As an avid cannabis user, you might think you know everything there is to know about this delicious green herb. You probably know how it works, how to grow it, and, of course, how to consume it. But there are some pretty interesting things about cannabis that you might not know. Researchers are learning more and more about the plant, and its applications sometimes seem endless. Are you ready for 7 fun facts about cannabis? Read on!
Cannabis has been used for thousands of years
It is a documented fact that the cannabis plant has been used for thousands of years. Ancient China used it for its seeds, as a food source. They also used the plant to make oil and rope, and soon it was being used to make textiles. As the Chinese traded with neighboring cultures, cannabis and its growing range of uses—including medical applications and, for example, paper production—spread to other parts of the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and eventually the Americas.
All over the world, cannabis was used to make paper, clothing, food, and oil. Its medical applications were officially studied during the 1800s and 1900s by British doctors, who uncovered many uses that modern scientists have since confirmed. The popularity of cannabis plants was so widespread that, for all these reasons and more, it became a commercial industry. In fact, the cultivation of commercial cannabis was even mandatory in places like America until after World War II. After that, people began to focus heavily on smoking the herb.
Men and women react differently to cannabis
Cannabis causes different reactions in men and women. For example, a male and female couple can smoke exactly the same joint or bong, with all other factors being the same, and experience different results—both in the short and long term. A study showed that women build up a tolerance to cannabis faster than men. There are also fluctuations in women’s individual responses to cannabis based on changes in hormone levels and menstrual cycles. For example, when women are ovulating, they are more sensitive to the THC in cannabis. Even when given a low dose during that time of the month, women still developed a rapid tolerance within 10 days. This essentially means that women will surpass men in terms of sensitivity to the plant.
Cannabis smoke is everywhere
Recently, atmospheric scientists studied the air in Italy and discovered that cannabis smoke could be detected virtually everywhere. There are specific parts of the country, such as Florence, Naples, Milan, and Rome, where cannabis smoke simply drifts through the air. The amounts aren’t enough to get the local population or any inhaling tourists stoned, but it’s still quite striking that cannabis can be found in the air throughout Italy. Who knows where else it is. Amsterdam? Guaranteed! Incidentally, finding drugs in the air and, for example, in water isn’t all that unusual: even cocaine is found in some air concentrations!
Thousands of nicknames
All over the world, cannabis has hundreds and probably thousands of different names. Even “marijuana” is one of them. This term was first used in the United States in the early twentieth century. Most slang names for cannabis date back to the jazz era. Weed or simply wiet is another commonly used slang name for cannabis. In much of the world, cannabis is better known as ganja, a term that originally comes from India. For example, it is speculated that the word “ganja” derives from the word “Ganga,” the Sanskrit term for the sacred Ganges River that flows through northern India. Wild cannabis grows in and around the Ganges. Its true origin is not entirely clear—but that’s also true of countless other street names for the herb.
To be or not to be…
There are indications that even William Shakespeare grew and smoked cannabis. This evidence comes in the form of marijuana residue excavated from the pipes he left behind in his garden. Four clay tobacco pipes were found in his garden, containing traces of marijuana. It would certainly turn the world of literature upside down if it turned out that Shakespeare wrote his plays while sitting at his desk as stoned as a skunk, wouldn’t it?
Just as much of a mood booster as chocolate
Want to cheer up your girlfriend when she’s feeling a little down? Chocolate is the answer! But did you know that a well-filled bong could help too? Cannabis binds to receptors in the brain that promote the so-called anandamide, which basically means it could make you feel good and happy. You could even use CBD oil for this without getting high. And if you really don’t have a bag of cannabis on you, you can always just buy a chocolate bar.
Medical Jack-of-All-Trades
Science has yet to prove the true health benefits of cannabis. But for anyone interested in such research, there’s already a wealth of information to read. For example, cannabis could potentially be used to treat various forms of pain, to manage ailments and symptoms associated with cancer, and thus also for people who aren’t feeling well. If the effects of cannabis on these health issues are actually proven, you could simply head to the coffee shop for this “super medicine.” Pretty chill, right?
