Marijuana gets a bad reputation. This is because it can affect your brain and body. However, not all of these effects are negative.
There are no negative long-term side effects associated with cannabis consumption. In fact, there are many positive side effects.
Here are five ways in which THC affects your body.
-
“High” Effect
THC is the chemical compound in cannabis that makes you high.
Cannabis is a natural plant. It is composed of many different chemical compounds. The most famous compounds are THC and CBD.
Not all cannabis products contain both.
However, both THC and CBD occur naturally in the cannabis plant.
CBD will not make you high. It does contain many health benefits. CBD products are good for newcomers to cannabis.
CBD is also ideal if you don’t want to get high.
THC has health benefits as well. It might even have some that CBD doesn’t.
Consuming an excessive amount of THC will make you high.
The proper dosage differs from person to person. Some have a higher tolerance than others. Others will get high by smoking even small amounts.
It’s important to know your limits.
Highs aren’t permanent. They won’t kill you. It’s important to keep this in mind.
If you have a bad high, it will eventually end.
-
Bioavailability
Bioavailability sounds like a fancy term.
It’s not as complicated as it may sound. In fact, the concept is simple.
Here is an overview of how it works from Veriheal.
In short, bioavailability refers to how your body processes a compound.
Eating something is different from smoking something. Even vaping is different from smoking a traditional joint. There is a reason smoking doesn’t feel the same as vaping.
Your body absorbs smoke differently than vape.
Most scientists agree that vaping is easier on the body than smoking.
However, your body might not absorb vapor as quickly as smoke.
Smoking and vaping have higher bioavailability rates than eating. This means that your body will absorb more of the product than if you eat it.
Another common form of consumption is through spreading. This is mostly for CBD oils and rubs. In this case, only a portion of the body will absorb the substance.
Using oils and gels is good for pain treatment. They won’t make you high.
CBD oils and gels are ideal for athletes.
-
Hunger
THC is what gives you the munchies.
If you’ve ever smoked, you’re probably familiar with the cravings.
Even if you eat before you smoke, you might get hungry. This is because THC suppresses certain neurons in your brain.
Your brain has neurons that tell you not to eat more.
Most animals don’t have these neurons. This is why cats and horses don’t know when to stop eating. Humans know when they’ve had enough to eat.
THC stops these neurons being produced.
The severity of this phenomenon differs from person to person. Some will need to eat more than others to get rid of the munchies.
Eating before you smoke probably won’t prevent the munchies.
-
Relaxation
THC relaxes your body more than CBD.
There are several reasons why THC relaxes the body. One of the main reasons is that it relaxes your neurons. It prevents stress chemicals from being produced.
However, THC shouldn’t get such a bad reputation.
There are plenty of other common drugs that alter your brain. In fact, caffeine alters the brain a lot. Here’s information from Healthline on that.
Cannabis is a natural form of relaxation. It’s one of the world’s oldest medicines.
Life is stressful. There’s no reason you shouldn’t relax a bit.
-
Memory
Cannabis will lead to short-term memory loss.
Most people don’t remember what happens when they’re high.
This effect is only temporary.
There is no evidence that cannabis affects long-term memory.
Actually, marijuana might prevent diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. This is because cannabis stops neurological degeneration. It could even support your nerves in the long run.
You do need to be careful when consuming.
But as long as you consume in moderation, you shouldn’t have problems.
Conclusion
Cannabis does affect the brain. That doesn’t mean those effects are negative. Many of the side effects are positive.
