Today, cannabis is undergoing the most dramatic PR resurgence after decades of being considered an illegal, illicit substance. Most Americans now support legalization for both medicinal and recreational use due to the plethora of health and wellness benefits that marijuana provides. Cannabis can be found and consumed in various forms and can help benefit many different diseases, disorders, and many more health concerns. The evidence is piling up and ever growing, and we are going to break down for you the top 10 life changing medicinal benefits of Cannabis.
Pain Management
Medicinal marijauna is infamous for its pain management properties. Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds in cannabis that provide the pain relief that cannabis is known for providing to those who suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, and migraines – just to name a few. These chemicals provide pain relief due to their unique medical makeup which are mediated by the cannabinoid receptors located throughout the central nervous system and within the brain in the human body.
Addiction
Opioid addiction is dangerous and deadly. Due to the addictiveness of opioids, it can be a major challenge to successfully treat addiction in many cases. Cue medical marijuana, which has been coined as a valuable tool in treating addiction due to the opioid-like effects cannabis has on the central nervous system. Unlike opioids, cannabis poses much fewer risks and is also not considered as addictive as other substances. For these reasons, marijuana has become a highly valuable tool in fighting addiction.
Mental Health
Marijuana effects the limbic system, a group of interconnected structures responsible for behavioral and emotional responses. Due to the effects cannabis has on the limbic system, medical marijuana is sometimes utilized to treat various mental health conditions. Anxiety, depression, ADHD, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are all known to have seen benefits from controlled & monitored dosage.
Inflammation
CBD in marijuana is believed to be the compound that helps reduce inflammation, benefitting conditions that cause increased inflammation including Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, inflammation many athletes experience can also benefit from the CBD in marijuana.
Seizures
Ongoing research shows that medical marijuana can be used to treat epilepsy and other neurological conditions. In fact, the FDA recently approved the use of CBD to treat seizures for people 2 years of age. There are countless stories from families that show how the CBD in cannabis helps control seizures when traditional therapies have not worked.
Sleep Management
Insomnia is a common disorder that can wreak havoc on one’s life. It’s debilitating and interferes with normal day-to-day functioning for many people. Traditional prescription drugs like Ambien are highly addictive and can cause serious problems when used incorrectly. Due to the relaxing and pain management properties of marijuana, it helps improve sleep disorders without the need to resort to addictive prescription pills..
Appetite
Loss of appetite is an unfortunate side-effect of many medications, sicknesses, and conditions. Without a healthy appetite, it can become challenging to eat and consume vital nutrients that help regain strength for those suffering from life-limiting illnesses like cancer, AIDs, or diabetes. The roll of appetite regulation in cannabis has been extensively studied. It is believed that the increase in appetite is due to the effects on the CB1 cannabinoid receptor which can be found in various areas of the body known to stimulate eating behavior.
Diseases
Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease are among the most widely understood diseases that are greatly benefitted from the use of medicinal marijuana. People with bowel diseases like Crohn’s can find some relief through the use of cannabis through enhancement of immune responses in addition to interaction with the cells that help with gut functioning. Cannabis helps reduce tremors and pain associated with Parkinson’s disease, while also promoting sleep and helping improve motor skills. Cognitive degeneration caused by Alzheimer’s disease increases inflammation in the brain, and cannabis’s endocannabinoid contains anti-inflammatories that can help fight the brain inflammation that leads to Alzheimers disease.
Weight Loss
In addition to weight gain through an increased appetite, did you know that cannabis can actually also help assist in weight loss? Cannabis helps regulate insulin and manage caloric intake efficiently, resulting in better management over body weight.
Nausea
Many treatments include harsh chemicals that cause nasty side effects like nausea and vomiting. These responses are triggered within the body and have been found to be regulated through the endocannabinoid system. The CB1 receptors are believed to be involved in the regulation of nausea associated with side effects to medications and other medical conditions. For this reason, marijuana has been found as an effective solution to suppressing nausea.
Still curious as to whether or not medicinal marijuana might be right for you? With the ability to consume marijuana in various different forms and with many different outcomes, you are sure to find a use case for any of your personal health concerns. Take some time to chat with your favorite budtender at Cannablue, and we are sure to help guide you in the right direction based on your personal story.
