Marijuana’s growing acceptance among American adults means more people than ever before are using it. Indeed, a recent survey revealed that half of the adults in this country have tried marijuana at least once. Millions use it either recreationally or as medical cannabis patients. Yet with all the consumption going on from coast to coast, there are bound to be some unhealthy practices.
Beehive Farmacy is a medical cannabis pharmacy with locations in Brigham City and Salt Lake City, Utah. They say that even medical cannabis users can develop unhealthy consumption practices if they are not careful. With that in mind, the good folks at Beehive offer the following tips for maintaining healthy practices over the long term:
1. Avoid Smoking Marijuana
Smoking marijuana is not allowed in Utah. In other states, it is. Nonetheless, smoke is not healthy for the human body regardless of the substance that produces it. All forms of combustion generate toxic chemicals that can harm the lungs. Marijuana is no exception.
If you smoke because it is easy and delivers a quick hit, you are not alone. Your choice is understandable. But why not try vaping or dry heating? You get similar effects without inhaling so many chemicals. You can also try tinctures. They work pretty quickly and don’t involve inhalation of any type.
2. Take Regular Breaks
Although the U.S. has not recorded a single marijuana overdose death to date, marijuana is still a psychotropic drug with a tendency to encourage tolerance. Tolerance is a condition in which the body gets used to a certain amount of THC in the system, requiring a person to use more in order to derive the same benefit.
Tolerance can be a problem for any marijuana user. However, it is more problematic for medical cannabis patients. The best way to avoid it is to take regular breaks. A good rule of thumb is to take one or two days off for every 30 days of marijuana consumption.
3. Avoid Those Couch Sessions
What marijuana users typically refer to as ‘couch sessions’ constitute an unhealthy consumption practice. Couch sessions involve sitting on the couch for hours at a time doing little else but consuming marijuana. Unfortunately, the sessions can lead to unnecessarily excessive marijuana use. They are generally a bad idea for medical cannabis patients.
Consider couch sessions the marijuana equivalent of binge drinking. There really is no point to them, and they can lead to unintended consequences and future regrets. If you can avoid them, do so.
4. Stay As Active As Possible
If you are using medical cannabis as a treatment for chronic pain, be sure to maximize its benefits by staying active. As difficult as it might be, remaining active keeps the body as flexible and strong as possible. A strong and healthy body is better able to tolerate pain. On the other hand, reducing one’s activities tends to make chronic pain worse.
For everyone else, remaining active contributes to a healthier lifestyle. Do not let marijuana consumption become an excuse to reduce your activity. You still need daily exercise. You still need to get out and about. You still need to remain socially connected.
Marijuana has become part of mainstream America. Whether you agree with it or not, it is here to stay. Therefore, regular marijuana users need to be reminded about the potential to establish unhealthy consumption practices. If you are a user, try to avoid those practices. Do not let marijuana lead you to a place that will eventually mean you are living an unhealthy lifestyle. Because if you do, what have you actually gained from marijuana?