Cannabis use has grown substantially in the last few years. People who enjoy it use it for a variety of different reasons. Some might eat an edible or smoke a joint to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Others might choose products that help enhance their creativity or increase their focus. Some happen to enjoy the effects they feel when they use their preferred strain or product. Plenty of cannabis users also choose to use it because it helps ease specific symptoms or improves their overall health. In this article, we’re going to focus on a few of the health benefits of weed.
Alleviates Chronic Pain
One of the most common reasons why people use cannabis is to help alleviate chronic pain. It can help to ease arthritis pain, neuropathic pain, and pain caused by other conditions. While it won’t eliminate your discomfort, it can help to reduce the severity of your symptoms, making it easier to bear and improving your quality of life.
Treats Nausea and Vomiting
A common side effect of chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting. Many cancer patients have found relief from these symptoms with the help of cannabis. Not only can it help to ease nausea, but it can also help improve your appetite. As such, it can also help those with wasting syndrome or anorexia.
Reduces Stress, Anxiety, and Even PTSD
Research is finding that cannabis can help lessen symptoms of stress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cannabinoids can help you to relax and ease anxious thoughts. One thing to note here is that too much cannabis (more specifically, too much THC) can increase anxiety and cause paranoia. The key is small amounts of THC.
Lessens Muscle Spasticity
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause severe muscle stiffness and spasms. THC and other cannabinoids in cannabis can act as a muscle relaxer, reducing these symptoms and making them more manageable.
Slows the Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease
Some research suggests that cannabis can help to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Studies show that it can help to prevent the buildup of amyloid plaques. Cannabinoids block the enzymes that produce these proteins, which are responsible for the death of brain cells.
Treats Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Cannabinoids in the cannabis plant can interact with cells in the body responsible for gut health and immune function. As such, it can help treat painful symptoms of gut-related conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and more.
Helps with Insomnia
Many strains of cannabis produce what’s known as a body high. They relax your muscles and make you feel sleepy. These strains can help those with insomnia fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Better sleep can then lead to better overall mental and physical health.
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Weed
These are just a handful of the health benefits cannabis may provide. Scientists are still uncovering the many benefits the plant has to offer. It’ll be exciting to see what they discover about how cannabis can help improve overall health and wellbeing.