
Potential Health Risks of Cannabis
It’s important to note that as researchers continue to explore ways that cannabis can improve people’s lives, studies have also revealed potential side effects that medicinal and recreational users should be aware of.
Impaired Memory and Coordination
Cannabis use can create short-term side effects that can include confusion, difficulty with coordination and driving, panic attacks, dizziness, and dry mouth. Users may experience problems with reaction times and slower movement speeds. Most impairments are associated with the way that THC interacts with receptors, while CBD seems to have a lower risk profile.
Increased Heartrate
Cannabis users, especially those with a pre-existing cardiovascular condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or abnormal heart rhythms, should consult healthcare to reduce the risks of harmful cardiac events. Again, THC is most associated with increasing heart rates that can lead to strokes or heart attacks.
Potential Damage to Lung Health
Smoking cannabis is associated with many of the same adverse effects that smoking tobacco causes to the lungs and body. However, studies suggest that the risk is much less. Regularly smoking cannabis may lead to symptoms of bronchitis, damage lung tissues, and increase the risk of respiratory infections. Alternative solutions include vaporization and edibles and tinctures.
Start Low, Go Slow, and Monitor Dosages
Cannabis, whether inhaled or ingested as an edible or tincture, can affect people differently, even when the same amount is taken. That’s why it’s suggested that someone new to using cannabis or eating an edible for the first time begin with a low dose, about 2.5 mg, and give the drug time to take effect. If no effects are felt after a half-hour, then the dose can be gradually increased.
Cannabis flower and products purchased at dispensaries are labeled to help users determine dosages and percentages of THC and CBD. Taking it slow helps minimize risks and lets individuals find their tolerance and the ideal dose to alleviate pain and provide find the relief they seek.
For more information, ask your knowledgeable Plant 13 Budtender which cannabis products are right for you.
