Benefits Of Smoking Marijuana
Much has been said about the benefits of smoking marijuana, from relieving physical pain to controlling epilepsy, but really, how true is it? In this article we also tell you about its negative effects according to the medical industry.
The use of marijuana or cannabis is a reality, legally or illegally it has always been there, as well as the dozens of researches that have been and continue to be carried out on its health benefits. So much so that the biomedical research of recent years proves its effectiveness as an assistant in the treatment of various diseases; Alzheimer’s and epilepsy, to name a few.
It is known that marijuana can have medicinal uses to treat diseases such as nausea, chronic pain, glaucoma and even slow the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. But the benefits do not stop there and they can be surprising. Check it out next list to see some of the potential benefits of smoking marijuana.
It is good for the lungs
Although dense smoke causes a lot of coughing, marijuana can even improve their functioning. At least, says a study by researchers at the University of California, USA. They did a lung test of people who smoked ordinary cigarettes and smoked only marijuana. And the herb smokers had healthier lungs. Inhaling marijuana deeply while smoking can be an exercise that helps expand lung capacity.
Does good for the brain
Marijuana has been used in some studies to stimulate creativity – at least to some extent. Researchers at University College London in England have noted that marijuana has increased verbal fluency – test that makes you say the highest number of words beginning with a certain letter – of study participants. But wait there, it does not light yet. Marijuana will not improve 100% of your creativity. You will not go out there having the most innovative ideas in the world.
Inhibits cancer
THC is a chemical found in marijuana. And many researchers believe that it inhibits the growth of tumors. This is because many studies such as Harvard University, USA, have discovered this by testing in laboratory mice. In addition, it relieves cancer pains and treatments to attack it – such as radiation and chemotherapy.
Helps maintain weight
Although marijuana awakens the famous munchies, evidence shows that smoking the herb is associated with lower rates of obesity and diabetes. Another study coming from Harvard University suggests that marijuana smokers have a smaller waistline. To perform the study, they measured the waists and blood glucose levels of adult men and women from 2005 to 2010. Most people who smoked had lower waist circumference. You’re not going to eat at fast food too, right?
About Marijuana
Mode of Action of Marijuana
Marijuana contains more than 100 active ingredients. The two most important are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD):
THC lifts the mood, changes the perception (foggy) and relieves pain.
CBD works against inflammation, relieves spasms, relieves anxiety and relieves pain.
Cannabis has advantages that other active ingredients do not have: The body produces even very similar substances, the so-called endocannabinoids, which exert their effect via various receptors, which are also susceptible to ingested cannabis active ingredients. The receptor CB1 is found in the central nervous system and many other organs, relieving anxiety, stress, restlessness, and pain. The CB2 receptor is located in the immune cells of the lungs and intestine and has anti-inflammatory effects.
About THC
Tetrahydrocannabinol
The psychoactive principles of marijuana are cannabinoids, and it is generally believed that the most active of these is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The dosage is therefore generally measured in THC. Its content can vary considerably according to the variety cultivated, the part of the plant used, the cultivation methods and the transformation processes.
The THC content of the flower heads of unfertilized female plants ( sinsemilla ) can range from 10% to 20 %, whereas the leaves of ordinary plants, that is to say, males or females fertilized, contain from 1% to 5%. The hashish, which is actually pure resin drawn floral tops, can contain up to 30% THC.
Marijuana Joints
More generally, it is in the form of a cigarette – or joint – that marijuana is taken. In this form, marijuana provides a quick, almost immediate effect that can last anywhere from two to four hours. When taken orally, this effect may take 30 to 60 minutes to appear. On the other hand, it lasts longer.
A joint contains about 750 mg of cannabis (according to World Health Organization data). Depending on the THC content of the marijuana used, a seal will, therefore, provide 7.5 mg to 225 mg of THC. Analysis of marijuana seizures by police and customs officials reveals that the average THC content of cannabis currently circulating in Canada is 10 %. More rarely, cannabis is consumed in the form of biscuits each containing 25 mg to 50 mg of dried cannabis powder, the equivalent of 2.5 mg to 10 mg of THC.
Should Smoking Marijuana Be Legalized?
Marijuana is in our time one of the most persecuted substances both openly and tacitly, put in the sights of written and unwritten laws, morality and the predominant (although not always observed) values that have plunged it into a process of degradation from which it does not seem easy to leave, even in view of the many efforts that in recent years have been undertaken to restore it as a substance that, at the beginning, any responsible and informed adult should have the possibility of consuming and, on the other hand, which have been proven numerous positive effects and in some cases significantly less harmful than those of other drugs much more accepted in society such as alcohol or tobacco.
Cannabis does not exacerbate the symptoms of psychotic people
When a tragedy occurs caused by a mentally disturbed person (murders, violent attacks, etc.), it is not uncommon for traditional media to associate the imbalance of the person responsible with the use of drugs, including marijuana on certain occasions. However, a couple of investigations revealed, separately, that those suffering from schizophrenia and other related disorders do not see their symptoms exacerbated by consuming marijuana and, on the other hand, that cannabis even reduces mortality rates among this population.
The investigations that discovered this were made by scientists from the School of Medicine at Keele University, a team from the University of Maryland and the Inje University of South Korea, respectively.
2. The legalization of marijuana reduces the incidence of suicides
Complex as reality is, it is not easy to foresee how a decision unfolds in a multitude of effects, even in the most unexpected areas. And this is a bit the case of the conclusion reached by researchers from Montana State University and San Diego State University, who found a link between the process of legalization of marijuana and the decline in the suicide rate , especially among men between 20 and 39 years of age.
3. The smoke that marijuana produces when smoked is less harmful to the lungs than tobacco smoke
The smoke produced by a cigarette (whatever the grass that burns inside it) has lately been one of the most sanctioned qualities of the smoker, to the degree that more and more cities all over the world establish a kind of segregation that distinguishes to those who smoke of those who do not, claiming that it is enough to inhale said smoke to suffer the same or worse consequences in their respiratory system of those who do smoke by their own decision and will.
But it seems that not all fumes do the same damage, as verified by scientists at the University of California in San Francisco, occasional smokers of marijuana have better lung functions compared to those who smoke ordinary cigarettes.
4. The relationship between marijuana use and car accidents is negligible
Although there is also a tendency to associate cannabis with accidents that occur on board a car, the truth is that this link is virtually non-existent. According to data analyzed by an academic at the University of Aalborg and the Transport Economics Institute in Oslo, marijuana increases the probability of suffering a car accident by only 1.06%, against, for example, 2.96% of cocaine or 4.46%. % of amphetamines.
5. Marijuana does have medicinal properties
For some it will sound incredible that there is still doubt about the medicinal properties of ganja , known since ancient times and that only recently have been tried to avoid. As an analgesic in the case of pain originating in a neuropathy, to treat the spasticity (muscle contraction) associated with sclerosis and also as a therapeutic support for other diseases, these benefits of marijuana have been amply demonstrated in the physical health of those who they require it.
History of Marijuana Use:
In China, we know the euphoric and therapeutic properties of marijuana for 3,000 years, and even for 6,000 years, according to some sources. These uses are found later in India, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, and South America. In the XIXth century, a British physician published in prestigious journals a series of articles extolling its virtues as a painkiller and antispasmodic, as well as its effectiveness in seizures.
At the same time, the West discovers the recreational aspects of the plant. In Europe as in America, artists find inspiration and intellectuals take its effects. Marijuana is spreading and becoming more and more popular … too much in the eyes of authorities who, from 1920, will crackdown. Cannabis is now on the list of prohibited drugs in the United States, Canada, and then in the “Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961”. Even today, it is a crime to produce, trade and own.
Some authors believe that the lobbies of paper (the forest industry) and cotton contributed to this ban, hemp fiber, which was then grown on large surfaces, constituting, it seems, a major competitor those of wood and cotton for the manufacture of paper and fabrics.
Today, the law limits the THC content of hemp grown for these purposes to less than 1 %. Fiber has also been used to make ropes, and the seeds are still used as food for captive birds. Hemp seeds and their oil have also found a niche in the human food market in recent years, as they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
The recreational use of the plant has spread widely despite legal and administrative prohibitions, the question of its legalization has been raised for some years. Because of some of its therapeutic uses (see the Research section), pressure groups are asking for its legalization or, at least, legal and regulatory changes that would allow patients to enjoy its benefits with confidence.
In Canada, on July 30, 2001, the Canadian government amended the “Narcotics Control Regulations”, resulting in the coming into force of the ” Medical Marijuana Access Regulations “. These regulations have established “an exceptional framework for its use by people suffering from serious illnesses and where its use can have beneficial effects that outweigh the risk”. All this provokes debates that are often more moral than public health. Doctors and researchers are divided as to the therapeutic uses of marijuana or its derivatives 1,2.
In September 2003, the Netherlands became the first country in the world to allow the sale of marijuana in pharmacies (prescription). This “medical cannabis” is intended for certain patients for whom no drug has been effective and who are taking chemotherapy, triple therapy, multiple sclerosis or chronic nervous disorders, or who are in palliative care.
In the Netherlands, five grams of medical cannabis is sold for between $ 60 and $ 83, while in a coffee shop, where the distribution of marijuana is tolerated, the same amount costs between $ 38 and $ 45. According to the Dutch authorities, the higher price of medical cannabis is attributable to controls ensuring its constant content of THC and the absence of germs or bacteria, as well as advice provided by pharmacists.
Marijuana and Its Medical Uses
Cannabis as a drug for cancer and other diseases
Cannabis is not only known as an intoxicant and drug, but it has also been used in medicine for many years. The medical possibilities of cannabis are very mixed. For some applications, it is a positive opportunity, not recommended for others. It is clear that the use of cannabis for medical use has a long history.
While cannabis was used as a medicinal plant thousands of years ago, the narcotics requirements for the authorization and prescription of cannabis-containing finished medicinal products were created in Germany on May 11, 2011. An oral spray for the treatment of spasms, the spasticity, is already available for several years. Another finished drug with the drug nabilone to help against nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy. Basically, the therapeutic benefits of cannabis are clearly separated from consumption as a drug. Their products, such as marijuana and hashish, are still not marketable.
The medicinal use of the hemp plant is mainly used for nausea and vomiting in cancer chemotherapy, loss of appetite and emaciation in HIV / AIDS, as well as chronic pain, spasticity, and cross-sectional diseases. In patients with epilepsy, however, as well as itching and depression, it is not advisable. The medicinal effects of hemp are caused by the substances delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC triggers a feeling of intoxication and has muscle-relaxing, but also helps against nausea and nausea. Above all, CBD has anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant properties.
For the treatment of pain, drops, tablets and capsules are advisable because they can be used to dose the cannabis active ingredient clearly, which is not the case when smoking cannabis flowers.
medicinal marijuana: cannabis and THC in medicine
Many clinical studies already report on the effects of cannabis and THC on various diseases, as a study from 2017, which speaks mainly of an appetite-increasing effect in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (a form of dementia ). Patients not only increased their appetite by taking THC, but they also gained weight and lowered their confusion.
However, the psychoactive spectrum of effects must always be taken into account when prescribing. Therefore, cannabis is recommended only when all other therapies have failed.
For this purpose, the patient receives, in pharmacies and at the expense of the statutory health insurance, dried cannabis flowers and cannabis extracts in controlled quantities and high quality. In the future hemp will be cultivated and controlled by a state cannabis agency. Until then, eligible patients will be treated with imported cannabis. The self-cultivation remains prohibited.
What Are The Other Medical Uses of Marijuana:
Nausea
Often nausea and vomiting burden cancer patients during chemotherapy. Accordingly, research is also intense.
Since the 1970s, the role of cannabinoids in this context is scientifically monitored because their mechanisms of action differ from conventional antiemetics (drugs to suppress nausea and nausea).
But also in overview studies on the current research situation remain ambiguities: While some authors of medical marijuana a scientifically proven effect (evidence) attributed to nausea by chemotherapy, others can not recommend cannabinoid therapy so far. They emphasize that safer and more effective antiemetic against nausea and vomiting are currently available after chemotherapy.
Pain
The analysis of various systematic reviews of medicinal marijuana in pain still reveal some uncertainties. The most scientifically proven evidence is the effect on neuropathic pain (also: nerve pain).
In addition, marijuana as a medicine seems to be superior to placebo in cancer pain.
A review of pain in multiple sclerosis in 2017 failed to show any statistically significant differences compared to placebo treatment. However, too few studies are available to be able to derive clear recommendations.
There is no major benefit of medicinal marijuana versus placebo in acute postoperative pain.
Several recent metastudy studies emphasize the need for long-term safety and efficacy studies on marijuana as medicine and optimal dosing in neuropathic pain.
Fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal pain, and rheumatoid arthritis
The study on the use of cannabinoids in fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and tumor-related pain is currently so thin that no scientific proof of efficacy has been provided. The results so far are based on studies with rather small patient groups of 23 to 50 patients per study and short-term study periods.
Although some studies recommend the use of cannabinoids in pain management and in palliative care as an individual therapy attempt, they point to side effects such as dizziness, confusion or psychosis.
Spasms / Spasticity
The efficacy of medicinal marijuana in spasticity (as a result of multiple sclerosis or paraplegia) could not be proven for the drugs studied so far at least with objectifiable test criteria. The evidence is therefore based on a rather subjective perceived effect.
A review of previous reviews on medicinal marijuana for spasticity found that 30 percent of patients (predominantly with multiple sclerosis) reported relief of symptoms after therapy and about half of a general change considered positive. Only 35 percent of the patients who received the placebo felt better. However, the difference is also attributed to the euphoric or sedative effect of medicinal marijuana.
The study on the effect of cannabinoids in convulsive seizures in the context of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is not sufficient to name confirmed results.
Epilepsy
Following promising reports of the effects of marijuana in individual cases, interest in treating epilepsy with marijuana has increased over the last decade. However, the development of a suitable oral formulation proved difficult. In addition, interactions with other medicinal products may be present.
Nevertheless, recent study results support the efficacy of cannabinoids in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. In addition, further high-quality studies on marijuana in focal epilepsy are still ongoing.
Depression and Anxiety
The study for the treatment of depression with medicinal marijuana is currently very poor. Although these studies show a superior prevalence of cannabinoids over placebos, these few studies have an overall increased risk of biasing results.
ADHD
So far, there is very little research on marijuana as a medicine for attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Above all, reviews have been published. For example, a case study showed that a patient with severe ADHD symptoms (inappropriate behavior, inattentiveness) could behave inconspicuously after taking THC.
A randomized pilot experimental study evaluated the effect of the drug Sativex® over placebo in 30 adults with ADHD. The results on cognitive performance and on the level of activity of the patients did not differ significantly.
The symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity, on the other hand, improved in the Sativex® group.
However, further studies are needed to demonstrate the potential effect of marijuana on the symptoms of ADHD in adults. In addition, future research will need to provide insights into the endocannabinoid system and ADHD.
Appetite Increase In HIV / AIDS and Cancer Patients
In HIV / AIDS, some studies point to a mild weight-stimulating effect of medicinal marijuana. Single studies also showed a slight increase in appetite in palliatively treated cancer patients, but these were not significant compared to placebo.
A recent review concludes that there is not enough scientific evidence for the use of cannabinoids in the loss of appetite of HIV / AIDS or cancer patients. Previous studies tend to include short observation periods in small groups of patients.
Bowel Disease
There are only a few studies on the use of medicinal marijuana in intestinal diseases. Sufficient scientific evidence that the primary complaints of Crohn’s Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome are improved by medical marijuana does not yet exist.
Sleep Disorders
The effect of medical marijuana on sleep disorders has not been the main subject of scientific research. Isolated studies – for example on medicinal marijuana in pain – have recorded the effect on sleep as a secondary parameter. However, it could not be proven that medicinal marijuana works in disturbed sleep. At best, the talk may be of possible use.
Tourette Syndrome
There are isolated studies showing a significant association between decreased tic intensity in patients with Tourette’s syndrome and medicinal cannabis.
However, studies with larger patient numbers and longer treatment periods, as well as a direct comparison of different cannabinoids, are needed to differentiate effectiveness and safety.
Psychosis
There are no reliable studies showing the efficacy of marijuana as a medicine in psychosis symptoms.
Schizophrenia
Preliminary data on the efficacy of medicinal marijuana in schizophrenia appear promising. It is specifically about the active ingredient cannabidiol (CBD).
Case studies suggest that the antipsychotic effect of CBD in acute schizophrenia is comparable to that of the neuroleptic drug amisulpride – but with fewer side effects. Nevertheless, further large-scale clinical trials are needed to investigate the efficacy and safety of CBD in schizophrenia.
Dementia
There is currently no scientific evidence on the efficacy of cannabinoids for symptoms of dementia. A systematic review on this topic, for example, emphasizes the urgent need for such studies.
Glaucoma
The clinical picture of the efficacy of medicinal marijuana in glaucoma is very thin and does not suggest that the administration of cannabinoid-containing substances influences intraocular pressure differently than placebo.
Marijuana Can Affect Women’s Health Too!
The medical benefits of marijuana have never been as well known and used as they currently are with the worldwide wave of legalization. Among the range of properties of cannabis is the relief for various symptoms that affect women. And smoking it or using products that contain it can be beneficial for their health.
When it comes to women’s health, marijuana can literally be a savior. Thousands of women have been using the healing powers of the herb to combat the painful symptoms of chronic diseases such as endometriosis and premenstrual seizures. Many are also using it to improve sex. If you are thinking of using marijuana to relieve your pain or improve your quality of life, here are the pros:
Premenstrual Tension
Any woman who suffers from menstruation knows well the effects of PMS, an abbreviation that summarizes the side effects in the body. Some of the most common symptoms are nausea, moodiness, migraines, and abdominal cramps, ranging from small to severe pain. Some women even feel feverish, with chills and a feeling of dizziness.
Super fun, is not it? And to make matters worse, the symptoms appear every cycle that can range from 21 to 35 days.
PMS is very uncomfortable and there are thousands of medicines in pharmacies that can help you in relieving symptoms, ibuprofen, for example, is a drug full of side effects and adverse. It does not seem to be the best option for all to take, considering that these effects can lead – and lead – many people, depending on the history of the disease, to death.
What to do when the cramp is so strong and it is not possible to take the traditional remedies, for whatever reason? For centuries, women have found relief from cannabis pain.
Whether it is ingested, smoked, or passed through the body in the form of oil, marijuana has proven to be a pathway for relieving the pain, nausea, and depression that tend to come with menstruation. The Indian Strains are usually the most used in the US when it comes to treating this.
Endometriosis
As much as endometriosis also causes pain in the pelvic region, it is a totally different demon from PMS.
Endometriosis is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 10% of women worldwide.
Characterized by the development of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, causing premenstrual pains and menstruation, pain during intercourse, chronic fatigue and exhaustion, severe or irregular menstrual bleeding, and in many cases, difficulty in becoming pregnant and infertility.
We still do not know the cure of endometriosis and its diagnosis can be very difficult. It is important to emphasize that the disease affects women from the first menstruation and can extend to the last. Usually, the diagnosis happens when the patient is in her 30s.
There are several drugs available in the market to treat endometriosis, such as analgesics, anti-inflammatories, GnRH analogs, Danazol, and others; but it is worth remembering that these remedies bring with them, among other side effects, dependence.
Nowadays, more and more women, in countries where marijuana is already legalized, are using cannabis to alleviate the symptoms of endometriosis. With medical marijuana being legally sold and studied, its acceptance has grown for those who did not know it or did not support it for some prejudice.
Sex
If you feel discomfort in sex, you are not alone. More painful penetration or difficulty reaching orgasm are normal problems.
Luckily, Mary Jane is such a sex therapist. She can help you! Many companies produce a vaginal lubricant with THC and even strains of marijuana grown specifically to help women in sex.
You do not need to use specific lubricants or strains to improve the quality of the relationship, marijuana alone is already aphrodisiac. It increases all the sensory part of the body, becoming almost a natural viagra, leaving the relationship much more intense.
Marijuana Can Help Some Atheletes Too!
- Does Marijuana Smoking Help The Athlete?
The list of substances banned by Wada is, in general, those that can somehow improve the performance of athletes.
The fact that the agency raises the allowed limit of THC indicates that the substance offers no advantage to athletes who use it.
And they’re right. Among the thousands of studies on marijuana use – some indicating serious problems with their use, and some not so much – the fact is that there is not single research that points out benefits of drug use by athletes.
Marijuana has no negative effect on sportsmen unlike other drugs- cocaine, for example, is a stimulant; Other drugs used by athletes include diuretics, anabolics, etc.
2. Does The Herb Harm Athletes?
In the case of bodybuilding, there are symptoms that directly affect the practice of sports. Regular use of the drug decreases muscle strength and explosion, impairs communication between brain and muscles, and reduces motor coordination.
In addition, as the drug is generally smoked, its use seriously affects the health of the respiratory system, causing the user to have less resistance and lower lung capacity – in addition to being exposed to a greater risk of developing diseases such as lung cancer.
So, if you use marijuana, it is important to know that even if it does not affect your earnings directly, it will make your life difficult in the gym.
Marijuana is considered a “light” drug, and not by chance has been legalized in many countries, mainly because of its alleged therapeutic effects.
In this sense, it is normal for athletes to use the substance to combat anxiety, pain, and other problems. There are also studies and users that attest to the effectiveness of the herb in the fight against stress, as a soothing or relaxing.
Another point related to the consumption of the drug that much marijuana can find beneficial is the increase of the appetite of its users – what would facilitate the weight gain in the phase of the bulk.
Tips For Smoking Marijuana
Now that you know that there are a ton of benefits to smoking marijuana or using it, you have to learn how to use it the right way. So here are some tips if it is your first time using marijuana.
Do some research Before smoking, eating, vaporizing or any other way of consuming marijuana, find out what kind of experience it involves. If you are going to buy seeds to grow or remove the grass directly in your association, find out about the different varieties. Find information about dabbing if you want to consume concentrates. If you are going to ingest cannabis, it is better to know what it takes to rise and the difference in effect compared to smoking.
Do the test. Since everyone’s body is different, taking time to know what works and what does not work will make a difference in your experience with cannabis. For many people, smoking produces a more pleasing effect than eating or vice versa. It is a good idea to try a product at home, before leaving home willing to consume it with more people. It is good to make sure how one feels the grass before venturing to stick a big puff and then repent.
Question. If you find an interesting product in your club or association, it never hurts to ask to make sure what marijuana is before removing it. If it is cakes or other edibles, make sure you know what the dose is and follow the advice of the cook. It is important to know that once cannabis passes through the liver it becomes a more potent cannabinoid, so the dose will always be lower than when smoking.
Diversify Smoking joints, blunts or pipe are the most common ways to get, but the thing does not end there by any means. The use of vaporizers and dabbing are other ways to enjoy the benefits of marijuana.
Be meticulous. Unless you can grow yourself, become a member of a club that has quality cannabis, and well stored is the best option when consuming marijuana. If you find wet grass or it is provided by uninformed people, it is time to unsubscribe and start cultivating for yourself.
Do not force. It is important to be aware of what variety and what potency you have to smoke, it is not the same as a sativa variety grown in hydroponics, rather than an external medicinal variety. If you have not smoked for a long time, it is best that you do not smoke a joint at once. Take a break and consider how the effect is coming, if it is enough, do not go further.
Conclusion:
Smoking or using marijuana and cannabis is generally a beneficial thing for your health. It can improve anxiety, mood, physical feelings and so much more. Not to mention it is very enjoyable. Just remember like everything else, you have to use it responsibly and in moderation. And do not forget our tips on how to use it properly if you want to get the full benefits of marijuana. So if it is possible, do not be afraid of using marijuana it is quite good for you. From sex to illness, there are just so many good reasons to smoke marijuana.
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