From cancer-killing to anxiety-smoothing properties, marijuana is benefiting better health
Medical cannabis can be used for different diseases. This is especially true when traditional medications do not sufficiently help patients or when side effects are too severe. Scientific research has shown that marijuana is not the ultimate cure for diseases or disorders, but it can alleviate symptoms or slow the progression of a disease.
Severe chronic pain seems to be the main reason why patients use medical marijuana today. The therapeutic effects of cannabinoids appear to be most pronounced in neuropathic pain. Two main examples of this type of the disease are multiple sclerosis (MS), where patients’ nerves are attacked by their own immune system, and fibromyalgia, where nerves become hypersensitive and even a light touch is perceived as painful. For both, cannabis has been shown to have significant relief.
Marijuana can also have strong and effective effects on nausea and vomiting resulting from chemotherapy or radiation treatment, hepatitis C, HIV infection, or AIDS. In addition, marijuana has been shown to have the ability to stimulate appetite. For these patients, a high-calorie intake can contribute to weight gain and nutrient absorption, often crucial in the fight against medical conditions such as AIDS-related wasting syndrome.
Evidence is now accumulating to suggest that cannabinoids may have beneficial effects on inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Research has shown that smoking cannabis can increase appetite and weight in patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), decrease disease activity and reduce the need for other medications.