Pros and Cons of Smoking Weed Everyday

Pros and Cons of Smoking Weed Everyday   

Cannabis has been with us for many decades. But, even after all these years, there is still a lot of debate about this plant. While some states have legalized it, some are yet to do that. And worse is that there are still some stereotypes from society on those who smoke weed.

Regardless of all these, many people are using marijuana for various therapeutic benefits. According to research, this plant can help ease chronic pain, reduce nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy treatments, aid sleep, and lift your moods.

There are many ways of consuming marijuana, from vaping to using pills, powder, or cannabis topicals. Smoking is among these ways that many people prefer as they feel like it betters their health. However, some people are concerned about the downsides of smoking weed.

So is it safe to smoke, or should you not do it? This article lists the pros and cons of smoking marijuana to help you make an informed decision.

Pros of Smoking Marijuana Everyday 

• Reduced Blood Pressure 

High blood pressure is a serious condition that can result in heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. The American Heart Association says that more than half of the American adult population suffers from high blood pressure.

Thankfully, many blood pressure cases can be managed by lifestyle changes such as consuming a healthy diet and exercising regularly. But interestingly, many people are relying on marijuana to manage this condition.

Smoking cannabis irregularly can increase your blood pressure. Surprisingly, when consumed daily, your body adopts the spike and avoids it. THC and other cannabinoids found in marijuana can help lower blood pressure over time. Plus, they can help the body maintain healthy pressure levels.

Many people claim to maintain their pressure by using cannabis alone without additional medicine. A study by the European Journal of Internal Medicine found a link between marijuana and reduced blood pressure in older adults.

• Brain Protection 

Marijuana can protect a user’s brain. A recent study conducted by researchers in Germany and Israel concluded that cannabis could help generate new brain cells. Note that our cognitive ability and function reduce as we age.

But consuming cannabis every day has proven effective in slowing this process and keeping our brain healthy and more functional. Research pieces for the effects of cannabis on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are quite promising.

Our brain recognizes connections through a process called neuroplasticity. These connections are like complex maps. Even before a person is born, their brain has already started creating new communication paths for itself and the body.

Neuroplasticity is stronger among young people than in senior adults. It is why children can easily learn a second language. But thankfully, cannabis has proven effective in supporting neuroplasticity. Research conducted on rodents showed that THC in low doses could protect brain damage. And now it’s believed that cannabinoids in cannabis help stimulate protein enzymes in brain areas associated with planning, memory, judgment, personality, attention, and balance.

• Weight Loss 

Obesity and overweight affect many people these days. Sadly, if these conditions are left untreated, they can lead to other serious issues like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancers, etc.

But did you know that cannabis can help you lose weight? Well, this sounds strange since many people associate marijuana with increased appetite. However, some studies have proven that weed can promote weight loss.

Marijuana is linked to low fasting insulin. Therefore, people who smoke marijuana regularly have lower body mass indexes. Plus, they are less likely to develop metabolic conditions such as diabetes.

Additionally, marijuana works on weight loss by lowering the stress levels. Note that when we are stressed, we produce a hormone called cortisol. This hormone increases one’s appetite, which is why many stressed people gain weight.

Smoking cannabis before going to bed can help you release the day’s stress and offer relaxation. No stress means no overeating. Hence no weight gain.

Again cannabis can improve sleep. Poor sleep has been associated with weight gain. But since cannabis improves insomnia and offers better sleep quality, it can help a person lose weight.

Lastly, marijuana is linked with increased metabolism. It interacts with cannabinoid receptor 1, responsible for metabolism and food intake. Smoking cannabis daily increases metabolism, forcing the body to use the stored energy. As a result, it lowers a person’s BMI.

The most important thing to remember is that cannabis won’t cause sudden weight loss. However, it may help address the issues that are causing weight gain. By dealing with the underlying conditions, you can achieve weight loss gradually.

• Boosts Energy 

Cannabis had and still has a reputation of making someone lazy and unmotivated. However, this depends on the strains a person uses. Indica strains, for instance, make a person feel high. Therefore, taking them can make you feel lazy and laid back.

But, some marijuana strains like Sativa are energizing and can help you get through the daily monotonous tasks. If you want an alternative for the morning coffee cup, these cannabis strains could be what you need.

Note that Indica strains usually affect the body, causing a heavy feeling and body melt. Sativa strains, on the other hand, target the mind. They offer uplifting and euphoric feelings.

Marijuana is also said to boost creativity among users. Many people in the creative industry, like music and art, claim to use marijuana to help them write or draw great pieces. But this effect again depends on the weed strain you use. Some strains can help you come up with an outside idea that you’d probably not have thought about when you are in your normal state.

• End Opioid Dependence 

Opioid dependence is a problem in many developed countries. It claims many lives every day. But, many people still use these dangerous drugs to treat medical conditions. However, cannabis can treat or assist in treating these same conditions without the life-threatening side effects.

A study by Harm Reduction Journal found that people using cannabis daily are less likely to have opioid dependence than those using cannabis occasionally.

Cons of Smoking Marijuana Everyday 

Although marijuana offers many benefits, it still has some side effects. Here are the negatives of smoking weed every day.

• Risk of Cardiac Event 

Sure daily use of cannabis can reduce your blood pressure. However, some studies say that it can increase the heart rate and cause hypertension. According to research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, using marijuana aggressively increases the risk of hypertension death.

But more research needs to be done in this area. For now, individuals are advised to stick to low marijuana doses.

• A Possible Drop in IQ 

As much as cannabis makes users more creative, long-term use can lower their IQ. A study conducted in New Zealand found out that individuals who started smoking cannabis heavily in their teen years had a drop in their IQ by 8 points.

But bear in mind that this only looked at teenagers who smoked weed heavily several times a day. Smoking weed one time every day doesn’t seem to impact IQ negatively in the long run.

• Sexual Health and Reproductive Issues 

Heavy use of marijuana has been linked to a reduction in testosterone and sperm count in men. This could therefore lead to infertility. In one study involving 1215 young men aged 18 and 28, researchers concluded that sperm count and the number of motile sperm were lower in men who smoked marijuana several times a week.

But there have been other reports that didn’t find any effect of marijuana on the sperm count and testosterone level. Some doctors argue that since it takes three months for one to produce sperm, stopping the use of marijuana three months before trying for pregnancy can be beneficial.

Also, some studies claim that reduced testosterone levels depend on the strain you take. Plus, THC compound will leave the body after some time. Therefore, when you are ready to start a family and have children, you can quit smoking weed cannabis a few months before.

• Possibility of Addiction 

Addiction is, in fact, among the reasons why many states have not legalized marijuana. When used for many years, it’ll give users a psychedelic feel instead of an intoxicating sensation that most people want.

As a result, users can be addicted while trying to chase the high feeling. Around 15% of the people using cannabis get addicted to this plant. But note that when compared to other substances, weed is not addictive. And most people can regulate how much marijuana they consume easily.

But, there is still a possibility of developing cannabis dependence. However, everything boils down to control and regulation. Heavy weed smokers may have a hard time quitting marijuana completely.

That’s because your body adapts to THC after using weed for a long time. As such, it leads to a high tolerance level. This means that you’ll need higher doses of marijuana to achieve the same effects you used to before.

• Affects the Short Term and Verbal Memory 

We all have an idea of how our memory works. However, most people don’t know that memory is deeper than just remembering things. Your memory encodes, stores, and allows you to remember information and experiences.

There is the long-term memory and short-term memory, also divided into working, verbal and procedural memory. Short-term memory is the things that you focus on at a given moment. Long-term memory is more permanent as your brain picks important information from your short-term memory.

So how does marijuana affect the memory? Cannabis contains cannabinoids like THC that enter your bloodstream. When they reach your brain, they activate the endocannabinoid system intertwined with brain parts that control memory. Studies say that marijuana use can impair a person’s short-term memory. It is similar to what happens when you are using alcohol.

As such, you’ll have difficulty remembering certain things. However, this is a temporary effect. But heavy marijuana use can damage your short-term memory permanently. Smoking cannabis daily puts you at risk of low verbal memory levels by the time you’re in middle age.

Final Thoughts 

Cannabis has many other medical uses. Plus, it may be a healthier alternative to opioid drugs. But, we cannot ignore the potential side effects of aggressive daily consumption. While more research needs to be done on these negative effects, understand the risks of using marijuana heavily every day. At the end of the day, weigh the pros and cons of daily marijuana use and decide whether every day consumption is good for you.