More and more states are legalizing marijuana for medical use, and more and more people are taking advantage. This trend is only supposed to grow in the coming years as the benefits of medical marijuana become more apparent. Since it can also be ingested in many different ways from just smoking it, it’s never been easier for people to use it, either. Here are some of the top benefits to medical marijuana that you may be able to take advantage of.
Lower Blood Pressure
An elevated blood pressure can be a sign of much more serious heart and health issues. For your long-term health, you should be doing whatever you can do to keep it stable, which means getting the right exercise and eating the right foods. However, sometimes your blood pressure can be elevated even with good habits. Or, if you’ve changed your habits recently, your blood pressure may not have changed yet. CBD, which is a component of cannabis, has been shown by some studies to lower blood pressure in all situations, including after activity and at rest.
Pain Relief
Chronic pain can be debilitating for some people. Even a small ache can have quality of life repercussions for years to come. If you adjust how you walk, or sit, or perform any other activities because of this pain, then you could cause further issues with your body. While it is a drug, marijuana is not as addictive as other prescription medications can be, such as opioids and benzodiazepines. If you have a regular dosage routine with your medical marijuana, then you can provide yourself with pain-relief that settles down chronic issues and helps you live a more comfortable life.
Anxiety
Over 30% of people in the United States are suffering from anxiety of some form. It can damage your quality of life and make it uncomfortable to experience regular human situations. However, relief for all of these people could come from using medical marijuana. Cannabis provides direct effects on the limbic system, which is connected to anxiety and other mental health issues. You can calm the feelings of anxiety and reduce its symptoms so that you can go about your day without problems and discomfort.
Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation can lead to many different health issues, such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome as a few examples. CBD can help lessen inflammation and help protect you from those issues. Reducing inflammation can also help with your overall health and wellness.
Gastrointestinal Disorders
CBD has been known to help with some GI disorders. These include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s is also a GI disorder, and you can lower the chances of getting ulcerative colitis as well. Prevention of GI issues is also related to the anti-inflammatory properties of marijuana. Instead of dealing with these issues down the road, you could avoid them altogether with a prescription from a health professional like Nugg MD.
Neurological Conditions
Cannabinoids can help with various neurological conditions. This is because of the effect that cannabis can have on the nervous system. Multiple sclerosis is one of those conditions, as is epilepsy in children. There are child-appropriate doses that can be provided to minors to help prevent it. There is also preliminary research that cannabis may be able to help with degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, but no certain answers yet.
Cancer Fighting
One of the best uses for medical marijuana is how it can help fight cancer. For one, it can slow down the growth of tumors and prevent cancer cell multiplication. For cervical cancer, it can even kill off cervical cancer cells. On top of that, getting chemotherapy can cause many different side effects. Using marijuana can help with the side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea and pain. This helps patients better tolerate the treatment and face their disease.
Appetite and Nausea
You’ve probably heard the jokes about “the munchies’ for people who smoke marijuana. This effect can happen for people who take medical marijuana too. This can help not only with chemo-induced nausea, but also for people who are suffering from it for other reasons. It can also help improve your appetite if you need to eat but have an illness or other issue that is making it hard for you to do so.
Beyond these benefits, research is ongoing into many more. Sometimes benefits can vary from person to person. It might have a surprising benefit for you, but it doesn’t for someone else. The bottom line is that medical marijuana is a proven treatment for many conditions, and there are likely to be more found in the years to come. As more states make it legal, the more people that will be able to take advantage.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
