Did you know that 18% of Americans reported using marijuana at least once in 2019? Marijuana, or weed, is the most commonly used “illegal” drug in the United States, and its recreational use is fast becoming legal in more states. Currently, recreational marijuana is legal in 18 states, plus Washington D.C. and Guam.
Attitudes on weed changed in the last decade due to its medicinal benefits. Marijuana can be used for pain relief and to mitigate chemotherapy side effects. But what about weed and mental health?
Does marijuana benefit your mental health? It can! Read on to learn more about the mental health benefits of weed.
Marijuana Helps You Sleep
Nearly 40% of American workers say they don’t get enough sleep, and according to many doctors, it’s causing great harm to our health.
Americans lack proper sleep due to stress and anxiety. Another unfortunate reason is that working-age Americans don’t or can’t prioritize it. A chronic lack of sleep contributes to several serious health issues, including:
- Low libido
- Elevated blood pressure
- Weight gain
- Increased diabetes risk
- Weakened immune system
A chronic lack of sleep also contributes to anxiety disorders and depression. Marijuana works as a short-term sleep aid because the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in cannabis helps restore your natural sleep cycle.
Marijuana Eases Pain
Chronic pain and your mental health go hand in hand. If you experience chronic pain, you’re likely to suffer from elevated feelings of depression and anxiety. You’re also more likely to experience irritability and relationship dysfunction because of that irritability.
Yet, the relationship between chronic pain and mental health doesn’t go one way. Depression and anxiety can also cause chronic pain.
Marijuana helps relieve pain conditions, and managing that pain can help stabilize your mental health. The folks at a dispensary like Harvest HOC will guide you to the best marijuana strains for pain relief.
Treating PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms include increased anxiety and depression. Their brains revert to “fight or flight.” Vivid nightmares are also a symptom of this disorder.
Marijuana mitigates PTSD symptoms because it’s a sedative. After ingesting, your body is less likely to experience anxiety triggers. Relieving this bodily tension helps keep your mind calm.
The THC in marijuana also reduces REM sleep. The REM portion of your sleep cycle is when dreams occur, and reducing REM sleep helps eliminate the PTSD nightmares keeping you awake.
What’s the Relationship Between Weed and Mental Health?
Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? Are you not getting enough sleep?
You’re not alone. Americans of all ages suffer from these horrible disorders, but you can manage them with marijuana. Weed’s properties reduce anxiety, alleviate depression, and provide relief from chronic pain. Weed and mental health have a beneficial relationship.
Before you start, make sure to consult your doctor. They’ll put you on the correct path for relief.
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