Though cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history, it is still a relatively new field of study.
Cannabis is quickly gaining traction as the health and wellness industry’s next big thing, and we’re all starting to see why.
This blog post will explore 10 different ways that cannabis can help you live a healthier lifestyle and how it does it.
1. Helps With Chronic Pain
It’s long been shown that cannabis can help with chronic pain by regulating pain signals. In fact, some studies show that the use of cannabis can be as effective as certain medications for this purpose.
In addition to helping with chronic pain from an injury or illness, those who suffer from back pain might also find relief by using a topical cream made out of substances found in marijuana, or CBD.
These creams are also available over the counter at certain dispensaries, so you can easily purchase them without needing a prescription from your doctor.
Be sure to speak with your healthcare provider before using these products if you have an illness or injury that causes chronic inflammation and pain.
2. Improves Lung Abilities
Even though smoking cannabis could still be bad for the lungs, taking it in an alternative method can actually improve lung function.
This is mainly due to some of the terpenes found inside the cannabis plant like pinene.
Much like its name suggests, pinene is what gives cannabis a distinct pine smell and when ingested can actually help promote lung health.
People who have suffered from asthma are often given an oral pill of THC or something similar to alleviate any problems.
There are even inhalers being created with THC to help people with these issues.
3. Helps Regulate Appetite
Cannabis interacts with your endocannabinoid system the most and it’s why it has been shown to be so good at regulating specific bodily functions.
Appetite, for example, is regulated by cannabis when it produces more of the chemical called ghrelin in your body.
This chemical is responsible for the feeling of hunger and by introducing more of it in your body, you’ll have an increased appetite.
Cannabis has also been shown to help with weight loss in some cases because specific strains will do the opposite of introducing more ghrelin, and will decrease the amount in your body.
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4. Regulates Sleep
Cannabis has been shown to help those who have trouble sleeping get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer.
It does this by interacting with the endocannabinoid receptors in your brain that are responsible for regulating sleep.
Studies are also showing that cannabis can help regulate breathing when sleeping which can lead to a better night’s rest for most people.
5. Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Inflammation has been shown to be the cause of many illnesses and diseases.
Cannabis has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help to treat some of these issues.
This is due in part to the cannabinoids found in cannabis, but also the terpenes.
6. Protects Brain Cells
Although many people believed at one point cannabis could kill brain cells, it’s actually labeled as a neuroprotectant rather than a neurotoxic.
There have been studies done that show people who experience a major head trauma are 80% less likely to die with marijuana in their systems than those who did not have it.
7. Promotes Brain Growth
Not only does cannabis help to protect your brain cells, it literally promotes brain growth.
It does this by working with your endocannabinoid system to increase the amount of CB-1 receptors in your brain and causes more brain activity for learning.
8. Can Help With Depression
Many of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and even flavonoids in cannabis have been shown to elicit feelings of relaxation and reduce anxiety.
This perfect combination has been shown to treat people who suffer from ailments like depression or PTSD.
9. Helps With Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the original ailments in which cannabis was legally prescribed to patients who were seeking relief.
Cannabis helps alleviate any of the pain that glaucoma causes on the back of the eyeball.
10. Alleviates Nausea
The FDA has long since approved a THC pill aimed at relieving the symptoms of nausea for cancer patients.
This legal pill called Marinol has shown the effects THC has on nausea, but when combined with even more cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, you’ll get the full benefits from cannabis consumption.
Cannabis Can Boost Wellness
There’s a myriad of ways that cannabis is helping individuals who suffer from all kinds of ailments. You don’t have to just stick with smoking cannabis either, you can get these effects from pills, topicals, or even vaping.
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry and world of fitness. She works closely with AR MMJ Cards, an affordable, convenient service that gives certification for your medical marijuana card over the internet.
