Exploring the side effects of cannabis!

EXPLORING THE SIDE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS We have talked a lot about the benefits of cannabis and how it can help users overcome a variety of issues from mental disorders and stress to muscle spasms or even epilepsy. What about the side-effects? Surely not even a miracle plant can have zero side-effects. Well, it is true – to a point.

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SIDE-EFFECTS OF CANNABIS There are side-effects of marijuana use, but they are extremely mild. This is especially true when you compare them to those of prescription medications, which can often result in liver issues, heart conditions, depression, etc. Cannabis has very mild side-effects that often exist as more of an annoyance than a threat. However, if you have never used cannabis before, it is good to get an idea of the negative effects that can occur.

Dry Mouth Also known as “cottonmouth”, dry mouth is one of the most common side-effects caused by marijuana use. In fact, a 2003 study revealed that 79% of marijuana users experience dry mouth! This is due to how THC, one of the main cannabinoids in cannabis, binds to the cannabinoid receptors throughout our body when ingested. Unfortunately, there are a number of these receptors located in the saliva glands. THC binds to these receptors, decreasing saliva production resulting in a serious need for water.

Dry, Red Eyes Not only does cannabis cause dry eyes but it also causes them to become bloodshot, even with the most experienced users. This definitely makes being high difficult to hide – especially if you run out of eye drops. This is due to the fact that THC lowers blood pressure and dilates the pupils, as well as the surrounding blood vessels. This results in redness in the eyes and occurs with nearly all strains and consumption methods. However, as you build a tolerance, this will become less of an issue.

Increased Appetite As discussed in our Why Weed Gives You The Munchies and All About THCarticles, THC binds with receptors in the hypothalamus causing the release of the hunger hormone – ghrelin. This results in an increased appetite. In addition, THC blocks POMC neurons (also located in the hypothalamus), which are responsible for signalling the body when it is hungry and when it is full. This is why someone who would normally be full off a few pieces of pizza, can easily finish an entire pie when they are stoned.

For some individuals, such as those in chemotherapy or who suffer from an eating disorder, this can be a very beneficial side-effect. Click here to shop some of our best appetiteinducing strains – and see just how easy it is to buy cannabis online.

However, if you are one of the many who does not appreciate “the munchies”, you can mitigate this side-effect in a couple ways. One option is to choose lower THC strains that do not have as heavy an influence on appetite. Alternatively, Sativa strains are a great option to help keep you focused on your daily tasks and out of the kitchen. Click here to browse our Sativa selection!

Sleepiness and Lethargy Depending on which strain you choose, ie: Indica vs. Sativa, many users will experience sleepiness and even lethargy. This can be beneficial for individuals with ADHD/ADD or insomnia who may find it hard to relax or even fall asleep. However, if you are looking to mitigate this side-effect, it is best to avoid any Indica strain as they are commonly associated with sedating effects.

If you are looking for an energizing, day time bud, pure Sativa’s or Sativa-dominant hybrids are a great option to get you focused and moving. Visit our online cannabis dispensary to shop our top energizing strains or click here to browse our entire Sativa selection.

BUY CANNABIS ONLINE We hope providing users with a basic understanding of the more common side-effects of cannabis, will make their experience more positive – especially for beginners. Be sure to check out our Fair Canna Care blog for more useful and informative articles, or head over to our online cannabis dispensary shop to browse our selection.