Research into cannabis and its impact on mental health disorders are fairly nascent. An overwhelming number of scientists do agree that it can be beneficial, however. This article will outline how it can be beneficial, according to the science:
Seizures
A recent study found that out of every 8 people taking medicinal cannabis to treat epilepsy, at least one had a 50% reduction in seizures. One in 150 became completely seizure-free. Cannabis can have an anti-seizure effect on the brain, which can help people suffering from epilepsy and even Dravet syndrome, a rare, lifelong drug-resistant type of epilepsy.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a condition that causes sufferers to lose their sense of reality. The symptoms can include hallucinations, both visual and auditory. Research is ongoing, but so far looks favorable. It appears that cannabis can be very useful in treating schizophrenia, as well as dementia.
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a condition that can be very hard to manage. PTSD treatment typically involves increasing serotonin levels through pharmaceutical medicine. Cannabis promotes the creation of serotonin, which makes it very beneficial to people suffering from PTSD.
PTSD affects up to 6.1% of adults in the United States. People who suffer from PTSD typically experience intrusive thoughts, insomnia, and nightmares. Consumption of cannabis in combination with therapeutic treatment has shown to be very effective in the treatment of PTSD. It’s important that you do not self-medicate when it comes to conditions like PTSD, however. Consult your physician before you begin taking cannabis, as cannabis does not work for everybody and can cause negative reactions.
Cognitive Abilities
As we get older, some degree of cognitive degeneration is to be expected. However, through medicinal cannabis usage, you can slow down the process and enhance your brain’s capabilities. Cannabis is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which helps it to strengthen the brain and fight inflammatory conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease.
Sleep
Cannabis can be very helpful for people who suffer from insomnia or sleep disorders. If you do not get an adequate amount of rest, then you will be unable to function. Cannabis can bring calm to the mind and can allow people to get a night’s rest. Adults who do not get enough sleep are more likely to develop depression, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Research has shown that adults who experienced anxiety and poor sleep saw a 65% improvement in the quality of their sleep after taking CBD, a cannabis derivative, daily.
Anxiety
Levels of anxiety among the population are higher now than they have ever been before. This is due to the pandemic and its ensuing lockdowns. Anxiety can be devastating. People who suffer from anxiety often find themselves unable to lead happy, fulfilling lives. Cannabis has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety.
Cannabis has been effective in treating generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, and the above-mentioned post-traumatic stress disorder.
It has also benefited people who suffer from health anxiety and are not comfortable leaving their homes at the moment, due to the increased risk of viral infection. Cannabis can, according to the marijuana specialists from The Green Ace, actually be delivered to your door. Because of this, people are still able to benefit from cannabis’s therapeutic effects, without having to leave their homes and worry about becoming sick.
Depression
Depression, like anxiety, can ruin lives. Research has shown that depression is one of the world’s most common mental health disorders. In the U.S. alone, it affects an estimated 17.3 million adults. Treatments for depression are usually pharmaceutical, which puts many people off. There are also alternative treatments, such as meditation and mindfulness.
Cannabis is well known for its antidepressant effects. Depression is typically caused by low levels of serotonin. As we mentioned above, cannabis can promote the creation of serotonin. Because of this, cannabis can be very useful in the treatment of depression.
See Your Physician
While cannabis can have a lot of health benefits, it’s important that you first consult your physician. Self-medicating is usually a very bad idea. Your doctor will be able to tell you whether or not it is a good idea for you to begin treating yourself with cannabis.
It’s also important that you only ever buy cannabis from licensed dispensaries. Street cannabis can be tainted with harmful chemicals and pesticides. These can have a negative effect on your mental health, not to mention that buying street cannabis is actually a crime in many places.
Cannabis can, as this article shows, have many benefits on a person’s mental health. It’s important to do your research and speak to your doctor before you make any decisions. Thank you for joining us.