Medicinal Marijuana Health Benefits
Medicinal Marijuana Health Benefits -Most plants contain a wealth of antioxidant compounds, and cannabis is no different. The majority of its antioxidant effects come from its cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes. Let’s look at each of these compounds in more detail.
Cannabinoids
To date, over
100 cannabinoids have been identified in cannabis. However, the two
that have undergone the most rigorous testing are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
(THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
THC is arguably the most well-known chemical
in cannabis as it is responsible for its intoxicating effects. However, CBD has
recently gained much attention for its potential health benefits. Among these
benefits, CBD is believed to be anti-inflammatory, neuroprotectant, and a
powerful antioxidant.
Research published in 2000 in
the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences found that both THC
and CBD possessed potent antioxidant effects. However, CBD was found to be the
more beneficial of the two. The study’s authors stated that CBD appeared to be
an even more effective antioxidant than either vitamin C or vitamin E.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are phenolic compounds, a
class of chemicals found in various plants, including fruit, vegetables, herbs,
tea, and cannabis. A whopping 8000 different phenolic compounds have been
identified to date, and many of these are flavonoids.
Flavonoids act as both direct and indirect
antioxidants. This means that as well as stabilizing ROS, they also reduce
their production by the body.
Cannabis contains as many as 20 different
flavonoids, including cannflavin A and cannflavin B, which are unique to this
extraordinary plant. Among other things, these two compounds are believed to
have potent anti-inflammatory effects.
Terpenes
Terpenes are another type of chemical
found in many different plants. They are aromatic compounds and play an
essential role in protecting the plant from pests. They also give plants their
characteristic aromas and flavors.
Cannabis contains many different terpenes. Some of the most common are myrcene, limonene, pinene, and linalool. As well as making cannabis smell and taste great, terpenes have a variety of different health benefits. One of these is their antioxidant properties.
A study published
in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research in 2018 found that many of the
different terpenes in cannabis had antioxidant effects. However, none of the
terpenes tested were as potent as CBD.
Medicinal Marijuana Health Benefits -
Using Marijuana as an Antioxidant
If one wants to maximize marijuana’s
antioxidant effects, there are several steps that one can take. The first is
choosing a strain that is rich in CBD. These days, most strains are bred to
have a high THC content, but a select few have been bred specifically for CBD.
A few popular CBD-rich strains include:
Charlotte’s Web
ACDC
Cannatonic
Harlequin
Ringo’s Gift
In addition to choosing a strain with a
healthy dose of CBD, a person must also pay attention to how they consume
cannabis.
Smoking is known to cause oxidative stress,
especially when one combines cannabis with tobacco. Therefore, this is not the
most optimal way to use cannabis for its antioxidant effects. Another problem
with smoking is that many of marijuana’s beneficial compounds are destroyed by
intense heat.
Fortunately, there are numerous other
ways to consume marijuana. These include edibles, tinctures, concentrates, and
vaping. If a person chooses to vape their cannabis, they must ensure that they
set their vaporizer to the right temperature. This will help to preserve those
beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes.
Finally, consider the part of the plant
that one is using. Although cannabinoids and terpenes are most concentrated in
the buds of female marijuana plants, flavonoids can be found throughout the
whole plant. This includes the leaves and stems of both male and female
marijuana specimens.
So, if a person grows cannabis, they can
maximize the benefits by using every part of the plant after harvesting. Leaves
and stems may not have an intoxicating effect, but one can add them
to smoothies, juices, salads, or tea for a healthy dose of antioxidants
every day.
Medicinal Marijuana Health Benefits - Is Marijuana an Antioxidant? Final Thoughts
Cannabis is a plant with a whole host of
benefits for human health, including its antioxidant properties. It derives its
benefits from a wide range of compounds, including cannabinoids, flavonoids,
and terpenes, all of which have a dramatic influence on the body.
For more:
Medicinal
Marijuana Health Benefits
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