According to the National Institutes of Health’s report, cannabis or marijuana has been used for treating numerous types of health conditions for thousands of years. The medicinal and therapeutic properties of the plant help provide relief from minor conditions such as headaches to significant diseases such as Crohn’s disease.
Even though cannabis provides numerous benefits to humans, it started to get legal recognition for medicinal use in June 2018. Currently, 37 states have allowed the use of cannabis products for medical and recreational purposes.
If you are new to the cannabis world, it is crucial that you understand what cannabis or marijuana is and how it helps with different health conditions. So, let’s get you started!
What Is Cannabis (Marijuana)?
Cannabis is basically a plant. People generally use its leaves, seed oil, and other ingredients for recreational and medicinal purposes. It is noteworthy that some parts of the plant have psychoactive or mind-altering effects that make the user feel “high.” However, the balance and potency of the ingredients generally vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
That’s why it is suggested to consult the budtender present in the dispensary before purchasing any product. They can guide you about its use and suitable consumption methods.
Also, know that many people use cannabis and marijuana interchangeably, but there is a significant difference between both. The difference between both is the level of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Any product derived from cannabis Sativa that contains more than 0.3% is referred to as marijuana.
How Does It Work?
Did you know that the human body makes natural chemicals with properties similar to marijuana? Yes, you read it right! It helps your body deal with pain, inflammation, and other processes. Consuming cannabis products or marijuana assists your body with this process by calming the nerves and relaxing the mind.
What Are The Different Conditions Cannabis Is Used For?
As mentioned above, cannabis products such as CBD oil, tincture, topicals, concentrates, and more are used to treat numerous health conditions. Ideally, the products are used to treat the following conditions.
- Anxiety, PTSD, and Depression
According to a recent survey, 90% of the participants (comprising older adults) said that medical marijuana helped them with chronic tension and low moods. Another report states that CBD products help ease the symptoms of PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder). CBD products have an immediate effect on calming the mind and relieving stress.
The product interacts with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your body, which are generally found in the central nervous system of your body. According to the experts at OZ Dispensary OKC, it alters serotonin signals that help in uplifting mood and lowering stress levels. You can use different types of CBD products by visiting the nearby dispensary. Nevertheless, make sure to consult the budtenders present in the dispensary before buying any product. They can guide you about the right dosage and type of product to use.
- Acne And Skin Conditions
Not many people know that cannabis products can help improve skin conditions, especially related to acne or skin breakout. According to a study, CBD topicals contain anti-inflammatory properties. It helps reduce sebum production, thus, reducing the appearance of pimples and acne, giving you young and healthy skin. In addition to this, cannabinol can also be used to treat inflammatory skin diseases, pruritus, and even skin cancer. The products are further helpful in curing psoriasis as it helps ease itching and inflammation.
- Chronic Pain And Multiple Sclerosis
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 20% of US adults experience chronic pain. Among these, 600,000 Americans use cannabis to get relief from pain. Likewise, approximately 1 million US adults (age 45 and more) experience pain from multiple sclerosis. To reduce muscle spasms, 66% of people use medical marijuana.
Numerous studies have shown that cannabis products help ease symptoms and pain of spinal cord injury, peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain from diabetes), complex regional pain syndrome, muscle, and joint problems, multiple sclerosis rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer.
Reports show that the pain is lowered by 40% due to the use of cannabis products. Another study reported that more than 50% of the adults aged 65 and more observed visible improvement in their arthritis condition.
Nevertheless, if you are dealing with immense pain, it is crucial to consult the doctor. They can prescribe you the necessary medications or CBD products to try. Make sure not to consume more than the specified amount of dosage.
- High Blood Pressure
People who tend to stay stressed often experience high blood pressure. It is because it is challenging for them to relax and manage hypertension. Fortunately, the recreational and therapeutic properties of cannabis help them feel relaxed. The best part is it offers immediate results. You can feel at ease, reduce your stress level and maintain your composure. All these further ensure that you stay healthy.
Nevertheless, how much product you are using plays a critical role here. Ideally, it is recommended to start small and only intake more products if you feel no result after 30 minutes or more.
- Cancer Pain
Cannabis products show effective results in dealing with cancer pain and treatment side effects such as loss of appetite, vomiting, nausea, and weight loss. Many patients often complain about constantly being nauseous and vomiting, especially after chemotherapy and radiation. Trying out different cannabis products, especially CBD oil, helps them feel relaxed and at ease.
Even so, it is worth mentioning that cannabis helps with the “treatment of pain and symptoms” and is not a treatment in itself. So, if you or anybody you know who is suffering from cancer must visit a doctor and seek proper treatment for the condition. There is no replacement for chemotherapy and radiation to cure the condition.
To Sum It All Up
Using cannabis for medicinal and recreational purposes can offer your mind and body numerous benefits. Nevertheless, for an elevated first experience, you must consult the dispensary budtender. They can guide you about the dose and method to use the product. It would also be beneficial if you consume cannabis products in the presence of someone.