There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about both THC and CBD. A lot of this misinformation was perpetuated during the war on drugs, which was a campaign lobbied by many of the major textile industries in the early 70s. Hemp was a cheaper and better alternative to most of the most popular fabrics, so many companies started pushing a lot of false information about THC to ensure the government could ban hemp and all its constituent chemicals.
But we are lucky that we now live in an age where we are more educated on the subject. We have dispelled most of the harmful misinformation surrounding THC and CBD and have a better understanding of just how useful both of these chemicals can be. Both have a myriad of health benefits for both your physical and mental well being. Today we are going to be examining these health benefits.
Alternative Pain Medication
It is sad to say but Canada is currently in the midst of an opioid crisis. While it isn’t as bad as in America, it is still quite devastating. Which is why Canada has been looking for a lot of good alternatives to traditional pain medication. And two of the most effective alternatives can be found in hemp.
Both THC and CBD are a natural pain reliever. Out of the two, THC is the more potent pain reliever. The way this works is actually quite fascinating. The nerves in our body that detect pain are also receptive to cannabinoids. In a similar fashion to opioids, cannabinoids will block the pain receptors in the nerves. CBD does the same thing to a lesser extent.
There have been many studies into the effectiveness of THC in managing chronic pain. And the results are very promising. The primary advantage is that THC, and CBD, are non-addictive, in regards to their chemical composition. This is one of the primary reasons behind the decision to legalize THC and CBD in Canada. And now you can find concentrates for sale here in British Columbia or anywhere else in Canada. Concentrates are a great choice for people dealing with chronic pain as you can better control the dosage and increase it as needed. With advice from a medical professional of course.
Mental Health Healing
Studies around THC and CBD haven’t just been focused on their physical benefits. In fact most studies are more concerned with their potential for helping combat various mental health issues. Primarily amongst them depression and anxiety.
Now it is important to note the key difference between THC and CBD. While THC is far more potent than CBD, it also contains psychoactive chemicals. This is what creates the popular ‘high’ that is most commonly associated with THC. CBD has no psychoactive properties. This is a key distinction in how they can be used to help deal with mental health issues.
The early conclusions to these studies show that CBD is the safer option of the two when it comes to dealing with mental health. CBD can help produce more dopamine by elevating your mood. And it also helps improve the brain’s ability to absorb the serotonin that it is already producing. One of the main causes of depression is an inability for the serotonin uptake inhibitors to absorb serotonin.
THC has also been shown to help improve the amount of dopamine the brain produces, but it is a riskier endeavor. Consuming too much THC regularly can lead to increased symptoms of anxiety. Which is why it is vital to measure your intake based on a professional’s guidance.
But, if done right, THC can be a fantastic tool for dealing with mental health issues. THC helps stimulate creativity in people, allowing for a sharp uptake in a person’s mood and the ability to find a creative outlet for internal emotional stress. It also helps reduce physical stress in the body, which has a knock on effect of reducing mental anguish.
The Social Aspect
One of the biggest draws towards THC is the huge social aspect that comes with it. The most common image associated with stoners is someone locked away in their room watching endless TV. But the THC community is actually a very friendly and active one. Often engaging in a lot of outdoor based activities such as festivals, fireside gatherings, and nature walks.
THC can help people bond with others in new ways. It opens people up emotionally and, paired with the mood boosting properties, creates a sense of togetherness and euphoria when with others. These communities are often very creative as well, allowing people to nurture and grow their imagination in a safe space.
For people who are introverted, or struggle to make new friends, these communities can be a fantastic confidence boost. And the health benefits of socialization can’t be overstated. Social activity has been linked to combating dementia, anxiety, and depression.