Medicinal cannabis has been the hottest topic in natural medicine for quite some time now. Countless people swear by its healing properties, and more and more studies are being conducted to investigate its potential. In the United States, medicinal cannabis is now legal in 33 states. That means one-third of the country has given this controversial natural remedy the green light.
So, what’s all the fuss about? Is medicinal cannabis worth all the hype? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Medicinal Cannabis?
First things first, let’s define what we’re talking about. Medicinal cannabis, also known as medical marijuana, is a term used to describe the parts of the cannabis plant used for healing. These parts include the leaves, flowers, and buds.
The main active ingredient in medicinal cannabis is a compound called cannabidiol (CBD). This compound is thought to have numerous therapeutic properties, including pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, and anxiety relief.
The other main active ingredient in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the compound that gives marijuana its “high” effect. In most cases, medicinal cannabis products contain minimal THC, if any at all. This means they shouldn’t make you feel high when used as directed.
Since it’s legal in most countries and contains CBD, many people turn to medicinal cannabis for various reasons. The cannabis dispensaries in California offer different cannabis products for multiple purposes. These products usually come in oils, tinctures, capsules, edibles, topicals, and more.
The Benefits of Medicinal Cannabis
Now that we know what it is, let’s look at some of the purported benefits of medicinal cannabis. Keep in mind that while there is quite a bit of anecdotal evidence supporting the use of medical marijuana, there is still much more research needed to confirm its effectiveness.
1. It Can Relieve Pain
Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out natural remedies. It can be caused by various factors, including injury, illness, or chronic conditions. Pain can be extremely debilitating, making it difficult to go about your day-to-day life. Many people find relief from pain by using medicinal cannabis. CBD is thought to be particularly effective at relieving pain.
THC is also thought to be effective at relieving pain. The “high” effect of THC can help to distract you from the pain you’re feeling. This is why many people find relief from pain by using marijuana products that contain a high amount of THC.
2. It Can Reduce Inflammation
Cannabis has been shown to reduce inflammation in a variety of ways. For one, the cannabinoids found in cannabis can bind to receptors on immune cells and help suppress their activation. This can prevent inflammation from occurring in the first place or stop it from progressing once it’s started.
Additionally, cannabis oil has increased anti-inflammatory molecules like interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels and decreased proinflammatory molecules like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). All of these effects work together to keep inflammation under control.
3. It Can Help Treat Autoimmune Diseases
Cannabis is effective in treating a wide range of autoimmune diseases. These diseases occur when the body’s immune system begins attacking its cells. The active ingredients in cannabis, THC, and CBD, can help stop this attack by reducing inflammation and suppressing the immune system.
One study showed that cannabis could reduce inflammation in the brain of patients with multiple sclerosis, a debilitating autoimmune disease. Another study showed that it could reduce inflammation in the joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes severe joint pain and swelling. CBD has also been shown to be effective in treating epilepsy, a condition caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
4. It Can Help With Anxiety
For many people, anxiety is a part of daily life. It can be mild, manageable, or so severe that it interferes with daily activities. While many medications are available to treat anxiety, they often have unwanted side effects. Some people turn to cannabis as an alternative treatment for anxiety, which seems to work well for them.
Cannabis has been shown to help relieve anxiety in a few ways. The first is to reduce stress levels. When stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that causes many problems when released at high levels over long periods. Cannabis helps to reduce stress levels, which in turn reduces the amount of cortisol released. This can help improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed overall.
The second-way cannabis helps with anxiety is by increasing dopamine levels. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role in pleasure and happiness. When you have low dopamine levels, you can experience symptoms like depression, lack of motivation, and fatigue. Cannabis helps to increase dopamine levels, which can help improve your mood and alleviate some of the symptoms associated with low dopamine levels.
5. It Can Help With Cancer Treatment Side Effects
It’s no secret that chemotherapy is harsh on the body. The side effects can be brutal, ranging from fatigue and nausea to hair loss and mouth sores. For many cancer patients, anything that can help alleviate these side effects is a welcome relief.
Enter medicinal cannabis. According to numerous studies, cannabis can help reduce many of the most common chemotherapy side effects. It can help with nausea, vomiting, pain, anxiety, and sleep problems. In some cases, it has even been shown to improve patient outcomes and prolong life.
Of course, more research is needed in this area. But the available evidence suggests that medicinal cannabis could be a helpful addition to standard cancer treatments.
6. It May Help With Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a heartbreaking condition that robs people of their memories and, eventually, their lives. There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, and treatments are limited to managing symptoms and slowing disease progression.
Recent studies have suggested that medicinal cannabis may help with both goals. Cannabis contains compounds that can reduce inflammation and protect brain cells from damage. These properties may help slow Alzheimer’s disease progression and improve patients’ cognitive function and quality of life.
Medicinal cannabis is a hot topic these days. And for a good reason. This natural remedy has the potential to help with a wide variety of conditions, from pain and inflammation to anxiety and cancer. If you’re considering medicinal cannabis, do your research and talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you. Nonetheless, the available evidence suggests that medicinal cannabis is worth considering for people with various health conditions.
