In America, around 2 million people use marijuana each month.While the 70's era drug has grown a bad rep for recreational use in teens, the legalization of cannabis in multiple states has suggested a change.

In fact, even before the legalization, marijuana was made available to individuals with medical issues. This draws attention to the benefits of marijuana for health and wellness purposes. Of course, not every American is sold on the benefits of cannabis but the studies for this plant-derived treatment are undeniable.

Curious to discover more about the benefits of medical marijuana and if this green stuff is right for you? Follow along to learn 9 impressive benefits of marijuana for your health, wellness, and overall wellbeing.

What Is Marijuana

Marijuana, also known as weed, pot, or dope, is the green or grey product derived from a cannabis plant. The grainy texture comes from drying out the leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of the plant for consumption.

Many people associate cannabis with smoking. However, there are several ways to use cannabis including ingestion, oil application, or aromatherapy.

The cannabis plant is made up of 2 components, CBD and THC. Both of these elements bind to receptors in the brain and alter the body's response, however, you won't feel any mild altering or 'stoned' sensations from CBD. You'll likely see CBD as the primary ingredient in oils or topical products.

Unlike CBD, THC does deliver a high, but together, these ingredients have lead researchers to discover amazing facts about the plant.

1. Pain Relief

Patients with chronic pain caused by conditions such as arthritis or migraines are seeing great improvements with the use of CBD. While the studies on pain relief are not yet complete, there are positive results coming from lab testing on rats as well as focus groups. Patents who used CBD in a controlled environment were reporting fewer signs of pain.

With chronic pain affecting daily activities and even sleep, using medical marijuana may be a great course of action to restore a more comfortable body.

2. Depression and Anxiety

The cannabinoids found in marijuana can actually contribute to the stabilization of mood and regulation of emotion. When the body is stressed, the body releases hormones to compensate or reflect the stressed state.

You're likely familiar with the primary hormone called cortisol. This hormone is closely associated with anxiety and can cause tension and emotional backlog in the body.

Cannabis is able to influence the receptors that send out the signals for these hormones and aid in calming anxiety and soothing depression.

3. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition in which the eyes bulge due to an inordinate amount of pressure. This can cause headaches, vision problems, and general discomfort for the individual.

Because the benefits of marijuana extend to pain and relaxation, the body is able to let go of some of the nagging side effects and seek temporary relief. While medical marijuana is not thought to be responsible for treating the increased pressure, the cannabinoids are helpful in living comfortably with the condition.

4. Appetite Stabilization

Similar to mood stabilization, cannabis can play a part in your hunger hormones as well. This can be incredibly helpful for individuals looking to shed excess weight or encourage a healthy appetite.

It's important to note that marijuana does not act as an appetite suppressant, but instead helps your body regulate insulin sensitivity. It's also thought to encourage your body's ability to metabolize calories more efficiently.

5. PTSD Management

PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder is not just for soldiers returning from war scenes. Any individual who experiences an especially stressful or traumatic situation can deal with some form of PTSD.

While the degree of the disorder may vary depending on the situation and the individual, the main cause of this condition is an overactive fight or flight response. This means that the body jumps into a hyperactive state following specific triggers.

One of the amazing benefits of cannabis is its ability to slow this hypersensitive response and allow the mind and body to resist the urge to flee or fight.

6. Cancer-Fighter

While there are still many studies to be done in this area, patients who are undergoing cancer treatment have experienced great results with the addition of medical marijuana.

While it is unclear if cannabis is responsible for fighting off the cancer cells, there has been evidence that suggests there is a strong link between cannabinoid use and the prevention of certain types of cancer.

In addition to this, the uncomfortable side effects of cancer treatment can be greatly reduced with the pain-easing benefits of cannabis.

7. Ease Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a nerve condition that causes severe and chronic pain. The symptoms can also include loss of vision, coordination problems, and fatigue.

While some patients experience consistent chronic problems, others may have temporary relief with the use of immune system suppressant medications. Although nerve damage and pain is a different sensation than tight muscles or back pain, studies have shown a positive connection between the use of medical marijuana and MS symptom relief.

8. Sleep Aid

If you struggle with insomnia or just can't turn your brain off when you rest your head at night, cannabis may be a great option for you to try.

While the CBD and THC help your body relax and unwind, cannabis itself can actually work to ease the intensity and frequency of nightmares. This makes it a great option for those who suffer from sleep apnea and face torment from dreams of unstable breathing.

9. Reduct Inflammation

One of the causes of pain is an inflammation in the tissue, causing discomfort and swelling. Marijuana is able to soothe some of this discomfort by easing inflammation in the body due to conditions such as:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Crohn's disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Individuals who suffer from these serious conditions, or even experience inflammation due to overworked muscles can seek relief with CBD oil, topical lotions containing cannabis, or medical marijuana use.

The Amazing Benefits of Marijuana

From pain relief to healthier cancer-fighting cells, the benefits of marijuana go far past recreational use. Scientists are working hard to unveil more amazing uses but the cannabis benefits so far are pretty outstanding.

Want to learn more about your wellness and how you can enhance your health with natural remedies? Visit our other articles and learn all the tips and tricks to a healthier, happier body.