For centuries, from the Middle East to ancient Greece and Rome, people have used cannabis. For both medicine and recreation, cannabis use is well-documented.
You may have heard of marijuana being used to help chemotherapy patients gain an appetite and avoid depression. Today, there are even several cannabis-based pharmaceuticals approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Researchers have also recognized cannabis’s ability to alleviate symptoms in glaucoma patients.
Even as medical cannabis in Florida has grown in popularity, you may be surprised at the science that supports its use for a wide variety of concerns. Many less-known health benefits of cannabis can help people feel better and enjoy their lives again.
1. Improved Sleep
About 30 years ago, researchers discovered a system in the human body known as the endocannabinoid system. This system is in charge of maintaining the endocrine system, which is responsible for the function of hormone-producing glands that regulate all kinds of things in the body — including your sleep patterns.
The products sold at a medical cannabis dispensary contain phytocannabinoids, which can supplement and support the human body’s endocannabinoid system. If your body is under stress for any reason, cannabinoids like CBD and THC can help support this system in creating the chemicals that allow you to you fall asleep.
2. Reduced Chronic Pain
You may have heard about cannabis’s reputation for helping people relax, but scientifically it does more. Cannabis reacts chemically to enhance a main endocannabinoid called anandamide, which is produced naturally in the body.
When more anandamide enters the bloodstream, you feel less pain. For people who experience chronic pain from arthritis, back pain, or migraines, this has been an important scientific discovery.
Anandamide also helps modulate the brain’s reward circuitry, so it’s valuable to those who are struggling to stop using addictive prescription drugs.
3. Help with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
People who are battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may experience flashbacks, intrusive memories, and anxiety associated with their trauma. The disorder can cause both physical and emotional changes.
A recent study looked at using cannabis, specifically CBD oil, as a treatment for those with PTSD, including children. Results concluded that it reduced anxiety and improved sleep for those with the condition.
4. Reduced Anxiety
Anxiety can be a symptom of many disorders in addition to a problem in itself. Many first-time users of cannabis may even be anxious at the idea of the psychotropic “high” associated with some cannabis products. However, not all cannabis causes this.
There are certain ratios of cannabinoids found in different Florida cannabis strains that are more effective in addressing anxiety than others. Studies show that strains high in CBD and low in THC can reduce anxiety symptoms.
5. Lower Inflammation
Inflammation can happen throughout the body for many reasons, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, surgeries, and acne. In studies, CBD has been found effective in reducing inflammation.
Instead of ingesting cannabis, those with inflammation may wish to use a CBD cream or gel topically. It’s not just beneficial to regulating inflammation. Some studies have found that cannabis can even positively impact the neuropathways the body uses to identify pain and trigger more inflammation.
6. Balanced Hormones
Thanks to the connection that cannabis has with the body’s endocannabinoid system, cannabis can also help maintain and support the body’s production of hormones. Hormones are responsible for mood regulation, weight gain, and more.
7. Seizure Control
The FDA recently approved a plant-based version of CBD to treat older children and adults who experience seizures. Specifically, cannabis is used to help people with Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Studies have shown that CBD in particular can help to control seizures for people who do not respond well to other methods of therapy.
8. Improved Immunity
Everyone wants to support their immune systems so they can stay as healthy as possible. Scientists have looked closely at whether cannabis can help there, too. In a study, researchers looked at the reactions of cannabinoids to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain as well as cells in the immune system. Through supporting homeostasis, they showed it’s possible to use cannabis to regulate the immune system, helping to avoid sickness.
9. Reduced Back Pain
A major cause of chronic lower back pain is intervertebral disc degeneration, a painful chronic condition. and researchers also studied whether cannabis could serve as a treatment. A study that involved the injection of cannabidiol directly into injured discs found that it significantly reduced the effects of the injury and sped overall healing time. As discs regenerate, back pain fades.
10. Lower Blood Pressure
Those with hypertension, or high blood pressure, tend to take expensive prescription drugs to lower their numbers, but it’s been decades since scientists discovered that cannabis can also help.
A study dating back to 1979 found the potential for THC to decrease arterial blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Using cannabis could put them at a lower risk for health problems including heart attack and strokes.
Cannabis Is a Medically Effective Treatment
With these and other less-known benefits of cannabis, you may find yourself interested in trying Florida cannabis as a treatment for your health concerns. VidaCann is an physical and online medical cannabis dispensary in Florida with a wide range of products.
VidaCann offers cannabis products that can be used or consumed in a variety of ways, including tinctures, capsules, and salves that can be used topically on concentrated areas. Online, you can look at the selection available in dispensaries throughout Florida, sign up for the VidaCann Rewards program, and schedule a quick pick-up or free delivery.
Our knowledgeable employees are also trained to answer questions. Learn the best options for using cannabis as a way to help improve specific health symptoms and address concerns for everyone — from pediatric patients to veterans — naturally.
