Benefits of Medical Marijuana
The evolutions in science and technology have all led to the revaluation of various cultural, moral, and legal beliefs and standards that are as old as society itself. More specifically, the use of certain substances such as marijuana has been tailored towards a more beneficial cause for several members of society - especially after being considered illegal for decades.
Reports surfacing from developed countries like the United States of America have indicated that marijuana has been legalized for medical or recreational uses in several states of the country. Marijuana is currently legal in 29 states in the United States and over an aggregate of 7 million Americans use marijuana, even though it is illegal from the federal government's perspective.
What is medical marijuana?
Medical marijuana is the common term that describes the derivatives of the Cannabis Sativa plant. These medical pot seeds are used to ease various medical conditions.
Further, it should also be stated that the US prohibited certain parts of the medical pot seeds. It is known that in a bid to ensure that the marijuana pot seeds effectively serve its patients, certain components of the plant are removed. The chemical component known as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is what is responsible for the "high" that people feel when using marijuana. Thus, most hospitals only use cannabidiol-dominant (CBD) pot seeds, which creates little alteration in the consciousness of its users. So, what are the benefits of medical pot seeds?
Benefits of Medical Marijuana
? Pain Management
The use of marijuana can help patients by modifying the perception of pain in the patient's brain. This happens when the plant changes the perception pathways and can be used to treat chronic conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, migraine, etc.
? Reduced Inflammation
CBD has been seen to lessen a patient's inflammation. These inflammatory conditions may include Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
? Treatment of Glaucoma
Medical marijuana can be used to prevent eye diseases such as glaucoma — a condition that increases pressures in the eyeball, eventually damaging the optic nerve and resulting in loss of vision. Research has indicated that the effects of the drug may slow the progression of the disease.
According to the National Eye Institute: "Studies in the early 1970s showed that marijuana, when smoked, lowered intraocular pressure (IOP) in people with normal pressure and those with glaucoma."
? A healthier choice compared to tobacco
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has indicated that marijuana does not impair lung functions. It increases the lung capacity of its users.
The research aimed at understanding the risk factors for heart disease, and tested several young adults over two decades. The results showed that most tobacco smokers lost lung function over time, but users of marijuana showed an increase in lung capacity.
? It helps to control epileptic seizures
As determined in a 2003 study, patients can use marijuana to prevent epileptic seizures. The study was conducted with epileptic rats, with the results showing that medical marijuana got rid of the rats' seizures for about 10 hours. This happens when the CBD regulates the brain cells that arouse excitability.
? It can be used to prevent cancer from spreading in a patient's body
Research stemming from the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco has further shown that CBD prevents cancer from spreading.
CBD does this by preventing a gene called Id-1 from duplicating throughout the body. The above research was studied with breast cancer cells with notable Id-1 genes. After being treated with CBD, the genes were found to be less aggressive.
? It may help in decreasing anxiety
Users of medical marijuana have also been reported easing their pain and suppressing any form of nausea with the drug. This is a significant reason why medical marijuana is used in relieving the side effects of chemotherapy.
However, researchers from the Harvard Medical School noted that these benefits stem from a low dose of CBD, as high dosages of CBD may cause otherwise.
? It slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease
Researchers from the Scripps Research Institute have indicated that marijuana may be able to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in a patient.
It was seen that THC – the active chemical in marijuana – slows down the formulation of amyloid plaques, through the blockage of enzymes that create such plaques that eventually kill the brain cells and cause Alzheimer's.
? It eases the pain of Multiple Sclerosis
Studies published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal have indicated that marijuana may alleviate a patient from the painful symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
More than 30 multiple sclerosis patients were experiencing painful muscle contractions in their muscles, but after a few days of treating them with marijuana, they were found to have experienced lesser muscle contractions.
This is because the THC in marijuana blinds the receptors to relieve pain. Further studies have also shown that the chemical also helps to control the spasms in the muscle.
? It reduces the side effects of treating hepatitis C
The side effects of treating hepatitis C are severe, ranging from muscle aches to loss of appetite, fatigue, etc. This causes some patients to abandon their treatment halfway.
However, a 2006 study indicated that more than 86% of all patients that used medical marijuana in treating the side effects of this treatment completed their therapy, while only 29% of non-smokers completed their treatment.
The success of patients that use marijuana was also seen in the success of the treatment itself, as 54% of people who smoked marijuana had their viral levels low, compared to 18% of non-smokers that had their viral levels at a minimum.
Conclusion
There are a plethora of benefits that stem from medical marijuana. And further legislation to legalize the herb will not only ease the pains of many people currently suffering from illness but will also bolster further research into treating many other diseases that plague society.
