With the world going a little cannabis crazy right now, what are some of the pros and cons of smoking weed?
It doesn’t matter what you’re talking about; depending on your perspective, there are always going to be pros and cons, and nothing could be truer than when you’re talking about smoking weed. Cannabis is becoming extremely popular worldwide as more and more countries move towards decriminalization and legalization of cannabis. Whether it’s for recreational or medicinal purposes, there are various reasons why people are choosing to smoke weed.
In the following article, we’re going to take a closer look at what some of the pros and cons are behind smoking cannabis and why it could be a good or bad choice for you.
5 Pros of Smoking Cannabis
1. Energy Boost
There is a quite common misconception that smoking weed makes you sleepy, tired, and of course, lazy. While many indica strains of cannabis can make you tired and sleepy or even give you a serious case of the munchies, sativa strains, on the other hand, can leave you feeling energized, alert, focused, and creative. If you enjoy doing creative tasks or even working out while baked, then a good energetic, and uplifting cannabis strain will be the perfect choice.
2. Protect Your Brain
A recent study conducted in Germany and Israel shows that the cannabinoid system is associated closely with the nerve cell generation in the brain. As we age, our cognitive ability starts to decrease, and some tasks which we used to be able to complete easily become harder. Smoking weed daily could help to slow down the cognitive decline in our brains and keep our brains younger for longer. The research being conducted into Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases in conjunction with cannabis is overly exciting and has a lot of possibilities.
3. Reduce Your Blood Pressure
When you smoke cannabis, you can experience a temporary jump in your blood pressure. However, if you continue to use marijuana for several weeks, your body will get used to it, and you won’t experience the spike anymore. Over time, your blood pressure can actually get lower after smoking cannabis.
4. End Addiction to Opioids
The world is in the middle of an opioid epidemic that is claiming hundreds of people’s lives. Many people become inadvertently addicted to opioids after being injured or getting medical treatments. A study conducted in 2016 found that marijuana use resulted in 60% less opioid use.
5. Weight Loss
Cannabis works in strange ways. Not only can it make you hungry, but it can also help you with weight loss. Researchers are closely studying the link between cannabis and increased metabolic rates. Who knew that something which made you hungry could also potentially help with obesity?
5 Cons of Smoking Cannabis
1. Blocked Memory Formation
One of the active ingredients in cannabis, the hippocampus, can alter how your mind processes information. There have been a variety of studies that highlight how long-term cannabis use can affect memories and how those memories are created. However, other studies have also shown that marijuana use from a young age is also linked to other drug use, cigarette smoking, and also alcohol use, all of which can also impact memories.
2. Mess with Your Balance
Smoking weed can mess with the cerebellum, the part of your brain responsible for posture and balance. It can make walking difficult while also messing with your hand-eye coordination. It’s because of this that you should always avoid driving a vehicle or operating any heavy machinery when you are under the influence of cannabis.
3. Smoking can lead to panic and paranoia
One of the problems associated with marijuana use is that strains that contain high amounts of THC can lead to people experiencing panic and also paranoia. While some people experience paranoia after smoking even the smallest amounts of cannabis, others have no issues at all. Like many things, no two people are the same, and their reactions to cannabis are not the same either. For some people, cannabis use can reduce stress and anxiety, but for others, it can increase it. If you have had a bad experience with cannabis, perhaps trying a different strain could result in a better experience.
4. Some People Experience Psychosis
Researchers have been digging deep into claims that marijuana use can lead to psychosis after stories started to appear in a variety of different newspapers and publications. However, there hasn’t been a lot of conclusive outcomes to this, and researchers have stated that they need to investigate it more before any definitive claims can be made.
5. Cannabis Use Can Lead to Respiratory Issues
A study conducted in 2014 found that people who smoked cannabis were at increased risk of chronic respiratory conditions. Although cannabis doesn’t appear to be as bad for you as tobacco, the risk of developing respiratory issues is definitely something that users should consider before starting to smoke weed.
Pros and Cons of Smoking Cannabis – Conclusion
As you can see, there are definitely pros and cons to smoking weed. Ultimately, the decision on whether or not you choose to smoke cannabis is up to you and your personal reasons. No two people are the same, and their reasons for choosing to smoke or not smoke cannabis are entirely up to them. While it’s healthy to debate the reasons why or why not, choosing to smoke cannabis is a personal decision.
If you would like to share your reasons why you choose to or choose not to smoke cannabis, then please don’t hesitate to comment below. We’d love to hear why you do or don’t smoke cannabis!
