Natural Healing Benefits and Applications of Medical Cannabis in the U.S. 

As new research and studies pop up, it becomes evident that medical cannabis is packed with beneficial properties that could help treat a variety of health conditions – physiological and psychological. 

Before it was banned, cannabis had been used for generations as a potent natural remedy. And since its 2018 legalization, the medicinal use of hemp and hemp-derived products has become widely popular once again. You can easily get cannabis seeds in any online dispensary Canada and start taking advantage of all its health benefits.

But what are those benefits, and what is it that makes cannabis such a potent therapeutic agent? Let’s take a look to find out.

The ECS and Cannabinoids 

While cannabis itself has excellent medicinal potential, it wouldn’t be nearly as effective without our naturally occurring endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short.

Humans and other mammals have the ECS that plays an active part in controlling and modifying many bodily functions and processes. It affects our sleep, mood, appetite, pain-sensation, even reproduction, and fertility.

To keep the internal functions operational, the ECS relies on endocannabinoids – molecules produced by your body.

The exciting thing is that our natural endocannabinoids have a very similar structure to the cannabinoids found in hemp. Hence, cannabinoids can bind to the ECS the same way that endocannabinoids do. In turn, the ECS responds to cannabinoids in the same way it does to endocannabinoids.

Our bodies are primed to respond to the molecules and compounds found in cannabis, to put it plainly.

Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain 

One of the main reasons why cannabis has been legalized recently is that it has potent analgesic properties that make it an excellent pain reliever.

Chronic, neuropathic pain is something that millions of adults live with. Traditional pain medications are often either not powerful enough or not safe enough. They come with an abundance of side-effects and could cause severe dependency.

Medicinal cannabis, with only trace amounts of the psychoactive THC, is generally considered safe to use and can be easily found in edibles Canada. It could help with even the most difficult-to-treat pain without causing adverse effects.

Mental Health and Cannabis 

A common belief is that cannabis use results in mental deterioration. However, that’s not true – not entirely true, at least.

On the one hand, we have recreational cannabis that’s abundant in THC and other psychoactive compounds. Using THC-strong recreational marijuana could lead to mental health issues, at times resulting in users developing anxiety, experiencing panic attacks, and more.

But on the other hand, we have medicinal cannabis low in THC and high in CBD and other beneficial compounds. CBD is not only known to counter the effects of THC, but it’s recognized as an anxiolytic agent that could help treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Fighting Insomnia with Cannabis 

Medical cannabis is an excellent stress reliever that can help soothe your mind. It’s often relaxing and calming, helping you focus and get rid of anxieties.

These properties can make it an excellent treatment for insomnia. However, there are two sides to this coin.

The exact effects of medical cannabis can vary from person to person, and the essential thing that you should pay attention to is the dosage.

In smaller doses, cannabis can often be energizing, helping you concentrate and keeping you active. In this instance, it’s not such a great treatment for insomnia.

However, in larger doses, medical cannabis can be sedating, helping you fall and stay asleep.

That’s why it’s often recommended that you take much smaller doses of medical cannabis in the morning and slightly heavier doses in the evening.

Digestive Issues and Medical Cannabis 

Since our innate endocannabinoid system helps regulate our appetite, it comes as no surprise that medical cannabis can modify ECS’s effects, therefore modifying our appetite.

Most commonly, cannabis is associated with an increase in appetite – munchies, anyone? But that’s not the only effect it has on our bodies and our digestive systems.

Cannabis has antiemetic properties, reducing the feeling of nausea. Its anti-inflammatory properties could help treat irritable bowel disease and Crohn’s disease, and its appetite-modulating properties could help with anorexia and other eating disorders.

While it seems like cannabis is a miracle cure for pretty much everything, some praise should be given to our ECS. After all, cannabis wouldn’t be as potent without the ECS.

The Bottom Line 

Helping to treat pain, insomnia, mental health issues, and digestive issues are just some of the medicinal benefits of cannabis.

However, caution should always be practiced, especially if it’s your first time using medical cannabis. As mentioned, cannabis can have varying effects on different people. So, consult your doctor before you start self-medicating with cannabis.

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