‘Smoking weed makes me a better mum – I’ve had five health benefits from it’

A mum who regularly smokes weed believes the health benefits can be invaluable – if consumed sensibly.

Danielle Simone Brand, who has two children aged 12 and 14, said cannabis being in her life makes her a better parent.

The writer even penned a book called Weed Mom where she interviewed medical experts and other like-minded mothers about the psychoactive drug.

Danielle, 45, is based in California where weed is legal. But in the UK it remains illegal, unless it is prescribed for medicinal use by the NHS. They warn there are a number of health risks associated with it, including increasing the risk of cancer.

There are growing campaigns to legalise the drug in the UK, with the likes of the Liberal Democrats including it in their manifesto.

And Danielle maintains that she has seen five health benefits from marijuana, having started smoking it in her mid-30s.

1. Sleep

Speaking from personal experience, Danielle said cannabis aids her in getting a better and longer nights sleep.

She stressed balance and dosages were key and that everyone will be different, told the Mirror: “Cannabis can really help people and me to slow down at bedtime, to prepare for sleep, to be in a physically relaxed place and to fall asleep and stay asleep longer.”

Danielle said not everybody will be suited to cannabis, something the NHS agrees on, with the drug “worsening anxiety and paranoia” for some.

2. Alcohol deterrent

Giving an insight into why she uses cannabis in her day to day life, Danielle gave alcohol as a comparison.

She said: “Generally speaking it is my go to for relaxation and transitioning from one part of my day to the next and actually being more present with my family.”

Danielle used the transition between work and family or dinner time as an example – and said alcohol can alter her personality whereas cannabis makes her feel more like herself.

The mum added: “Cannabis has a much lower body load generally, it is pretty gentle on the body if you have the right dose for your body, your physiology, and alcohol is pretty hard on the body with blood sugars spiking and the next day with hangovers, headaches, dehydration, liver damage over time.

“Alcohol has a lot of ill body effects that cannabis just doesn’t have even with more frequent use than alcohol so that is quite appealing to me because I am health conscious and a lot of mums and people I know are health conscious and cannabis feels like an easier choice on the body.”

Despite her personal experiences, Dr Marta Di Forti, from King’s College London, said there was “compelling evidence” that regular use can increase the risk of getting psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia, particularly in younger people.

Danielle meanwhile keeps her cannabis locked away and she does not consume it in front of her children. However, she said her kids find it normal that she makes time for the drug.

3. Self-care

The self-described “cannamom” said cannabis works in different ways to support movement.

She argued that it supports gentle and moderate movements for things like yoga, walking, hiking, dancing or running.

It encourages her to put her phone away and immerse herself more into the physical world. She added: “It is a sense enhancer in general, and it really works well to help people take care of their bodies through gentle movement.

“There is research to suggest that regular cannabis consumers exercise more regularly and have lower BMI than non-users.

“It is small studies that have come out, it is only just really beginning to be studied, but it is pretty attention catching given these long held stereotypes around cannabis users being lazy, the lazy stoner stereotype.

“That does not bear out in my experience, I am pretty motivated to move my body and to eat healthy foods and to feel good and nourish myself well with cannabis in my life.”

4. Pain relief

Danielle believes cannabis can be a gentler form of pain relief to something like Ibrupofen – and said it can take away aches and pains much easier.

But as well as physical benefits, she added: “It also supports a better mood. That is definitely not to say that I or anyone else needs cannabis to be in a good mood but I think those periodic mood enhancements, and the increased enjoyment of physical activity can really support one’s overall health and wellbeing.”

As for NHS advice in relation to long-term pain, it states: “There is some evidence medical cannabis can help certain types of pain, though this evidence is not yet strong enough to recommend it for pain relief.

“In some cases, however, it may be prescribed for pain as part of a clinical trial.

5. Sexual health

For her book, Danielle interviewed other mums who argued cannabis has led to a better sex life, describing how it helped to relieve stress and to sleep better.

And the author believes the sexual health benefits were “powerful”. She added: “The improved sense of touch and sensuality as well as just the mental relaxation, being able to set aside a to do list and all of those things combined make cannabis wonderful for supporting a good healthy sex life.”

Before concluding the interview, Danielle added: “I want to stress that responsible and mindful cannabis use is really important.

“I’m not just talking about maximum THC and getting high all the time, definitely not, I am talking about use that is greeted towards wellness, towards enhancing one’s life, feeling better and showing up better for one’s roles. We are talking about responsible use here.”