Did you know that Arthritis affects 1 in 7 Canadians? Half of those Canadians are only between the ages of 30 and 50 years old.

Pain, swelling and stiffness are common symptoms of this irritating condition. In most cases, the symptoms are usually mild, but in some cases, they can be brutally crippling.

There are now over 100 different types of medications and drugs used in the treatment of arthritis. Some side effects from some of these drugs include:

• Upset stomach and nausea

• Stomach ulcers

• Insomnia

• Dry mouth

• Mouth ulcers

• Dizziness

• Chest pain

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Heartburn

• Constipation

• Increased risk of heart attack or stroke

• Headache

• Convulsions

• Urinary tract bleeding

• Increased risk of cancer

• High blood pressure

• Kidney problems

• Infertility

Do these side effects make taking the drug actually worth it? Do you really want to give up your chance to have kids in exchange for an arthritis treatment? But what other option do you have?

Many people suffering from arthritis have now turned to marijuana as a treatment, especially as it can be taken orally by eating it instead of smoking it. Acting as an anti-inflammatory, marijuana has been known to help in many cases. Marijuana is also known as a successful sleeping aid, helping reduce pain and improve the quality of sleep. Unlike other conventional arthritis treatments, marijuana is natural, making the side effects a lot less harmful, some of them including:

• Increased heart rate

• Sleepiness

• Increased hunger

• Anxiety

• Laughter

• Altered time perception

• Red, bloodshot eyes

More and more are seeking natural health alternatives, and medical cannabis seems to be one of those alternatives. It seems like an easy choice when one compares the side effects.

Marijuana Scientifically Proven To Reduce Stress?

When someone is all stressed out and you connect them to a waveform or EEG machine the results show what is called beta waves and this is experienced as worry or fear. When someone is in a state of well being, the machine will show what is called alpha waves. When someone smokes or ingests marijuana, the machine also responds with alpha waves.

Does this mean that marijuana actually puts you onto a good or positive vibration? Some do report laughter as a side effect of ingesting or inhaling marijuana

Now, with this information, should we all not take a little closer look at marijuana and what it can actually do for stress? When someone is stressed or fixated on a subject that they perceive as negative, marijuana allows one to readjust their mindset. In a nutshell pulling you from a bad vibe to a good vibe.

Now with these machines lowering in price as years go on, maybe we will see more of these test popping up and leaving us with physical proof and no doubt that marijuana actually does reduce stress.