Five Surprising Ways Marijuana Can Be Part of a Healthy Lifestyle

Marijuana has gotten a bad rap for a long time. It was, and in some states still is, classified as a hard drug, and countless people have done or are currently serving time in prison for smoking, ingesting, and selling marijuana.

Slowly, things are changing. Multiple states have legalized marijuana, and many scientific studies are showing that it's not the hardcore drug it has been made out to be. As a matter of fact, regular use of marijuana can actually support and enhance a healthy lifestyle. Multiple scientific studies even support these claims.

Relief from Multiple Medical Conditions

The pharmaceutical industry has been supplying us with drugs for many years that help combat nearly any medical condition you can imagine. However, many of these drugs have some serious side effects, not to mention, some of these drugs are very strong and very addictive.

Medicinal marijuana can serve as an alternative in some cases. It is a popular way to alleviate pain, especially chronic pain that requires regular and consistent treatment.

That's not all. There are other conditions marijuana can help including:

• Movement disorders, such as Tourette's syndrome and dystonia.

• Spasticity, tremors, and bladder control.

• Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Specialty products are grown and produced with many of these uses in mind to enhance their ability to minimize a variety of conditions. Just make sure you talk to a doctor before you decide to use marijuana to treat any condition.

Reduction of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

If you aren't dealing with a medical condition, you may be dealing with a mental one. Even if you aren't diagnosed, most would agree that our world is more stressful than ever, and many of us are feeling more anxious than our parents and grandparents ever imagined. If you're feeling the pinch of everyday life, or if you have a diagnosed stress, anxiety, or depression disorder, you may find relief when taking marijuana.

Studies have shown that marijuana has the potential to relieve stress and help you relax. However, it's important to mention that less is more when it comes to dosage. Lower dosages of THC, which is the active ingredient in marijuana, were associated with the greatest gains in stress reduction. A few puffs can help you relax, while prolonged smoking can actually have the opposite effect.

Lower Weight

Although studies haven't shown that marijuana can lower your metabolism, studies have shown that those who smoke marijuana are less likely to be overweight or obese when compared to the general population.

Although the stereotype is that smokers get the munchies, scientists posit that cannabis use may actually change the cellular structures in the body that impact weight gain, which means it has the potential to help you maintain your current weight.

If you're overweight, you may have an easier time losing a few pounds when using marijuana. Studies of mice showed that obese animals lose weight after ingesting marijuana.

Reduction of Inflammation 

Although people with an autoimmune disorder struggle with inflammation on a daily basis, it's something we're all dealing with. Our bodies require oxygen to live, but oxidation in the body can actually be harmful. Marijuana is an antioxidant, which means it can reduce inflammation that results in aging.

Surprisingly, some dieticians and doctors actually recommend marijuana as part of a healthy diet. Along with consuming fewer calories and eating dark chocolate, you can make your body feel younger for longer by smoking a puff of marijuana every day.

Support Creativity and Spirituality

Although some claim that marijuana can make you more creative, that isn't true. However, studies have found that marijuana users tend to be more creative than the general population. Although it won't make you more creative, it can support you in your creative endeavors. Marijuana has the potential to help you see things from a different point of view, which can provide you with inspiration for your next project.

Not only does it have the ability to support your creativity, it also has the ability to support your spirituality. As a psychoactive drug, it has the ability to alter your state of consciousness. Many people find that it enhances their meditation practice. This isn't anything new. Many cultures have been using cannabis as part of religious ceremonies for centuries.

Most things aren't good for you when done in excess, but they can be beneficial when used properly. Marijuana is one of those things. When used the right way, it has the ability to support a healthy lifestyle.

© MD News Daily.