If we hear the word 'marijuana', maybe the first things that will come to our mind are ‘drugs’ and ‘addiction’. Marijuana comes from the Cannabis sativa plant. As is known, its use has recently become popular in society, thanks to its medicinal value. In fact, its use has been legalised in some countries.

Cannabis contains two main chemical compounds, cannabidiol and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is a psychoactive agent that can provide a ‘high’ sensation for those who consume it. However, unlike THC, CBD is claimed to have no psychoactive elements, so it is safe for consumption. In fact, CBD has been used to treat various health problems. It can help relieve pain, has anti-inflammatory properties, reduce depression and anxiety, relieve cancer-related symptoms, maintain heart health by lowering blood pressure and treat epilepsy.

In contrast to CBD, the THC content in cannabis can actually harm your health. THC is known to increase the risk of inflammation in blood vessels and increase oxidative stress, which can increase the risk of heart-related diseases, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and sudden death.

Pros and cons of cannabis encourage experts to continue to conduct research to find out both the positive and negative effects of this plant. Cannabis indeed has positive effects for the body, especially in relieving pain.But on the other hand, cannabis also has bad effects for the body, especially for heart health.

Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay

Source:

• Healthline - How Cannabis May Affect Your Heart Health (2020). https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-cannabis-may-affect-your-heart-health, 12 August.