Over the past few years, cannabis has become more socially acceptable for both medical and recreational purposes. This drug has a long history and reputation in society. Nowadays, the primary understanding is that the plant has many potential healing benefits associated with cannabis and hemp products.
It is easy to get lost in the discourse on this controversial topic. With this article, we feel that it is crucial to touch upon some of the more essential cannabis facts.
Whether you have used cannabis before or haven’t but would like to learn more, you have come to the right place. To help you on your journey, we have simplified and narrowed down some of the facts to give you the information you need.
The Cannabis Chemical Structure
For starters, an important thing to know about this plant is the cannabis chemical structure. The average person isn’t going to understand what this makeup means entirely. We will break it down into simple terms so that you can understand what you are consuming.
When discussing the chemical structure of this product, the predominant active component is THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. This compound is what makes the drug work. It is the primary source of many of the more popularly recognized effects of consuming cannabis. Essentially, it causes the “high.”
This THC compound is the primary active feature of the cannabis plant. Therefore, we think it’s important to explain what this compound does and some of its significant impacts.
THC affects the parts of the brain associated with both emotion and memory. Many people know that regular cannabis users tend to chase the “high.” This feeling is essentially the experience of THC interacting with the brain’s receptors. It causes both a physical and psychoactive response.
Some common feelings produced by THC include:
- Elation
- Euphoria
- Relaxation
- Increased appetite
- Hallucinations (for some users)
The magnitude of these effects depends on the levels of THC in the weed consumed. That said, most users feel these primary effects on at least some scale.
Now you have an idea of the cannabis chemical structure and what will happen when you consume weed. It’s always important to know this before going in with any drug. Being informed on the makeup of cannabis can help you decide how and when to consume the drug and what you can expect.
Benefits and Side Effects of Cannabis
As cannabis grows in mainstream popularity, scientists are devoting more time to understanding the benefits and side effects. With both recreational and medicinal purposes associated with the drug, many opinions can quickly cloud what is right.
The Benefits
This drug has a long history of medicinal uses. People have used it this way for centuries. Only now are doctors, psychotherapists, and researchers able to study its medical properties properly.
One of the most celebrated benefits associated with cannabis is that it can help to relieve chronic pain conditions. People with joint inflammation or arthritis may want to try out this drug, for example. It can help to soothe those physical pains.
Cannabis treatment also has shown benefits for the following conditions:
- Cancer
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Seizures
- Parkinson’s disease
Aside from medicinal benefits, people commonly use cannabis as a recreational drug for the psychoactive benefits. It is a common fact that cannabis use can produce feelings of elation and euphoria, which can cause people to use it frequently for those good feelings. Other people may enjoy the hallucinations produced by using some forms of cannabis.
While a frequent marijuana user (sometimes called a “cannabist”) might be stereotyped as someone with a relaxed persona, another user might notice an increase in attentiveness and focus. People affected this way might use the drug to concentrate on work or become more creative.
With all the good feelings produced by using the substance, perhaps the primary benefit is that cannabis can reduce pain and discomfort. This perk is why many people seek it recreationally, and others push for more widespread legalization and availability for medical use.
The Side Effects
While there are many proven benefits, it is also important to note some side effects of using the drug.
Like consuming alcohol, consuming cannabis can lead to dissociation and a relaxed mindset, which is why it’s illegal to drive while under the influence of cannabis.
It’s also well-documented that it can impact short-term memory in both short- and long-term usages of the drug.
Some of the more common and less severe symptoms include having headaches or feeling nauseous after smoking or consuming cannabis. These symptoms will go away after a few hours and won’t impact you long-term if you stop using it.
Cannabis Treatment Opportunities
With the health benefits discussed above and many more, it’s clear that there are many ways that cannabis can be a viable treatment of many diseases and conditions, including arthritis, joint inflammation, chronic pain, and even cancer. If medical marijuana is legal in your state or country, it’s well worth exploring with your doctor whether it could help you.
Cannabis treatment options for depression and anxiety are under investigation. With the calming effects that many people experience using it, some cannabists with mental illnesses smoke weed or use CBD products to alleviate their condition. However, research is still ongoing in this area.
Cancer patients are often users of medical cannabis. Some studies have shown that using this drug can help reduce chemotherapy’s side effects, like nausea and pain caused by damaged nerves.
With another effect being an increased appetite, some users who battle certain eating disorders can use cannabis to help them crave food.
The Takeaway
Overall, cannabis, in its many forms, is something worth looking into for lots of people worldwide. The cannabis chemical structure makes it a viable, natural resource for treating various conditions. With so many users and thousands of scientific studies, there is strong reason to believe that this drug can be useful for many purposes. Cannabists from all walks of life may benefit from the physical and mental effects associated with the plant.