It is intuitive to note the dynamic changes that the world of cannabis has seen. The regulations for using marijuana or cannabis-based products have been evolving and nowadays about 31 states approve its usage for medical and health conditions, while 9 states even approve its use for recreational settings. According to an estimate, about 2.8 million (or more) individuals in the United States are using cannabis or marijuana as a medicine. If you look at the statistics for marijuana’s recreational usage, it is a striking 22.2 million in the US alone. It would not be bad to say that Marijuana and Cannabis are not going anywhere any sooner and it is highly likely that it is here to stay for the better. Interestingly, this formerly infamous drug is now resurfacing with several health benefits that were unknown before.
Cannabis for General Health
The general effects of marijuana or cannabis products are quite popularly recognized and range from a relaxing feeling to sedative sensations. It also has a profound mood-elevating effect and can create a state of euphoria. However, the effects and their intensity may vary from each user and also depends a lot on dosage and for some users, it also induces appetite.
Cannabis and Mental Health
With so many positive effects and health benefits, it is not uncommon to wonder whether it may also impact our psychological well-being. It is an interesting fact that the human population has been using cannabis for more than 10 millennia for medicinal and recreational purposes. However, the only new development has been research-supported evidence about its beneficial aspects and how it impacts our psychological and physiological well-being.
Research is revealing interesting patterns and has shown that there are certain natural components in the Cannabis plant that are quite beneficial for the treatment of psychological ailments. Some clinical trials are underway to gather more evidence for using cannabis for ADHD, schizophrenia, PTSD, generalized anxiety, and insomnia. For those curious to learn all about the health benefits that cannabis-related products have to offer, below are some of its most important psychological benefits.
Depression and Anxiety-Related Disorders
Nowadays, it would not be wrong to say that we are struggling with ever-raging cases of anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. These days we all are suffering from work overload, psychological burnout, relationship problems, and various other everyday stressors. With so many things to deal with, it is not surprising to see stress-related psychological disorders on a rise and they may lead to headaches, sexual dysfunction, insomnia, or other illnesses. Cannabis comes as a savior in this depressing situation because it promotes the release of endorphins that help you feel much better. It not only gives you mental clarity and elevates your mood but your cognitive skills also sharpen up. This herb is quite popular as a general mood elevator and can help even in the chronic presentation of affect and anxiety disorders.
A Great Treatment for Schizophrenia Symptoms
If you are familiar with psychopathology, you would know that schizophrenia is an ailment that is considered to be one of the most complicated and difficult to deal with. It is generally characterized by chronic impairment of the cognitive faculties so much so that the person suffering from schizophrenia often detaches from reality. Some of the chronic symptoms of schizophrenia include psychotic presentations, like hallucinations, delusions, or speech problems.
Cannabis has been observed to be effective for managing symptoms of schizophrenia. There are various cannabis-related products that can be used. Seeing the numerous health benefits that the herb can give, the development of Delta-8 THC as another option for medication has shown that it is quite a powerful cannabinoid and is primarily an isomer of CBD. Although more research is underway, cannabis revealed significant antipsychotic effects on people suffering from schizophrenia. This drug also assists the nervous system to ensure appropriate transmission of information from the brain to other parts of the body.
Proving to be a Bliss for PTSD
PTSD, also known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychological disorder that occurs because the person may have experienced an absolutely traumatic incident that left a major mark on their psychological well-being. The patient with PTSD continues to relive the trauma and it is absolutely devastating for them. As a general line of treatment for PTSD, serotonin agonists (boosters) are administered. This is when cannabis comes as a magical treatment for PTSD because it is naturally loaded with chemicals that are boosters for endorphins (including serotonin).
Having Trouble Sleeping?
If you have been suffering from insomnia or know someone who struggles to have proper sleep, you would understand how hard it is. Sleep happens to be one of the more required things for the proper and normal functioning of our bodies. It not only has a profound effect on our mood, but it also affects our cognition, immune system, and overall physiological well-being.
Cannabis is a magic treatment for those who have been suffering from a lack of poor quality of sleep because it creates a state of calmness and helps relax your nerves. Sleep problems are not uncommon as a comorbid issue with various psychological disorders, including depression, PTSD, anxiety, and others.
Helps Boost Your Cognition
It may be surprising to some but if you think about this in context, it is quite logical that cannabis would help with improving cognitive function. Cannabis-related products have a general mood-elevating effect and also create a state of calmness and relaxation for the user, therefore, it ultimately leads to a state that is highly productive. It has been observed that cannabis users are able to comprehend better, focus more, and are able to learn better, and retain information for a long time.
Cannabis offers a great solution for several psychological ailments as it is enriched with natural chemicals that have a positive effect on our mood. Still, there is a dearth of research at the moment and more and more studies and clinical trials are underway to shed more in-depth understanding about its beneficial aspects. However, like any drug, cannabis has positive and negative effects and it needs to be used in monitored amounts in order to avoid any undesirable effects.