It’s no surprise that marijuana or weed is so well-loved. Not only do many users enjoy the aroma and taste of many different marijuana strains, but there are many interesting things smoking weed does to your body. Pretty much instantly, you’ll notice the soothing physical effect weed has on you when consumed, not to mention the sensational mental effects.
Many users smoke weed simply as a recreational pastime. After all, it can improve your mood and induce amazing feelings. However, these effects aren’t just good for recreational purposes- they also have a variety of medical applications. Medical marijuana is becoming increasingly popular for many physical and mental symptoms, although it’s still important to use marijuana in moderation.
Research has uncovered many of the reasons why weed makes us feel certain ways and the medical perks (and potential drawbacks) these effects can have. You can expect a range of exciting effects when you consume weed and whether you’re using it for recreational or medical reasons, you’re likely to benefit regardless. Here are some of the most interesting things smoking weed does to your body.
1. Releases Dopamine
One of the main reasons why people love using weed so much is for the happy, calm, and euphoric state of mind it induces. As any weed user will know, smoking weed gives you an almost instant rush of euphoria due to the ability of THC and other cannabinoids to interact with your brain and increase your mood.
This is because THC activates the release of dopamine- the neurotransmitter known for creating feelings of happiness, pleasure, and reward. Research shows that cannabinoids do a great job of activating your brain’s reward circuits, hence why you feel so positive when you smoke weed.
The release of dopamine is a benefit for many users- especially those who smoke weed to relax and take away stress after a tough day. It can also be helpful for those dealing with mood problems and disorders. One study found that it only took two puffs of cannabis to counteract symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.
While weed is great for making you feel good, it’s important to enjoy it in moderation. A 2016 study found that heavy, frequent marijuana use may lead to reduced dopamine release in the long-term. However, when used responsibly, smoking weed for its enjoyable effects shouldn’t cause any harm.
2. Soothes Your Body
Medical marijuana use has become especially popular in countries such as the United States and Canada, and while the mental benefits can help in various ways, the main medical use of marijuana is to treat pain. Marijuana has a highly relaxing and calming effect on the body that makes it very pleasurable to use.
Many users report the physical effects of marijuana as feeling tingly and soothing. It can be incredibly helpful for anyone dealing with physical tension who simply wants to kick back and relax. Of course, it can also help with various physical conditions.
Research shows that cannabis is often used to help with issues associated with chronic pain such as Arthritis, cancer pain, fibromyalgia, injuries, neuropathic pain, and more. THC and CBD have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help with all kinds of physically painful symptoms.
It isn’t just those suffering from health conditions who can benefit from the soothing physical effects of weed either. Many regular users find that smoking weed helps relieve issues such as headaches, muscle strains, body aches, and helps them relax in general.
3. Makes You Sleepy
Smoking weed has also become popular as an alternative sleep aid. Many people suffer from sleep issues, including finding it hard to get to sleep, getting poor quality sleep or dealing with chronic insomnia. However, marijuana can help with these issues in various ways.
Many users find it easier to sleep after smoking weed thanks to the physically and mentally soothing effects it has. Research suggests that marijuana facilitates falling asleep and increases Stage 4 sleep- also known as deep stage sleep. As such, many users find that marijuana helps them get a more refreshing night of sleep.
The research also found that marijuana seems to reduce REM sleep- the stage of sleep associated with vivid dreams. You may have fewer dreams after smoking weed, but this can also be useful for those who suffer from regular nightmares, especially those with conditions such as PTSD.
What’s more, by reducing other issues associated with poor sleep such as chronic pain and anxiety, marijuana can significantly help users who struggle to get a good night of sleep. Many users find smoking weed to be a preferable alternative to treatments such as sleep medications that can often cause dependence and negative side effects.
4. Makes You Hungry
Another one of the most common effects weed has on your body is making you hungry. This effect is so common that it’s affectionately known by users as “the munchies”. Some users might see the munchies as an inconvenience, but research shows that increasing your appetite can have benefits.
When you smoke weed, THC stimulates appetite by increasing appetite hormones such as ghrelin and leptin in your body. Even if you’ve already eaten, you might find yourself feeling extremely hungry soon after getting high. It also makes food more appealing by enhancing your senses, so you’ll enjoy eating your favorite snacks even more.
However, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Medical marijuana can even be used to help patients suffering from appetite problems. For instance, One study found that marijuana helped cancer patients suffering from a loss of appetite and wasting syndrome as it made food smell and taste better. It can also help with other conditions associated with loss of appetite and even anorexia.
Some users might worry that smoking too much weed will end up in weight gain due to the munchies. However, research suggests the opposite. Studies show that cannabis use is linked to lower obesity rates, lower BMI, and lower fasting insulin. It can even reduce the risk of diabetes.
5. Gives You Dry Eyes and Dry Mouth
While many of the effects weed has on your body are positive, you will have to deal with some unwanted side effects. Two of the most common side effects you’ll likely experience with any strain of weed are dry eyes and dry mouth.
Dry mouth (also referred to as cottonmouth) is exactly what it sounds like. The moisture in your mouth will dry up and you’ll likely feel thirsty and find it harder to speak. Research suggests that this is caused by THC binding to CB1 and CB2 receptors in the submandibular glands and blocking communication between these glands and the nervous system.
Along with dry mouth, you’ll also experience dry eyes. This often leads to your eyes becoming red, hence why red eyes are often associated with stoners. However, while these effects can be inconvenient, there are ways around them. Some smokers keep eye drops handy to deal with their red eyes whereas drinking plenty of water is a good idea to deal with dry mouth and dehydration.
6. Enhances Your Senses
Smoking weed can enhance your senses in various ways. Many recreational users enjoy using weed for its ability to stimulate the mind and make everything look, smell, taste, feel, and sound better. There are many ways this can come in handy.
One of the most obvious benefits of having enhanced senses is that it makes food look, smell, and taste better. This is part of the reason why eating snacks during your high is so much more enjoyable. Smoking weed can also make colors seem brighter and more interesting.
Many marijuana users enjoy kicking back and listening to music. Being high will make hearing your favorite songs or new music a much more interesting and exciting experience. The same applies when you watch TV shows or movies while high.
You might find some strains better for stimulating your senses than others. For instance, sativa strains are particularly well known for giving you a sharp cerebral boost and inducing creative, trippy thoughts. However, pretty much any kind of weed can have a positive effect on your senses.
7. Improves Your Skin
One of the most surprising effects weed can have on your body is improving your skin health. Weed is packed with antioxidants, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. One of the benefits of this is that they can help with many skin conditions.
Research shows that cannabis has the potential to treat a variety of skin conditions, including acne vulgaris, dermatitis, sarcoma, psoriasis, skin cancer, and skin inflammation. Due to its ability to relieve inflammation as well as its antioxidant and antibacterial qualities, users may find that cannabis helps improve their skin health over time.
It isn’t just THC that helps relieve skin conditions, either. Research suggests that cannabidiol (CBD), another one of the main cannabinoids in cannabis, can also help when it comes to relieving acne and skin inflammation. Cannabis also contains a host of other cannabinoids and essential oils that may improve your skin health.
Many types of cannabis and CBD products can help your skin, but you might find Topicals to be the most useful. These are cannabis-infused products that you can apply directly to the skin to absorb cannabinoids into a specific area of your body. They generally also contain other essential oils and ingredients to boost your skin health.
8. Lowers Blood Pressure
Smoking weed can also reduce your blood pressure. High blood pressure can have various negative impacts on your body and increase the risk of cardiovascular problems and heart conditions. By reducing your blood pressure, cannabis can have a positive effect on your body in numerous ways.
A study found that a single dose of cannabidiol, one of the cannabinoids in weed, reduced blood pressure in healthy volunteers. Subjects who took CBD had lower blood pressure and decreased stroke volume, although it also increased their heart rate. The findings suggest that cannabis may help as an alternative treatment for cardiovascular disorders.
High blood pressure is often associated with stress and hypertension. By calming your mind and your body along with decreasing blood pressure, weed can be highly positive in helping reduce these issues. There are also some side effects to lowering your blood pressure- for instance, this is why users often experience dry, bloodshot eyes.
One of the most significant benefits of reducing your blood pressure by smoking weed is that it also decreases intraocular pressure by 25%. This is especially helpful for users suffering from glaucoma and medical marijuana has become a common treatment for the condition.
Where To Buy Weed
If you want to test out the effects of weed for yourself, you won’t have a hard time getting your hands on it. While not every user has access to a local cannabis store, it’s easy for any adult in Canada to buy weed online for convenient and discreet home delivery.
BudExpressNow offers a wide variety of marijuana strains to try out. Whether you prefer the calming effects of indica strains, the stimulating effects of sativa strains or the balanced effects of hybrid strains, there’s a suitable marijuana strain for every user.
You aren’t limited to smoking weed, either. You can also try other cannabis-infused products if you want something a little different. For instance, you may prefer Concentrates, Edibles, Vapes or Topicals. Users who want the effects of cannabidiol but don’t want to get high can also benefit from CBD products.
Conclusion
Smoking weed has all kinds of interesting effects on your body. You’ll instantly notice how physically relaxing and soothing it is thanks to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabinoids. It can also help reduce blood pressure, improve your sleep, and even improve your skin.
The effects weed has on the brain are just as noticeable. It activates reward circuits to induce a euphoric and positive state of mind. It can also help with issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. However, you may also experience some side effects from smoking weed, including dry eyes, dry mouth, and nausea and paranoia in higher doses.
Nonetheless, smoking weed is a positive experience for anyone as long as you use it in moderation. You can find all the strains of weed and cannabis products you need online at BudExpressNow.
