The debate over the legalization of medical marijuana has been going one for a while now. Even if the studies have shown that its use is beneficial for people, especially for those who suffer from incurable diseases, part of the society has been skeptical about it. However, this is changing, and as of right now, around 84% of Americans believe that medical marijuana should be legal.
Every country and every state in the USA where the use of medical marijuana is already legal has its own regulations regarding it and things connected with it, such as public possession limit or storage limit. Here, for example, you can check the rules for Canada – https://www.cannabisgrowingcanada.com/secrets-medical-marihuana-health-canada/.
Below, you will find a list of the benefits medical marijuana has that have been already confirmed. However, keep in mind that more research still needs to be done. Mainly because every once in a while, a new benefit is discovered. Unfortunately, because of the governmental restrictions, scientists that want to pursue it need a special license.
But let’s start with the basics.
What Is Medical Marijuana?
The term medical marijuana refers to both the cannabis and cannabinoids that patients get prescribed by their doctor – the marijuana plant or the chemicals that are in it are used as a treatment for diseases or conditions.
Marijuana contains more 100 cannabinoids, of which each has a different effect on the body. However, the two most used in medicine are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is responsible for the “high” that people experience while consuming or smoking marijuana.
Scientists believe that CBD has the ability to impact our brain without the feeling of being ‘high’, while THC has been proved to have a pain-relieving effect.
Medical marijuana can be used as a treatment for…
Chronic Pain. Around 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Recent studies proved that medical marijuana could be an effective treatment for them as it reduces pain, decreases the side effects and improves the quality of life. Furthermore, right now, this is the most common reason why people even request medical marijuana in the first place.
Muscle Spasms. There is equally strong evidence of marijuana helping with muscle spasms, as there is for it relieving pain. People use it to treat diaphragm spasm that other, prescribed medications cannot treat.
Glaucoma. This is probably one of the most common reasons why states allow the use of medical marijuana. Studies have shown that cannabis can decrease pressure in the eye. It is a significant discovery, as it means that it can be used to treat glaucoma, a disease that increases the pressure in the eye which damages the optic nerve, and can cause the loss of vision.
Epileptic Seizures. There is evidence that CBD, which is one of the components of marijuana, can help people whose organism resists other treatments for epilepsy. Some of the individuals that use it claim that it is the only thing that can help in controlling either theirs or their children’s epileptic seizures. However, more research is needed regarding this matter.
Cancer. Research done in 2007 discovered that CBD might be able to prevent the cancer cells from spreading, while another study conducted on mice showed that the right dose of both THC and CBD could shrink or slow tumours. Since the research has only been done on animals, experts don’t know if it will work in the same way for humans. That’s why further research is needed.
Anxiety. Studies have shown that THC consumed in low doses has the ability to reduce stress and anxiety. However, too much of it can cause the opposite effect. Also, people might react differently to it in different situations.
Medical Marijuana Can Make You More Creative
It turns out that marijuana affects your brain in more ways than just by making you feel ‘high’. A study has shown that using marijuana actually makes you more creative, at least in some contexts – for example, on a test that requires you to come up with new ideas. Also, some participants of the study improved their ability to come up with different words while being under the influence.
The reason for that might be the release of dopamine in the brain, which makes people feel more relaxed. It gives the brain the ability to perceive things differently.
Medical marijuana has many benefits, with new ones being discovered every once in a while. The ones listed above are just a peek of an iceberg. If you want to learn more about it, all you have to do is a little research. Good Luck.
