HEALTH

16 Uses Of Medical Cannabis

Cannabis is a psychoactive substance derived from the cannabis Sativa plant (hemp plant) leaves and often goes by the names marijuana, pot, weed, or hash. Science promises many benefits of this drug, where the entire plant may be used or just its extracts. According to research, it aids in the control or relief of various medical and psychological conditions. 

Medical Applications of Cannabis

Most countries approve of the medical use of cannabis when carefully administered by health care providers. Some of the applications include:

1. Cancers

Research backs up the claims that cannabis can be effective in cancer treatments by inhibiting tumor growth and boosting patient life expectancy. It also helps alleviate nausea, a common side effect of chemotherapy (often effective when combining THC and CBD)

2. Glaucoma

Cannabis is applicable in treating glaucoma because it can alleviate and minimize intraocular pressure. Some studies have shown the promising effect of different strains’ inflammatory properties.

3. Side Effects of Chemo

Chemotherapy frequently results in severe side effects ranging from nausea and vomiting. Marijuana’s anti-emetic qualities alleviate these side effects. 

4. Aging

Cannabis improves bone health and can be effective for older individuals when taken in moderation.

5.AIDS / HIV

For people living with HIV or AIDS, symptoms like nausea and chronic pain while simultaneously improving one’s appetite and slowing the advancement of HIV. Preclinical research has also shown that certain treatments containing HTC compounds are more likely to improve survival.

6. Auto-Immune Diseases

Thanks to cannabis’ anti-inflammatory properties, it’s often useful in auto-immunity conditions, helping suppress your immune response. It also changes aspects of your epigenome and has calming effects on your hyperactive immune response.

7. Hepatitis C

Affected patients are eligible for medical cannabis in certain states where the drugs help reduce inflammation and organ damage caused by the condition. People who use marijuana while receiving treatment have higher chances of completing it.

8. Stimulation of Appetite

One of the side effects of cannabis is improved appetite, which can be tapped into for individuals suffering from psychological diseases, emotional distress, and chronic diseases that often thwart appetite. 

9. Crohn’s Disease

Studies have shown its efficiency in treating gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, often resulting in total remission.

10. Parkinson’s Disease

This condition often negatively impacts a patient’s quality of life as it progresses, and according to research reports, one in every four patients feels relief from using cannabis. 

11. Depression

Psychoactive cannabis has long been known to boost one’s mood and promote relaxation, helping patients escape their depressive episodes. It also boosts happy chemicals into one’s brain that are often produced in very low amounts in a depressed person’s brain.

12. Epilepsy 

Scientific research shows that cannabinoids may potentially minimize the severity and frequency of epileptic seizures.

13. Chronic Pain

People suffering from severe pains, whether due to the listed conditions, or a different cause, can benefit from cannabis use. The drugs have an analgesic effect, especially when dealing with chronic pain.

14. Arthritis

Medical marijuana helps alleviate joint and inflammatory pains due to the elements in the products.

15. Cystic Fibrosis

Marijuana compounds may potentially increase one’s blood cannabinoid levels which help lessen the effects of cystic fibrosis.

16. Insomnia

Many insomniacs may resort to medical cannabis, which has been shown to affect sleep, allowing people to sleep better and longer.

What You Should Know About Medical Cannabis

Marijuana comes in different strains, which in turn, have varying strengths. Its effectivity also varies from patient to patient, and dosages may vary, with some requiring stronger doses. As such, it’s complicated to standardize the dosage or ideal times since patients react differently.

  • Cannabis impacts your brain and may impair your capacity to drive 
  • It has the potential to make you feel tired, light-headed, or high
  • It’s not advised for use during pregnancy as it might result in an ill-formed baby
  • Marijuana remains in your adipose tissue (which affects your baby)
  • Cannabis can have an impact on a fetus’ growth and development
  • May trigger feelings of anxiousness, consternation, memory loss, and learning difficulties
  • Triggers panic attacks and hallucinations in some
  • Some people also experience withdrawal symptoms
  • Depending on the strain and dosage, its effects may begin immediately and sometimes last up to three or four hours. 

Medical marijuana may be taken in various forms, including:

  • capsules
  • cannabis oils
  • edibles (baked or brewed)
  • mouth sprays
  • pills
  • smoked

What Are The Cannabis Safety Guidelines That Must Be Followed?

Because of the different associated side effects, you’ll need to follow a few safety guidelines:

1. See a Medical Cannabis Doctor regularly. Your doctor may need to monitor your blood pressure or ensure the administered dose isn’t interfering with any other medications you’re taking.

2. Consider other methods to ingest the cannabis instead of smoking if there are any pre-existing respiratory problems

3. Never combine it with alcohol or other medications

The methods and locations for purchasing medical marijuana vary by state. When administering cannabis, the recommended frequency of use is determined by its specific strain or symptoms. Vaporized forms tend to have the fastest effects, while the pill is the slowest.

Conclusion

Medicine has come far in finding potential uses and applications for medical cannabis. While legalized in several places, patients are still advised to stick to recommended dosages to avoid unpleasant side effects, so check in with your medical provider.