There are a lot of conversations that are heating up does cannabis impact mental and physical health? With the change in legal landscapes and the legalization of cannabis in various states, it becomes more crucial to find the truth behind this conversation.
Whether you’re a medical professional or curious individual or someone who is consuming marijuana (cannabis), read this article till the end and explore the truth. After all, it is about your mental and physical well-being.
So, are you ready? Let’s get started!
Understanding How Cannabis Works
There are more than 500 recognized chemicals in cannabis. THC and CBD are the most widely used ones. You may experience euphoria from THC, which makes you feel drunk. This chemical substance does, however, also have several health advantages.
What if we told you that you could enjoy all of these advantages without becoming wasted?
Isn’t that just wonderful?
Here’s where CBD becomes useful. Another chemical substance included in the cannabis plant is CBD. It is well-known for having numerous advantages, which we will go into more depth about below. Why then is it so well-liked? In addition to its many advantages, it has no psychotic side effects. It is therefore highly well-liked by medical patients who have minor issues.
THC and CBD Reaction in Body: Must Read!
It is well known that THC binds to the endocannabinoid system’s (ECS) CB1 and CB2 receptors. Numerous vital processes, including memory, pain and immunological reactions, sleep, emotions, pleasure, appetite, and learning capacity, are governed by the ECS.
THC can thereby alter your perception of these things, causing euphoria. But in addition to producing euphoria, it also binds to receptors to provide you with health benefits like reduced pain, increased hunger, etc.
While CBD does not bind to these receptors with the same degree of affinity as THC. Furthermore, it only and very faintly interacts to CB1 receptors. This is also the reason why ingesting CBD alone won’t make you feel euphoric.
Even at higher doses, consumers can also handle CBD without any problems. It functions as an efficient antidepressant and neuroprotective substance because it attaches to the brain’s serotonin receptor.
Furthermore, you should constantly keep in mind that not everyone will react to marijuana in the same way. So, be mindful and consult Iowa medical marijuana doctors before making a decision and get ready your medical marijuana card at Gaanjaheal.
Positive and Negative Effects of Cannabis on Physical & Mental Health
Let’s start first with the positive and negative effects of cannabis on physical health.
Positive Effects
- Reduce Body Ache: The active ingredients in cannabis, known as cannabinoids, work with the body’s endocannabinoid system to lessen inflammation and pain. Because of this, it’s a well-liked substitute for those with ailments like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.
- Manage Appetite and Nausea: To help cancer patients with nausea and vomiting, cannabis is often recommended. It can also increase appetite, which is advantageous for people with HIV/AIDS or those receiving therapies that suppress appetite.
- Reduce Muscle Spasms: Cannabis can significantly relieve muscle spasticity in people with multiple sclerosis and other illnesses that cause spasticity by relaxing muscles and lowering spasms.
Negative Effects
- Increased Heart Rate: For those who already have heart problems, cannabis may induce a transient elevation in heart rate.
- Coordination and Motor Skills: A decrease in these areas can raise the chance of an accident.
Mental Health
Positive Effects
- Control Mood Swings
Cannabis can help regulate mood swings because it interacts with the neurons in the brain’s reward system to increase dopamine production. It can therefore aid in the management of numerous mental health conditions, including depression. Additionally, the drug offers immediate relief, which is why many mental health sufferers prefer it.
- Ease Anxiety
A poll found that 58% of users said they used cannabis to ease anxiety. According to a different survey, a large number of college students take the drug to help them deal with social anxiety and engage with their classmates without feeling uncomfortable.
Negative Effects
- Mental Health Disorders: Excessive cannabis usage has been linked to mental health issues like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, especially in people who are predisposed to these disorders.
- Dependency: Chronic cannabis usage can result in cannabis use disorder, which is typified by cravings and symptoms of withdrawal when the substance is stopped.
Final Words
Cannabis use carries some dangers even if it may have therapeutic benefits; these risks are mostly related to mental health and respiratory health. Users should consider these factors and get professional advice from Medical Marijuana doctors, particularly if they have pre-existing medical conditions or are at risk of developing mental health disorders, as the impact might vary greatly across individuals.
