There are many health benefits of marijuana. With the ongoing legalization of medical marijuana is the USA, it is important to be aware of how we can use marijuana as a medical boon. The health benefits are simply staggering and marijuana is an effective treatment for all sorts of different conditions. The applications of marijuana to specific diseases are presently being investigated by numerous scientific groups. New research is being published almost daily on the many different uses of marijuana. And medical marijuana will save a lot of money on chemical treatments which do not work, and this money can be spent on effective medical research.
How does it work?
Researchers are rapidly realizing that marijuana is one of the most robust and adaptable products in terms of treating disease and improving general health and well-being. The health benefits of cannabis are derived mainly from the psychoactive compound which is released when marijuana is vaporized or combusted. This THC is then released and absorbed by the human body, acting mainly on the endocannabinoid system. THC mimics closely cannabinoids found in the human body and this is why it is received so well. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for all sorts of physiological processes, including temperature mood, metabolism, sleep, emotional processing, cognitive function, focus, memory, and appetite. When THC is ingested it will have an effect on some or all of these processes.
The cannabinoid receptors are located in several regions in the brain and are responsible for practically everything. THC acts on these receptors mimicking cannabinoids which have a cascade effect on the human body. Usually, it results in a high or state of relaxation, sometimes in sleep and nearly always with an appetite increase. The cannabinoid that THC mimics is known as anandamide.
Medical Applications
There is a vast amount of medical applications to marijuana. One is that it represents a safe alternative to alcohol and other drugs. Many view it as a gateway drug away from more serious drugs and towards sobriety or simply smoking marijuana for its obvious health benefits. And medical marijuana is known for treating practically all of the most serious health concerns on the planet. Numerous studies have indicated that marijuana use reduces the horrific side effects of chemo therapy. It has been proven effective in the treatment of glaucoma and HIV. Animal studies have indicated that THC inhibits the areas of the brain which are thought to cause seizures such as epilepsy. There is a large amount of anecdotal evidence that marijuana is effective in treating skin cancer and schizophrenia. A large trial conducted in 2012 found that cannabis was able to reduce muscle stiffness and other symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.
The list goes on and on and on. Marijuana is also effective for treating insomnia and anxiety. It helps to prevent diabetes. One of the least well-known benefits of marijuana is that it is an effective weight aid control. Studies have demonstrated that marijuana users are skinnier than those who do not smoke. It is suggested that marijuana does this through its regulation of the insulin hormone, a key variable in terms of weight management.
Other Marijuana Advantages
The more well-known uses of cannabis are that it relaxes the muscles, relieves stress, reduces anxiety and alleviates inflammation. These benefits are useful for pretty much everyone. There are many topical cannabis products which are designed specifically to relax the muscles and reduce inflammation.
However, studies have shown that for acute inflammation cannabis is not much more effective than placebo. While cannabis is a wonderful plant it does not do it all, and for more advanced diseases it might not be the answer. While there is no harm in taking it, the effects may take a while to be seen in advanced cases. This is how all organic and holistic treatments work, over long-time periods.
Marijuana also helps the mending times of broken bones and treats ADHD. Research is also currently investigating whether or not cannabis can be useful for the treatment of autism. THC is also effective in the release of dopamine (also known as the happy chemical) in the brain. Dopamine deficiency is one of the main causes of Parkinson’s disease, and cannabis is thought to be effective in the treatment of this neurological disease. Marijuana can also be useful for libidinal increases.
Another area where cannabis is effective is in terms of creativity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that cannabis increases the capacity of people to come up with creative solutions to problems. Two disadvantages to an otherwise amazing plant are that it can impair short terms memory and results in a lack of coordination due to the region it inhibits in the brain. Get some cannabis in from a marijuana dispensary Santa Monica or another medical dispensary.
Marijuana Summary
To sum it up, marijuana is good for sleep, appetite, depression, anxiety, creativity, mood, temperature, libidinal increases and pretty much every single disease. There is little that it has not been linked with and THC is truly an amazing compound. And we are only beginning in terms of investigating the medical applications of cannabis. As an added bonus, for those unwilling to run the risk of getting high, the cannabis leaves have more vitamins in them than superfoods such as Kale and Spinach.
