The recent excitement about the viability of marijuana as medicine has spurred research into this wonderful yet misunderstood plant. Researchers, doctors, and patients have spearheaded studies looking to find revolutionary treatments involving marijuana.
Although there have been numerous studies towards the medical value of marijuana, most studies have focused on the harmful nature of cannabis. Despite the negative connotation associated with marijuana, studies have shown some derivatives of marijuana help manage chronic illness, mental disorders, and chronic pain arising from treatment.
Cannabis contains at least 400 chemicals whose different uses prove that cannabis does not only have psychoactive functions. It contains distinct cannabinoids that can treat disparate ailments. Medical marijuana can help patients manage sickness with more success than some medicine. Medical literature seems to prove that there has been considerable success in treating cancer, chronic pain, and epilepsy.
Cancer
Medical marijuana contains cannabinoids, Cannabidiol (CBD), and THC that have become very common in cancer treatment. THC has been in use for years in the proliferation of pancreatic tumor cells and breast cancer cells. THC and CBD are administered to help in tumor cell proliferation to prolong survival time. CBD induces the death of glioma cells and also leads to tumor regression in cancer patients. However, these findings are not conclusive as some doctors have doubts about the effectiveness of medical marijuana.
In cancer treatment, patients usually experience nausea and vomiting during and after chemotherapy. Medical marijuana assists in reducing nausea and vomiting. Other practitioners also recommend THC pills to combat vomiting. Patients who are administered THC pills or smoke marijuana report fewer cases of vomiting owing to its effectiveness and timely relief.
Chronic Pain
Medical marijuana offers relief to those suffering from chronic pain. Even before proper medical literature appeared on the use of cannabis for pain relief, many cultures relied heavily on marijuana for pain relief. Evidence suggests that different components of cannabis can inhibit neural transmission of pain. For migraines, for example, medical marijuana reduces the effects of long-standing pain by reducing sensation. It is usually advisable to smoke and inhale cannabis as the effectiveness is realized faster.
According to a 2017 National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report, cannabis can reduce pain in chemotherapy patients making the process a little more bearable. Besides its use in chemo, patients with arthritis, nerve pain, and other injuries can benefit from cannabis. It is also widely used by people who experience fatigue due to lifestyle issues and choices. Medical marijuana cardholders participating in surveys around the USA say that one of the major reasons they subscribe to the program is chronic pain and migraines. They claim that it reduces pain, offers relief, and reduces stress.
Epilepsy
Epileptic seizures have adverse effects on patients reducing their abilities. This has led to revolutionary research in search of combination medications. Traditional seizure medications have significant side effects leading to early deaths in children. Data from small clinical trials show that there has been increased experimentation with CBD oil to reduce seizures.
With the invention of CBD-based medication, Epidiolex, there is a good chance epileptic seizures can potentially be mitigated. Epidiolex is the first of its kind showing the ongoing research to include cannabis formulations in standard treatment. The FDA approval of the drug has seen a significant drop in deaths associated with epilepsy. It has also led to alternative medication considering other patients do not respond to existing epileptic therapies.
Medical marijuana has also been seen to treat or alleviate symptoms in numerous other health conditions. And, since it is legal in many states, all you need to do is apply for a medical marijuana card to access this treatment.
Medical marijuana has been a contentious issue in medicine, with more people looking to join the bandwagon to treat different diseases. The legality of cannabis has left more physicians, patients, and researchers divided on whether it works. If you are looking for alternative medication, it is paramount to be aware of state law.
In addition to this, anyone exploring treatment with medical marijuana should consult a physician to assist with different considerations. Different drugs have severe reactions. Have a doctor rule out specific interactions with your main medications to avoid fatal risks. Medical marijuana research will continue to develop and open us up to new possibilities of plant-based treatment.
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