The recreational use of cannabis or marijuana (with the even more common term of “weed” for most people) has been quite rampant in the recent years. While marijuana use has been around for many years and gaining bad reputation, how much of these negative comments are really true?
With the approval of the law making marijuana use legal, there are a lot of talks going on about the benefits of marijuana use that we’ve been ignoring. “Benefits”, you ask? Well, if you want to find out or if you’re still not convinced, read on and learn more about the wonders of the all-powerful weed!
A Natural Depressant
Marijuana is classified as a depressant. Even in its recreational use, its effects provide a relaxing effect to the body. But what benefits does it bring through this effect? Well, it’s able to counteract seizures since seizure disorders involve the excessive firing of electrical impulses from the brain.
It also helps relieve the muscle spasms and tremors in health problems like Parkinson’s disease. By using weed, patients experiencing these health problems would be offered relief that most drugs don’t even give relief. However, it’s important to note that the right amount of weed should be used.
Cannabis For Relaxation
First off, studies have found out that marijuana helps in alleviating anxiety. In a study conducted by the Harvard Medical School, it has been found that marijuana helped in lowering the anxiety levels of patients, as well as providing comfort. This is due to the fact that cannabis has a depressant effect or it depresses the nervous system, promoting a sense of relaxation given that it’s used at the right therapeutic level.
Careful though since too much marijuana can cause anxiety. Aside from anxiety, marijuana is also approved in some states in helping people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD to alleviate their fears and even help in the alleviation of nightmares.
Cancer And Marijuana
Possibly one of the biggest reasons why the use of marijuana is promoted by a number of healthcare professionals, alleviating pain is a crucial factor in the treatment in a near endless volley of cancer patients.
Chemotherapy is one of the choice treatment options for patients with cancer. But as chemotherapy involves the use of powerful drugs, its side effects take a heavy toll on cancer patients, even going so far as making the lives of many patients miserable. These side effects include pain, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite which can lead to other health complications like malnutrition, GIT problems, anxiety and a lot more.
But what marijuana does is battle these side effects – reducing chronic pain, alleviating nausea and even stimulating appetite of patients undergoing chemotherapy since weed is really known to stimulate appetite (that’s why you get hungry after smoking weed). Currently, cannabinoid drugs that are approved by the FDA are used for medical purposes.
With the legalization of marijuana as many now look at its benefits, it’s quite safe to say that the future of weed is looking bright. Sure, its recreational use may still be something to be considered when it comes to age but its medical benefits offer the right things.
Medical marijuana does have health benefits and studies can attest to that. The country should see this and work on the scope and limitations instead of banning the entire thing.