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.

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