Debunking Myths About Potheads

Think of the term “pothead”. What type of person comes to mind? What are they doing? For a lot of people, the image of some guy wearing a beanie is smoking a bowl of cannabis on his couch in his basement. Maybe he’s playing video games or watching mindless cartoons, while he absentmindedly munches on hot cheetos and oreo cookies. For whatever reason, people have adopted the stereotype that people who smoke cannabis are all couch potatoes.

While I will admit that oftentimes, when one is smoking, it is definitely best to be seated on a nice comfy couch or bed. However, this does not mean that all people that smoke marijuana are inherently lazy - and far from it! I personally have always believed that people who use cannabis are some of the hardest working people out there; after all, weed is not cheap you know! Anyways, the truth about people who smoke weed is that they are just as active as everybody else, and possibly even more so. Do I have your attention yet?

According to a study done by doctors at a University, there is a link between higher intelligence and the likelihood of developing a generalized anxiety disorder. Simply put, people who are smarter tend to worry about things more often. It is also true that people with higher anxiety levels tend to be more physically active, whether it be a coping mechanism for stress or simply a byproduct of feeling anxious. So what does that say about people who use marijuana for dealing with stress and anxiety? 

According to a survey done recently, people who regularly use marijuana are actually more active than the average person in America. This is so true that most people who stop using cannabis are encouraged to remain physically active, and some even live a more sedentary lifestyle after they stopped using marijuana. This survey also stated that people who use marijuana are more likely to watch more TV (about two or more hours a day). But honestly, is that statistic really a big deal to anybody? Most Americans spend that much time in front of the TV anyways, so that statistic is not really earth shattering by any means. Another study was conducted to measure the level of activity between cannabis smokers and those who do not use cannabis.

What were the results, I wonder? Unsurprisingly, the report says that states who legalized the use of medical marijuana are more likely to see an increase in health lifestyle habits than states who do not (we are looking at you, Texas). It’s also worth mentioning that people who use marijuana are more motivated to work and stay healthy after they have had their time on the couch to destress. It’s no secret that mental health is a huge problem in the United States right now. Especially when pandemic swept through the nation and forced people to stay indoors, we saw a huge increase in mental health problems and physical health problems as well. Now that things have become a little less restrictive, people who were trapped inside are much more willing to get off the couch and really take care of their physical health. Meanwhile, they are able to properly deal with and manage their anxiety disorders or stress by using cannabis to feel its calming effects. 

So if you are on the fence about obtaining a medical marijuana card because you don’t want to become a lazy pothead, then I am happy to tell you that you don’t need to worry about it! According to these studies, you may even become healthier.

Debunking Myths About Cannabis and Sleep

If you have heard anything about cannabis, you have also probably heard extreme exaggerations about it’s effects or benefits in ways that make absolutely no sense. CBD fans are the worst when it comes to this - I’ve seen countless articles about CBD where people basically say that it cures anything. While I don’t dismiss the fact that CBD and other cannabidiol products have numerous and plentiful benefits, exaggerating these claims usually does more harm than good, especially with how controversial the topic of cannabis can be in the United States at the moment.

These false claims can also harm doctors and other medical professionals who can actually influence people with truth about treatment and use of cannabis. To start off this article, I want to speak some facts into your mind. Per recent studies done by scientific sources, cannabis has been proven to help people sleep 30 minutes faster on average with less disruptions, and is more effective and helps people feel well-rested. Now that marijuana is legal in 35 of 50 states, it is much easier for people to legally get their hands on cannabis when they want it. In fact, the legal market increased by 67% in the year 2020. This makes sense in regards to how many people were forced into stressful and depressing lives due to quaranting. Anyways, today I want to talk about the myths that have been circulating in the media about cannabis, and address why they are simply not true.

The first myth that I want to address is that there are no risks involved when using cannabis for sleep. Since marijuana is a natural drug that comes from a legally grown plant, people seem to assume that there could be no drawbacks to using cannabis night after night to aid with sleep. In reality, cannabis is a drug and, like any other type of medication, there are side effects and even drawbacks to continued use over time. One of these drawbacks is that THC can be a factor in sleep hangovers if it is consumed in a high dose.

This can create some sleeping problems for people who wake up during the night, and lead to some very tired mornings. Most doctors and medical professionals will prescribe smaller doses of cannabis at first in order to allow the patient to get used to the dose before increasing it. There are also some long-term risks associated with regular marijuana use as well, such as the disruption of REM sleep cycles. REM stands for rapid eye movement, and is the deepest and most energizing part of our sleep cycles. Disrupting the REM cycle is not a good thing, and can lead to not getting enough sleep even if you slept for a long time. 

Another Myth that I want to address is that marijuana is all the same and can all do the same things. Worldwide, there are over 700 different strains of cannabis. If you are expecting each strain of cannabis to have the same effects and behaviours, then you are completely off base. Not only do these strains range from indica to sativa to hybrid, but each strain of cannabis under those umbrellas serves a different purpose as well. It is important to know that you should not rush into consuming marjiuana. Since each strain is different, it is imperative that you do research on which strains are good for sleep versus energy, anxiety, stress, and so on. Make sure that you choose the cannabis strain that is right for you, especially because our brains and minds work differently as well!