Marijuana has been used for various purposes throughout history, from religious ceremonies to medical treatments. Today, marijuana is still used for medical treatments, as well as for recreational purposes.
While recreational cannabis use is still illegal in many parts of the world, it is becoming increasingly accepted in places where it has been legalized. The biggest retailers, such as Daily High Club, now offer an extensive range of bongs, pipes, and other cannabis-smoking accessories. They have everything you need to get started with recreational cannabis use, including pipes, bongs, papers, grinders, and more.
However, despite this, marijuana is still a topic of debate. While some people believe in the health benefits of cannabis, others believe that it is harmful. Here are a few health benefits of cannabis that have normalized its use.
Treatment of Chronic Pain
The first health benefit of cannabis is probably also one of the main reasons why many people have begun using cannabis, especially for medicinal purposes, and that is because it can help treat chronic pain. Many people believe that cannabis relieves pain; however, this isn’t entirely true.
Firstly, cannabis seems to interact with the body’s pain receptors and is thought to either block the signal being sent or dampen it. In addition, when the cannabinoid receptors are stimulated, the brain’s reward system is activated, releasing feelings of joy and decreasing levels of experienced pain.
What’s more important to note is that cannabis has far fewer negative side effects than current pain medication, more specifically opioids, and is actually currently being used to help people manage opioid addiction.
Reduce the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Another health benefit of cannabis that has helped to normalize its use is that it is quite effective at reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Did you know that around 264 million people worldwide have an anxiety disorder, which is around 3.6% of the global population? Did you know that that percentage is even higher for those who suffer from depression, which is at about 5%?
Multiple studies have been conducted, and that has shown promising results. However, it is worth noting that using cannabis as a treatment for the symptoms of anxiety and depression over a longer period is not advised.
Treat Seizures from Specific Forms of Epilepsy
Of all the health benefits that cannabis provides, which has normalized its use over the last few years, one of the most influential is that it has been used to treat seizures from specific forms of epilepsy.
When most people think of cannabis, they only associate the plant with feelings of intoxication. However, that is due to THC, and THC is not the only cannabinoid within the cannabis plant. As it turns out, CBD, or cannabidiol, is the second most active cannabinoid within the cannabis plant.
It also turns out that CBD is very effective at preventing seizures, especially seizures caused by two rare forms of epilepsy: Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome. There are two groups of receptors, GPR55 and TRPV1, which CBD affects, and basically reduces the excitability of the neurons, which helps to prevent seizures.
Aids with ADD/ADHD
Another common benefit of cannabis, and another main reason why many people have begun using it over the last few years, is that it can help with ADD and ADHD. More importantly, even for people who do not have any sort of attention deficit disorder, cannabis has been shown to help increase levels of concentration.
One of the reasons why it is thought that cannabis helps with ADHD and ADHD is because levels of dopamine in the brain are boosted, which results in stimulating mental focus. In addition, while under the effects of cannabis, it is also easier to focus on a single task without being distracted by things happening around you.
Reduce PTSD Symptoms
Finally, the last benefit on this list, and one of the main reasons cannabis has been normalized over the last few years, is that it can help to reduce the symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). As it turns out, PTSD is one of the first reasons why cannabis was actually legalized for medicinal use long before it was legalized for recreational use.
It is thought that cannabis is effective at reducing the symptoms of PTSD because it has a positive impact on the amygdala. In case you are unaware, the amygdala is where the brain processes and responds to threats. Much like anxiety or depression, it is not advised to use cannabis as a long-term treatment.