People have been using parts of cannabis plants for a long time. Even the ancient Indian and Chinese texts mention cannabis in their respective medical sciences. Currently, cannabis is mainly used as an effective analgesic in patients with chronic pain but is not limited only. The cannabis Sativa plant is packed with many benefits that it’s impossible to ignore.
The cannabis plant has two main species, Cannabis sativa, and Cannabis indica. In popular culture, cannabis Sativa is considered a single undivided species in which all other subspecies are included. The Sativa plant is used for making different types of products, including herbal health products, fabric, rope, and much more. The cannabis plant has high medicinal and recreational value and is considered highly nutritious. Due to many fibers and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp seeds have a special place in heart and skin health.
Benefits Of Sativa Products
The intoxicating behavior of the Sativa flowers has restricted the reach of cannabis products. However, there is another variety of the Sativa plant, which isn’t as intoxicating as marijuana. This plant is popularly known as the hemp plant, in which the THC content is lower than 0.3% of the plants’ dry weight. Manufacturers use this hemp plant to produce products that have high medicinal value. So, here are the 5 implausible benefits one can attain from sativa (hemp) products.
- May Alleviate Pain
As already mentioned, one of the most popular uses of Sativa products is in pain management. People have been using it to treat pain dating back to 2900 B.C. According to scientists, the components of Sativa like CBD, CBN, and most importantly, THC have a positive effect on patients suffering from chronic pain. These components affect the activity of the endocannabinoid system of the human body.
The endocannabinoid system is a highly specialized neural system regulating the sleep cycle, pain sensation, appetite, and immune response. The ECS produces neurotransmitters that bind with the cannabinoid receptors such as CB1 and CB2. According to studies, components of cannabis such as CBD have significant medical potential and may help in alleviating pain-reducing inflammation. Moreover, CBD is particularly effective in conditions like nerve and back pain when used with THC.
Some countries have approved using an oral spray containing a 1:1 blend of THC and CBD to treat multiple sclerosis and arthritis. The drug Sativex is claimed to be quite effective in chronic pain patients, and there was a significant improvement in pain, walking activity, and muscle spasms. Moreover, one review study suggests Sativex may also help in multiple sclerosis-induced neuropathic pain and chronic severe neuropathic pain. The study also says Sativex may help lower stress and anxiety, the major causes of chronic pain.
- May Helpful In Some Mental Health Disorders
Mental health has a significant role in an individual’s overall health and well-being. At the same time, these disorders are most often treated with drugs that have various side effects, including irritation, insomnia, and erectile dysfunction. Moreover, benzodiazepines have a significant risk of dependence and abuse.
However, CBD has shown promising results in treating mental health disorders like anxiety disorders and eating disorders in preliminary research.
CBD oil is highly successful in treating anxiety issues and insomnia due to post-traumatic syndrome disorder in children. According to a recent study, CBD oil may also treat insomnia and PTSD symptoms like nightmares in adults.
- Helpful In Cancer-induced Symptoms
The Sativa plant is rich in antioxidants that protect the body from the adverse effects of free radicals forming in the body. After crossing a certain threshold, these free radicals can cause a range of ailments, cancer.
In addition to protecting the body from cancer, CBD may also help reduce some cancer symptoms.
According to the review of five studies done on cancer patients, researchers found that the drug Sativex may help in reducing cancer-related pain.
The pain-relieving properties of cannabis may also help cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Moreover, CBD oil may also help fight the ill effects of these treatments, such as nausea and vomiting.
- Sativa Products Have Neuroprotective Properties
CBD oil is highly enriched with neuroprotective properties, which can help people suffering from neurological disorders. While the research is still limited, one of the most studied uses of CBD is in neurological disorders. Apart from Sativex, which is relatively safe and effective in reducing muscle spasms in patients with multiple sclerosis, the FDA has recently approved a pure CBD drug, Epidiolex. Epidiolex can treat Lennox -Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in children above 2 years of age. Epidiolex has shown great use in controlling seizures in children suffering from selected epilepsy syndrome.
- It May Be Beneficial To The Heart
According to some research, CBD is highly beneficial for the heart and circulatory system. Moreover, it can also lower blood pressure effectively. The researchers have also found that CBD can reduce arteries’ stiffness and improve through arteries. In the research, 26 healthy men were treated with 600mg of CBD for a week, which led to a significant reduction in their blood pressure.
As already mentioned at the beginning, Sativa products are rich in omega 3 fatty acids. Moreover, hemp seeds also contain high levels of arginine amino acid, which turns into nitric oxide in the body. It helps keep the arteries and veins dilated, smooth, and elastic.
Conclusion
Apart from the benefits mentioned above, Sativa products have many more health benefits such as antipsychotic effects, substance abuse treatment, and easing diabetic complications.
The Sativa plant can produce different types of products from different parts. Other than flowers, seeds also have a high nutritional value. While the shells are rich in fiber, grinding the seeds can help absorb them. While the clinical research is still in infancy, the anecdotal evidence suggests Sativa products can help in many health conditions.
