More than two-thirds of Americans now have access to marijuana since it’s been legalized, while a quarter of them are allowed to use it recreationally. Since many (including legendary stoner Willie Nelson) swear by the genuine benefits of marijuana, many others are starting to recognize the power of weed. The following are just some of those benefits.
But first, some quick information on marijuana.
After alcohol, marijuana is the most widely used mind-altering substance in the United States. Some states have made marijuana illegal, but others have made it permissible for medical and recreational purposes. Hemp is the source of the drug.
Marijuana’s compounds may be discovered in the leaves and blooming branches. The most well-known of these compounds is THC. There are additional synthetic compounds that operate similarly to THC. They are, however, far more powerful. It’s marijuana that has been synthesized. They’re offered under brand names, including K2, Kronic, and Spice.
Marijuana may be consumed in a variety of ways. It’s often smoked as a shredded green and brown mix of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves and can be smoked as a cigarette (joint), in a pipe, or in our personal favorite, the bong.
For those who are wondering, the term “blunt” refers to a marijuana-filled cigar casing. It may also be used to flavor dishes or brewed as tea. The tops of female plants are used to make hashish, a more concentrated version with the maximum amount of THC. It’s frequently crushed into small, firm bits that resemble a chocolate bar and are frequently smoked by inserting them into a conventional cigarette. So, now that you’re educated on marijuana, let’s take a look at the benefits of recreational marijuana use.
Alzheimer’s disease is a fatal, irreversible illness that causes brain cells to deteriorate and die. The person’s cognitive capacity, memory, and reasoning abilities are gradually eroded due to this. THC, a component of marijuana, can decrease the creation of amyloid plaques by inhibiting the enzyme that causes them. These plaques can damage brain cells and cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative condition that causes tremors and rigidity in the body. Parkinson’s patients have trouble walking, balancing, and coordinating their movements.
THC in marijuana has been discovered to suppress the seizures and spasms caused by Parkinson’s disease by attaching to excitable brain cells and regulating relaxation, therefore reducing the tremors. In Parkinson’s sufferers, cannabis also aids sleep.
When individuals are anxious, they create more cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Inflammation becomes a stress reaction while the human body recovers. Stress and inflammation can be beneficial in the short term. On the other hand, long-term stress and inflammation cause tissue breakdown and immune system impairment. The activation of the body’s stress system is linked to 75 percent to 90 percent of human disorders.
Several studies have shown that marijuana can help people cope with stress. The anti-stress and anti-anxiety qualities of marijuana, on the other hand, may be most effective when microdose. Because of the biphasic effects of cannabinoids, substances like THC can reduce anxiety in low dosages.
Medical marijuana benefited 26 people with fibromyalgia, a disorder in which the body has “sensitive” areas, according to German experts. Half of the patients stopped taking any additional fibromyalgia medications. However, 30% experienced minor adverse effects.
According to a research published by the European Academy of Neurology, cannabis administered at various dosages reduced migraine discomfort by 40% or more. It also benefited those with cluster headaches, but only if they had a history of migraines as a youngster.
According to certain studies, marijuana may be able to replace painkillers. According to two recent research, states that have medicinal marijuana legislation or have legalized recreational marijuana may see a decrease in opioid prescriptions.
Another study interviewed over 3,000 medical marijuana patients, with approximately a third admitting to using opioid pain relievers in the previous six months. Most people stated marijuana gave them the same relief as their conventional prescriptions, but without the negative side effects. While 97 percent stated that using marijuana together with opioids reduced the number of opioids they needed, 81 percent said that taking marijuana alone was more effective than taking both.
And, let’s not forget the economic benefits of recreational marijuana use. There are many who claim that cannabis has significantly enhanced their quality of life. Most people who are normally healthy can use it without issue on a regular basis. The new laws have generated a flourishing economy of legal cannabis businesses, including those who seek to study and produce cannabis-based medicinal treatments and those who distribute and grow marijuana.
As of May 2022, 37 states allow medical cannabis products to be used, while 18 states allow non-medical cannabis products for personal use. As the first states have started to shift their legal views, the economic benefits of legalizing marijuana have already been obvious.
Marijuana might be a huge boon to state economies and a huge cash cow for both the state and federal governments. And the economic benefits aren’t only being felt by individuals; local governments are also cashing in on the use of recreational marijuana. For instance, states that legalized marijuana for personal consumption generated $3.7 billion in 2021 alone.
This one may not have made it to the news yet, but there are reports that the legalization of recreational marijuana may have something to do with lowered traffic accidents in the states where marijuana use has been legalized.
In states that have legalized medicinal marijuana, traffic fatalities have decreased by 11% on average. In Washington and Colorado, arrests for driving under the influence have fallen. According to studies, marijuana-impaired drivers are more careful and take fewer risks than intoxicated drivers, such as making fewer lane changes and slowing down. According to a fact sheet regarding marijuana’s impact on drivers posted on the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration website, some drivers may improve as a result of using marijuana.
After considering all of the advantages described above, it is important to use marijuana in a controlled manner. It’s crucial for users to keep in mind that even too much of a good thing can be bad for you – including recreational marijuana.
