It is no news that many states, including Minnesota, have legalized and decriminalized cannabis because of its medical and recreational advantages. Gone are the days when the local and federal governments made several policies against the usage of cannabis; now, everything has seemingly changed.
At this moment, cannabis has gained more ground and has now gotten on the good side of many high ranking political leaders. Marijuana is now more popular than almost every other substance, including narcotics. The real question now is, what are the impacts of chronic marijuana smoking on the body? How aware are the people of Minnesota of these impacts?
Almost everyone in Minnesota knows that constant smoking causes a lot of harm to the body, especially the lungs. Excess tobacco, nicotine, and tar-based substances are dangerous for the body; however, does smoking cannabis pose the same harm and threat?
People use cannabis in different ways, but smoking is the most popular. Some research revealed that cannabis is one of the most smoked substances in the world, so it is imperative to know about its impacts on habitual users. If you are on the brink of making peace with marijuana consumption, finish reading this first to understand some facts about daily cannabis usage.
What You Need to Know About Smoking Cannabis
The act of smoking involves converting substances into smoke for easy inhalation or into cloudy vapor. Smoke affects health and alters the functions of all the organs in the body, including the brain. Everyone is aware of the harm smoke inhalation causes to the lungs; however, new research has revealed that the danger of smoking is now more immediate and more profound than people used to think or know about.
Smoking is not only typical of tobacco and nicotine, as many people frequently smoke herbs and cannabis. The difference is that, unlike normal smoking, these substances are natural and have low carcinogens and combustible toxin levels. Cannabis is a utility plant with medicinal advantages; the good news is that it has minimal side effects.
As stated earlier, there are different ways of using cannabis, and smoking it is not the safest. If there is awareness of the effects of tobacco, nicotine, and so on, it is imperative to look into the impacts of smoking marijuana on the body.
First, smoking cannabis can compromise your genes and DNA expression, leading to excessive erroneous and unexpected cellular action, especially cancer cell growth. In Minnesota and the whole of America, research showed that 30% of cancer-related deaths are caused by smoking. The growth of cancer cells and tissues greatly affects the lungs due to smoke inhalation.
The lungs are not the only body parts affected by Marijuana consumption as it also affects the:
Liver
Mouth
Cervix
Kidney
Throat
Esophagus
Bladder
Stomach
Blood and bone marrow
Impacts of Smoking on Heart and Vascular Health
Inhaling smoke can increase the likelihood of having cardiac diseases as the heart is one of the most vital parts of the cardiovascular system. Also, smaller components, mainly the vessels, play an essential role in the vascular/circulatory system, and they are important to the day-to-day function of every other organ of the body.
Smoking cannabis alters and damages these structures leading to;
Plaque build-up in the arteries
The blood vessels getting thinner
Likelihood of clots and blockage in the blood vessels because it did not get the required amount of blood.
The condition listed above is referred to as atherosclerosis. It can cause hypertension, high blood pressure, and an increased heart rate due to constant exposure to smoke. Habitual smoking of marijuana has several effects on the cardiac and vascular system; they include;
Blood clotting
Coronary disease
Heart attacks
Cardiac arrest
Embolism
The smoke from marijuana deprives the body of useful oxygen and nutrients while increasing the level of carbon monoxide and toxins. The toxins give the organs excess work.
The Impact of Smoking on Bone Health and Development
In case you don’t know, smoking stalls the growth and development of bones. It causes your bones to be weak and reduces bone density, increasing the possibility of fractures and cracks. Also, smoking makes it slower and more difficult to heal from injuries and fractures. Many habitual smokers have osteoporosis, a typical disease among women due to hormone changes and aging.
Women who smoke have a higher tendency to have osteoporosis than non-female smokers. In addition, smoking affects your oral cavity and dries off the moisture in the gum, membranes, throat, and mouth. Other effects of smoking on your oral cavity include;
Dry mouth
Inflammation
Colored teeth
Taste disorder
Hamitosis
How Does Smoking Impact Lung Health and Immunity
The smoke you inhale does not enter your body alone; it is accompanied by some substances that weaken your body’s overall immunity, increase inflammation, and make it susceptible to diseases and infections. Once your immune system is weak, there is little or no protection against diseases and disorders like diabetes and ulcerative colitis.
Also, smoking neutralizes and renders all the tissues in the lungs useless. As a result, there will be excessive mucus, irritation of all sorts, inflammation, and congestion. Smikimg is the primary cause of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Does Smoking Affect Reproductive Health?
New research now confirms that smoking marijuana is harmful to the reproductive system. The danger differs based on gender, but generally, smoking causes infertility, sexual dysfunction, and impotence.
Does Smoking Marijuana Affect the Skin, Hair, and Nails?
Smoking marijuana prevents the skin and hair from getting the oxygen and nutrients it requires to flourish. It also alters normal blood flow and stresses the organs excessively. Marijuana smokers are likely to contact skin irritation and infections such as dryness, eczema, and psoriasis.
Smoking marijuana can also cause;
Oily hair
Yellow nails
Dull and warn skin
Much damage caused by marijuana depends on the actual substance. Smoking tar-based substances means inhaling hundreds of harmful substances into your body.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Card in Minnesota!
Do you have a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card in the State of Minnesota?
Have a chronic condition? You probably qualify! Do you feel like you may benefit from medical cannabis in general? You probably qualify!
Minnesota’s medical marijuana program is fully up and running, and we will begin seeing patients very soon! You should reserve your appointment as soon as possible to make sure you will not have to wait any longer for the relief you deserve.
Cannabis is a safe, natural medicine that has been used for thousands of years. Starting July 1st, medical marijuana will officially be legal in the State of Minnesota, so you should do what you can to prepare so you can have legal access to your medicine!
Reserve an evaluation online today with one of our compassionate doctors, and we’ll book an appointment for you just as soon as we’re cleared to. We will begin seeing patients in the near future, so make sure to reserve an evaluation right away!
You’ll meet with your doctor virtually, using your smartphone or computer for a telemedicine appointment. Together you’ll discuss your conditions, what medical marijuana might be able to do for you, and if you’re qualified to receive a Minnesota Marijuana Card, all without even leaving your home. You’ll even save $25 off the cost of the evaluation!
Comments