As the legalization of cannabis begins to spread across the U.S., more people are slowly opening their doors of curiosity to cannabis culture. With more research and data is found on the benefits, cannabis has become the new frontier for the wellness industry. However, there are still myths and stigmas that continue to cling making the use of cannabis seem illicit and wrong. We’re going to break down the top five myths on cannabis and debunk them for you right now.
Here are the top five cannabis myths debunked:
Myth 1: Cannabis is a gateway drug
You may have heard this primarily in school or parental advice. This popular myth was created by a wide variety of outlets from the media, movies, and popular culture. And after years of research, we can finally put this myth to rest. A research study by The National Academic of Science Engineering Medicine found there to be “no conclusive evidence on whether the effects of cannabis are linked to the subsequent abuse of other drugs.” A person’s mental health and environment has more of an influence on them experiencing other drugs than cannabis. On the flip side to this, cannabis is currently recommended by a health professional for helping patients to break addictions to dangerous drugs like opiates.
Myth 2: All cannabis produced creates the same high
If you’re new to the cannabis world, you might hear this myth floating around which is all cannabis is bad cannabis. The reality is there are different strains for different purposes in assisting with various needs. There are Sativas, Indicas, Hybrids, and CBD. If you want to stay up and get some work done, try a Sativa. If you want to get a good night’s sleep, Indica is the way to go. Even though dispensaries and companies sell these well-known strains, there’s not enough scientific evidence to showcase each strain in consumer products works best for a person’s specific needs. But as research continues to excel, the data to support these strains should arrive any day now.
Myth 3: You can’t overdose on weed
The truth is you can overdose on weed, but thankfully the result isn’t death. “Of course, cannabis will not kill you,” says Andrea Chapman, marketing manager for Nature and Bloom, a cannabis online resource. “But like any other drug, cannabis still has to be taken moderately.” Instead of an overdose of cannabis can result in several side effects like anxiety, paranoia, loss of coordination, or even hallucinations. Always make sure that you purchase your cannabis as a verified source.
Myth 4: Cannabis affects men and women the same way
For some people, the effects cannabis has between men and women don’t come to mind. In a way, it seems unimportant but in reality, it’s something that needs to be addressed. “One reason males and females may experience cannabis differently is varying hormone levels,” says Dr. Rebecca Siegel, psychotherapist and licensed prescriber of Medical Marijuana in NYS. “Research demonstrated that in addition to improving overall health, cannabis topicals can increase sexual stimulation and arousal in women. Unfortunately, cannabis may have the opposite effect on men’s sexual experiences. For example, when high levels of THC cause temporarily low levels of testosterone, men experience lower libido, sexual performance, and fertility.” Again, always consult your doctor or medical health expert before experimenting with cannabis to make sure you are given the right dosage for your body.
Myth 5: Weed is not addictive
At the end of the day, cannabis is a drug and you can become addicted. Although the withdrawal symptoms are not life-threatening, they are difficult to experience. They include agitation, irritability, depression, and insomnia. In the end, make sure you do your research and have the information you need before partaking in your first cannabis experience.
Which cannabis myths would you like to see debunked? Let us know in the comments.
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