Benefits & Risks of Cannabis: What Marijuana Really Does for Your Body
Marijuana is a drug that has been used by humans for centuries. Marijuana can be smoked, eaten, or vaporized and each of these methods produces different effects on the body. Marijuana is also a plant with several active chemicals called cannabinoids which are what produce most of marijuana's effects in the human brain. Marijuana has both potential health benefits as well as risks to your health when taken long-term. In this article we will explore some of these benefits and risks so you can make an informed decision about whether marijuana is right for you!
Is marijuana good or bad?
Physicians have been prescribing cannabis to cure ailments for 3,000 years. But according to the Food and Drug Administration, marijuana is not safe or effective in treating any medical condition. In 2018, the FDA approved cannabidiol as a treatment for epilepsy, although it hasn’t been their response for other medicinal needs.
Marijuana also carries a "high risk of addiction," according to the FDA. Marijuana is not safe or legal to use recreationally in every state, and it's still illegal under federal law.
Many people believe cannabis has no side effects at all--that it’s completely harmless. But long-term use can have an impact on your cognitive abilities. Marijuana may also cause anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.
The tension between public opinion that marijuana dispensary in Boulder is a treatment for many different ailments and a lack of scientific knowledge about the herb, has been somewhat exacerbated in recent times by legalization.
In this article, we look at the medical benefits of cannabis versus its associated health risks in an attempt to answer a basic question: is marijuana good or bad?
What are the medical benefits of marijuana?
Medical experts have been studying the potential health benefits of marijuana for a number of years. Some potential benefits include:
Chronic pain
Recent research from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine found that over 10,000 studies have been done on the benefits and risks associated with cannabis.
The study of chronic pain is one area in which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considered how medical marijuana might be used to treat patients
The review found that marijuana or products containing cannabinoids, which are the active ingredients in Marijuana, were effective at relieving chronic pain.
Alcoholism and drug addiction
Another study published last year revealed that using cannabis may help people with alcohol or opioid dependencies stay away from their addiction.
However, this finding may be contentious as the National Academies of Sciences review suggests that marijuana use actually drives increased risk for abusing and becoming dependent on other substances.
The more that you use marijuana, the less likely you are to develop a problem with its use. Individuals who start using cannabis at a young age are also known to be at increased risk of developing a problem with marijuana’s misuse.
Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety
A review published in Clinical Psychology reported the health benefits and risks of marijuana in treating symptoms or mental illness.
The American Psychiatric Association has cited some evidence which supports the use of marijuana to relieve symptoms associated with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Despite the overwhelming evidence of the drug’s effectiveness for certain mental health conditions, some doctors caution against using it as a treatment for other related psychological disorders.
Cancer
Cannabis products provide a variety of health benefits and risks. Evidence suggests that oral cannabinoids are effective against nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, but not many studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy of smoked marijuana in this context.
Early on, some research suggested that cannabinoids could either slow down or even kill cancer cells. While these studies proved safe for humans during treatment, the early human trial showed no evidence of controlled or curing cancer.
Multiple sclerosis
Oral cannabinoids may improve symptoms of spasticity among people with multiple sclerosis, but the positive effects are mild.
Epilepsy
In June 2018, the FDA approved the use of a CBD-based drug to treat two rare and specific types of epilepsy. Known as Epidiolex, this medication is able to help control seizures better than previous treatments.
CBD is one of many substances that occur in marijuana. Unlike THC, it has no psychoactive effects. That's why cannabidiol-based drugs are used to treat conditions such as ADHD or epilepsy (provided they don't cause any adverse side effects). The FDA gave their approval based on findings from clinical trials and research.
In 2017, a study found that CBD reduced seizures among children with Dravet syndrome by 46% (versus 36% in the placebo group).
What are the health risks of marijuana?
Numerous studies have found a connection between marijuana use and negative health effects. The table below lists some consequences of marijuana abuse:
Mental health problems
For people with bipolar disorder, frequent marijuana use is believed to worsen the condition. However, there is limited evidence for a link between marijuana and developing bipolar disorders among those without any prior history of mental health problems.
Testicular cancer
Although the National Academies Science found no evidence linking marijuana use and an increased risk for most cancers, they did find some evidence suggesting a possible link to seminoma subtype of testicular cancer.
Respiratory disease
Some studies have indicated that regular long-term marijuana use is linked to an increased risk of chronic cough (though the extent and mechanisms are unclear). Marijuana is also linked to impairments in lung function and persistent bronchitis, as well as an increased risk of asthma. Marijuana has been found to worsen the symptoms for those with preexisting conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema.
Medical and Recreational Marijuana Dispensary in Boulder CO
Many people are interested in whether marijuana can be used as a treatment for pain. Marijuana is not addictive, and it does not produce the intense high that other substances such as heroin or cocaine do.
In general, medical professionals recommend the use of safer alternatives to treat chronic pain because there have been reports of adverse side effects from long-term marijuana use.
Helping Hands Cannabis is a recreational marijuana dispensaries in Boulder Colorado. We are committed to providing patients with the quality cannabis products on the market as we educate them about our variety of strains and their benefits.
- Marijuana Health Benefits
- Marijuana Risks
- Marijuana Cancer Connection
- Marijuana Multiple Sclerosis, Epilepsy, & Testicular Cancer Connection
- Mental Health Marijuana Risks
- Medical Marijuana Pros and Cons
- CBD Oil for ADHD, Epilepsy, Chronic Pain Conditions, and More
If you live in a Boulder CO where the use of medical and recreational dispensary is legal, you and your doctor will need to consider these factors carefully before deciding whether or not this drug is right for you. Marijuana dispensary is legal in Boulder CO, so there are many people interested in whether marijuana can be used as a treatment for pain.
Marijuana isn't addictive and it doesn't produce the intense high that other substances such as heroin or cocaine do. However, medical professionals recommend the use of safer alternatives to treat chronic pain because there have been reports of adverse side effects from long-term marijuana use.
Marijuana dispensary in Boulder CO can increase appetite and relieve nausea, making it a better choice than some prescription drugs in certain cases. It's important to note that while many people consider this drug safe, its potential for addiction is higher than that of opioids.
There is also information available on site regarding legal guidelines of recreational marijuana dispensary in Boulder, CO and medical marijuana. You can visit https://helpinghandscannabis.com/ or call (303) 444-1564 for more information.
Helping Hands Cannabis - Boulder Recreational Dispensary and Medical Marijuana
1021 Pearl St, Boulder, CO 80302, United States
(303) 444-1564
https://helpinghandscannabis.com/