Marijuana benefits

20 Health benefits of cannabis that everyone should know

Relief of chronic pain

There are hundreds of chemical compounds in cannabis, including many cannabinoids. Cannabinoids have been linked to providing relief of chronic pain due to their chemical makeup. This is why cannabis’ by-product, such as medical cannabis, is commonly used for chronic pain relief.

Improves lung capacity

Unlike smoking cigarettes, when smoking cannabis in the form of cannabis, your lungs aren’t harmed. A study found that cannabis helps increase the capacity of the lungs rather than cause any harm to them.

Help lose weight

Looking around, you will notice that the avid cannabis user is usually not overweight. That is because cannabis is linked to aiding your body in regulating insulin while managing caloric intake efficiently.

Regulate and prevent diabetes

With its impact on insulin, it only makes sense that cannabis can help regulate and prevent diabetes. Research conducted by the American Alliance for Medical Cannabis (AAMC) has linked cannabis to stabilising blood sugars, lowering blood pressure, and improving blood circulation.

Fight cancer

One of the biggest medical benefits of cannabis is its link to fighting cancer. A good amount of evidence shows cannabinoids can help fight cancer or at least certain types of it.

Helps treat depression

Depression is fairly widespread without most people even knowing they have it. The endocannabinoid compounds in cannabis can help stabilise moods which can ease depression.

Shows promise in autism treatment.

Cannabis is known to calm users down and control their moods. It can help children with autism who experience frequent violent mood swings control it.

Regulate seizures

Research conducted on CBD has shown that it can help control seizures. There are ongoing studies to determine the effect cannabis has on individuals with epilepsy.

Mend bones

Cannabidiol has been linked to helping heal broken bones, quickening the process. According to Bone Research Laboratory in Tel Aviv, it also helps strengthen the bone in healing. This makes it tougher for the bone to break in the future.

Helps with ADHD/ADD

Individuals with ADHD and ADD have trouble focusing on tasks at hand. They tend to have problems with cognitive performance and concentration. Cannabis has shown promise in promoting focus and helping individuals with ADHD/ADD. It is also considered a safer alternative to Adderall and Ritalin.

Treatment for glaucoma

Glaucoma leads to additional pressure on the eyeball, which is painful for individuals with the disorder. Cannabis can help reduce the pressure applied to the eyeball, providing temporary relief to individuals with glaucoma.

Alleviate anxiety

While Cannabis is commonly known to cause anxiety, there is a way around that. Taken in monitored dosage and properly, cannabis can help alleviate anxiety and calm users.

Slow development of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is one of many that is caused by cognitive degeneration. As we age, cognitive degeneration is almost unavoidable. Cannabis’s endocannabinoid contains anti-inflammatories that fight the brain inflammation that leads to Alzheimer’s disease.

Deal with pain linked to arthritis

Cannabis is now commonly found in creams and balms used by individuals with arthritis. Both THC and CBD help sufferers deal with the pain.

Helps with PTSD symptoms

PTSD affects veterans and any individual who goes through trauma. As cannabis is legalised, its impact on helping treat individuals with PTSD is being studied. Cannabis helps control the fight or flight response, preventing it from going into overdrive.

Helps provide relief to individuals with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis can be painful, and cannabis is known to provide relief for it. Multiple sclerosis leads to painful muscle contractions and cannabis can help reduce that pain.

Reduces side effects linked to hepatitis C and increases the effectiveness of treatment

The treatment for hepatitis C has numerous side effects, including nausea, fatigue, depression, and muscle aches. These can last for months for some hepatitis C sufferers. Cannabis can help reduce the side effects caused by the treatment while making it more effective at the same time.

Treats inflammatory bowel diseases

Individuals with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can find some relief with cannabis. THC and cannabidiol are known to help enhance immune response while also interacting with cells that play a vital role in gut functioning. Cannabis helps block off bacteria and other compounds that cause inflammation in the intestines.

Helps with tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease

For those with Parkinson’s disease, cannabis can help reduce tremors and pain while also helping promote sleep. It has also been shown to improve motor skills in patients.

Helps with alcoholism

Another of the many health benefits of cannabis is that there is no doubt cannabis is much safer than alcohol. While it may not be 100% risk-free, it can be a smarter way to curb alcoholism by substituting it with cannabis.

How should you buy marijuana?

Buy legal

Even though cannabis is regulated in Canada, it doesn’t mean all cannabis is legal. If you meet the legal age requirement set by your province or territory and choose to consume it, you’re responsible for knowing what is legal and what is not.

The Authorized Retailers Webpage helps make this easier. It connects you to legal cannabis products, seeds and plants in the province or territory you live or are visiting.

Risks of illegal cannabis

Consuming illegal products could lead to adverse effects and other serious harm. Testing of illegal cannabis has found contaminants like pesticides and unacceptable levels of bacteria, lead and arsenic.
There is no guarantee the products you buy through illegal online retailers will arrive (i.e. the retailer may not ship them or they could be interdicted).
You expose yourself to fraud, identity theft or other financial crimes when you purchase from illegal online retailers because you’re putting your personal information in the hands of criminals.
Organized crime groups use profits from illegal cannabis sales to support other criminal activities that harm our communities.

Know what to look for

Legal retailers

Age verification is mandatory.
All cannabis products sold have:
- the standard cannabis symbol;
- mandatory health warnings;
- plain, child-resistant packaging; and
- an excise stamp, a standard maple symbol, coloured differently for each province and territory.
The excise stamp is your guarantee that the product is produced according to the highest health and safety standards, reflects accurate THC levels, and is free from other substances that could cause serious harm.
Major credit cards and debit are the only forms of payment accepted when you purchase through an online retailer.

Illegal retailers

No age verification
Offers products in appealing packaging or products (i.e. may mimic popular candy)
Payment is requested by e-transfer or in a cryptocurrency
Shipping is available anywhere in Canada
Uses a generic email address (i.e., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail)