If you are going to take weed, it is a good idea to know what you are putting into your body and to understand what it is doing once you consume it.
How does marijuana affect the mind and body?
The impacts of marijuana will alter based on how it is consumed, as well as a number of other factors. When you smoke or inhale marijuana you get a feeling of a “high” which comes from the THC in cannabis interacting with your brain and signaling a release of dopamine.
Some other effects can follow, and these vary from person to person. Some people get heightened senses, increased appetite, and changes in someone’s mood.
Marijuana is interacting with the body’s “endocannabinoid” system. THC and CBD, both found within marijuana in different quantities, can latch on to this system and cause a number of different interactions.
The CBD that is contained in marijuana, once activated, can interact with our systems in a way that can relieve pain, and also have anti-inflammatory effects.
Marijuana smoke can contribute to chest illness, but in a lot of studies, including a 2013 study by Dr. Donald Tashkin, UCLA professor, there is not an increased risk of lung disease.
There can be a reduction in pressure in the eyes when you take marijuana, which is one of the reasons it is sometimes used as a glaucoma treatment.
How to choose cannabis products?
When you are looking to buy marijuana products, you have more choice and more control over what is going into your body due to the legalization and control of the industry. You can buy products from a legal dispensary, which means that you will know exactly what is going into your body when you take it, and also control things like how you take the marijuana. If you prefer edibles, there are a lot of options.
On top of this, choosing cannabis products will largely come down to the THC and CBD content. For example, if you don’t want to get too “high” or feel out of control at all, you might want to choose a product with lower THC content. This means a more mellow high.
A lot of people take CBD products, which technically come from marijuana. They can provide a lot of the benefits without the active THC that gives a feeling of being “high”. CBD has been shown to treat anxiety and depression, as well as being good for muscle and joint disorders.
If you are an experienced marijuana user, you might prefer a strain that has a higher THC content. This might have a more profound effect on your brain and cause more of a “high” sensation.
The benefits of the right label on cannabis products
People who were buying marijuana illegally would have no real knowledge of what they were buying in the past. This is one of the benefits of legalizing the substance. It means far more control over the substance you are putting into your body, and you can choose which type of strains are better for your own personal needs and preferences.
Some of the information that is found on dispensary labels includes:
- The weight of the product. This might be vital in some states where you are only allowed to possess so much cannabis under state law.
- The total THC and total CBD content of the product.
- The marijuana strain and whether it is a Sativa, Indica, or a hybrid between the two. This can help you to establish what effects it is likely to have on the mind and body.
- The date it was packaged, and the expiry date. This helps people to keep track of the potency of the marijuana and when they should consume it.
Under different state laws, different types of information might have to be included. There could also be a number of laws about what can and can’t be used in marijuana branding.
What treatments are available for marijuana use disorder?
Although marijuana is widely accepted to be non-addictive, you can still find that you end up dependent on it or don’t have the self-control to stop yourself. There are many treatments for marijuana use disorder.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is commonly prescribed as it can help you to work out why you are using weed in a dependent way, and change your attitudes towards self-control.
Contingency management, a therapy that uses positive rewards to help someone reach a goal, is also popular.
Another type of intervention is motivational enhancement therapy. This is not designed as a “treatment” but rather to help to motivate someone to make a change in their life, such as cutting down on marijuana if needed.
Conclusion
As marijuana becomes more mainstream, a lot of people want to take advantage of the benefits. Having an understanding of what it will do to your brain and your body, as well as working out which strains might suit your personality and mental state can help you hugely. Fortunately, marijuana comes with more control and information when bought from a dispensary.
