The recreational and medicinal drug, marijuana, has increased in consumption due to its relatively low risks in comparison with alcohol and tobacco. According to NORML.org, an organization dedicated to the legalization of marijuana for responsible use by adults, an estimated 100 million Americans have smoked the drug, with 14 million consuming it on a regular basis. As alcohol and tobacco are ranked first and second as the most popular recreational substances in the U.S., marijuana is third but accounts for the least number of fatalities per year. With an estimated 80,000 alcohol-attributed deaths, marijuana use has become the safe and popular alternative — especially, for individuals suffering from chronic pain.

Medical marijuana patients in the U.S. are prescribed the drug to exclusively treat pain relief associated with cancer, nerve damage, glaucoma, and even movement disorders. The medicinal properties of cannabis have been linked to be neuroprotective; they can protect the brain cells during a head injury, says a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience. For recreational and medicinal users of the drug, consuming a mango before or after inhalation can prolong the high effect — providing additional aid to chronic pain sufferers.

How Mangoes Increase Marijuana High

The exotic sweet fruit rich in vitamin A can prolong the high effect originally felt while smoking marijuana. The delightful smell of mangoes is attributed to the chemical myrcene, specifically the terpenes inside, which is also found in cannabis and other exotic plants, says Berkeley Patients Care Collective. Upon consumption of a mango, the terpenes enter the bloodstream, and then whether you smoke before or after eating the mango, the terpenes will interact with the psychoactive ingredient THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) in order to increase the potency and duration of the 'high' effect.

The terpenes in mangoes and THC in marijuana will elevate high levels for users, especially, if the mango is consumed prior to inhalation. Sufferers from chronic pain can reap the benefits of mangoes to extend their pain relief, which is a healthier and cost effective alternative. Persons who wish to consume mangoes should take into account their metabolism; those that have a fast metabolism should consume more mangoes whereas those with a slow metabolism should eat the mango approximately two hours before smoking, says Marijuana.com.

Mangoes As Healthier Alternative To The 'Munchies'

Mangoes are low calories, as one mango contains 135 calories, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture. While marijuana users typically crave unhealthy foods high in fat, consuming mangoes after inhalation can help elevate the marijuana high, especially for those who have a high tolerance for marijuana.

Marijuana Users Who Want To Watch Their Weight

For persons who are watching their diet and afraid of the binge eating affiliated with marijuana inhalation, mangoes are an excellent alternative for dieters. Mangoes are a low glycemic index (GI) food that helps regulate blood sugar levels and can aid dieters in weight loss. In addition, the sweet fruit contains 82 percent water and 12 percent of the daily value of fiber, which can help dieters feel fuller without the intake of so many calories, says Michael T. Murray and Joseph E. Pizzoron, authors of The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods.

Marijuana Users Who Want To Reduce Risk Of Cancerous Tumors

The polyphenols found in mangoes are associated with lowering blood sugar levels and combating inflammation, reports two studies presented at the Experimental Biology 2013 conference in Boston. In the second study, Dr. Susanne Mertens-Talcott of Texas A&M University found that the polyphenols in mangoes prevent an inflammatory response in cancerous and non-cancerous breast cells in mice, which ultimately reduces the growth of breast cancer cells and tumors.