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The Benefits of Using Cannabis For Mental Health

More and more, the general public and even medical professionals are realizing that mental health is just as important as physical health. In fact, the two are completely intertwined. As such, there is a movement to find alternative ways for people to alleviate mental health symptoms. Yoga, meditation, and other activities are well-known to provide mental health benefits. Cannabis is another option for treating mental health issues, although it may not be as well-known since it is illegal in many countries and jurisdictions. Here are some of the top benefits of cannabis for your mental health.

How to Take Cannabis

To start off, there are several ways to take cannabis for stress. Many people like to smoke it, and that is a fine delivery system. However, there can be negative effects on your lungs. Another option is to make your own cannabis tinctures. This way, you can affordably treat anxiety and stress without having to risk your lungs if you are concerned about the effects of smoking.

Stress

We all battle stress from time to time. A little bit of stress is perfectly normal. However, when stress gets too great, it can manifest itself in many different negative ways. Your body can enter what is known as a fight or flight process. Your heart rate can increase, your blood pressure will rise, and you can start to feel physical symptoms. Sometimes it could be an upset stomach, or a headache, or even muscle cramps. Cannabis can help calm your mind when it is feeling stressed out, which will also relax your muscles. If you tend to get an upset stomach when you’re stressed, it will boost your appetite, too.

Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are closely intertwined, so it’s only natural that cannabis can help for both. When it comes to anxiety, people can suffer major social setbacks and physical symptoms if they are prone to panic attacks. Some of the symptoms include sexual dysfunction, headaches, and difficulty breathing, among other things. Since cannabis has a calming effect, if someone is feeling anxious or feels like they have a panic attack coming on, it will help them to relax and better face whatever is triggering those feelings.

Depression

Depression is a very serious mental health condition that has many symptoms, and can result in self-harm or suicide. The more intense someone’s depression gets, the more dangerous it can be. Antidepressant medication can be a lifeline for many people, but for some, cannabis has proven to be the medicine they need to keep going. Cannabis can help the body release endorphins, which helps to improve mood. This gives users a break from depressive episodes, and allows the brain to reset itself. Oftentimes those with depression are consumed with overwhelming negative thoughts, and cannabis helps to clear the mind and create room for more positive ones.

Seizures

Seizures happen when there is a sudden overload of electrical impulses to the brain. It can cause unusual behaviors. They can manifest in many ways, including stuttering, muscle spasms, drooling, uncontrolled movements, and loss of consciousness. The symptoms of a seizure will depend on what part of the brain is affected. Cannabis can help regulate the electrical activity in the brain. Therefore, seizures are prevented since there are fewer unintentional electrical bursts trying to wreak havoc.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is usually caused by a traumatic experience. This experience can shock the brain and cause it to drastically reduce the production of anandamide, which happens to be an endocannabinoid. Anandomide is a neurotransmitter, and it works to prevent feelings of fear and anxiety. It also plays a part with memory consolidation. By introducing cannabis, you can fill that gap in your brain and replace the anandamide. Your mind can relax, and your memory will improve again, too.

Cognitive Functions

Speaking of memory, cannabis can help improve it even if you aren’t suffering from PTSD. This is especially true for older people. The brain naturally starts to run down as you get older, which slows the production of many different neurotransmitters. This includes those that regulate memory. In many cases this decrease is caused by inflammation in the brain. Cannabis has anti-inflammatory properties, so it will ease the burden on the brain and allow some freedom. This therapy of the mind will help you focus and retain things much easier than before.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is nothing like the way it’s generally portrayed in popular culture. It is a brain impairment, but it does not cause multiple personalities. What it does is cause patients to have difficulty understanding what’s real, even if it’s right in front of them. They may have hallucinations, and it can affect their speech as well. Cannabis has antipsychotic properties. This helps build the pathways to the brain to differentiate between what’s real and what’s not real.

Sleep

One of the best things you can do for your mental health is to get the right amount of sleep. Most experts suggest getting between 7 and 8 hours a night. This helps your brain recharge and refresh. In fact, while you are sleeping the brain automatically sends water from your body to rinse itself out. If you don’t get enough sleep, your brain doesn’t recharge itself, leaving you feeling not just tired, but potentially depressed or angry.

Cannabis helps to calm your nervous system, which will help you fall and stay asleep. A brain that has been calmed is able to better communicate with the rest of the body. The other important fact to understand is that many sleepless nights for those with mental health are caused by their disorders. Since cannabis is known to treat the symptoms of many mental health issues, using it can help patients fall asleep.

It’s important to remember that taking cannabis for mental health is not the same for everyone. Everyone needs to be aware of how much of a dose they should take, and how often. It is always best to get advice from a professional to know just how much you should take. It may change over time. If you find you are having trouble getting a handle on your mental health issues, then taking cannabis could be the solution you are looking for.

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