Marijuana is a controversial plant as it has multidimensional uses. The versatility of marijuana has caused this plant to be introduced in all sorts of products and industries, including the medical field. Regarding the introduction of cannabis in the medical field, you should know that there is tons of science behind it that we don’t want to get into in this article.
To simplify things, you will want to know that cannabis comprises more than 120 components, out of which the two most known components are CBD (Cannabidiol) and THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is linked with generating a sense of high, whereas CBD is essentially non-toxic and is widely used in medicine in tinctures, beverages, edibles, and raw forms.
Let us have a look at the potential health benefits of cannabis.
Health Benefits of CBD
Today, CBD has become legal in many states, including NY and Mississippi. Suppose you are a resident of Mississippi and older than 18 with a medical issue that can be cured with CBD. In that case, you can avail of the medical card in Mississippi after getting it prescribed by a licensed doctor.
While research is still being conducted on the health benefits of CBD, here are a few ways that marijuana has helped to improve health.
High Blood Pressure
CBD has proven helpful in lowering one’s blood pressure. CBD effectively lowers resting blood pressure as well as high blood pressure caused by stress and physical activity. Research suggests that CBD has other cardiovascular health benefits as well.
Thus, CBD can help with relaxing the arterial walls and lowering cholesterol. It can also improve HRV (heart rate variability).
Reduce Pain & Inflammation
There is scientific evidence that CBD can indirectly reduce inflammation, which makes CBD anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving. People who suffered from arthritis were administered CBD, and they reported immense pain relief.
CBD can help lower chronic pain by targeting the endocannabinoid receptors, which then decrease inflammation. CBD is found to be an effective treatment for some rheumatic illnesses, such as fibromyalgia.
Overcome Addiction
People with drug and alcohol addiction have found CBD as an effective source of preventing them from falling into a relapse. So, CBD can help people overcome their alcohol and drug addiction by decreasing the withdrawal symptoms and cravings induced by stress.
Usually, people who struggle with overcoming drug/ alcohol addiction lack control of their impulses; however, CBD can help them with impulse control by decreasing stress.
Seizure Prevention
Another health benefit linked with CBD is that it can help prevent seizures. In fact, one of the first medical benefits that healthcare professionals noticed in connection with CBD is that it prevents seizures and can treat epilepsy.
So, marijuana can effectively decrease seizure frequency and other symptoms.
Treating GI Disorders
Another study has proven CBD to be effective for the treatment of GI (gastrointestinal disorders), including ulcers, Crohn’s, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). The anti-inflammatory properties of marijuana are the key for reducing and preventing GI disorders.
Lower Stress
Another health benefit of CBD is that it helps treat stress and anxiety. Stress is one of the most common reasons that people take CBD in various forms, including CBD edibles, beverages, and tinctures.
CBD is effective for the treatment and prevention of panic disorder. PTSD, OCD, and social anxiety disorder.
Prevent Cancer
Several studies have proven that CBD effectively alleviates nausea and loss of appetite after chemotherapy. Studies have also proven that CBD can prevent the spreading of cancer cells and cell death.
The various anti-cancer aspects of CBD can help prevent various cancers. CBD can also benefit the immune system and treat tumors. Research is still being conducted regarding the connection between cancer prevention and CBD.
Other Health Benefits of CBD
Apart from the health benefits mentioned above, here are some other ways CBD can provide health benefits:
Sleep Improvement: According to research, CBD can help improve sleep by inducing relaxation and preventing and decreasing insomnia and other sleep disorders. However, more research is still required in this field.
Life Extension for Glioblastoma Patients: According to research, the potential combination of THC and CBD might be effective in extending the lifeline of people suffering from aggressive tumors, such as glioblastoma. However, more research is required in this regard.
Potential Drawbacks of Marijuana
Similar to everything else, there might be some potential drawbacks of marijuana, which is why it is essential to ask one’s healthcare provider about the ratio with which CBD should be taken. Despite the fact that CBD is considered safe to use, in some cases, it can cause side effects, including weight fluctuation, diarrhea, appetite changes, and fatigue.
Other side effects of marijuana include drowsiness, pneumonia, sedation, and abnormal liver functions. Some of the side effects can also result from taking CBD along with other medications that can then react with other drugs.
To prevent complications, you will want to talk to a qualified healthcare provider who knows your medical history and health issues. The licensed doctor will be in the best position to prescribe the right dose of CBD for you so that you don’t experience any of the side effects.
Another thing that you will want to be mindful of is that you should always get high-quality medical marijuana instead of reverting to local markets to get low-quality CBD products. It is crucial to choose CBD products that are tested by an authoritative third party for their purity and quality.
Legality of CBD
Legal marijuana products are hemp-derived and contain less than 0.3% THC. However, you will want to check your state law because marijuana isn’t legally available in some states yet. Regarding legality, CBD products that are hemp-derived are legal; however, CBD products that are cannabis-derived are generally illegal, with the exception of some states.
So, you will want to check the state’s laws whenever you travel so that you know that you are using CBD legally. Always opt for medical CBD, as the non-prescribed CBD products aren’t safe to use. The nonprescription CBD products are also mostly misleading because they are labeled inaccurately.
