Unlock the Healing Power of Cannabis: 10 Proven Health Benefits of Marijuana

Cannabis use is more prevalent within the U.S. than ever as more states move to legalize it. With 18% of Americans using cannabis at least once in 2019, it’s clear that the perceptions of cannabis have shifted.

Part of the reason is the incredible health benefits being uncovered by the medical community. It’s why two-thirds of states have legalized medical marijuana in some form.

In this guide, we’ll discuss ten proven health benefits of marijuana.

1. Chronic Pain

Figuring out how to get a medical marijuana card in Texas, California, and other states most often arises due to a desire to lessen the effects of chronic pain.

As the leading cause of disability, with 25 million adults suffering from it, cannabinoids have been found to relieve chronic pain by interacting with the cannabinoid receptors in the brain.

Another reason weed has helped those with chronic pain is its anti-inflammatory effects. Anyone who has suffered from a condition like arthritis knows that bodily inflammation is one of the leading causes of chronic pain. As a known anti-inflammatory, cannabis can enable you to manage your symptoms better.

2. Addiction

One scientific review in Clinical Psychology Review revealed that cannabis could have beneficial effects on those who’re fighting alcohol and opioid dependencies.

While the evidence has illustrated helpful benefits for those battling addiction, the medical community is unsure why. More research is needed to understand the specific chemical interactions that support addiction treatment.

3. Anxiety and Depression

It’s no secret that anxiety and depression are the two leading mental illnesses in the country. However, cannabis studies have demonstrated that it can help relieve the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Note that the evidence only shows that it can relieve symptoms. It cannot cure the root causes of anxiety and depression, meaning it’s not a replacement for therapy.

4. Chemotherapy Support

Chemotherapy patients often struggle with symptoms like nausea and a lack of appetite while fighting cancer. These symptoms can make it harder to cope with chemotherapy because of a lack of sleep and nutrition.

But studies have shown that cannabis is highly effective at relieving these symptoms, which is why practically every legal weed state classifies cancer as a qualifying condition to receive an MMJ card.

5. Multiple Sclerosis

Spasticity is the primary problem multiple sclerosis patients face when dealing with their conditions.

The good news is that oral cannabinoids may improve spasticity symptoms among patients in this group. And although the positive effects are relatively modest, cannabis helps improve the quality of life for these patients.

6. Improve Sleep Quality

Sleep apnea can make it impossible for people to get the rest and recovery they require. As an alternative to sleeping pills and other pharmaceuticals, cannabis can act as a healthier natural substitute.

Regular doses of cannabis, taken orally before bedtime, have been shown to prevent breathing interruption during sleep and enable people to sleep peacefully.

7. Epilepsy

Epilepsy is another condition that marijuana can help with. To date, it remains the only condition the FDA has approved cannabis for use as part of a medicine known as Epidiolex.

Studies have shown that cannabidiol oil, a derivative of marijuana, could reduce seizures by 39% in children.

8. Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke, regardless of age.

Yet a study conducted by JCI Insight found that the CBD within cannabis can lower blood pressure. Not only did it reduce resting blood pressure, but it also led to lower average blood pressures during and after various stress tests.

9. Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders

Cannabis has been proven to effectively treat various GI disorders, including Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Crucially, it not only treats GI disorders but also prevents them.

Additionally, a recent study has found that the beneficial impacts of cannabis on GI disorders arise from the anti-inflammatory properties of CBD.

10. Hepatitis C Support

Hepatitis C is one of the most challenging therapies to complete because of the adverse side effects, including nausea, fatigue, muscle aches, depression, and loss of appetite—these side effects last months, leading many patients to drop out of treatment entirely.

However, a European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology study found that 86% of patients who smoked marijuana completed their therapies successfully. In contrast, only 29% of non-smokers managed to stay the course.

With cannabis being so adept at managing the side effects of hepatitis C treatment, it’s now become a mainstay of hepatitis C therapy.

Conclusion

The health benefits of marijuana are only being discovered now as scientific research accelerates. Despite these incredible powers that come with consuming cannabis, these merely scratch the surface, and more research is needed to investigate the extent of marijuana’s impact on other conditions.

Have you tried using cannabis to support a physical or mental health condition?