Even though every state has rules and regulations governing the distribution and use of medical marijuana, more states are legalizing the use of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes.
Numerous researches have shown that medical marijuana can be used in the management and treatment of various conditions. There are different ways people use to consume marijuana. They include smoking, pills, patches, ointments, ingesting edibles and marijuana seeds. The method to use highly depends on personal preference.
To purchase medical marijuana, you need a doctor’s prescription. However, this is unless you live in a state that has legalized the use of cannabis for both therapeutic and recreational properties. To purchase medical marijuana, you need to visit a licensed dispensary or consider reputable vendors such as Seed Supreme.
In this article, we are going to look at a list of the different medical conditions marijuana can help manage or treat
- Management of chronic pain
A multitude of Americans uses cannabis to relieve debilitating pain. These numbers go beyond the 700,000 mark.
There is sufficient evidence that proves medical marijuana plays an instrumental role in the management of chronic pain. Research conducted on random American citizens showed that cannabis decreased discomfort by 40% in people suffering from life-threatening health conditions such as muscle and joint injuries, peripheral neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Alzheimer’s disease
Medical marijuana has long been used to help in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It helps patients gain weight, and research found that it lessens some of the agitated behavior that patients can exhibit. In one study, researchers found it slowed the progress of protein deposits in the brain. Scientists think these proteins may be part of what causes Alzheimer’s, although further research is needed to prove this.
- Epilepsy and seizures
Perhaps you’ve already learned of this as it has been making waves lately. Many parents of children suffering from epilepsy and seizures are urging the government to consider medical marijuana as a viable treatment option.
Much to the relief of many parents, cannabidiol (CBD), a hemp derivative with no psychoactive effects is being used in the treatment of epilepsy and seizures, which has significantly brought down the number of seizures reported in people using medical marijuana.
- Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the main causes of visual problems. Research has shown that THC works on the optic nerve to bring down eye pressure. For this reason, marijuana is mostly used as an alternative medicine to treat glaucoma.
However, when using cannabis to aid in the treatment of glaucoma, it is best to do it under the strict guidance of a medical practitioner. Taking the correct dosage of the utmost importance as THC can lower blood pressure, reducing blood flow in the optic nerve.
- Multiple sclerosis
According to early research and lab experiments done on animals, and a limited number of human patients, using marijuana could help avoid muscle spasms, discomfort, tremors, and stiffness, which is a great quality that can help people suffering from multiple sclerosis.
- Insomnia
In people who have trouble falling or staying asleep, cannabis is a great alternative to sleeping pills.
In a Colorado poll, more than one-third of those who have used medical marijuana to help control their bad sleeping patterns said it made them sleep.
THC and CBD may potentially work together to improve sleep in people who suffer from insomnia. Since it helps in the management of chronic pain, people who suffer from insomnia caused by conditions such as anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea, and, multiple sclerosis can use medical marijuana for shorter durations to induce deep sleep.
- HIV/ AIDS
Unfortunately, there is still no cure for HIV/AIDS. However, medical marijuana can help patients manage their symptoms.
In a survey of HIV-positive people, it was discovered that those who smoked cannabis experience better-quality sleep. It also helped them gain weight, experience better mood, and experience fewer neuropathic disorders.
- Anxiety
In recent research conducted, 1 in 5 older adults said that medicinal cannabis helped them in times when they experienced low moods and anxiety. For this reason, medical practitioners are increasingly using it as an alternative to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
To leverage great benefits, doctors can prescribe a small dosage of medical marijuana to patients struggling with depression. The reason why low medical marijuana usage is recommended for a depressed individual is that without supervision from a medical practitioner, the patient may fall deeper into depression. As such, self-medicating is highly prohibited.
- Menstrual symptoms
Although menstrual cramps are not medically an illness, they are a major source of discomfort for people who are on their cycle. Some of the menstrual symptoms women experience include cramps, irritability, headaches, fatigue, bloating, and mood swings. For certain women, smoking marijuana may help to alleviate the pain of menstrual cramps.
In a bid to alleviate such problems, we have seen certain entrepreneurs launching female-focused medical marijuana brands. They came in form of balms, tinctures, and bath soaks. These substances contain cannabis that helps relieve the discomfort of menstrual cramps, which can be excruciating for many women.
- Cancer pain
Cancer ranks high among the chronic diseases that cause patients excruciating pain. More medical practitioners advocate for the use of medical marijuana in helping patients cope with cancer pain and the side effects of Chemotherapy.
Cannabis is highly beneficial for cancer pain and treatment of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and weight loss.
However, marijuana cannot be used in the treatment of cancer. There are still complexities around the growth of cancerous cells and doctors are still trying to understand it. For those that are in the last stages and are late to undergo life-extending procedures such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, medical marijuana works well to make the illness more manageable and to alleviate the pain that comes with it.
These are some of the conditions that medical marijuana can help manage or treat. However, the importance of seeking medical advice cannot be over-emphasized. In all sense, self-medicating when you suffer from any of the above conditions is unadvisable.