Medical Marijuana Applications for Men’s Health: Segment 1

In the U.S.A., U.K. and Canada, Father’s Day is celebrated annually in June and as we honor our fathers, friends, sons, brothers and lovers, we want to know they have a healthy and fulfilling quality of life, so that they may be celebrated every day.  June is also Men’s Health Awareness month and while some guys take personal health matters in their own hands, others opt for regular check-ups and with age progression, it’s certainly wise to be aware of the most common health concerns facing the modern male society.

One of the best ways to maintain youthfulness is through a healthy diet, exercise and peace of mind.  Young athletes push their bodies to the limits and many train vigorously, do daily juicing and consume fruit-filled smoothies to boost energy and maintain performance.  Some professional athletes advocate medical marijuana for its myriad of potential benefits when it comes to training, competeing and winning.  There are two types of common cannabis designations, which are sativa and indica. Many hybrid cannabis strains offer a spectrum of both dynamics, however, when choosing a strain for a specific medicinal outcome, it’s best to find the strain that will offer the most potential to meet the desired goal.  For example, sativa flowers typically offer increased energy and focus. On the other hand, indicas are often used for winding down, relieving pain and supporting overnight recovery.

Sadly, there are times when life takes a turn for the worst. Certain events and challenges can be overwhelming, leading to stress, depression and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).  “Significant increases in suicide rates occurred from 2020 to 2021 for males aged 15–24,” (CDC, M. F. Garnett, M.P.H., and S. Curtin, M.A., APR 2023).  Men may find it harder to express emotions and verbalizing them even more challenging.  However, medical marijuana strains like the legendary Jack Herer (sativa), help patients let go of anxiety, become more social and uplifted.  These strains could be a key component at the onset of depression and other psychological burdens.  Some signs of depression include changes in energy levels and eating habits, frequent headaches, feeling irritable, angry, sad and frustrated.  A self-assessment test could guide an individual to the right help.

Key Concerns Age Range 18-30:

• Cancer Screenings (Colorectal, Testicular)
• Weight- Obesity
• Cardiovascular Health
• Stress Management
• Sexually Transmitted Disease
• Mental Health – Depression, Anxiety

If you’ve experienced early puberty and/or find a testicular lump, the testicle becomes swollen or enlarged, you should contact your physician to schedule a medical exam and symptom evaluation. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting men aged 15 to 35.  On the other hand, Cigarette smoking is a common cause of COPD, leading to as many as 8 out of 10 COPD-related deaths, (CDC, cigarettes-and-COPD, 5-15-24). It’s a good idea to quit cigarette smoking at any age.  Medical marijuana may reduce withdraw symptoms like anxiety and addictive thought patterns, which could make it easier to make the transition and improve overall health.  Gummies are increasing in popularity due to the long-lasting, balanced effects of calm and upliftment.

Key Concerns Age Range 31-40:

• Cancer Screenings (Colorectal, Testicular, Hodgkin lymphoma)
• Heart Disease
• Infertility
• Bone loss
• Muscle Mass
• Sports Injuries
• Mental Health – Stress

Perhaps your family is growing or maybe there’s an issue with conceiving. Infertility can bring forth many emotions along with stress and anxiety.  Infertility is not always a permanent condition and could simply be caused by cigarette smoking, alcohol use and/or pharmaceuticals, such as sulphasalazine, an anti-inflammatory drug, which by the way could be replaced with medical marijuana, as multiple studies have shown its anti-inflammatory potentials.  “Cannabinoids are potent anti-inflammatory agents and they exert their effects through induction of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation, suppression of cytokine production…”

Most often infertility stems from the testicles. For example, varicoceles, a condition that causes swelling of the veins that drain the testicles can reduce sperm quality and quantity.  This is most common in men between the ages of 15-35 and on average about 10% have varicoceles.  The rate increases to 30% among infertile couples and some 70-80,000 men in America, annually undergo surgical correction of varicocele, (radiology.ucsf.edu, Nonsurgical Treatment for Male Infertility Caused by Varicoceles, 2024).

Once men have celebrated their 30^th, it’s important to get screenings for colon cancer as well as Hodgkin lymphoma.  According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths occurring in men under 50.  Although the cause of Hodgkin lymphoma is unknown, it surfaces most commonly among those 15 to 35 years old.  Risk factors for the disease include past experiences/diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and/or HIV infection. Self-care should also include regular check-ups and thorough exams, which include a stress test to ensure the heart will beat on for years to come.