The power of cannabis is incredible. One puff can instantly relieve the stress of a workday, activate your imagination, and generally put you at ease. But what about its power to heal? Surely you’ve heard of medical marijuana getting prescribed as a miracle cure, but how does it work? Here are 4 ways medical marijuana could change your life.
Mental Illness
Weed experts already know about the two compounds that make weed so special: THC, which causes psychoactive highs, and CBD, which provides deep physical relaxation. Both compounds can be used to treat a range of stress disorders. Toking up for a calming evening can be compared to hitting the pause button on stressful thoughts, numbing your irrational fear response and giving you time to temporarily disengage from anxious feelings.
Appetite
You’ve probably got some personal experience with the munchies, a notorious side effect of weed use that strikes you with an insatiable need to snack. Cannabinoids have been linked to the body’s ability to regulate insulin, and THC interacts with the central nervous system in a way that can stimulate your appetite. Some illnesses and conditions can make you feel so bad you cannot eat. In these situations, a case of the munchies could be a literal lifesaver!
Inflammation & Glaucoma
Medical marijuana has been a popular prescription for sufferers of glaucoma, a disease that attacks the optic nerve and can ultimately result in blindness. Studies have found cannabinoids to be just as effective in reducing the pressure behind the eyes that characterizes glaucoma as conventional medicine. The ability of cannabidiol to lower blood pressure can assist in reducing inflammation in other tissues as well.
Nausea
A puff of weed or a few drops of CBD oil can alleviate the nausea caused by menstrual cramps and morning sickness as well as release the tension of nausea-inducing headaches and migraines.
Sometimes on the path to recovery, we must grapple with not only the ailment but the side effects of the treatment. Such is the case with cancer patients and chemotherapy. Although it’s a highly effective way of shrinking deadly tumours, chemo causes devastatingly powerful waves of nausea. To ease this pain, some patients consume marijuana at the advice of a doctor.
Although recreational marijuana is available across the nation at authorized stores, if you’re seeking treatment for a specific medical condition, retailers are not authorized to make diagnoses or suggest formal treatments. Collaborate with your doctors and see what works for you.