Cannabis has been a very hot topic of debate, with legions of troopers and protesters behind the medicinal plant, rooting and booting its supposed benefits. However, unfortunately for the cannabis opposers, there’s more good being uncovered about the plant than bad.
The advantages of cannabis range anywhere from regulating your mood spikes to reducing inflammation to tackling simple issues such as pain relief and major problems like arthritis. Today, we’re going to explore seven potential health benefits of cannabis. So, join us for this ride, and if you’re a cannabis opp, we might just help you come over to the other side.
What Makes Cannabis So Awesome?
Cannabis is a fascinating plant that didn’t just gain all this hype in recent years but has been used for its benefits for thousands of years.
While what it offers to deal with certain issues is remarkable, it’s how this plant interacts with the body is what makes it so awesome.
We’re going to break down how cannabis works its magic below.
The Power of Cannabinoids
The compounds that most of us know about in cannabis are cannabinoids, namely THC and CBD, but the plant has more than 100 compounds as such. These elements are what make the plant so unique and play a key role in affecting the body in each of its specific, beneficial ways.
If you didn’t know already, THC or tetrahydrocannabinol is what gives cannabis its reputation for being a psychoactive plant, meaning it is responsible for the “high” consumers feel upon consuming it.
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the hero that swoops in and offers up its benefits without changing consciousness, or should we say, making you “high.”
THC and CBD join forces with other cannabinoids like CBN and CBG and interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system or ECS, which we’ll talk about below.
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
Bet you didn’t know your body housed its cannabinoid regulator? Yes, your body has an endocannabinoid system with a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters that maintain balance or homeostasis.
The ECS takes care of several processes, such as mood, pain sensation, immune response, and also memory retention. When you consume cannabis, THC and CBD combine with pre-existing ECS receptors like CB1, which are mainly found in the brain and central nervous system, which is why when THC binds to them, consumers get high.
It also combines with CB2, located primarily in the immune system and surrounding organs, so when CBD interacts with them, you get the therapeutic effects of cannabis.
7 Potential Health Benefits of Cannabis
Now, let’s look at the 7 potential health benefits of cannabis that elevate your health and make your life so much better.
Pain Relief
The superstar health benefit of cannabis is, of course, pain relief, which the medicinal plant is most lauded for. Its ability to alleviate pain and discomfort comes from THC and CBD’s interaction with the body’s ECS system.
This process makes cannabis a natural remedy for those dealing with chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis, migraines, or fibromyalgia.
The quality of the cannabis you consume also greatly influences the quality and intensity of its benefits. To enjoy more of these benefits, opt for reputable companies like Biowellnessx for better-quality strains.
Reduces Inflammation
With chronic inflammation being at the root of many diseases, such as heart diseases and autoimmune disorders, cannabis can be of great advantage. Cannabis, especially CBD, has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and mitigate the symptoms of these serious conditions.
Cannabis can serve as a powerful healing agent for athletes and people recovering from injuries and other inflammation-induced discomforts.
Improves Mental Health
Another one of cannabis’ amazing and popular benefits is its ability to improve mental health woes stemming from conditions such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Cannabis strains rich in CBD have been found to manage the symptoms of these conditions.
We’re not saying that cannabis is a cure-all for mental health disorders. Still, it can surely help those struggling to relax, regulate and improve their mood swings, and stabilize overall disposition, making it easy to deal with the daily stressors of these conditions.
Promotes Better Sleep
It’s like the superstar benefits of cannabis just keep coming! Cannabis can promote better sleep quality and support a healthy sleep length for those struggling with insomnia.
This is one of those instances where “getting high” can be a good thing because THC’s sedative properties can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep while improving the quality of your rest.
But if you don’t want to get high, rely on CBD’s key role to treat disturbances in sleep patterns without any psychoactive effects. This means you don’t have to save doses for nighttime; you can take them during the day as well.
Regulates Nausea and Boosts Appetite
Cannabis is also fantastic when it comes to alleviating nausea and stimulating appetite, especially for those undergoing chemotherapy, the effects of which can induce frequent vomiting and reduce appetite.
The cannabinoids, namely CBD in this case, help settle the stomach down and suppress the onset of vomiting for those doing chemo and suffering from other serious conditions.
As for boosting appetite, cannabis is praised for its ability to increase hunger due to its succeeding sensations of increased hunger, popularly known as “munchies” after consumption.
This is great for those struggling from anorexia, wasting syndrome, or cachexia, usually caused by AIDS or cancer, to much simpler conditions of eating disorders.
Supports Heart Health
You thought we were done; cannabis can also support cardiovascular health, promoting better blood circulation and other key processes. Studies have shown that cannabis can lower blood pressure, especially CBD’s ability to reduce inflammation, and its antioxidant properties protect heart health.
But note that there still has not been concrete evidence, other than a few studies, pertaining to cannabis’ direct impact on heart health, so consume responsibly and in controlled amounts. Excessive use can have adverse effects.
Neuroprotective Properties
Cannabis has shown great promise in protecting brain health and can even slow down the progression of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
This is all thanks to cannabinoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that lessen the impact of inflammation in the brain, helping to gradually reduce cognitive decline.
Again, research in this aspect is ongoing, and successful studies are being conducted, so we don’t have any concrete proof. However, early findings are promising and encouraging.
Tips to Maximize Your Cannabis Benefits
Check out these tips to maximize your cannabis benefits to the fullest and enjoy its winning advantages, making your health and life a lot better.
Choose The Right Strain
If you know anything about cannabis strains, you’ve probably heard the words sativa or indica before. While there are tons of other strains, these are the most popular. Sativa strains are energizing and uplifting, making them a great choice for the daytime and use in social settings.
As you can imagine, indicas are the opposite kind. They are known for their relaxing and sedative properties, which are best used at the end of the day when you want to wind down and relax.
Another popular strain is the hybrid, which, as you may have guessed, provides the benefits of both in a controlled blend. If you’re a beginner consumer, experiment with different strains and see which best fits your lifestyle.
Experiment With Dosage
When consuming cannabis, an important aspect of maximizing its benefits is finding the right dosage for you. If you’re consuming too little, chances are you might not experience the effects as needed.
And if you use too much, then you’ll probably experience effects you never wanted to in the first place, like anxiety or lethargy.
Start with a low and slow approach. Take small amounts and gradually increase the doses until you find one that gives you the best results.
Your Favorite Way to Consume
Cannabis can be consumed in various ways, from smoking to vaping. Each of these different consumption methods offers you different kick-in times and how long the effects last. Let’s go over them briefly,
- Smoking: Quick onset, usually in minutes, and effects last 2–3 hours.
- Edibles: Onset of edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, effects last longer, 4-8 hours.
- Topicals: Best for targeted pain relief without psychoactive effects, as they don’t enter the bloodstream.
- Tinctures and oils: Allows you control over dosage and can be ingested or used orally for faster absorption.
Conclusion
And there you have it! We hope you enjoyed our take on the seven potential health benefits of cannabis. Believe in the lasting hype of this amazing plant because it has done wonders for millions of consumers, from those struggling with pain to mental health woes to a lot more in the near future.
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