Weed Has Its Merits, But the Grass Isn’t Always Greener

<p>Marijuana, or cannabis, has been a hot point of debate for many decades. Slowly but surely, more US states and countries are relaxing laws on possession and use, and there’s a growing interest in understanding its potential health benefits and risks. </p> <h2>What is marijuana?</h2> <p>It’s a plant that contains over 100 different compounds called cannabinoids, the most well known of which are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and cannabidiol (CBD). THC is the one responsible for the “high” that people experience when consuming marijuana, while CBD is not psychoactive. Both have been connected to a number of potential health benefits.</p> <figure><img alt="" height="333" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/2dZLv7tjAG/original.jpg" width="500" /> <figcaption>Marijuana Plant <em>Source: WildOne</em></figcaption> </figure> <h2>Possible health benefits of marijuana</h2> <h3>Pain management</h3> <p>In the initial push to get marijuana legalized, it was primarily for medical reasons, not recreational. Some research has shown that THC and CBD can effectively treat pain associated with conditions like arthritis, migraines, and neuropathy (pain from nerve damage). Pain is the most frequently cited reason in requests for access to medical marijuana by patients.</p> <p>However, while there is evidence in favor of it, this doesn’t mean that cannabis will work for everyone or every type of pain. It also does not mean it will treat the overarching issue causing your pain.</p> <h3>Epilepsy</h3> <p>CBD has been found to be effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of seizures in people with certain kinds of epilepsy. </p> <p>A 2018 review reported that more recent studies with higher sample sizes showed that using CBD resulted in a “significant reduction in seizure frequency”. </p> <h3>Anxiety and depression</h3> <p>This one is more complex as the relationship between marijuana and mental health isn’t clear-cut. There is some evidence to suggest that weed has anti-anxiety and antidepressant qualities, but excessive use can make matters worse.</p> <h3>Nausea in cancer patients</h3> <p>According to the CDC, studies of marijuana cannabinoids have found that certain ones can be useful in treating nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy.</p> <h3>Neuroprotection</h3> <p>Cannabinoids may exhibit neuroprotective effects, according to some research. For example, CBD has been highlighted because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help us treat several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease.</p> <p>Research on the matter is far from conclusive, but investigations continue.</p> <h3>Multiple sclerosis</h3> <p>CBD, in particular, has gained favor in numerous trials for its ability to reduce stiffness, inflammation, fatigue, discomfort, and depression in MS patients.</p> <h3>Other possible uses</h3> <p>We don’t have enough evidence to say for sure, but other potential uses of cannabis include:</p> <ul> <li>Improving sleep (in the short term) for people struggling with sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, or MS</li> <li>Boosting appetite and decreasing weight loss in people with HIV or AIDS</li> <li>Tempering tics in people with Tourette's syndrome</li> <li>Calming symptoms of PTSD</li> </ul> <h2>Risks and side effects of marijuana</h2> <p>Cannabis isn’t heroin or the devil, but it’s not harmless either. The age at which you start using it and the intensity of your consumption are important factors in measuring negative effects.</p> <figure><img alt="" height="281" src="https://cdn.storymd.com/optimized/4Awk95HrAz/original.jpg" width="500" /> <figcaption>Potential Side Effects of CBD <em>Source: TheVisualMD</em></figcaption> </figure> <h3>Cognitive impairment </h3> <p>The odd joint won’t kill you, but heavy, long-term cannabis use has been found to impact midlife cognition in some research. A study out of New Zealand found that long-term users’ IQs dropped by 5.5 points on average compared to childhood. There were deficits in learning and processing speed when compared to those who did not partake. </p> <p>A key takeaway was that the more frequently an individual used cannabis, the greater the resulting impairment, suggesting there may be a causative link. An interesting caveat was that people who consumed cannabis less than once a week didn’t have the same cognitive deficits, suggesting there’s a range of recreational use that doesn’t lead to long-term cognitive issues.</p> <p>More research is needed to say for sure if there is a link between cannabis use and long-term cognitive deficits.</p> <h3>Adolescent development</h3> <p>Adolescence is a key period in brain development, and THC may interfere with the development of the prefrontal cortex. This can lead to problems with cognitive functions, attention, and memory.</p> <p>There are also risks to mental health, academic performance, and social and behavioral issues.</p> <h3>Dependence</h3> <p>Marijuana isn’t “addictive” in the way that opioids are, but some people do develop a dependence.</p> <h3>Respiratory issues</h3> <p>Smoking anything is bad, and marijuana is no exception. It’s certainly not as harmful as cigarettes for your lungs, but it can still cause similar respiratory issues like chronic bronchitis and lung infections.</p> <h3>Mental health</h3> <p>Heavy use of the devil’s lettuce has been linked to an increased risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia for people predisposed to this condition.</p> <h3>Impaired driving</h3> <p>Marijuana can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction times. That doesn’t sit well with operating a vehicle, where you need all your wits about you. Consuming cannabis increases the risk of accidents and injuries when driving.</p> <h2>More on Marijuana</h2><ul><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/xjnppnptrm-marijuana" target="_blank">Marijuana (Cannabis, Pot, Bud, Ganja, Weed, Grass)</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/jyeaboatyw-medical-marijuana" target="_blank">Potential Health Benefits of Medical Marijuana</a></li><li><a href="https://soulivity.storymd.com/journal/jka2xnecbm-marijuana-and-your-health" target="_blank">Marijuana and Your Health</a></li></ul>