Essential Health Benefits of THC
Is THC, the most well-known component of cannabis, actually necessary?
This is the same compound that produces the “high” in cannabis. It has generated more than its fair share of critics, and many believe that the compound has no medicinal value at all. Yet, science has demonstrated this is far from the case.
In conjunction with other cannabinoids, the molecule has been found to help people deal with mental and physical ailments.
Not to mention many people find THC-rich products – when taken at just the right dosage – to be an effective supplement towards their everyday health.
Today, We’ll talk about the health benefits of THC.
THC Provides Pain Relief
One of the most important medical benefits of THC is pain alleviation, and I'll explain why...
Chronic pain affects more than 1.5 billion individuals globally. Many of these people experience neuropathic or nerve-related discomfort. According to studies, the cannabis component triggers central nervous system pathways that prevent pain signals from reaching the brain. THC's usefulness for pain reduction was even validated in a 2013 FDA-approved trial.
Individuals experiencing neuropathic pain were given low doses of THC (1.29%) in the form of vaporized cannabis. The results?
“A low dose of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol provided statistically significant 30% reductions in pain intensity when compared to placebo.”
While clinical research continues to be restricted due to cannabis’s regretful status as a schedule I controlled substance – it is clear that a positive correlation exists between THC and pain relief.
Effective Sleep Aid
Have trouble sleeping? Research shows that THC health benefits play a role here as well.
Trials in the 1970s found that oral doses of the cannabinoid helped insomniacs fall asleep faster.
And that’s not all. Recent research suggests it may also improve breathing while reducing sleep interruptions.
Great news for those suffering from conditions such as sleep apnea!
Protects Brain Cells
While most drugs are neurotoxic, THC is considered to be neuroprotectant. Which means that it actually protects brain cells from damage.
Here’s a mind-blowing example: a study in 2014 found that people with THC in their systems were 80 percent less likely to die from traumatic head injuries than those without.
Mind-blowing, right?
Eases Nausea & Vomiting
Did you know that an FDA-approved THC pill.
(Marinol) for treating nausea and vomiting in cancer patients has been around since the 1980s? In fact, Marinol has been marketed as a pharmaceutical alternative to cannabis. However, while Marinol does contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound is both synthetic and isolated. Which means that it pales in comparison to the entourage chemical compounds found in natural, whole-plant cannabis. Marinol does not include beneficial components such as other cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, all of which work better together rather than separately.
Considering that other nausea medications such as Zofran can lead to side effects like: diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, blurred vision, muscle spasms, rash, fever, and constipation just to name a few – THC-based therapies are a much safer option.
THC Increases Appetite
HIV, eating disorders, hepatitis, and dementia can all cause a loss of appetite, which can lead to severe malnutrition or even death over time.
THC is known to make people eat more. THC interacts with the same receptors in the hypothalamus that produce the hormone ghrelin, which induces appetite, according to research. THC can even improve the flavor of food. While some have dismissed these symptoms as "munchies," there is something much more significant at work here. THC's hunger-inducing properties can drastically improve quality of life if used correctly. In certain circumstances, they can even save lives. Surprisingly, some cannabis cultivars can also lower hunger, which can be a significant benefit for many people.
Antioxidant
There’s a reason why cannabis has been touted as an anti-aging and anti-stress tool.
THC and other cannabinoids are potent antioxidants. This isn’t surprising, considering that in addition to protecting cannabis plants from pathogens, the herb increases its THC production in response to UVB light. UVB light is the type of light that causes oxidative stress in humans, contributing to visible aging and other skin diseases.
Oxidative stress can cause damage at both cellular and DNA levels. This damage makes consumers more prone to serious ailments like cancer and neurodegenerative illness. As a potent antioxidant, one of the many health benefits of THC is protecting the body from stress-related damage.
