Marijuana hasn’t always had the best reputation, especially because it was classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the federal government. However, times are changing, and cannabis is no longer the taboo subject it once was. In fact, there are many benefits to using marijuana, the top five of which are discussed below.
Marijuana Alleviates Physical Pain
Traditionally, opioids have been used to treat pain, but opioids are extremely addictive and have been over-prescribed for many years. Marijuana, on the other hand, can alleviate physical pain and does not have the same dangers as opioids do. In fact, research indicates that while patients usually require stronger and stronger doses of opioids to treat their pain as their bodies build up a tolerance, patients who use marijuana do not have this issue. You can continue to use the same amount of marijuana to reduce pain and get the same amount of relief.
Marijuana Can Help You Sleep Better
People who suffer from short-term sleep issues, such as those that arise from pain, sleep apnea, and possibly anxiety, have shown significant improvement in their quality of sleep when using marijuana. Not only does the marijuana relieve pain, making it easier to sleep, but it also takes your mind off your worries, which can help you relax enough to fall asleep and stay asleep. The amount of marijuana required for sleep is not yet settled, so if you need it to help you sleep, use as little as possible to get the desired effect.
Marijuana May Help You Lose Weight
Although marijuana should not be used solely as a weight-loss method, marijuana users are typically slimmer than people who do not use it. The reason is that marijuana decreases fasting insulin levels, which can promote some weight loss. Limited studies have shown that cannabis is a factor in a smaller waist circumference, lower BMIs, and reduced obesity rates. This is despite the fact that marijuana typically increases appetite, which is why it is often used to control anorexia and cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy.
Marijuana Can Reduce the symptoms Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is characterized by high intraocular pressure and fluid accumulation in front of the eyes. In addition to causing blindness, the condition can be extremely painful, particularly when the pressure builds and damages the optic nerve. Cannabis has long been used to reduce the pain associated with glaucoma, but recent research shows that marijuana is also effective in reducing the pressure in both people with and without glaucoma. It is particularly useful for people in the later stages of the disease.
Marijuana Can Reduce Anxiety
The THC in marijuana has been known to reduce anxiety in patients who have post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. However, the doses have to remain low to reap the therapeutic effects because, in high doses, THC can actually increase levels of anxiety. Therefore, if you use marijuana to manage your anxiety, be sure to use the lowest effective dose possible so that you’re not actually making your condition worse.
Conclusion
Don’t let marijuana’s past reputation scare you off from using it to help with medical conditions. Cannabis has many benefits that can help you live the life you want, especially if you currently suffer from chronic pain or anxiety.