Can Medical Marijuana Help You Live Longer?
Studies show that human beings have always been thinking about how to extend their lifespan. For many years, individuals have been thinking of ideas to live longer. For instance, ancient Egyptians adopted the concept and belief of immortality. Furthermore, in China, the residents considered the ‘elixir of life,' which was common for millennia of legends.
It’s a privilege to live in times when there is a long lifespan, with people surviving for more years. Experts link the steady rise in life expectancy to numerous improvements in lifestyle conditions and various medical advances.
Nevertheless, the main drawback of living longer is the various age-related diseases. You have to battle various conditions as you age due to the high incidence in older individuals. These diseases include Alzheimer's disease, stroke, heart complications, etc. Experts reveal that there is a huge gap between healthy life expectancy and a long lifespan or life expectancy.
Despite the numerous efforts and studies, scientists have found it hard to get a proper remedy for aging. However, many researchers focus their studies on checking whether marijuana use can enhance or increase lifespan.
Marijuana has been popular among most individuals in the United States and worldwide. Despite the federal laws in the U.S regarding it as illegal, the numerous medical properties forced the FDA to approve the first marijuana medication in 2018. The FDA approved this drug containing purified medical marijuana properties to alleviate seizures. The drugs have shown positive results in treating two severe and rare forms of epilepsy. However, the question that remains among most individuals is whether taking marijuana can help increase the lifespan and ensure a healthy & better life in the later years. Let’s look at the facts on marijuana use and increasing lifespan.
The Role of Inflammation in Health and Diseases
Experts consider inflammation as one of the ways the immune system responds to fection or injury. For instance, the immune system will respond through inflammation when you catch a cold or pull your muscle. Studies show that the immune system gets into action after the body or system detects invading disease-causing microorganisms or physical trauma. The response causes the cells in the affected region to produce cytokines.
The cytokines summon the white blood cells to the affected area. These cells will destroy all the disease-causing microorganisms by secreting various enzymes. The cytokines will destroy these microorganisms by allowing the enzymes to digest them and prevent the infection from spreading to other body parts.
In addition, specific white blood cells produce a special chemical called reactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals. These free radicals are unstable molecules that react with damaged or dead cells. The body requires to get rid of the dead or damaged cells to start the healing process.
The process may result in various side effects, including swelling, pain, or redness. Besides the side effects, this process is an essential homeostasis function vital in protecting the body from environmental and infectious toxins. The inflammatory process switches off immediately after the enzymes successfully remove the threat or pathogen. The body gets back to its baseline or normal operations within a few days.
Nevertheless, inflammation may continue in some individuals for some days or weeks due to various factors. The extended inflammation duration may be due to the inability of the enzymes to fully eliminate the virus or exposure to fewer toxins over a particular time.
Furthermore, some individuals have autoimmune disorders which compromise the immune system functioning. The condition makes the immune system unable to differentiate between harmful and normal healthy cells, causing them to start attacking all the cells. These situations result in chronic inflammation, which may increase the risk of developing serious illnesses or conditions.
Experts have linked autoimmune disorders to painful conditions, including chronic inflammations and arthritis. Additionally, some studies associate these conditions with serious health concerns, like cancer, kidney disease, Alzheimer's, chronic respiratory diseases, strokes, heart diseases, and diabetes.
Inflammation and the Aging Process
Experts reveal that chronic inflammation is a pervasive feature that comes as the body ages. This condition represents a significant risk factor, leading to increased mortality and morbidity among the elderly.
The white blood cells produce free radicals during inflammation. The radicals may become excess leading to leakages into the healthy cells and tissues. In their excess state, the radicals cause oxidative stress, which is the process by which they damage or destroy healthy body cells. Oxidative stress is the leading cause of various degenerative conditions among the aged.
Besides damaging tissues, oxidative stress may lead to serious consequences, like damaging the cell’s DNA, resulting in a mutation. Mutation of the cells may lead to abnormal growth of cells, a common characteristic of the different types of cancer.
Aging is the biggest risk factor predisposing individuals to chronic inflammation. Nevertheless, recent studies have linked other lifestyle factors and conditions to severe inflammation. Factors such as smoking, being overweight, poor diet, sleep disorders, and stress may increase the risk of chronic inflammation. Remember, severe inflammation increases the risk of contracting other diseases, reducing the lifespan.
Reducing inflammation Naturally and Using Cannabis to Increase Your Lifespan
As you age, your body becomes prone to chronic inflammation and other degenerative diseases. With the debilitating effects of chronic inflammation and these diseases, it'll be vital to get appropriate ways to reduce the disorder. We’ve got numerous ways or lifestyle changes you can consider to reduce the risk of severe inflammation as you get old.
Experts reveal that lifestyle changes like including a natural and balanced diet in your meals will help reduce the risk. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy weight is usually a step ahead to reducing this risk. Medics also warn against eating foods or drinks that may increase inflammation in your body. Therefore, reducing or avoiding consuming foods like sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, and processed foods will be good.
As you age, it’ll be vital to include anti-inflammatory foods in your diet. These foods include vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and fresh fruits. You can also research the appropriate example of anti-inflammatory diets and food you can consider reducing the risk of inflammation. The DASH and Mediterranean diets are common anti-inflammatory diets you can consider.
With stress being one of the risk factors for severe inflammation and other age-related diseases, it'll be wise to manage your stress. You may also improve your overall well-being and increase your lifespan by maintaining proper sleep and relaxation schedules. Studies show that stress is widespread among the population worldwide. With the numerous stressful factors, the conditions may lead to severe issues like depression, insomnia, and anxiety. We've got numerous ways you can consider managing your stress levels, including exercising, meditation, etc.
Studies show that tobacco cessation is another effective way of reducing inflammation. The addictive substance in tobacco (nicotine) has made it hard for most people to quit smoking, but you can consider seeking professional support and help. Ask your primary healthcare provider or pharmacist about the appropriate method or mechanism to help you stop smoking.
How Can Marijuana Help You Live More Years
Marijuana contains a wide range of active compounds called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids cause various body effects as they interact directly with the different systems in the human body. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabinoids (CBD) are the popular and most researched marijuana cannabinoids.
Studies link THC with the various psychoactive effects in the body. This intoxicating compound leads to a ‘high’ feeling after taking weed. While THC can cause intoxication, CBD alone doesn't lead to any ‘high feeling’ but has profound effects on the human body. The main advantage of consuming CBD is alleviating inflammation, as it has inflammatory properties. The inflammatory properties have made CBD a great remedy for alleviating severe pain and other debilitating disorders or conditions.
Is Cannabis an Antioxidant?
Besides offering the best inflammatory properties, research has shown that cannabinoids act as powerful antioxidants. With their powerful antioxidant properties, these marijuana compounds can help reduce or prevent oxidative stress. Cannabinoids help to reduce oxidative stress and their reaction with free radicals to stop them from damaging various body tissues and cells.
Cannabinoids help to reduce or prevent body tissue or cell damage, keeping it disease-free. The process prevents age-related and chronic diseases like stroke and heart disease. Remember, these cannabinoids (CBD and THC) provide a protective influence on your nerve cells.
Besides helping to prevent age-related diseases, cannabinoids also reduce the risk of abnormal cell growth that may cause cancer. Studies show that marijuana cannabinoids can reduce cancer risks by increasing apoptosis rates. Apoptosis is the process by which the body destroys dead and old cells. Destroying these cells halts the process by which tumors grow to form cancerous cells that later spread to the rest of the body.
Some research findings reveal that marijuana could be vital in reducing chronic inflammation risk factors. Cannabinoids achieve this health goal by alleviating various depression or stress symptoms and helping to improve sleep patterns. Scientific studies also show that you can use CBD to stop tobacco smoking and enhance weight loss.
Does Marijuana Use Cause More Harm than Good?
Despite all the potential health benefits that come with marijuana, consuming weed may have some harmful effects. Reports show that most individuals consume marijuana by smoking. Smoking marijuana is very harmful, especially to the lungs, and may also increase the risk of severe inflammation.
Besides smoking, we've got other methods you can consider for consuming this herb. Edibles are increasingly becoming a popular way most individuals consider. Despite helping to reduce lung damage and the risk of respiratory issues, taking an edible also has some adverse effects.
Some studies have linked frequent marijuana use to learning and memory issues. In addition, marijuana use for a long time may lead to serious psychiatric conditions or disorders, like schizophrenia, psychosis, etc. Researchers have also linked marijuana use to the increase in developing heart attacks in individuals with underlying conditions. Medical experts advise that you avoid THC, as studies associated this cannabinoid with most of these adverse effects. You can consider taking CBD alone or strains with High CBD levels.
Currently, no research or study specifically shows the association between marijuana and living longer. However, the neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of cannabis may be vital in enhancing proper lifespan. These properties show that marijuana has numerous health benefits, despite the medical community yet to explore the long-term effects fully.
With the limited studies, it remains a mystery to understand whether marijuana does more good to your body than harm. Researchers and scientists should invest more resources and time in these studies.
Wrapping Up: Can Marijuana Use Help You Live Longer
Studies associate marijuana use with numerous health benefits, including protecting the body from various age-related complications and alleviating severe inflammation. With these benefits, it's possible that using medical cannabis products may be vital in slowing down the aging process. Furthermore, preventing diseases plays an important role in prolonging your lifespan.
Although marijuana has numerous health benefits, it's good to understand that it also comes with some adverse effects. For instance, smoking marijuana may be bad for your lungs and the respiratory system and can increase cancer risk. These adverse effects result in a major downfall in the possibility of medical marijuana increasing your lifespan, as smoking is the common way most individuals take marijuana. Besides causing respiratory issues, regular marijuana consumption increases the risk of mental health complications and heart issues in some users.
Limited research on the extended effects of marijuana use makes it hard to understand if it does more good than harm. Nevertheless, we expect the situation to change, and many researchers invest in these researchers.
With its various beneficial properties, like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and oxidative, marijuana may be effective in enhancing your lifespan. Getting a medical marijuana card will help you access these products to help you improve or enhance quality of life and live longer. You can visit our website for a medical card online evaluation 420 to get a recommendation and receive your card. Getting a medical marijuana card might be the best way to enhance your lifespan and improve your quality of life.
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