Medical marijuana is now used for all kinds of physical and mental health problems. Many patients find that it helps them with issues such as chronic pain, insomnia, nausea, and a whole lot more. While most people know the common benefits of marijuana, there’s a whole host of medical benefits of marijuana you probably never knew.
The vast body of research into the positive effects cannabinoids can have on the body is astounding. Although more studies are still required, there’s a lot of promising evidence that marijuana can help in all kinds of ways. Here are ten of the medical benefits of marijuana you might not have heard about.
1. Smoking Marijuana May Increase Lung Capacity
When it comes to the side effects of smoking, one of the main concerns for frequent users is how it can affect lung capacity. Smoking tobacco is known to cause significant damage to the lungs over time. However, research suggests smoking marijuana might not be as bad for your lungs as you think.
A long-term study from the Journal of the American Medical Association found that long-term marijuana use didn’t have any adverse effects on pulmonary function. The study took regular measurements from smokers over 20 years. The evidence suggests that heavy marijuana use does not cause any severe damage to your lungs and moderate use may even increase lung capacity over time.
2. Marijuana Can Reduce The Risk of Diabetes
Marijuana is known to help ward off or prevent many common health problems. However, one of the medical benefits of marijuana you probably never knew is it can help reduce the risk of diabetes.
For instance, one study found that the chemical compounds in cannabis can help decrease blood sugar levels and increase insulin production, making it particularly helpful for those with Type 2 Diabetes.
Another study found that cannabis use was linked with lower BMI, lower blood pressure, and lower insulin resistance. Additionally, cannabis can help those at risk of diabetes by reducing inflammation, improving metabolic health, and regulating weight.
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3. Marijuana Might Help You To Lose Weight
One of the most common side effects associated with marijuana is the munchies. All marijuana users will experience this at some point, and many may worry about putting on weight as a result. However, on the contrary, research suggests that marijuana can help regulate body weight or even help you lose weight.
Research from as far back as 1978 found that cannabis use speeds up your metabolism. More recent studies show that marijuana is often linked with lower BMI and better weight regulation. For instance, a 2019 study found that cannabis users usually have lower BMI ratings than non-users.
A meta-analysis also found that cannabis is linked to reduced body mass index and obesity rates. The evidence suggests that marijuana can help with metabolic health and weight regulation. While it shouldn’t necessarily be used as a diet aid, it appears users can enjoy marijuana without worrying about weight gain.
4. Marijuana Helps Fight Against Cancer
While marijuana has been shown to help with all kinds of conditions, one of the most impressive benefits is that cannabinoids can help fight against cancer. Research shows that THC and CBD can help restrict the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Marijuana also helps with many of the symptoms of cancer. For instance, it can prevent wasting syndrome by increasing appetite and also help relieve pain, anxiety, and insomnia in sufferers. As such, marijuana is often used by cancer patients in conjunction with other treatments such as chemotherapy.
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5. Marijuana Helps Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Elderly users can benefit from marijuana in numerous ways. Marijuana helps treat or prevent many of the conditions that come with old age, including Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence suggests that marijuana can help slow down the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease due to its neuroprotective effects. It’s another one of the most impressive medical effects of marijuana that many users can benefit from.
6. Marijuana Rapidly Relieves Depression & Anxiety
While many users know that marijuana can act as a natural remedy for depression and anxiety symptoms, you probably never knew just how effective it can be. Research shows that it takes just a couple of puffs to rapidly reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.
With many users suffering from these common mental health conditions, it’s one of the most useful medical benefits of marijuana.
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7. Marijuana Helps Prevent Nightmares
It’s well known that marijuana can have sedative effects which help significantly with sleep disorders such as insomnia. However, another one of the benefits you probably never knew is it can help users ward off nightmares. Research shows that using a synthetic cannabinoid helped manage treatment-resistant nightmares in PTSD sufferers. Similarly, a study on using CBD for sleep found that even lower doses of CBD could help reduce dream recall.
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8. Marijuana Reduces Epileptic Seizures
There’s a lot of research which shows that marijuana helps reduce epileptic seizures. With epilepsy often being particularly hard to treat, medical marijuana has quickly become one of the most effective treatments for epileptic seizures.
CBD is especially useful, with numerous clinical trials showing that taking a daily dose helps significantly reduce monthly seizures for sufferers of various forms of epilepsy.
9. Marijuana Can Prevent Brain Problems
Another one of the amazing benefits of marijuana is it can help significantly with brain health. Research shows that cannabinoids have various neurological benefits, often helping treat brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, MS, neuropathic disorders, and other brain-related issues.
Interestingly, a 2014 study found that marijuana use can help users survive traumatic brain injuries. Similarly, another study found that low doses of THC can halt brain damage, showing the powerful neuroprotective effects of cannabinoids.
10. Marijuana Can Help Treat Tourette Syndrome
Tourette syndrome is a neurological disorder which causes involuntary movements and speech known as tics. While it’s known as being particularly hard to treat, it turns out marijuana can help users with Tourette syndrome.
A 2013 study found that THC treatment resulted in a significant reduction in tics for subjects with Tourette syndrome. It’s another one of the lesser-known benefits of medical marijuana which can have significant value for certain users.
The Takeaway
In addition to the obvious, there are many medical benefits of marijuana you probably never knew. It can help with skin health, brain health, heart health, even prevent the risk of various serious health problems. If you need to obtain a Florida medical marijuana card, MY FLORIDA GREEN can help.
