Should You Smoke Weed Everyday? Benefits & Drawbacks
25 Nov 2020
Cannabis hosts an abundance of healing benefits and righteous effects, but should you smoke weed everyday?
Weed can help alleviate symptoms of many conditions, including chronic pain and inflammation, as well as ward off symptoms of anxiety and depression. It can even help with issues surrounding sleep.
That said, it should come as no surprise that since its recent legalization in some regions of North America, many people have come to adopt its therapeutic potential through both recreational and medical use.
In fact, despite its legalization in only certain regions of the US, a staggering 8.4 million American people use cannabis on a near day-by-day basis as a natural remedy to a variety of both severe and regular ailments.
While there have been certain unfavourable stigmas previously attached to marijuana usage, much of the focus has shifted to focus mainly on the plant’s positives. In fact, much of the negatives you have probably heard surrounding weed in the past were results of propaganda or misinformation.
For centuries, weed has been ingrained in human culture as both a healthy food source and a form of natural medicine. However, only recently have researchers been able to take a deeper look into the effects of the compounds specific to cannabis and how they may affect us in the long term.
Although it’s hard to say whether these findings are cemented as facts, research into the long term effects of cannabis is still emerging and developing every day.
Even though we do not deny its highly beneficial effects, we also pride ourselves on viewing things from a truthful, objective lens. So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to figure out if smoking weed everyday is actually a good or bad thing.
Before we take a look at the upside and downside to frequent cannabis use, it’s important to understand that there are factors at play other than merely the plant itself regarding how we perceive its effects.
Almost everyone will have a different experience with weed as the cannabinoids that produce their effects rely on each individual’s brain chemistry and physiology, and, as you probably already know, each and every one of us is unique.
Just like your parents taught you growing up, everyone is unique and special in their own way. Who knew that this would apply to weed as well!
If you’re interested in finding out and learning of the most prevalent long term and short term effects of weed use, keep reading.
Should You Smoke Weed Everyday?
As we said, the answer will vary significantly from person to person. It all depends on what you are personally looking for and whether choosing to smoke weed everyday will provide more well-being in the long run.
Ultimately, you have to come to your own personal conclusion. So, to help you get started, here is a list of some of the reasons why you might want to smoke weed everyday.
The Benefits
Early Morning Energizer
Ever heard the term “wake and bake” being thrown around? As it turns out, not all cannabis is subject to keep us locked to the couch downing gallons of ice cream.
Researchers have found out that THCV, commonly known as the sports car of cannabinoids, actually produces energizing and focusing effects that can help stimulate creativity.
THCV is found in high quantities throughout Sativa-dominant strains and can double as a weight loss supplement, creativity booster, and an overall enhancer to productivity and workflow.
In this way, it can make even the most mundane tasks feel like a blast.
Neuroprotective Traits
From early on, propaganda would like to have you believe that cannabis can do no good for your brain health, but the research doesn’t quite seem to back this.
In fact, findings indicate that cannabis does the acute opposite, offering neuroprotective traits that may help bridge the gap between your mind and Alzheimer’s.
That said, those who smoke weed every day may be able to slow down this cognitive decline and keep their minds in a healthier state.
Reduced Blood Pressure
On and off usage of marijuana is known to result in a spike in blood pressure levels.
However, if the body is given enough time to adapt to the effects of daily cannabis use, not only are these spikes avoided altogether, but the consumption of THC may also help to gradually reduce levels of high blood pressure over time.
Those who smoke weed everyday may be able to benefit from maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.
Weight Loss and Diabetes
As previously mentioned, THCV is considered by many people to be the sports car of cannabinoids.
In fact, in an animal study involving mice, researchers were able to find that THCV was able to facilitate insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance in genetically obese mice.
While THCV did not directly influence the amount of food intake for the mice, positive adjustments to insulin sensitivity are linked with more efficient nutrition partitioning, higher energy expenditure, and overall higher energy levels.
Appetite Stimulant
In patients suffering from cancer or who have undergone chemotherapy treatment, loss of appetite is a common occurrence and can create discomfort in the recovery.
Medical marijuana may be of use as an organic appetite stimulant for those recovering from treatment or who have lost their appetite through other means.
The natural high from smoking weed is known to highlight details in different flavour profiles, enhance textures, and provide greater satisfaction when consuming food.
The Drawbacks
As stated before, we pride ourselves on viewing things from a trustworthy and impartial objective. While we celebrate the various benefits of cannabis and the bountiful healing properties it possesses, we want to remain objective.
In that sense, there are potential negative outcomes to smoke weed everyday, including:
Slight Negative Impact on Memory
In a study looking at the cognitive function of 3,500 Americans over the course of 25 years, it was found that those who had consistently used cannabis had a minor impact on short term and verbal memory.
Although the impact was minor, daily use of marijuana was attributed to a decline in both short term and verbal memory by the time the person had arrived at middle age.
In terms of cognitive health, researchers found that only verbal and short-term memory function was affected. Thus, there was no decline in problem-solving capability.
Risk for Addiction
Marijuana is widely regarded as a gateway drug for many people. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen.
However, people who smoke weed everyday are at higher risk for psychological addiction than those who only smoke weed occasionally. As with anything else like caffeine or alcohol, the body will eventually adapt to regular supply and build up a tolerance to cannabis.
This dependence can be avoided through regular tolerance breaks, although users may experience withdrawal effects.
Diminished Testosterone Levels and Sperm Count
Although research on this subject is still in its infancy, marijuana has been attributed to a lower sperm count and overall lower testosterone levels in mice.
Although there is not much evidence of what the mechanisms are in humans, if you opt to smoke weed everyday, it may result in fertility issues.
Pregnant women should also avoid smoking weed as the carbon monoxide may pose a threat to the developing baby.
Smoke Weed Everyday – Alternative Options
Much like anything else in life, there are pros and cons to engaging in any type of activity. Daily smoking may help alleviate pain and anxiety symptoms but may also trigger an addictive response, leading to dependency.
Ultimately, whether or not you choose to smoke weed everyday is up to you. You’ll have to personally assess your situation and see if the medical effects are worth it in the end.
However, even if you opt not to smoke weed everyday, there is an abundance of other alternatives available on the market to get your daily weed fix.
If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to smoking, we would suggest trying other consumption methods, including topicals and tinctures, edibles or a vape pen.
In this way, you can take solace in the fact that you have a variety of different products and methods at your disposal to enjoy your favourite bud.
We hope this guide gave you some insight as to the pros and cons of daily cannabis use.
Happy experimenting!