7 really surprising health benefits from smoking cannabis

Anti-drug activists think that a few puffs on a joint will turn you into a red-eyed, unemployed psychopath – probably for life.
But is marijuana actually that bad for you?
With several American states having decriminalised the herb for personal use, scientists have suddenly had the chance to see what cannabis actually does on a mass scale.
And guess what? Cannabis actually has some VERY surprising health benefits. Here’s a few.

1) Smoking weed makes you thinner – or at least less likely to be obese

You might not think it after you’ve watched a munchie-struck stoner devour an entire KFC family bucket in one go, but dope smokers are less likely to be obese.
A study in the journal Obesity found that regular weed smokers are less likely to be obese than non-smokers.
The researchers from Conference of Quebec University Health Centers looked at 700 adults aged 18-74 – and found that cannabis users tend to have low body mass index scores (often taken as a sign of good health).
People with low BMIs tend to have less body fats and tend to be at lower risk for diabetes.

2) Marijuana can actually improve lung function

Human lungs, illustration

Smoking weed isn’t actually that bad for your lungs, and smokers actually have improved lung function when compared to both cigarette smokers – and people who have never smoked either.
The researchers, writing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, say that the big drags taken by weed smokers may actually ‘train’ lungs to be more efficient.

3) It can increase creativity

5 surprising health benefits of smoking weed

A 2012 study in Consciousness and Cognition found that marijuana made people more creative – at least in terms of how well they used language.
The researchers said, ‘We investigated the effects of cannabis smoked naturalistically on schizotypy and divergent thinking, a measure of creativity.
‘One hundred and sixty cannabis users were tested on 1 day when sober and another day when intoxicated with cannabis.
‘Cannabis increased verbal fluency in low creatives to the same level as that of high creatives.’

4) Weed can help athletes perform better


And however unscientific you deem his little self-experiment to be, he found that he performed better on the treadmill and was less sore after a heavy squat session.
‘I do a heavy squat session while high, which would normally leave me sore for two days, but I’m surprisingly fresh 24 hours later,’ he wrote.

‘Studies have shown that the drug has an anti-inflammatory effect, which is one reason why medical marijuana is so prevalent.’
Because of marijuana’s illegality in most places, hard research is still hard to come by.

5) Cannabis can kill cancer cells

In what could be a key moment for advocates of legal cannabis, the U.S. government has admitted that the drug can shrink cancer cells.
In a page of official government advice, the U.S. government now says,, ‘Cannabis has been shown to kill cancer cells in the laboratory.’
The site says that the effect has so far been seen in rodent studies, and cautions,  ‘At this time, there is not enough evidence to recommend that patients inhale or ingest Cannabis as a treatment for cancer-related symptoms or side effects of cancer therapy.’
Cancer Research UK warns patients that so far, there is no evidence that cannabis extracts can be used as a treatment. 

6) It’s a far safer alternative to alcohol – in fact, it’s 114 times safer

Cannabis could actually be the safest drug available, after a study found it is actually 114 times less deadly than alcohol, according to the journal, Scientific Reports.
The reports‘ authors studied the effects of alcohol, heroin, cocaine, tobacco, ecstasy, crystal meth and cannabis.

7) Smoking weed can help you give up heroin

Smoking weed helps patients give up opiates such as heroin, a new study has found.
Researchers at Columbia University monitored patients undergoing treatment for opiate addiction – and found that patients who smoked weed were more able to sleep, less anxious, and more likely to complete their course.
The researchers also found that dosing patients with dronabinol – a drug consisting of the ‘active’ ingredient in cannabis, THC – helped with withdrawal symptoms

Why is Weed Illegal in Some States of the US?

Why is Weed Illegal in Some States of the US?

Weed is illegal in most countries due to various reasons. In the United States, laws differ from state to state. So one might ask where is marijuana legal in the US? Let's dig into the facts about weed, and have a look at its status in all the states of the US.

Why is weed (marijuana) illegal
Weed, also known as marijuana, had always been legal since the hemp plant had been discovered. The hemp plant Cannabis sativa is not only used to produce marijuana, but also used for a number of other products, like incense, cloth, rope, woven fabric, etc.

The first marijuana Law was enacted at Jamestown Colony, Virginia, in 1619. Under this law, farmers had been ordered to grow Indian hemp seed compulsorily, and failing to do so, one could be jailed. It was not because hemp was used to produce marijuana, but for essential war requirements like rope. The plant was not known for its recreational drug until the early 1900s.

History of Weed in the US

When weed was legal all around, the plant was used for a number of purposes. Even medical practitioners used it to provide pain relief to patients. There were many researches conducted during the 19th century that prompted the British and the US to undertake a stand on its legalization.

During the International Opium Convention in 1928, America too sent its delegates to attend the meeting. Here, they were introduced to several testimonies that proved that marijuana made people go insane, commit murder, and even die due to overdose. This made the United States stop all export of Indian hemp to any country. This agreement led to a fall of the production of weed in the US.

During the same period, during the revolution in Mexico in 1910, there was an increase in the influx of Mexicans. It was seen that many Mexicans smoked marijuana and brought along the plant to America. Thus, California passed the first state law that banned 'preparation of hemp, or loco weed'. Soon, other states followed suit, and passed the marijuana prohibition law. These states included Wyoming (1915), Texas (1919), Iowa (1923), Nevada (1923), Oregon (1923), Washington (1923), Arkansas (1923), and Nebraska (1927).

With many other factors playing a role, the Roosevelt administration signed the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937. Under this law, any person who sold the drug had to pay a tax. If the tax was not paid, he had to pay a hefty fine, and even serve prison time. But, the US government did not want the tax money, and simply made weed illegal in America.
Reasons Behind Weed Being Illegal

The first reason that lead to making weed illegal in the US was its classification as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. This was because, it was perceived that once a person uses marijuana regularly, he turns into a 'pothead' that is addicted to the drug. The second reason was that, there were no accepted medical uses of marijuana. The benefits of medical use, as claimed by people for weed legalization, had not been accepted on a national level.

Weed has been linked with narcotics like heroin and morphine, and therefore, thought as a 'gateway drug'. Many hippies and other social outcast have been known to use marijuana. This led to making marijuana illegal, as these people were thought to have a criminal streak. Marijuana has been associated with increasing insane behavior. Also, people who advocated weed legalization did not present a stronger case to change the laws.

Nevertheless, in recent times, weed has been legalized on various levels in different states in the US. Some states allow its use for medicinal purposes only, while others also allow certain amounts for recreational use, while the rest consider it illegal

Legalizing Weed Pros and Cons

Legalizing Weed Pros and Cons

The debate surrounding the legalization of marijuana has both sides quoting legalizing weed pros and cons. In this article, we take a look at what the points put forward by both sides are and how it affects weed legalization the country.

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Pro and con of legalizing weed
Before moving on to understand what are the different pros and cons of legalizing weed, it is important to know what weed is and why weed is illegal. Weed or marijuana is the blossom of the Cannabis plant which is dried and consumed for recreational and medical purposes. In some places, consumption of marijuana is also considered spiritually enhancing. The blossom of the cannabis plant which is also used to make animal food, medicine, and for rope making, has psychoactive and physiologically active chemical compounds that can elate the mind. Before the 20th century, weed or marijuana was not regulated but with linkage to violence and crime due to research studies, arguments against marijuana grew and it was declared illegal.

There are many pros and cons of legalizing marijuana but slowly the cons stated against legalizing weed are being questioned. Almost thirteen states in the US allow use of marijuana for medical purposes. Weed legalization in California, one of those states that can benefit largely revenue wise if the crop is legalized, has been debated for a while now. While the preposition was rejected by voters when the referendum was put up for vote in 2010, backers are suggesting another campaign in 2012. If this preposition is passed then it would allow citizens above the age of 21 to possess up to one ounce of marijuana. It may also include a clause that would allow citizens to grow plants in a plot of size five feet by five feet. Now let us take a look at the many pros and cons of legalizing weed that are generally debated during such a debate.

Pros of Legalizing Weed

Of the many pros and cons that are put forward by both sides, one of the most stated pros of legalizing cannabis is the revenue that this crop creates and the money that would be saved on enforcement. But this is just one of the advantages of legalizing marijuana. Let us take a look at the benefits of making this blossom legal.

Many people often state the fact that using weed is only as harmful as using tobacco or consumption of alcohol, which are both legal. If you look at both these cases then marijuana should also be made legal.
According to studies and proven results, there are many medical uses of marijuana including benefits in patients suffering from cancer, glaucoma, and AIDS.
Like mentioned earlier, a large amount of money spent on preventing illegal trade in marijuana could be saved if it is legalized and regulated. Estimates show that this figure could be somewhere around USD 8 billion. Also legalizing weed would result in a decrease in illegal activities surrounding trade in this drug.
More than 700,000 arrests in weed related cases are for possession and legalization would mean easing the pressure on the criminal justice system. This would mean that more serious cases could be tried and lead to convictions.
One of the pros that is oft stated is that legalizing it would ensure that the freedom of choice is not intruded upon.
In California, a movement to legalize could create a revenue that according to estimates, could surpass USD 14 billion. This is just the revenue from sales. Legalizing weed would result in a new source of revenue that could also ease the economic problems the country is facing.

Cons of Legalizing Weed

The case against legalization of weed has been building for several years now and despite many people questioning the harmful effects of weed and launching campaigns for legalization, there are many social and law enforcement reasons that has led to such strong protests against legalizing weed.

One of the harmful effects of weed is that if used for a long period of time, it can have a severe effect on a person's health and their general well-being.
Several studies have shown that users who started off using marijuana moved on to using harder and more harmful drugs like heroin and cocaine. Children between the ages of 12 to 17 who use weed are eighty five times more likely to use cocaine.
Several opponents of the process of legalization of marijuana also state that many of the people involved in the buying and selling of weed are likely to be involved in other criminal activities. Also it is not a good idea for it to come across to the world in general that law enforcement agencies in the country are supportive of drug use.
To a large extent smoking of marijuana is considered an immoral, socially debilitating activity that needs to be kept under control. This is one of the main reasons that is taken into consideration by lawmakers.
Marijuana's effect on the brain is also often quoted with prolonged use causing hallucinations, psychotic behavior, paranoia, impairment of motor ability, increase in mood swings, etc.

There are many pros and cons but due to the sheer strength of arguments that both sides put forward it is difficult to reach a conclusion and the debate remains a continuous one. Despite the revenue that legalizing weed can generate, the process of weed legalization in California and other states remains largely

Harmful Effects of Weed

Harmful Effects of Weed

Marijuana, which is also referred to as pot, grass, or weed, is one of the most commonly abused drug. The following Buzzle write-up provides information on the harmful effects of weed.

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Marijuana is made from the dried leaves, flowers, stem, or seeds of the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. Weed is mostly smoked in joints (hand-rolled cigarettes), bongs (pipes), or blunts (cigars that are filled with marijuana after they are emptied of tobacco). It is the presence of a psychoactive substance or cannabinoid called THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) that is responsible for the mood-altering effects which are felt after smoking pot. THC gets absorbed into the bloodstream within minutes of smoking pot, thereby causing acute effects that may include feeling of euphoria, calmness, heightened senses, increased appetite, etc. The intensity of the effects might vary, depending on the potency of weed, which in turn is determined by the THC content. The level of THC in marijuana depends on the following:

➞ Strain or variety of the plant
➞ Part of the plant that is used
➞ Growing conditions
➞ Preparation and storage

It is believed that the strains that are currently being used are far more potent. This could be due to the use of flowers or buds, as they contain a larger amount of THC than the leaves or stem. The average THC potency has seen a rise from less than 1% in the 1970s to as high as 13%.

Statistics on Marijuana Use
Marijuana is categorized as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Schedule I drugs are defined as substances that have a high potential for abuse, with a lack of accepted safety for its use, and no currently proven medical purpose. In the United States, the sale, possession, and use of marijuana is a federal crime. However, some of the states have decriminalized marijuana, legalizing its use for medicinal purposes to some extent. Colorado and Washington are the only states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use, whereas many states have legalized it for medical purposes.

However, one of the major cause of concern is the high incidence of the use or abuse of marijuana in teenagers for getting high or stoned. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this trend is due to the changing perceptions about the risks associated with the use of marijuana.

Here are some statistics by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

➞ There has been a 50% increase in the number of daily marijuana smokers among those aged 12 and above.
➞ There has been a 20% increase in marijuana smoking among girls aged 12 - 17 since 2007.
➞ There has been a 12% increase in the use of weed among people in the age group of 18 to 25 years.
➞ The study revealed a 25% increase in past month marijuana use in those aged 12 and above.
➞ The perception of harm about smoking marijuana once a month has fallen almost 30% since 2007.
➞ According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in 2012, about 6.5% of 8th graders, 17% of 10th graders, and 22.9% of 12th graders had used marijuana in the month before the survey.
➞ Not many consider marijuana to be addictive. However, studies by NIDA reveal that about 9 percent of people who use weed become dependent on it. The number increases to about one in six among those who start using it at a young age, and to 25 to 50 percent among daily users.

Effects of Weed
The THC content in street pot is way higher than what it used to be. Though a small amount of THC can help the user reap medicinal benefits, using street pot that has a high THC content for recreational purposes could give rise to certain issues. The immediate effects of weed are due to the absorption of TCH, which has mood-altering properties. Marijuana users are likely to experience:

➞ Altered perception
➞ Difficulty concentrating
➞ Heightened senses
➞ Relaxation or calmness
➞ Mild paranoia
➞ Increased heart rate
➞ Slow reaction time
➞ Increased appetite
➞ Confusion
➞ Problems with balance or coordination
➞ Random thinking
➞ Short-term memory loss

The intensity with which the effects are experienced would vary, depending on the potency, as well as dose of weed. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, heavy or chronic users could develop an amotivational syndrome, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

➞ Decreased drive and ambition
➞ Shortened attention span
➞ Poor judgment
➞ High distractibility
➞ Impaired communication skills
➞ Diminished effectiveness in interpersonal situations

According to NIDA, if taken in large amounts, marijuana might cause confusion, restlessness, hallucinations, anxiety, altered perception, euphoria, etc. The user may have impaired coordination, and face difficulty in remembering things and thinking clearly. For this reason, users must never drive or operate machines under the influence of weed.

The long-term effects may include decreased concentration, memory-related problems, decreased motivation, increased risk of respiratory ailments, etc. The psychological effects might be more pronounced in case of people who are predisposed to depression or other psychological problems.

A 2012 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that people who started smoking before the age of 18 showed a greater decline in IQ and cognitive functioning than people who started taking it as adults. Those who smoked pot more than four times a week as teenagers, and continued its use as adults experienced an 8-point IQ drop. It is believed that the harmful effects are likely to be more pronounced in young users.

Organizations such as NIDA point towards the adverse effects of marijuana for all, especially for those who start taking pot at a younger age, and continue to do so. Though marijuana does seem to offer certain health benefits, and its supporters stress on the need to legalize marijuana for treatment of certain conditions, studies need to be conducted to understand the risks associated with the long-term use of weed. Though it becomes extremely hard to discourage people from smoking pot due to the lack of consensus on its effects, there's no denying the fact that it is increasingly being used for recreational purposes by the teenagers. Keeping the possibility of marijuana abuse in mind, organizations must provide substantial scientific evidence to warn people against the potential health risks associated with its use

How to Get Weed Out of Your System

How to Get Weed Out of Your System

Smoked up and need to know how to get weed out of your system? Read the following article for more details on the same.

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You tried it and you were proud you did it ...You didn't really resist. The high was legendary. Got you excited and shrilly. You were taken up by everyone cheering your shrill laughter and you smoked one joint after the other. A small thought did not make way into your head back then―the blood test on Monday. And even though all the after effects have long gone, the weed (marijuana), it still sits comfortably in your system. Now what? Now you'll want to know how to get that weed out. Ways and tips for doing just that will follow.

Getting the Weed Out

Weed is bad for you. Really is. You see, weed contains the THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) chemical which causes you to experience the 'high'. This chemical needs to be removed from the body 'cause it can get stored in the fatty tissues. Thankfully, there are ways of cleansing your system of the same. Here are some of the best ones.

Water
Water into the system, weed out of it. Simple. Water is known to flush out toxins from the body and it has a similar effect on the THC chemical. Drinking about 8 gallons of water will help to replenish your system and get you to urinate frequently. Urinating is a good thing at this point because it ensures that the weed is eliminated slowly but surely. Be consistent at it and do this for over a week for best results.

Exercise
It seems like the solution to everything is exercising, doesn't it? It is. For a reason, it works! The THC chemical is stored in the fatty tissues so if you attack those tissues and burn them off, it means that you'll be automatically getting rid of weed from your system. Get in some cardio exercises to work up a sweat and wear layers of clothing so that you sweat more. This will mean that you're flushing out the weed faster.

Diet Changes
This is important, cut out all the high sugar, high fat, high salt foods. All these foods will only add more and more layers of fat, thus cutting into the task of eliminating the weed from your system. Switching over to raw fruits and vegetables instead, will require the system to cut into the fat reserves for energy, thereby eliminating the fat layers that are acting as reserves for the weed. Include as many salads and natural foods as you possibly can. Eat smaller meals so that the metabolism never dips and that ensures burning off more fat.

Along with that, try including certain juices as well. Juices that are seen to be most effective are cranberry juice, grape juice, and apple juice. These act as a diuretic and help you urinate often.

Steaming
Going into the steam room for a hot and heavy sweating session is a guaranteed way of getting you to sweat, and that is exactly what we need to do right now. Sweating, as has been said earlier, will help release all the toxin build up in the body and thus eliminate the weed.

There are certain specialized weed detox kits that have been formulated as well. You could even try taking these natural forms of clearing your body off the weed.

P.S.- It has to be made perfectly clear that the writer does not endorse the intake of weed.

Now that you know how to go about getting the weed off your body, clear your system soon and have a clean break from the weed drive

How Long Does Weed Stay in your System?

How Long Does Weed Stay in your System?

If you are nearing a drug test and want to know how long does weed stay in your system, so that you can come out clean, this article will tell you all about it! Read on...

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"I think people need to be educated to the fact that marijuana is not a drug. Marijuana is an herb and a flower. God put it here. If He put it here and He wants it to grow, what gives the government the right to say that God is wrong?" ~ Willie Nelson

I guess this is the favorite quote of all the weed lovers across the globe! Oh, by the way, marijuana is also known as weed, herb grass, and even pot! No matter what you call it, or how much you enjoy getting high using the 'gift of God', the fact is that it remains in your system for a very very long time, and you can easily get caught in a drug test. Of course, there are many ways by which you can try to 'cheat the test', but sadly, the drug testing can detect that too, unless luck favors you! So, if you are wondering if the weed that you smoked last night, or even last week, is still there in your system or not, then you will have to read further to get some unexpected answers!

How Long Does it Take to be Clean?

The question appears to be very simple, isn't it? I mean we are just looking for the number of days that takes to get the weed out of the system completely, right? No, unfortunately the answer is not as simple as it seems. There are many factors that you need to take into consideration while answering the question, 'how long does weed stay in your system?' These factors include,

The frequency of smoking weed.
The rate of metabolism.
The overall health and body weight.
Tolerance level towards the toxin.

Whenever you smoke weed, it ends up getting stored in the fat cells of your body, including the brain, liver, or kidneys; which are by far the most important organs of the body! Weed contains a chemical known as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a fat soluble chemical and tends to get stored in the blood and the major organs... forever! In fact, THC is also stored in your hair follicles and always remains there until you chop your hair off! When a drug test is done to detect the presence of weed in your system, the test actually detects the presence of 9-carboxy-THC which is nothing but a by-product of THC after it has been metabolized! If you are aware of the effects of marijuana in your system, then you would know that it is very difficult to determine the actual time of consumption of weed, and when exactly its effects in the body started! Therefore, professionals use an estimate which is referred to as the 'half life' to determine how long does weed stay in your system. Mentioned below are the different normal time period (half life), which takes to get rid of weed from your system.

Occasional Smoker: 10 days
Regular Smoker: Up to 45 days
Constant Smoker: Up to 90 days!

Now that seems like a long time!! If you have a lot of fat in your body, then the THC will stay for a longer time!

How Long Does Weed Stay in Your Blood?

As mentioned earlier, it is the THC that actually ends up getting stored in the fat cells of the body and therefore the actual question should be, 'how long does THC stay in your blood?' The time period varies from 3-90 days and the result depends upon your usage. A person who has never smoked weed before would take just 3-5 days to clean up. A person who smokes one a week would have up to 10 days and so on. So the more often you smoke weed, the more time you will take for the THC to become undetectable in your drug test. So, let us say that you are a regular smoker of weed and have waited for 45-90 days to clear the test, if you smoke weed again after the test is done, you will again have to wait for 45-90 days! So the lesser you smoke, the better it is. If you need help with quitting, this article on how to quit smoking weed will prove to be helpful!

There are many people who claim that by drinking lots of water, herbal tea, cranberry juice, and by using detox kits, one can pass the drug test and come out clean. Well, the drug tests are not that easy to fool! There is usually a urine test or a blood test, that is used to detect the presence of weed in your system. Most people drink lots of water and other liquids to dilute the urine. But do you know that the urine shows a certain range of excreted metabolites. If the range is not within the usual, then the sample is further tested and diluted urine is marked as a direct fail as an attempt to 'fool the test'! In case of blood tests, the presence of weed can be traced even after 6 months! Also, do you have any idea how long does weed stay in your hair?!!! The THC will get accumulated in your hair follicles which are growing while you smoked weed. If that hair is still present in your head, the THC can be easily detected, even if you smoked weed 10 years ago! Scary, isn't it? This could be one of the reasons why most weed smokers shave off their heads or go for chopped haircuts! So, if you smoke weed and have long hair, knowing how to get weed out of your system would be helpful!

Think for how long can you deal with the trouble of getting caught in a drug test and keep worrying about the aftereffects of smoking weed? It all depends on you! As of now, my advice to you would be this: Maintain a healthy lifestyle and try to get rid of the fat in your body. You see, THC tends to store itself in your fat cells. The more fat you have in your body, the longer it will take for you to clean up your system, and the higher are the chances for you to fail the test. Exercise on a daily basis, go for runs and swims. Drink lots of water and juices, preferably the ones made with berries. Eat a healthy diet and avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. Drinking fluids will flush out the THC from your system, and the working out will help burn the body fat which has stored THC. Depending on your body fat and the frequency of smoking, you need to invest the appropriate amount of time in these activities and then take the test to have fair chances of coming out

Why is Weed Illegal in Some States of the US?

Why is Weed Illegal in Some States of the US?

Weed is illegal in most countries due to various reasons. In the United States, laws differ from state to state. So one might ask where is marijuana legal in the US? Let's dig into the facts about weed, and have a look at its status in all the states of the US.

Tagged Under: Marijuana
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Why is weed (marijuana) illegal
Weed, also known as marijuana, had always been legal since the hemp plant had been discovered. The hemp plant Cannabis sativa is not only used to produce marijuana, but also used for a number of other products, like incense, cloth, rope, woven fabric, etc.

The first marijuana Law was enacted at Jamestown Colony, Virginia, in 1619. Under this law, farmers had been ordered to grow Indian hemp seed compulsorily, and failing to do so, one could be jailed. It was not because hemp was used to produce marijuana, but for essential war requirements like rope. The plant was not known for its recreational drug until the early 1900s