Now that states in the US are slowly starting to legalize cannabis, more and people are coming forward in favour of it – with arguments that sound compelling. We know that medical marijuana is helpful as pain relief for serious conditions like cancer. And there is an ever-increasing amount of evidence that shows how it can ease aggressiveness in autistic children. But what are some ways that it benefits an average person’s daily life? From among many contenders, we picked the top two ways in which weed is claimed to be beneficial. That is not to say that you should ignore the dangerous side effects: it is an imoportant decision to make and you should weight the pros and cons very carefully. By the end of the article, should you wonder “where can I find a dispensary near me“, this will take you there.
Benefit no. 1: Nixing stress and anxiety
Frank Herbert in Dune named fear as the mind killer. But we’d like to add stress and anxiety as runners-up. When one feels out of control, the body responds by tensing the muscles, getting itself ready for fight or flight. When a person is in a constant state of tension, this triggers other physical disorders. For example, tension headaches, asthma attacks, and undue strain on one’s heart increases the risk of a heart attack. Lesser known, but also dangerous, Type 2 diabetes. How does that happen? When your body is in fight-or-flight mode, your liver produces extra glucose to give you a spurt of energy. But if you remain in this heightened state, the body has no way to reabsorb that extra sugar in your blood.
The American Psychological Association states that 75 percent of adults are stressed at any given time. The NHIS says that stress affects everyone. And then they go on to propose talking to your doctor or health care provider and engaging in a relaxing activity as remedies. Soon, you might see pot topping the relaxing-activity-of-choice list. In fact, one of the primary reasons pot users give for lighting up is to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Researchers are beginning to understand the connection between pot use and lowered stress levels. Cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant can act on the brain’s system where feelings of stress and anxiety are believed to be regulated. (Note that the right composition of cannabis is needed, as certain strains can heighten anxiety rather than relieving it.)
Rather than stress eat, vent to a co-worker, or engage in other potentially harmful ways to manage stress? Pot is a non-harmful way to reduce anxiety that has few, if any, downsides.
Benefit no. 2: Migraine and headache relief
From 50 to 75 percent of adults between 18 to 65 years across the globe have had a headache in the last year. And with headaches come pill popping to alleviate this pain. The problem arises when pill popping deepens into pill dependency. Opioid overdosing is a problem reaching epidemic levels, according to the CDC. In fact, they state that it is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. Prescription drug misuse is included in those figures.
Taking too many prescription drugs has severe health effects that are not a problem with pot use. While one can become dependent on pot, the physical detriments of doing so are not critical. Which is not the case with prescription drugs, such as those that contain benzodiazepines. Even when taking a personally prescribed medication, if it is not used with caution, it can lead to numerous problems. Prescription drugs can cause changes in one’s mood, as well as decreased mental function. Other hazards include choking, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and a slowed respiratory rate. Medication that is used as a depressant can also cause memory lapses and seizures. A healthier alternative? Marijuana has become a reliable option for migraine and headache relief. With studies even showing that the frequency of migraines is lessened with marijuana use.
Pot can’t replace other mainstays of a healthy life, like eating right and exercising. But many do claim that it can go far to enhance it and make the journey stress- and pain-free. This article does not reflect the view of Healthynewage.com, but rather that of many contributors.
