Nat Sauteed
With eyes of wonder, recreational enthusiasts of marijuana speak about the incredibly high and euphoria they feel with every joint they smoke. It is not rare to hear them use quite profound adjectives such as ”thought-provoking” or “stimulating” or “enlightening” to express the appeal of the drug-induced highs of marijuana. However, going beyond its very trippy and cerebral effects, marijuana is now being subjected to various studies for its purported health benefits and even medicinal value. The same way we have discovered that seed banks affect the quality of cannabis, we also found some of the health benefits of marijuana.
The very popular cannabis advocate, activist and best-selling author on the therapeutic effects of marijuana, Michka Seeliger-Chatelains, was once quoted to have said, “Free access to plants is a birthright of all living creatures.” With the growing list of benefits of marijuana, her words have never been so relevant and so timely.
There are two active compounds that can be extracted from marijuana. As a marijuana-user, you might have heard of the cannabinoid or CBD, and the tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. The CBD is a chemical found in marijuana that mainly impacts the brain functioning. Researchers suggest that CBD helps in invigorating brain functions without giving it high. On the other hand, THC is known to provide relief from pain and various types of bodily discomforts.
Recently, many scientists have explored how marijuana can help alleviate suffering from various ailments or even how it may cure diseases. With the growing acceptance of this plant, came more interest in discovering how it can help you and I live healthier lives.
The following are just 7 surprising health benefits of marijuana as well as its value for medicine.
#1 IDEAL FOR WEIGHT LOSS
It is a common misconception that cannabis use will make you fat. Yes, it is true that certain strains of marijuana can increase the appetite, but this increase in appetite does not directly cause weight gain. It is, in fact, the unhealthy diet and foods consumed while taking marijuana that is causing weight gain. Did you ever notice that many long-time cannabis users are usually not overweight? Cannabis is linked to the regulation of insulin. Through this effect, the body can easily the manage caloric intake and help the pancreas to efficiently digest sugar ingested.
#2 HELPFUL IN PREVENTION OF DIABETES
As mentioned above, cannabis use has positive effects on the body’s insulin production. With this positive effect, it has been shown that cannabis can also help the body prevent diabetes. In cases of prolonged cannabis use, this plant has been shown to help regulate insulin production. In fact, according to a study conducted by the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis (AAMC), marijuana can stabilize blood sugar levels resulting in lower chances of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and poor blood circulation.
#3 PROVIDES CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF
THC is known to produce hallucinations and other kinds of trippy effects. However, many people do not know that THC can also provide relief for chronic pains. Other than THC, there are also other chemical compounds found in cannabis that were linked to providing relief of chronic pain. Many of these compounds are cannabinoid in nature.
#4 EFFECTIVE IN REGULATING/PREVENTING SEIZURES
For people with certain medical conditions or even a history of head injuries, seizures may be a very common occurrence. According to many experts, cannabis is very helpful in regulating seizures. There are some studies conducted on the effects of CBD on the brain. One of the amazing benefits of the CBD that researchers found was its ability to help people suffering from seizures control their episodes. In fact, further ongoing studies are being conducted in various laboratories worldwide to determine the effects of cannabis on individuals with epilepsy.
#5 MAY HELP FIGHT CANCER
This is still being studied and no conclusion had been made. However, there had been multiple reports and a good amount of evidence that describe the beneficial effects of cannabinoids against certain types of cancer. This is perhaps one of the more controversial and more heavily studied medical benefits of cannabis.
#6 HELPS MANAGE STRESS AND DEPRESSION
The endocannabinoid compounds that are found in marijuana have been proven to help stabilize moods and help ease depression among sufferers. Depression is quite common. The hard part is, it is not very easy to diagnose. Knowing that marijuana’s recreational use could help uplift depressed people is very promising.
#7 CAN HELP WITH TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF AUTISM
A common problem of many people with autism is mood swings and uncontrolled anger. Marijuana use has been linked to positively improve the management of autism. It is very well known to have calming effects on users. The mood-stabilizing effect of some of its compounds also provide opportunities for parents to manage the autism of their children.
WORDS OF CAUTION
Indeed, marijuana use has many surprising health benefits. However, it is important to take note that not all strains of marijuana are alike. Some have more CBD, while some have more THC. There are variants with an equal amount of CBD and THC, while others have only one of these two cannabinoids. It is important therefore to check on information from reputable cannabis seed banks online.
