For years, marijuana was criminalized in most parts of the world and classified as a hard drug along with drugs like cocaine and heroin. However, in recent years, marijuana has become decriminalized in many parts of the world and people are using it not only for recreational purposes but also for medical purposes. Medical researchers found that marijuana has properties that can be used to treat certain illnesses. There are three types of marijuana plants – Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis. However, Cannabis Sativa has the highest THC and CBD levels which offer certain health benefits. Here are some.
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HIV Unpleasant Symptoms
One of the earliest use of medical marijuana was on HIV patients. People suffering from HIV often experience many unpleasant symptoms including pain, nausea and loss of appetite. Researchers have found that these symptoms were the leading reasons that patients interrupted or discontinued their medication. Medical marijuana has been used to manage these symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life. Many people with HIV have reported that using medical marijuana has helped with a variety of symptoms.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a medical condition where the eye’s optic nerve is damaged. If left untreated, it can cause gradual vision loss. Reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) is the most effective way of reducing the risk of glaucoma and easing its symptoms. Some studies have also shown that medical marijuana can reduce pressure in the eye thus easing glaucoma symptoms and effects. This is because cannabinoids, a property in marijuana, can increase blood flow to the eye.
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Epilepsy
Another common use of medical marijuana is to treat epilepsy. In ancient times, marijuana was used to stop seizures. Though there’s little scientific evidence till today, people suffering from epilepsy say that it helps manage some symptoms, especially seizures. However, a handful of studies have found that THC and CBD bind to the brain’s receptors and prevent certain transmissions such as pain. Epilepsy – Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms And Treatment
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Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the protective sheath that covers the nerve fibres causing communication disruption between the brain and the rest of the body. This is not a fatal disease but it can cause permanent disability. Therefore, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Patients of MS usually experience an array of symptoms such as muscle stiffness and pain which can be treated using medical marijuana.
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Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is a type of irritable bowel symptom caused by inflammation in parts of the digestive tract. This is one of the diseases that doctors are using medical marijuana to treat. Cannabinoids can help alleviate some symptoms of the disease such as pain, loss of appetite and nausea. A study conducted on teenagers with IBD found that they experienced less severe symptoms after using marijuana.
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Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a mental illness that causes gradual memory loss in patients which can be difficult psychologically for both the sufferer and their family. It happens due to a protein known as beta-amyloid in the brain. Studies have shown that medical marijuana can slow the production of this protein and prevent the disease’s progression. 8 Warning Signs Of Dementia
Side Effects
Though medical marijuana can treat and manage a variety of diseases and alleviate their symptoms, medical professionals are still careful when recommending it to patients. Every patient will not respond the same to medical marijuana and it’s necessary to know whether you’re a risk factor and its side effects.
Some of the risk factors include:
Some of the side effects include panic attacks, anxiety, impaired motor skills, increased heart rate, and fatigue.
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