Cannabis is a plant with versatile use that has been controversial for a long time. Its usefulness has, however, brought it to the forefront of public discourse in recent years. Most plant users like it for its psychoactive properties, but cannabis also comes with an array of medical benefits. The plant is being reevaluated on a cultural and legal level and slowly wearing its tag as illegal.
Research shows that much of America supports the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use. Cannabis has been legalized in most states for medical use and, in others, even for recreational use. The two primary compounds in the cannabis plant are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the psychoactive compound in the plant, which will give you the “high” when consumed. CBD is the compound in the plant with all the medical benefits used in alternative medicine. Here are some reasons you should consider adding cannabis to your wellness regime:
The Social Use of Cannabis
You already know that cannabis can be used for recreational and medical use. When used on a social level, cannabis may offer a sense of relaxation and euphoria. Users may take it when socializing as it enhances experiences and makes activities enjoyable. Sports, music, eating, sex, watching movies, and hobbies are some things people enjoy more with cannabis. People will also use cannabis to make everyday tasks more fun, so they don’t feel like chores.
Social use of cannabis becomes ingrained in a person’s daily routine and comes with no adverse health, legal, economic, or social consequences. Most plant users take it responsibly and use it to improve their quality of life in the same way you would use coffee or alcohol. According to the World Health Organization, health is considered complete mental, physical and social well-being. It is not simply the lack of infirmity or disease. As such, users can take cannabis socially while still benefiting from its medical uses. You can find good quality cannabis to use for its recreational or medical benefits. Also you can click here if you are looking to shop Cannabis online.
The Medical Benefits of Cannabis
Cannabis has an array of health benefits backed by research. Medical use of cannabis is related to physical and mental conditions. Cannabis has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries, having been used by the Chinese and the Egyptians. It makes it one of the oldest pharmaceuticals used. In Canada and much of the US, patients have gained the right to use cannabis for medical reasons adding it to the list of controlled substances.
Pain Management
There is research to show the potential benefits of cannabis for pain management. The compounds in the plant do this by changing the pathways of pain perception in the brain. This use of cannabis has been applied in the management of pain for conditions like:
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis
- Endometriosis
- Migraines
Inflammation
CBD, one of the two primary compounds found in cannabis, is reported to potentially reduce inflammation. In treating inflammation, cannabis can be used as a topical applied to the inflamed area. Users can also ingest it. Some of the inflammatory conditions it is used for include:
- Crohn’s disease
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Cannabis is slowly progressing from an alternative treatment to one of the leading pharmaceutical solutions for such conditions. In this way, cannabis improves the overall health of users.
Sleep Management
When used for sleep, cannabis can serve both medical and recreational purposes. People who use cannabis to induce sleep need it for the CBD but may also enjoy the effects of THC. Combined, these two give a calming effect that relaxes users, helping them cope with insomnia. Another way cannabis can be used for sleep is pain reduction since users can sleep better with reduced pain.
Mental and Neurological Disorders
Research into medical cannabis for mental and neurological disorders has grown in recent years. CBD affects the limbic system in a way that may be effective in treating various mental conditions such as:
- Epilepsy
- Anxiety
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Tourette syndrome
CBD and THC can also be used to battle some mental conditions above through the relaxing and euphoric effects they provide.
Spiritual Use
Your overall well-being includes spiritual health. The use of cannabis for spiritual purposes is well documented and practiced in different cultures across the world. It has to do with seeking a sense of enlightenment, connection, and meaning. It is often achieved with THC, which gets one a buzz that can be channeled and used for spiritual purposes. Cannabis has been used for spiritual reasons since time immemorial, with the sacred Indian text, Atharvaveda, listing among the five holy plants.
Living in what is now Eastern Europe, the Scythians used cannabis as incense as a form of respect to departed leaders. In ancient Chinese texts, cannabis is reported to lighten one’s body and spirit, allowing one to communicate with the spirits.
Final Word
Despite its long history as an illegal drug, cannabis is now taking on a new image. While most people are warming up to the use of the plant for its plethora of medical benefits, many of those who do not use it may not understand its recreational benefits. Even so, the stigma and assumptions associated with cannabis use have reduced over the past decade. Moving forward, researchers are better placed to unravel more beneficial benefits of the plant as legalization takes effect in different parts of the world.