Does the benefit of marijuana are all they’re really talked up to be? We reiterate some of the most researched benefits and reasons, as well as few considerations on the increasing popularity of marijuana delivery and use with their positive effects on our health.
Evidence has shown that marijuana’s benefits come from some of its compounds called cannabinoids, such as CBD and THC. Cannabis plants contain up to 40 percent CBD (cannabidiol), which is an essential component of medical marijuana. It is known to have anti-inflammatory effects on the central nervous system which can translate to numerous benefits in the body. It is commonly used to address anxiety and insomnia. In fact, cannabinoids are similar chemicals in our body involved in appetite, memory, pain, and movement. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), on the other hand, has pain-relieving properties and largely responsible for the “high.” Some compounds of cannabinoids and terpenes found to help protect the body from malignant tumors.
A 2018 study conducted by Staci Gruber, a psychiatry faculty at Harvard University and the director of Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery (MIND), showed that marijuana has great effects on the brain of cannabis users. They are patients with different conditions, including pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, and gastrointestinal problems. They conducted the research in three months with varying doses of cannabis per day, and the researchers observed that patient’s brains had more activity in the prefrontal cortex (part of the brain responsible for cognition, decision-making, and executive function.)
Currently, more than sixty in the U.S, Canada, and international health organizations support granting patients legal access to medical marijuana under physicians’ supervision.
Epilepsy
CBD has been known for a variety of health benefits, but the strongest evidence for its popularity came from its treatment of epilepsy. Currently, there are two synthetic versions of prescribed marijuana (Epidiolex and Marinol & Syndros) for severe epilepsy and chemotherapy side effects in NIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.) The CNN documentary “Weed”, by Sanjay Gupta, shows a story of a 5-year old girl who has Dravet Syndrome, a severe seizure disorder, and developmental delays. According to the film, Charlotte used medical marijuana strain high in cannabidiol and low in THC for treatment, and the drug decreased her seizure from 300 to just seven per week. This led to a high-CBD and low-THC cannabis strain marketed as a dietary supplement produced by the Stanley brothers in Colorado. They named the strain “Charlotte’s Web.”
PTSD
Marijuana Cannabinoids help patients forget painful events and form new memories, managing the body system causing fear and anxiety. Scientists conducted a study which led to a term called the “Goldilocks” zone, it’s when the right amount of marijuana is ingested for a calming effect. In New Mexico, people are getting a license for medical marijuana and the number one reason is PTSD. In one study in Brazil, 57 men received an oral 300-mg dose of CBD 90 minutes before going on a public speaking test, and they found it to be effective at reducing anxiety during the testing activity. CBD oil has been used to treat insomnia and anxiety even in children. These are also linked to CBD’s ability to act on Serotonin, responsible for regulating mood and social behavior.
Chronic Pain
A Canadian study found that THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), binds to nerve receptors, reducing pain. Treatment for chronic pain is the best-studied medicinal use of marijuana. Reports have indicated that this is “by far the most common” reason why people use marijuana. In a published survey in The Spine Journal, 1 out of 5 patients at a Colorado spine center uses cannabis to manage their pain.
Side Effects of Chemotherapy
Marijuana reduces pain and suppresses nausea from the effects of chemotherapy. It also stimulates your appetite. In fact, in a study published by the International Journal of Eating Disorders, cannabinoids may prove effective in treating anorexia.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Reports have suggested that the usage & count of marijuana delivery in Santa Monica has increased for seniors or the older population due to its effective measure in treating chronic pain, cancer-related symptoms, and Alzheimer’s. A study showed that THC produces Amyloid Plaques responsible for killing brain cells in Alzheimer's patients. A THC-based prescription drug called Dronabinol is made to reduce behavioral disturbances in dementia patients.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Researchers from the University of Nottingham found in 2010 that THC and cannabidiol from marijuana interact with cells in the body. This plays an important role in gut function and immune responses. It is said that cannabinoids in marijuana block bacterial compounds in the intestines, making the cells bond together tighter and become less impenetrable.
Obesity and Appetite
Average marijuana smokers are skinnier than the average people and have healthier metabolism according to a study published in the American Journal of Medicine. They conducted a study on 4,500 adult Americans and 579 of whom were current marijuana users. Results have shown that cannabis users are thinner and their bodies had a healthier response to sugar.
Creativity
Marijuana usage increases creative ability due to the release of dopamine in the brain. These lowers inhibitions and allows people to feel confident, relaxed, and perceive things differently. Researchers have found that cannabis users improve their “verbal fluency” (ability to come up with different words) while consuming marijuana.
More testimonials are emerging from patients to whom medical use of marijuana has been beneficial in their treatment of serious medical problems, many of which are not responsive to traditional prescription medicines. There were exciting early indications for research on marijuana and some of the compounds found in the plant. Marijuana may not be a panacea and more research must be done; the medical community is now beginning to recognize the role of cannabis apart from conventional therapies.
Today, marijuana is being reassessed on a medical and legal level after being considered illegal for years. People around the world consume cannabis and their reason is in unison: it makes them feel better. Be sure to consent to your doctor for a medical prescription before searching in “weed delivery near me” on the internet or going for weed delivery in Glendale today.