Cannabidiol (CBD) has been hyped for its incredible healing abilities to alleviate sufferings from a variety of ailments. What used to be only a home remedy has now evolved into various products like CBD oils, dry herb, topicals, sprays and even pet products. Despite CBD’s growing popularity, marijuana still has a heavy stigma for being psychoactive and carries a burden of being just a “stoner’s” drug.
Contrary to common beliefs, weed is practically impossible to overdose on. Majority of the users do not develop addictions. In fact, it can even slow tumor growth and ease glaucoma. Some substances, household products and drugs consumed daily are more dangerous than cannabis. Here are some of those:
Alcohol
Drinking a lot of alcohol over a long period of time and too much on a certain occasion can cause major health problems. It takes a toll on liver, pancreas and throat. Alcohol also disrupts brain communication pathways, causing changes in behavior and poor muscle coordination. In the US, nearly one-third of violent crimes committed in the U.S. each year that are alcohol-related.
Tobacco
Annually, cigarette smoking claims more than 5 million lives around the world. Taking in substances from a cigarette can damage lungs and may lead to high risk lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis and lung cancer. In addition, nicotine causes blood vessels to tighten, restricting the blood flow which can cause peripheral artery disease.
Caffeine
Caffeine consumption may raise blood pressure causing hypertension. Young adults with mild hypertension are 4 times more likely to have a heart attack if they consumed 4 cups of coffee. Furthermore, a research found out that men who drank more than four 8 fl.oz. cups of coffee had a 21% increase in all-cause mortality.
Sugar
Insulin is the hormone which allows glucose (blood sugar) to enter cells from the bloodstream and tells the cells to start burning glucose instead of fat. Too much sugar consumption can cause insulin resistance that may lead to diabetes. Immense sugar rush can contribute to morbid obesity and massive dopamine release in the brain causing addiction.
Cough Medicine
Dextromethorphan, or DMX, is a chemical found in cough medicine tablets, gels, and syrups. Overdose in DMX results to confusion, difficulty in urination, dizziness and vomiting. Worst case scenario, extreme consumption results to seizures to brain damage and even death.
Dyed Foods and Drinks
Color addition to foods and drinks makes it more appealing and believed to be harmless. However, artificial food coloring has been linked to tumor growth in bladders. It also induces hyperactivity in children with ADHD.
Paint
Sniffing paint stimulates euphoria and hallucinations. Short term effect of huffing paint fumes includes slurred speech, severe headaches, rashes, prolonged sniffing and death from suffocation. Chronic effects such as depression, muscle weakness, hearing loss and death from heart failure or asphyxiation are experienced by long-term users.
Red Meat
Fresh beef, pork, lamb, mutton and veal are all red meats which are rich in protein, iron, B vitamins and zinc. Saturated fats and cholesterol in animal protein sources may lead to cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. American beef has been banned in other countries for containing too many unhealthy alternatives.
Sleeping Pills
A solution for insomnia and poor sleep, sleeping pills has also a share of side effects. It can interfere with the usual breathing. Weakness, heart burn, constipation, diarrhea and dry throat are also associated with ill effects of sleeping pills. Moreover, light users have a risk of death three times than non-users.
Viagra
Drinking alcohol with Viagra can activate some side effects such as ringing in ears, irregular heartbeats, short breaths and seizures. A certain study in 2000 found 572 Viagra-related deaths for people under 65. It can also lower blood pressure so it’s dangerous for someone who is taking a medication for lowering blood pressure.
Marijuana use is perceived to be addictive, getting people hooked and become “potheads”. However, most of the items on the list can also be considered addictive- but they are perfectly legal! People must not be misdirected to the truth that benefits of Cannabis, both medical and aesthetic, outweigh its side effects. If information for Cannabidiol is somehow disseminated properly, little by little, the prejudice for CBD will be gone as we take the first step in legalizing weed.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products do not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. PureGreenLiving does not offer medical advice. Any information shared through our site is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, or adverse effects. Please consult your doctor or healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product/s.