Why would someone want to get “high” to get well? Yes, marijuana has strains that can get you “high,” yet many do not give you a head high. They heal your body and get you out of pain. Plant medicine goes back thousands of years; cannabis grows on every continent. You can use every part of the plant, leaves and roots. THC is marijuana’s main mind-altering chemical compound that makes people “high.” CBD, CBN and CBG heal without giving that head high.
Currently, the two main cannabinoids from the marijuana plant that are of medical interest are THC and CBD. THC can increase appetite and reduce nausea. THC also decreases pain, inflammation and muscle control problems. CBD strains aren’t popular for recreational use because they aren’t intoxicating. They are, however, useful in reducing pain and inflammation, helping many diseases, controlling epileptic seizures, and even treating mental illness and addictions. The list of what cannabinoids can do for our body is long.
One of the main reasons that marijuana is slowly being legalized is that it helps to heal your body. So, let’s dig a little deeper.
The most important and widely reported benefits of cannabis are found in their treatment of cancer symptoms and the side effects of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. Numerous scientific studies in the United States and around the world have illustrated that marijuana can help patients deal with the stress and pain of this very serious disease.
Cannabis can help with depression. This belief actually goes back thousands of years, and cannabis is widely known as the “green Prozac” for its ability to help treat depression. Depression is the most common and least talked about mental illness in the United States. While there is no definitive proof that medical cannabis can treat depression over the long term, numerous studies have suggested that it does. When used in moderation, cannabis is known to increase levels of serotonin (the happy hormone) in your body, which in turn acts as an antidepressant and has proven to be incredibly effective.
How about alcohol? While cannabis has been demonized, consuming alcohol has long been considered a socially acceptable pastime. However, alcohol is much more harmful to your body than marijuana is. When used in moderation, medical marijuana is a much safer alternative to the long-lasting and permanent effects of alcohol.
While there are, unfortunately, still no proven ways to completely prevent cognitive illnesses, recent studies have shown that THC found in medical marijuana can help remove toxic plaque found in the brains of those suffering from Alzheimer’s. While medical marijuana won’t be able to cure Alzheimer’s, it might help slow the process and lead to richer and longer lives for those suffering from the illness. The future may offer additional hope: Studies are currently being conducted with the pinene terpene in cannabis to evaluate its ability to reverse Alzheimer’s.
These are just a few ways cannabis can help heal our bodies. Every day we discover more information about this amazing plant and its healing properties. If you have a chronic health condition and are interested in learning how medical marijuana might be able to help you manage your symptoms, talk to your doctor to determine if it’s right for you.
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