Exploring the Health Benefits of Cannabis: A Comprehensive Guide


Exploring the Health Benefits of Cannabis: A Comprehensive Guide
Exploring the Health Benefits of Cannabis: A Comprehensive Guide
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Cannabis has become popular worldwide, fueled by research into its potential health benefits. The drug remains federally illegal in the US, but its use has increased significantly, with most states legalizing it either for medical use or for medical and adult use.

In states where cannabis has a legal channel, the industry is vibrant, allowing Americans access to recreational and medical cannabis.

The thing is, cannabis or marijuana has psychological influences on users, making it a sought-after recreational drug.

But marijuana is experiencing a revolution driven by the belief that it has health benefits.

Is it just a belief or a fact?

That is a question this guide will explore and help answer.

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis is a drug derived from a group of flowering plants of the same name native to the Himalayas and South Asia. These days, the cannabis plant is cultivated worldwide primarily for its effects.

Varieties or strains of the plant are in plenty, with breeders regularly creating more. These strains are bred for their traits and effects.

But what are the effects of cannabis that drive breeders to create a huge number of cannabis strains?

Well, the original cannabis subspecies, Sativa and Indica contain hundreds of chemical compounds which have varying effects on users.

Studies have found that the plant’s main compounds, known as cannabinoids, have medicinal properties, especially the two primary cannabinoids: THC and CBD.

  • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): the prominent cannabinoid in cannabis plants that makes the plants psychoactive or mind-altering.
  • Cannabidiol (CBD): a major cannabinoid and one of the over 100 cannabinoids in the plant. It is the most studied and appears to have the most health benefits.
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Basically, experts continue to breed this medicinal plant to highlight certain compounds which enhance specific effects. These effects are what help with various illnesses.

A Look at the Health Benefits of Cannabis

In the US, cannabis plants containing over 0.3% of the psychoactive cannabinoid THC are called marijuana. The drugs extracted from these plants are also called marijuana.

It is these marijuana plants that Americans have legalized in most states for medicinal or recreational purposes.

Let’s break down some of these medicinal or health benefits of marijuana.

1. Pain Relief

Cannabis has been around for thousands of years, and those past civilizations used it primarily for medicinal purposes. Modern research has discovered that the plant has pain-relieving properties.

According to evidence, a combination of cannabinoids, specifically THC and CBD, can effectively interact with the human endocannabinoid system to block pain pathways.

Cannabis is typically used to treat chronic pain. But it’s also effective for neuropathic pain (pain resulting from nerve damage).

Considering cannabis has few long-term side effects, with almost no threat of overdosing, researchers believe it’s a safer option compared to conventional drugs.

2. Stress and Anxiety

Researchers have found that THC can lower anxiety levels when used in small doses and can have the opposite effect in high doses. CBD, however, has been shown to lower anxiety regardless of the dosage.

For people suffering from stress, there are many marijuana strains effective for stress relief. These cultivars have been bred to enhance their stress-relieving effects.

Some strains that can help lower stress include Bacio Gelato, Blue Dream, Girl Scout Cookies, and OG Kush.

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3. Epileptic Seizures

There is evidence that cannabis can help manage seizures. Studies into the cannabinoid CBD has shown that it can be a treatment option for epilepsy patients.

The potential of cannabis to control the frequency of seizures is a huge medical breakthrough, as it has proven effective in reducing the severity of drug-resistant epilepsy and uncontrolled seizures.

Currently, there’s an FDA-approved seizure medication for certain serious and rare forms of epilepsy. The drug known as Epidiolex is a CBD-based formulation.

4. Muscle Spasms

Muscle spasticity is a symptom of various diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, and hereditary spastic paraplegias.

In some of these diseases, involuntary muscle contractions can be painful and generally unpredictable.

It is proven that marijuana may relieve pain and reduce the frequency of contractions, even in severe cases of spasticity. Many patients suffering from painful muscle spasms have reported feeling better after using marijuana.

5. Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms of many health problems and even some medications. For people suffering from nausea and vomiting, marijuana offers an alternative solution to conventional drugs.

Studies have shown that cannabinoids, particularly THC, can effectively control nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy.

Presently, the FDA has approved drugs made of synthetic THC to control the emetic effects of certain cancer treatments. These substances, known as dronabinol and nabilone, are synthetic forms of the cannabinoid THC.

Final Thoughts

It’s not a question that cannabis has certain health benefits. But many of these medicinal properties require more research and testing. If you’re interested in using marijuana for health reasons, it helps to consult a healthcare practitioner who understands cannabis.

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Michelle Gram Smith
Michelle Gram Smith is an owner of www.parentsmaster.com and loves to create informational content masterpieces to spread awareness among the people related to different topics. Also provide creating premium backlinks on different sites such as Heatcaster.com, Sthint.com, Techbigis.com, Filmdaily.co and many more. To avail all sites mail us at [email protected].