Here the word ‘weed,’ people usually think about its recreational uses, which are popular worldwide. Though weed is commonly used as a recreational drug, let’s not forget it has several health benefits.
In the last few years, there has been a lot of research on the effects of cannabis on your mind and body. I’m happy to inform you that the medicinal benefits of the substance have been proved beyond any doubt. It has resulted in the legalization of marijuana in most states of the US and Canada.
Precisely, the mindset of people regarding cannabis can be categorized into two categories. First, people believe that cannabis is the ultimate cure for almost all physical and mental ailments and that it has no side effects. On the other hand, several people believe that cannabis is one of the most harmful drugs that will ruin your life.
Well, both are extremes and both are incorrect. The truth lies somewhere in between and today, I am going to tell you about the effects of cannabis on your mental health.
Neither is it going to be a puff post celebrating the existence of cannabis nor it’s going to be against it. Here are both the positive and negative ways in which cannabis can impact your mental health:
Cannabis can Counter Stress
These days, stress is almost unavoidable. Almost every person, regardless of their age and profession, has to go through everyday life stress. Chronic stress can be very detrimental to both our mental and physical health.
It can cause several psychological problems like anxiety and depression. And long-term stress can even increase the risk of mental deterioration, leading to disorders like dementia.
But the good news is, cannabis is quite effective in countering stress. The cannabinoids in the cannabis plant can interact with our endocannabinoid system, playing a significant role in hormonal regulation. Using cannabis can cause hormones like dopamine to be released in the body, which can relieve stress while making you happy.
Cannabis can Make You Lazy and Lethargic
Where weed has its pros, like anything else, it has its cons. One of the negative impacts of cannabis is that it can make you lazy and lethargic. To be more accurate, certain strains that are mostly used for recreational purposes have this effect.
THC is the active component in cannabis that relaxes your body and gets you stuck on the couch. Therefore, if you are using weed for its medical benefits, you should stick to CBD-dominant sativa strains.
Moreover, you can opt for some cannabis extracts or edibles that are made with a higher content of CBD. They won’t get you high and will certainly not make you a couch potato. For that, you can check out my favorite online dispensary Zoomies Canada. They deal in high-quality products, so they’re my first and last choice.
Cannabis is Helpful in the Treatment of Depression
Depression is an insanely misunderstood disorder. Frankly, I believe that it is very difficult for a person who hasn’t been through depression themself to understand what depression truly feels like.
Nevertheless, depression is 100% treatable. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or other forms of conversational psychotherapy are present to effectively help with countering depression.
However, taking therapy sessions and paying for them every week can be exceptionally challenging, especially when one is depressed. Thus, most people prefer pharmaceutical drugs for stress relief.
However, like any pharmaceutical drug, antidepressants have side effects. Not to forget, you can develop a dependency on these pills, which can also hinder the treatment. Cannabis is an excellent alternative to antidepressants as it releases pleasure hormones in the body. It can make depression patients feel better. Thereby, it’s one of the effective ways to treat depression.
Cannabis can Increase Your Creativity
You may have noticed that many creative actors, artists, and musicians admit to smoking weed. Well, some studies suggest that there may be a link between cannabis and increased creativity. However, the kind of strain that you are smoking is also important.
For instance, certain sativa strains will make you more energetic and creative; however, THC-dominant indica strains can have the opposite effect. Thus, if you are stuck in a project and need a little boost of creativity, consider using some cannabis.
It can help with Insomnia
Proper sleep is essential for a healthy mind, and disorders like insomnia and sleep deprivation can have negative implications for your mental health. For most people with sleep deprivation, the only viable solution is using sleeping pills.
But these pills can have loads of side effects, and your body can also develop a tolerance to them over time. Cannabis can be a great alternative to these sleeping pills. Weed relaxes your muscles and eliminates stress.
Moreover, certain THC dominant strains will make you sleepier; therefore, you should try out cannabis if you are having trouble sleeping.
Cannabis Reduces the Risk of Dementia reduces
As we grow older, we get to face mental deterioration in one way or another. Although minor forgetfulness is different from disorders like dementia; the disorders are also quite common.
Mental deterioration disorders like dementia can be challenging to deal with, both for the people affected by it and their caretakers. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are both irreversible, but they can be avoided.
Some studies have shown that people who stay more stressed are at a higher risk of mental deterioration; therefore, cannabis can help prevent mental deterioration disorders counter the effects of stress and associated symptoms. Furthermore, some studies have shown that cannabis can also be helpful in calming people with dementia.
The Takeaway
Pretty helpful. Isn’t it? Cannabis is not harmful if you consume it in a moderate dose and of course, for the right reasons. Just make sure to consult your local GP before you jump into the quagmire of cannabis. Rest assured, it won’t lead you to a life-threatening condition. I wish you well, my pals!
