According to a recent report, approximately 132 million Americans have used marijuana at least once in their lives. Since the 2018 farm bill, there’s been a rise in CBD and marijuana consumption.
Even though the 2018 farm bill has only legalized the sale of hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% CBD, many states have simultaneously become lenient on restrictions around marijuana consumption for both medical and recreational purposes.
The legalization movement has been gaining traction for ages, and everyone from common folks to celebrities has always raised their voice to decriminalize marijuana use for recreational purposes. Joe Biden even promised to pardon people federally convicted of simple marijuana possession.
In many states, including Oregon, Colorado, and Michigan, people are now required to use pot for recreational purposes. Many people now believe that marijuana is their solution for health conditions. CBD gummies can help with pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, stress, and more. Today, we will take a look at how marijuana impacts these conditions and why people are ditching their expensive medications for puffing some joints.
How Marijuana Works In Our Body?
Marijuana contains a large number of plant compounds known as cannabinoids. There are over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis sativa plants. Out of all the cannabinoids, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are present in the highest concentrations.
In marijuana plants, THC is found in higher concentrations as compared to CBD, and the opposite is true for hemp plants. Unlike CBD, THC has intoxicating and psychoactive properties; that’s why people feel high or stoned after smoking a marijuana joint.
Both these cannabinoids, THC and CBD, interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system is a complex network of cannabinoid receptors (CB1, CB2), non-cannabinoid receptors, and signaling molecules spread throughout our body.
The endocannabinoid system maintains balance in our body by regulating various physiological and psychological processes, such as mood, appetite, sleep, pain perception, appetite, memory, metabolism, and immune function.
When we consume cannabis through flowers or gummies, both CBD and THC enter our body and mimic the function of natural endocannabinoids( AEA, 2-AG) made by our body by binding to endocannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2). To be precise, THC binds to them, and CBD influences them in certain ways.
The major effects of marijuana are felt in the brain, where the cannabinoids interact with the receptors in the reward and pleasure centers, as well as the areas responsible for memory, cognition, and emotion. That’s why, within a few minutes of marijuana consumption, we feel a sense of euphoria, relaxation, and an altered perception of time.
Marijuana also affects our appetites, and in most cases, it kind of increases them. That’s why the sudden cravings or munchies take over, and even the cold pizza tastes like heaven. Marijuana may also reduce nausea, which is why, in some cases, it’s given to control the symptoms after chemotherapy in cancer patients.
Impact Of Marijuana On Sleep, Pain, And Anxiety
Let’s take how effectively marijuana helps with sleep, pain, and anxiety issues
Marijuana for Sleep
Lack of proper sleep can lead to impaired brain functioning and the development of severe heart diseases in the long term. Studies have shown that cannabis may have a positive impact on sleep duration and quality.
Certain trials on insomnia patients observed that regular CBD consumption for a few weeks leads to improvement in insomnia levels. However, some studies show that insomnia is common in weekly and daily cannabis users.
Though more research is required, it’s better to stick with CBD sleep gummies to improve sleep quality. Anecdotal reports show that CBD has helped many people improve their sleep hygiene.
Marijuana for Anxiety
As per surveys, coping with anxiety is the leading cause of marijuana use in Americans.
A 2015 study published in Neurotherapeutics examined the effects of CBD on various anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The study found that CBD is effective in reducing anxiety symptoms in these conditions. Another scientific review explored the anxiolytic effects of CBD. Researcher observes that CBD has the potential to be a safe and effective treatment for various anxiety disorders, with significantly low side effects compared to traditional anxiety medications
Marijuana for Pain
A 2017 review in the European Journal of Internal Medicine reported that marijuana-based medicines were effective in reducing neuropathic pain, which is often difficult to treat with conventional painkillers.
The review also noted that marijuana-based treatments may have the potential to reduce opioid dependence and opioid-related side effects in patients with chronic pain. Further, some studies have shown that CBD may improve recovery speed in athletes by reducing muscle soreness, inflammation, and pain after intense workouts.
Other than these, marijuana may also help you deal with stress, depression, epilepsy, glaucoma, appetite, and more.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Marijuana?
Generally, marijuana doesn’t have any severe side effects. However, since many people smoke marijuana, it may lead to throat irritation, lung damage, and tartar buildup in the long term.
That’s why it’s better to stick with CBD gummies, oils, or capsules because taking them doesn’t require any combustion.
Breastfeeding and pregnant women must avoid marijuana as it negatively impacts the fetus’s development, which can result in complications during birth. Long-term marijuana smoking may also have a negative impact on cognitive functions; hence, one should try to avoid smoking on a daily basis.
Marijuana also has a dehydrating effect, which results in cottonmouth. To enjoy the therapeutic and healing effects of cannabis, it’s always recommended to go with non-smoking products.
The End Note
To sum it up, marijuana can have both a negative and positive impact on your body, depending on how you use it. When used responsibly, it mostly leads to a reduction in pain and anxiety and an improvement in sleep quality. If you want to have a focused and productive day, then CBD products are a much better option, as they don’t make you high or stoned.
You can take CBD gummies a few hours before bed to relax and slide into a restful sleep, and a few drops of CBD oil in the morning can keep you active, stress-free, and energized throughout the day. Of course, marijuana is more fun as it makes you all giggly and happy, but try to limit it to special occasions. For your daily wellness needs, CBD gummies from reputable brands like Colorado Botanicals are more than enough.