5 Things Smoking Weed Does to Your Body

When you think of marijuana, the first thing you think of is likely its powerful mental effects. It’s no secret that marijuana can boost your mood, heighten your senses, and induce an introspective mind state. However, it also has a range of physical effects, and some users might wonder about the things smoking weed does to your body.

In many cases, users benefit from the physical effects of weed. For example, its relaxing properties help many medical users with issues such as chronic pain, inflammation, and migraines. However, there are some potential drawbacks and you might want to watch out for the physical side effects of smoking weed. Here are 5 things smoking weed does to your body that you should know about.

1. Soothes Pain And Inflammation

When you smoke weed, one of the most noticeable physical effects you’ll experience is a soothing and relieving sensation across your body. Marijuana has swiftly become a popular alternative to pain medications for its ability to help manage all kinds of pain, inflammation, and physical tension.

Research shows that marijuana helps with pain in various forms. Patients have used marijuana for issues such as cancer pain, migraines, muscle spasms, and many other conditions associated with chronic pain. Generally, indica strains are the best strains for relieving pain and inflammation, although all kinds of strains can help somewhat.

While many people benefit from the effects of THC on the body, CBD has also been shown to help with the management of difficult to treat pain in many forms. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis that’s often extracted for use in oils, edibles, and other easy-to-use products. As such, users who want to avoid the psychoactive effects of CBD but still get relief for pain and inflammation often use CBD products.

2. Makes You Feel Extremely Hungry

Another one of the most noticeable things that smoking weed does to your body is to make you incredibly hungry. Even if you eat before smoking weed, you’ll often notice that you end up craving food after smoking. This side effect is colloquially and affectionately known by many users as “the munchies”.

The munchies aren’t just a phenomenon. Research suggests that marijuana activates hunger hormones such as ghrelin and leptin, hence why you suddenly feel so hungry after smoking weed. It can also make food look and taste more appealing due to its ability to heighten your senses. These effects together create a perfect storm of hunger.

Some users find this boost in appetite inconvenient. However, it’s not necessarily a negative side effect. Weed’s hunger-inducing effects are often used to help induce a healthy appetite in patients with issues such as cachexia and eating disorders. What’s more, while you might end up eating more while you’re high, research suggests marijuana is associated with healthy BMI and fat mass.

3. Makes You Feel Tired And Lazy

After you smoke a joint, you might find yourself feeling increasingly tired and lazy. The relaxing effects of THC grow throughout your body and, eventually, you might even find it hard to move out of your seat. While this can be inconvenient at times, it can also be incredibly convenient for those who need something to help them sleep.

The sedating properties of marijuana are likely due to the hypnotic effects of THC. Research suggests that THC helps decrease the time it takes for users to fall asleep and even decrease awakenings throughout the night. However, some users might find themselves feeling mentally hazy in the morning.

Marijuana is often used by those suffering from insomnia or other sleep disorders to help them get a good night of sleep. While sativa strains are usually more mentally stimulating, indica strains are perfect for inducing intense relaxation and eventually helping you drift off to sleep.

4. Gives You Dry Eyes And Dry Mouth

Although marijuana can have many positive effects on the body, it’s also important to know that you’ll have to deal with some negative side effects. While many of these side effects generally only occur at higher doses, two of the most common side effects you’ll experience at any dose are dry eyes and dry mouth.

When you smoke weed, you’ll likely notice that your eyes feel much dryer and will often end up being bloodshot. This isn’t just from the smoke, either. Even using edibles, tinctures, or other marijuana products will also give you dry eyes. This is due to the effects of THC, which has a drying effect on mucous membranes in your body.

You’re also likely to experience dry mouth. Also known as cottonmouth, this is when the moisture in your mouth dries up. This can be uncomfortable and make it hard to speak, so make sure you have plenty of water to drink when you’re getting high.

5. Has An Anticancer Effect

One of the most fascinating physical effects of marijuana is its ability to help with cancer. Marijuana has become a popular alternative treatment for patients with cancer as, not only can it help with many of the side effects, but it may even help reduce tumors.

Research shows that, among their many other physical effects, the cannabinoids in cannabis help to control the growth and spread of tumors in the body. By potentially reducing the spread of cancer, marijuana can help in conjunction with other treatments such as chemotherapy.

Of course, marijuana has various other benefits for patients suffering from cancer. Many patients undergoing chemotherapy and other cancer treatments find that marijuana helps reduce nausea and vomiting, relieve pain, boost their appetite, and even help with anxiety.

Conclusion

Not only will smoking weed enhance your senses and induce a euphoric state of mind, but it also has various physical effects. It can relieve pain and physical tension, help you sleep, and even make you feel extremely hungry. It can also have some negative side effects such as dry eyes and dry mouth.

There are many ways to use marijuana and it’s easier than ever to get your hands on it. Whether you prefer smoking weed, using potent marijuana concentrates, or even using handy marijuana-infused products such as edibles and tinctures, you can find everything you need online at GanjaExpress.