Cannabis or hemp plants are extremely effective against several health hazards is no secret. But the rise in its popularity across the United States, Europe, and Canada has also posed concerns over the risks it poses for public health. As of now, 11 states in the US have fully legalized marijuana. Whereas, 29 allow cannabis to be used for medical purposes. Canada has also made it legal to consume cannabis for both recreational and medical purposes.
The UK laws also allow the sale and purchase of hemp-based CBD products online and offline stores. Recent studies have found both the strong benefits and drawbacks of cannabis. For example, cannabis is quite effective against ailments such as chronic pain, certain cancer types, seizures, and multiple sclerosis. While it also poses respiratory challenges on users who smoke it. Many people caught on the wrong have found themselves suffering from psychosis, schizophrenia, and many pregnancy-related complications. This article shall discuss both the positive and negative impacts of cannabis or a hemp plant based on scientific evidence.
Let’s dive in:
Health Benefits Of Cannabis or Marijuana
- Research conducted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in the US has provided a detailed idea on the benefits and harmful effects of cannabis. Based on the analysis of over 10,000 smaller studies carried out since the 1990s. The findings suggest that while there’s enough support for medical usage of cannabis, it sometimes lacks scientific support. Despite confirming that it can’t fully determine all the claims about its benefits, some crucial findings prove cannabis has a bright future in the US as well as other progressive countries.
- Marijuana is a sort of anecdotal ‘magic pill’ against chronic pain. This means any type of pain that lasts longer than six months. It has emerged as a promising alternative against opioid painkillers, which is the cause of several deaths in the US.
Cannabis may treat chemotherapy-induced vomiting and nausea among cancer patients. The findings suggest cannabis works as a potent drug against nausea and debilitating pain in cancer patients.
- The research findings suggest cannabis can also treat multiple sclerosis spasticity problems among patients. However, more research can help us understand the full impact. Since there’s only limited evidence to point out towards cannabis improving doctor-reported symptoms.
- Those having troubles while sleeping has also found relief after using cannabis, which can be consumed via pills or taken with foods or smoking and vaping. Marijuana has benefited those struggling with fibromyalgia (a health disorder that causes fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues) and sleep apnea syndromes.
- Those affected due to appetite and weight loss issues due to HIV/AIDS also seem to have benefitted from cannabis.
- Cannabis has also proved to be beneficial against different anxiety issues and post-traumatic stress disorder. The evidence suggests it may also treat patients suffering from Tourette syndrome (repetitive movements or unwanted sounds that can’t be easily controlled).
- Although there’s some degree of evidence that cannabis can treat patients suffering from dementia and glaucoma. However, scientists say that research in this area is lacking conclusive evidence. Casting doubts over the claimed benefits, they suggest deeper research in the area to find enough evidence.
- Anecdotal evidence also points towards the fact that cannabis has helped treat patients suffering from schizophrenia, drug addiction, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. But these claims are yet to be backed by scientific evidence.
Harmful Effects Of Cannabis On Health
Like there are always two sides of a coin, cannabis also has a fair share of drawbacks, which debunks the myth that cannabis causes no bad effects on our health. Research finding suggests that there’s little evidence to point out that cannabis causes overdose deaths, unlike alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and tobacco. However, its continuous use in smoking can lead to the worst respiratory conditions. Smoking also leads to chronic bronchitis episodes among regular cannabis users. Links have been found between cannabis use and road accidents. If you are pregnant and use cannabis in unregulated quality, the upcoming child could be born with a lower weight.
The Overuse Of Cannabis Can Also Lead To Schizophrenia and Psychosis Among People.
- There’s also a link between cannabis and depressive and social anxiety disorders. However, these risks are “moderate” to “limited”. This means such conditions may have developed in a small number of users only.
- You may experience loss of memory if you become an addict as cannabis can directly affect your learning and memory.
- Most of these negative effects have been associated with smoking cannabis. It may not necessarily mean that consuming cannabis via other methods, including eatables or vaping has the same effect. The medical community has called for deeper research to understand the actual impact.
- The other major drawback of cannabis use can be dependence or excessive use. Sometimes, it leads to addictive behavior and subsequent health complications. If you resort to cannabis abuse, it may also lead to mental health complications like personality and bipolar disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders and dependence on other more harmful drugs like alcohol or nicotine. However, researchers argue that this does not mean that only those into other harmful drugs use marijuana. All these claims are based on anecdotal evidence or small scale studies and need more scientific evidence to back these claims.
The Bottom Line
Weed certainly deserves the due credit for all the medicinal properties its proponents swear by. Though smoking cannabis may indeed have some impact on mental health, pregnant women, and those suffering from respiratory issues, its consumption in other forms like eatables or the use of hemp oil can benefit the body in numerous ways. Those planning to incorporate cannabis into their life can always go for milder and widely accepted cannabis products such as those containing CBD.
The Cannabidiol (CBD) Is The Least Psychoactive Compound Found In Cannabis Or Hemp Plants.
CBD products contain less than 0.2 percent of the THC content, which means they are unlikely to cause intoxication and come with zero side effects. Government agencies, as well as international organizations like the United Nations, have also shown positivity over its medicinal properties. If you want to go for cannabis products containing higher THC content only, avoid smoking as much as possible and choose milder versions like vaping or eatable products.
