Yo, what up, it’s ya boy Dan here to talk about some dank research on how smoking that sweet, sweet herb can improve your vision – even in the dark. That’s right, homies, new studies suggest that the cannabinoids in weed stimulate receptors in your brain to make your peepers see better when the lights are low.
Now, we already knew that weed can help out with eye problems like glaucoma. But now we’re finding out that it can do so much more. Like, check this – a study out of the University of the West Indies found that fishermen who smoked or drank rum infused with cannabis could see better in the dark. That’s some real-deal pirate shit, right there.
Then, researchers in Morocco used a machine to test for glaucoma and found that both natural and synthetic THC improved night vision. And now, a new study published in eLife suggests that cannabis can actually make your vision sharper by stimulating retinal ganglion cells to be more sensitive to light. Basically, the cannabinoids make your cells more “excitable”, which is a good thing when it comes to seeing things.
But wait, there’s more! Studies have shown that using cannabis can slow down eye conditions that lead to blindness and even cause cell growth in the brain – which is called neurogenesis. Plus, babies exposed to weed in the womb seem to have better vision when it comes to tracking moving objects. That’s some next-level shit, right there.
So why does all of this work? Well, we’ve known for a while now that marijuana stimulates receptors throughout the body – especially CB1 receptors in the brain and nervous system. And this latest study shows that by stimulating CB1 receptors in your eyes, weed can make your retinal ganglion cells more sensitive to light by inhibiting a protein called NKCC1. Basically, this means that you see better because your cells are picking up more light.
But that’s not all. THC also seems to protect the inner layers of your retina, which is pretty damn important. And studies have shown that people who have THC in their system are less likely to die from traumatic brain injuries. That’s some serious neuroprotection right there.
So, what does all of this mean? It means that the endocannabinoid system in our bodies is super important for maintaining balance and keeping us healthy – and that smoking weed can help keep that system in check. Plus, it means that we’re just scratching the surface when it comes to all the benefits of cannabis. Who knows what else we’ll discover in the future?
So next time someone tries to tell you that weed is bad for your health, just hit ‘em with some knowledge about how it can improve your vision. Stay lit, my friends.